I have been writing this blog for about four years now. In that time, I have gained a lot of outdoor friends and lost a couple outdoor friends (I'm better off without the drama.) I have learned about hunting issues in Maine and looked beyond deer hunting to bear, coyote and turkey. I have been able to reconnect with friends who are now working for Inland Fisheries & Wildlife as well as meet new friends who helped me get a better idea of what was going on and what the impact was, as I sat in on legislative hearings regarding new potential laws to the Maine outdoors.
In my writing, I have always strive to be unique, honest and to the point. I don't always do a good job of editing (I am working on that, I promise!) but I am improving and growing as an outdoors woman and as a writer.
In this process, I had the opportunity to blog for a state-wide newspaper. My excitement and willingness was short lived as I (and others) were bounced from one editor to another to another. I would inquire about getting more promotion for my posts and try to have timely and interesting materials that would be worthy of a Facebook post or a retweet. But after a staff writer copied three of my blogs topics and posted and promoted his work, usually done within a week of my original posts, I decided that enough was enough. I went back and forth with my editor and was told that because we write about hunting and the Maine woods, that we were bound to have similar articles. I struggled about how I felt about the situation and my writing integrity. I asked friends and fellow bloggers about it. I wanted people to read my work because it was a reflection on my thoughts, experiences and feeling towards hunting and Maine. One week later, I gave my notice.
But, when one door closes...
I had been contacted by the editor of a hunting magazine back in January about writing for him because he wanted more women's voices. I couldn't follow through then because I was four months pregnant and trying to stay awake past 5pm and function as a human was a daily challenge.
Fast forward ten months and at a sportsman's show in October, I reconnected with the editor and we once again started talking about me writing for him. After a few emails and an official query, I am the newest writer for the Northwoods Sporting Journal!
Beginning with the January issue, I will write a monthly column called "Woman in the Woods." I am excited to reach a new group of outdoor folks and look forward to them stopping by Coffee to join in on our conversations!
I want to send a huge THANK YOU to each and every one of you who read this blog and comment on my adventures. I really appreciate you supporting me as I grow as a writer and as an outdoors woman. I hope you will keep reading and sharing this adventure with me!
Congrats Erin. You will do very well and they are luck to have you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Matt! It means a lot to have your encouragement.
DeleteHooray! Looks interesting, I may have to get a subscription even though I'm 'from away'.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great magazine with a lot of integrity behind its mission. Some outdoor magazines in Maine can't say that.
DeleteGood for you Erin..It's a great publication, now even better!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! =)
Deletegood job! integrity always pays off.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom! Happy Holidays
DeleteThat sounds like a great opportunity.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new job. I'm sure you'll do well.
ReplyDeleteWoo Hoo! Congrats!!
ReplyDelete