$$$ AOL Owned $$$ Check out seed.com!

[BerryWriter]

Laurie, you seem incredibly judgemental. Who knows exactly what the emergency is. Perhaps she lost a loved one. I know if my husband or one of my parents died suddenly I would not be able to just get back to work in a few days. Lighten up a bit. They responded to you, apologized, and explained that they are trying to find a solution to the backlog, and still you bash. I understand why you are frustrated, but try and be at least a little bit understanding. Stuff happens sometimes. You just had the misfortune to submit to an area where the editor is apparently having some misfortune of her own.

I just submitted an article that was due today. The site said it would be reviewed by an editor tomorrow. I'll let you know how long it takes for me to get a response.

[Wordwench]

I just finished three articles this weekend for Seed.com, and while I have yet to hear back from any editor, here's my take:

1) People complain about the lack of style guidelines, and I tend to agree. However, if you do your homework and utilize the AOL Networks link, it's not terribly hard to match the category assignment (lifestyles, science, etc) with the AOL owned website (which is also categorized). Doing this can assist greatly in discovering the voice of the website in question, or lend to a better idea at any rate.

2) If you bother to peruse even a few of these, you'll soon find there is a premium placed on content and the authors 'voice' primarily, with a push towards SEO and Keywords secondly. Don't get me wrong - you need to utilize both SEO and keywords, but Suite101 it aint. I perceive that anyone offering seed writer-mill quality articles is quickly going to get rejected.

3) I've chosen a good mix of articles - a few 10.00 ones, a few over the 100.00 mark. The 100.00 and over will take a lot more time to craft for the obvious reasons. But rather than think of these as throwaways to a Demand Studios type website (where admittedly, the compensation will be not at all worth your time), why not approach them as potential freelance magazine articles?

Even the lowest paid local mags will generally come in at .10 - .25 a word. And consider: You'll have an idea that editors are guaranteed to be interested in and a well-crafted piece that should be salable at a far higher rate then anything you can find on the web.

Just my thoughts anyway. And greetings to everyone - this is a great website!

[BerryWriter]

Welcome Wordwench (great screen name!). I agree that they could use some more specific guidelines but you make a great point about the AOL Networks link.

Good luck-hope your articles get accepted!

[Laurie1979]

Berry, what they should of done was email everyone who ended up writings which I had the misfortune of having to wait but it was unprofessional to not notify everyone immediately after it did happen.
I did not say that anyone would get right back to work in a few days. Read what I said about that.
This editor took more than two weeks and it is unprofessional. If I had a job to do where it is necessary to get back to something and want to make myself look real good, I would get right back to it no matter what.
That editor should of notify one of the staff people to let all writers know that it is out of the office for god knows how long then maybe I would of been more understanding.
Making someone wait more than necessary makes them look bad no matter what occupation they chose. And they responded back right after I emailed them and it was unprofessonal that they waited until someone contacted them.
They claim that they will let me know iin a few days from now but until I see proof, I can't believe a word they say. It's what most of us prefer: seeing is believing.

[Del S]

Originally Posted by Michie

Sorry to post with the same question as yesterday, but it appears I posted in the middle of a conversation and my question is now buried a page back.

Seed.com does not want writers using pen names. I know many of us use them and wonder how others are dealing with it. And if we must use our real names-can we use initials?

This is what I found in the FAQs regarding pen names:

"If you still feel strongly about using a pen name, please contact us at contact@seed.com. We want to ensure that your working relationship with SEED ultimately works for both of us, so we're available to discuss it and help create workable solutions."

HTH

[Michie]

Originally Posted by Del S

This is what I found in the FAQs regarding pen names:

"If you still feel strongly about using a pen name, please contact us at contact@seed.com. We want to ensure that your working relationship with SEED ultimately works for both of us, so we're available to discuss it and help create workable solutions."

HTH

Thanks Del S! That is what I read too. It appears they really don't want pen names but leave the option open. Decisions, decisions.

[Del S]

Originally Posted by Michie

Thanks Del S! That is what I read too. It appears they really don't want pen names but leave the option open. Decisions, decisions.

Yeah, it looks like they want to consider this on a case-by-case basis.

[Wordwench]

Originally Posted by BerryWriter

Welcome Wordwench (great screen name!). I agree that they could use some more specific guidelines but you make a great point about the AOL Networks link.

Good luck-hope your articles get accepted!

Thank you so much, BerryWriter!

Update on my articles: One was purchased, one was not. I submitted them Saturday and Sunday. Both had a deadline/editor flup of February.

I'm definitely enthused and working on writing more today.

[writingandliving]

Originally Posted by Wordwench

Update on my articles: One was purchased, one was not. I submitted them Saturday and Sunday. Both had a deadline/editor flup of February.

Flup? What's a flup? Is that a typo, or just some super-cool editing term of which I'm not aware.

Not trying to be snotty if it's a typo. I wrote "they're" for "their" on here yesterday, so I have no room to talk. I just didn't understand that term and was hoping someone would clarify.

[Del S]

Originally Posted by writingandliving

Flup? What's a flup? Is that a typo, or just some super-cool editing term of which I'm not aware.

Not trying to be snotty if it's a typo. I wrote "they're" for "their" on here yesterday, so I have no room to talk. I just didn't understand that term and was hoping someone would clarify.

Don't feel bad, I was wondering too! :-) Maybe it's shorthand for follow-up?