The public editor is not an editor of any newspaper and does not implement any editorial decisions.
His role is to handle editorial complaints from readers and recommend to editors remedies or settlements for such complaints.
However, some readers have refused to accept that I do not edit any newspapers and constantly besiege me with requests to publish their articles or, more commonly, how to get them published.
“I would like to inquire on what it takes for an article to be published, for instance, what should I do and not do, and to whom should I direct the article? To be specific, an opinion article,” says one reader in a typical request.
Says another: “I would like to be informed on the various steps I need to take in order to reach my goal. I would like to write a continued series each Sunday on the life of the average woman and the daily challenges she faces.”
Other readers submit their articles for consideration and ask for feedback. A few readers, however, accept that my role is just to follow up and prosecute their complaints with the editors.
Two weeks ago, for example, Rita Gichema wrote to complain that she had sent an article but had not received any feedback.
Yesterday she wrote again in response to my inquiry to inform me that her article had been published by The Star .
“With this experience, I believe you lock out very many people who may have good articles and that is the gap that other media houses have capitalised on.
Would advise that someone should be tasked to respond to all emails. Negative feedback is better than no feedback at all.”
Although I do not decide which articles should be published outside this column, and in view of all those requests, I have decided to put my two cents in.
First, all those readers who have been asking me how to go about getting their articles published or submitting articles to me should write directly to the editor concerned. That saves time.
Second, readers should carry out some market research. If you want an article published in the Daily Nation , for example, study the types of articles (subject matter, writing style, length, etc.) it publishes, by whom and in what sections of the newspaper.
After all, you would not dare, for example, walk into a Nakumatt supermarket and try to persuade the procurement manager to stock your homemade mutura unless you knew they offer such products to their customers, would you?
Readers who send in, for example, epic poems, short stories, or academic papers for publication in the Daily Nation demonstrate that they are clueless.
Third, if you are submitting an article on speculation, make a convincing pitch.
Do not write an article on the impact of capping interest rates and proclaim, as your credentials for writing it, that you are a first-year student of business administration in a backwater college.
At the same time, do not exaggerate and say you are what you are not.
And your credentials must be commensurate with the subject matter. It does not help to say you are a PhD in cell biology if you are commenting on the viability of the standard gauge railway.
Fourth, write on topical issues. Timing is everything. Do not write commentaries on burning school dormitories when the nation has moved on to talk about bank interest rates. And do your research.
Fifth, do not ask the editor to give you ideas on what to write about or guide you on how to write. He has no time for that.
It is your task to give the editor what he is likely to publish. The best approach is to sell an idea to the editor and if it is good, he will buy it.
Sixth, send your article to the relevant editor. If you get these things right you will have little need to ask for guidance.
