For the past five weeks, I've been trying to get an answer from the newspaper folks about what's happening with the Valley Girl blog. They suspended Valley Girl in October when they changed to new blog software and had not responded to my queries about its future.
The online editor finally wrote back two days ago, saying he'd been on vacation. They want fresh blog content more often; could I post columns in two segments? (BTW, the pay's the same).
I think it over and write back. I don't know how well segmented posting would work. It's not as simple as writing a column, chopping it in half, and posting it in pieces.
Borrowing a phrase from A, I asked "Are there other options we haven't explored?" And then I pitched several options I thought would produce more fresh content for them without a ton of extra, unpaid work for me.
The online editor wrote back a few minutes ago. While he was out on vacation, they'd decided to drop the Valley Girl blog. They're also cutting out other bloggers and some of their standard columnists, too. They want to keep the lines of communication open with me, in case I would like to do an occasional freelance project.
At least they know quality writing when they see it. Not exactly comforting, though.
It kills me that I don't have copies of all the columns I posted--just drafts in various stages of editing. I would have made copies, but they didn't tell me they were taking down the old blog until after they did it. Nine months of columns: gone.
I feel ill.
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7 comments:
Bastards.
But I'm sure you can find better ways to fill your time.
I'm sorry to hear that! I for one enjoyed your posts and thought you found some wonderful little pieces of your area to expose to the readers - it always made me wonder what little gems in my own area I may be missing out on. I will be surprised if they don't wise up and use you and your writing again in some way...
Ah, ME - I'm so sorry. You're better than that one-horse town, old girl! (Please imagine an old Kate Hepburn voice from the '40s there.)
As for the columns, talk to the paper - they will be archived and they should be able to get you copies of all of them. Find out who their friendly IT guy is, and ask him as a favor. Then buy him a Big Mac or sumpin.
You should at least have all your columns...they were so good. :-)
I just wrote back to the online editor asking if it's possible for me to get copies of the VG archives for my portfolio. We'll see what he says. I may have to re-read my contract to see who owns the columns.
Originally, they were going to post the archived columns on the web site, but I'm sure that's not going to happen now.
I sympathize that he had to deliver the news about someone else's decision. It will be interesting to see what other columnists are getting phased out of the print & online arenas.
Hee hee hee. Me bad. Me just sent this email to The Monitor via the "Contact Us" link:
Hey! What happened to Rio Grande Valley Girl? I love that blog! I'm new to this part of Texas and her suggestions for things to check out make living in this part of South Texas at least conceivable while I get my feet under me and adjust to my new surroundings. Bring her back!! She's the only reason I read this one-horse town rag.
Sincerely,
J.M. Kincaid
There! That'll show 'em!
I think you should start a letter-writing campaign, FWIW.
Thanks, J. I hope they've gotten more mail about Valley Girl's disappearance.
I'm trying to regroup. The online editor said he'd "try" to collect past columns for me. I'll give him another week or so before I ask again. I'm sure it ain't at the top of his list.
Right now, I'm weighing the idea of re-launching VG in January on its own blog. I'm hooked in with a local blogging group. It's not very active, but it's a start.
If I can muster the energy and get back columns together, I'll put together a notice with my new URL to all the businesses I've blogged about previously. Between that and word of mouth, maybe I can reconnect with previous readers.
For now, I'll focus on the holidays and gear up for the heavy lifting after January 1.
Yeah, I'm not really holding my breath about those freelance projects they mentioned. I do fantasize about them crawling back, though.
And it is stupid of them to let go of a willing and reliable blogger who's also a good writer.
When I told my supervisor my outside gig was up, she said the paper isn't exactly known for making smart decisions. Indeed.
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