• One editor was very apologetic to say that her paper was cutting back, and so they couldn’t use my cartoon for a while. (However, since I’m the only cartoon in there, and we have a really good rapport, I think she’ll be back.)
• One editor never let me know about the batch of cartoons I emailed last month. I even called about them. Finally, I emailed to ask again about them, and she said, “we rejected those weeks ago, Donna! I hope we can get your work back on track soon.” That’s chutzpah! A rejection, an insult, and a lie, all in one email! She has lied at least twice more this year about emails – never letting me know the verdict, so I don’t send any more, since I’m waiting to hear. What can you do about a liar? Truly, I understand when editors don’t like my work – fine, screw ‘em. But this is more passive-aggressive. Please, people, don’t fold on that important contract!!
• I have an interesting, different kind of contract sitting on my desk, but haven’t made any progress in getting changes I want (need).
• An art director for a law magazine said my work looks great!

• When I commented that a publication was buying less of my cartoons, I got: “it just boils down to personal taste and sense of humor.” Cartoonists get this a lot from ignorant editors. Humor is subjective up to a point. If an editor can define what they want in articles, why not in cartoons? Editing isn’t a mystery, or it shouldn’t be. Do they find art so scary they can no longer express themselves in English? Do words fail them, so they can’t say, we need more/less business/science? Or, more likely, we like our usual cartoonists, love them so much, because we’re afraid to change? (I know what the problem is: new editor. None of their cartoons are funny anymore. But I still submit, because children need to learn.)
• I asked for a raise from one of my papers that uses my feature, Daily Special. I’m very proud to be in Minneapolis Star Tribune, in the award-winning Taste section, but to ask for a raise, this year, this month? Dicey, but I have no choice. Everything costs more. I didn’t hear from the editor, which concerned me, but the accountant there needed a contract for next year, so I talked with him. Turns out their email was down for a while, and she didn’t get the email. So today she replied: “I really like having you in our section! Keep up the good work!” And I got the raise. Compliment corner!
• I left a voice mail for an editor at a big magazine I’ve never sold to before, mostly just to get information. No reply, so I called him again a few days later, and he said (in about 15 seconds), “Oh yes, you left me a very interesting message, but I won’t be able to get back to you until early next week.” I said “Interesting?” Always a good sign when an editor finds you interesting rather than annoying! But he was in a huge hurry, so I just said, great, thanks, bye. I hope he wasn’t just trying to get me off the phone. I hope he calls this week!

So, a couple bad, some neutral, some good. I live on hope, and the kindness of some editors.

So how was your week?

More cartoons:

1. Ted Rall gives Time Magazine what for.
2. Any cartoon gag writers left?

Act as if paying that month’s rent isn’t all that. Have fun in spite of the tanking stock market. Be playful.

I wrote to an editor that has never bought any cartoons from me before. After listing some key positives about my writing and cartoons,  and encouraging her to buy something, I closed with this:

As the 1-800 Dentist might say, “Seriously. It’s time.”

Most likely she laughed and laughed, as she hit the delete button.

(This assumes you know the 1-800 Dentist ads. I love them so much, with that wise-cracking east coast actress,  [Suzi Barrett, according to the 1-800 Dentist himself, who comments below!] that I turn the sound on for them. I can’t wait for new ones!)

More cartoons:

1. WTH is wrong with Barnes?
2. An early Christmas present for you!