Welcome to Re:Writing
A little introduction before the proper stuff kicks off
Hello!
If you’re currently sitting at your desk, like I am, wondering how on earth it’s Monday again already, or looking at your to-do list (like I also am) unsure as to why it never seems to get any shorter, then hopefully this brief introduction to Re:Writing will provide a welcome, if short, distraction.
Firstly, to those of you who have subscribed already: thank you! (If you’re reading this and haven’t subscribed, there’s a handy button to do so at the end of this post.)
I’ll be sending out the first proper newsletter on Friday (because who doesn’t want an auspicious date like Friday 13th for the start of something new?) but I thought that before then I should introduce myself and the newsletter properly, so you know what to expect.
Who am I?
I’m Emma Gibbs, a freelance travel writer and editor. I’m Editor-in-Chief of JRNY Magazine, and I’ve been working as a travel editor for almost two decades now – editing (and writing) for all the big UK guidebook publishers: Rough Guides, Bradt Guides, Lonely Planet and DK Travel. I’m also a published author (my latest book, Scotland’s North Highlands, is coming out in February 2025) and have written for various publications including The i, The Guardian, The Independent and Scotland Magazine.
About Re:Writing
A lot writers don’t really understand what an editor does – we’re the pedantic people that fiddle about with your precious words and make them less good than when you submitted them, right? (Not to mention the people you spend hours crafting pitches for only to hear nothing in return.)
In Re:Writing, I’ll be providing a combination of behind-the-scenes knowledge and useful intel on how to make your writing and pitching as good as can be. How much do I care about bad spelling? Am I laughing at your unanswered pitches? Is it possible to get commissioned without having a decent amount of bylines? I’ll be answering all these questions and more.
Schedule
I’ll initially be publishing fortnightly, with a plan to go up to weekly posts over time.
Do you need to pay?
I’ll be kicking things off with a free post to get the ball rolling, but most of my content will require a subscription – with almost 20 years of experience, I’ve got a lot of useful publishing insight to share. In addition, being a paid subscriber will give you exclusive, early access to my JRNY pitch calls before they’re publicised anywhere else – giving you a head start on my inbox.
I’ve priced the subscription at just £3.50/month, which is the lowest that Substack will let me go, and only about the same price as a cup of coffee. (Just don’t get me started on how expensive coffee is these days.)
Upcoming posts
Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect over the coming weeks (in no particular order):
Why rejection means less than you think it does
The holy trinity
What makes the best writers stand out from the crowd (clue: it’s not just the writing).
Help! An editor has put words in my mouth and I don’t like them
Why we change your text and what you can do about things you really hate.
Ghosting: it’s nothing personal
Why editors ignore your emails and the best way to deal with it.
Have a burning question?
If there’s something about editing or pitching that you're desperate to know, drop me a line at emma@emmagibbseditorial.com and I’ll look at covering it in a future newsletter.
Thanks again for your support – I hope you enjoy Re:Writing!
Emma