Simon Says... Here's Why It Takes So Long For Stories To Get Published
Plus, a review of the Target x LEGO collab and creepy 'American Girl' dolls.
Welcome to Simon Says, a weekly newsletter from Rachel Simon all about freelance life—from the inside scoop on just-published stories to advice on how to pitch to what it’s *really* like to leave a cozy full-time gig for the chaotic, unpredictable world of invoicing (jk, freelancing, but IYKYK).
One of the hardest parts of freelance life (other than the instability, the pay differences, the transcribing interviews for 349458 hours…) is the waiting. Often, it’s weeks or even months between the time you submit a story to your editor and the time it gets published (and don’t get me started on how long it can take after that to actually get paid).
The reasons for the wait vary—sometimes the editor just has more timely stuff to get through first, or the publication just ran similar stories recently and wants to hold off on another, or there’s a related holiday/event/etc. coming up that they think will be a better time to publish the story. Whatever the (very legitimate!) reason, the point is that waiting sucks, especially when you’ve put a ton of time and effort into a story and just really want to see it go live (not to mention all the publicists, brands, and/or your mom constantly asking when they’ll get to read it).
Right now, I’m in limbo for a whole lot of stuff. There are a few big stories I wrote way back in 2021 that still haven’t been published, as well as that Big Exciting Project I’ve been (stupidly) teasing for weeks, now, because I thought I’d be able to announce it way earlier than I actually can. And it’s frustrating! I want to be able to share my work with you guys and tell you all about it, but unfortunately, it’s just out of my hands.
So… we wait. Impatiently. And focus on what can be revealed instead, including…
Some Stories I Wrote Last Week
Only two new ones to promo this time around, due to the aforementioned waiting and some other stuff I’ve been working on. They’re both for Daily Paws, which, if you’re not familiar, is a really fun, helpful site for all things pets that I’d be hyping up even if I didn’t write for them.
First up, a review of a cute and cozy dog puffer vest from the LEGO x Target collection (it’s a thing!), featuring adorable photos of Ellie, if I do say so myself.
Then, a roundup of the best heating pads for dogs, which also has some expert info from a vet on why they’re worthwhile and how to keep them safe.
The Inside Scoop
Each week, I’ll pick one story I’ve written (new or old, if needed) and explain how it got from pitch/assignment to publication. This week, it’s the Daily Paws story on the dog puffer vest.
Back in December, I got a press release about Target’s new collaboration with LEGO, and as a big fan of both companies (seriously, I have this Apollo 11 moon lander currently laid out on my kitchen table), I knew I wanted to check it out. I requested a few items to sample, and Target sent me a pair of joggers for myself as well as an equally cute puffer vest for Ellie. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it fit her—she’s a hefty 'lil girl—as well as how warm she was wearing it. So, I pitched a review to my editor at Daily Paws, and voila!
(Also, the sweatpants looked great on me, thanks for asking.)
Other Work/Life Stuff Of Note
One week left to get 10% off a custom crossword puzzle before Valentine’s Day! Use the code VDAY22 with your Etsy order.
I am *obsessed* with these American Girl dolls dressed as characters from Yellowjackets. Genius, brilliant, 10/10, etc.
Speaking of TV, I have now caught up on both of Apple+’s most ~premier~ series, The Morning Show and For All Mankind, and I have So. Many. Thoughts! If you’ve seen either/both, let’s discuss.
Coming Up…
A few fun ecomm stories and a few features, hopefully! Fingers crossed…
Thanks for reading, friends. Appreciate you!
-Rachel