Why *this* might be the best time to pitch an editor

There's a clue in their response

Author

Diana Kelly Levey
August 20, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

In partnership with

Small Budget, Big Impact: Outsmart Your Larger Competitors

Being outspent doesn't mean being outmarketed. Our latest resource showcases 15 small businesses that leveraged creativity instead of cash to achieve remarkable marketing wins against much larger competitors.

  • Proven techniques for standing out in crowded markets without massive budgets

  • Tactical approaches that turn resource constraints into competitive advantages

  • Real-world examples of small teams creating outsized market impact

Ready to level the playing field? Download now to discover the exact frameworks these brands used to compete and win.

#ad

In the Northeast in the U.S. many schools are still out for the summer and a lot of summer camps close. It’s a common time for parents to take off of work and families to go away for vacation or simply get things done to prep for the school year before Labor Day weekend in two weeks.

I don’t know about you but I’ve gotten a lot of OOTO (out of the office) emails this summer and I kind of low-key love it.

Why, Diana, you nutter? you ask.

Because many times an editor’s out-of-office reply tells you two things:

  1. Hooray, you got the right email address configuration and it went through. A celebration in itself.

  2. They probably shared a colleague’s name and email address. Hooray! This means you have TWO contacts at the company.

Now, sometimes, I’ll email the other editor right away and other times I won’t. But, I will note the other source’s name, title and email address in my CRM management software and marketing tools. It depends on the situation.

I recently emailed an editor I worked with and the OOTO popped back but she was on medical leave and her automatic reply said to email the other contact if it was URGENT. My pitch was not and I figured the other editor is probably slammed so I didn’t want to be “THAT” freelancer.

I’ll note in a calendar or follow-up CRM to follow up with this editor in a few weeks.

Don’t let a summer slowdown and OOTO messages scare you.

While it means getting the assignment confirmed might take some time, in the long run, you have another contact. (Keep this in mind should the one editor leave, get laid off, or ghost you.)

So, don’t be afraid to send pitches in the next few weeks. Do it knowing replies might be slow and you’ll need to follow up in mid-September but the editor might be even more likely to respond when they see it’s a follow up.

Oh and that freelance article pitch? It was accepted. 🧨

Diana

P.S. Missed last week’s newsletter or a recent post? Check them out here.

📧 Receive this email from a friend?

(Thanks, friend!)

Subscribe to the weekly freelance writing tips email here.

You’ll get a freelance “pitching tips” PDF resource as a thank-you for subscribing.

Top Publishers Hand-Selecting Amazon Brands to Promote this Holiday Season

This holiday season, top publishers are handpicking Amazon brands to feature in gift guides, newsletters, and reviews — driving high-intent shoppers straight to storefronts.

Levanta is connecting a select group of 7–9 figure brands with publishers ready to promote products to millions of buyers.

#ad

Improve Your Inbox with These Newsletters

Here are a few awesome newsletters I read and think you’ll get a lot from, too.

Creator Spotlight: Learn how to monetize a creator business, read inspiring profiles and get insider advice.

Big Desk Energy: If you enjoy reading startup stories, check out the new newsletter from Beehiiv’s founder, Tyler Denk.

What I’m Reading / Listening to / Doing / Publishing

  • Software / Platform I Appreciate: Authory is a freelance portfolio creation site that sends me an email when a new client article with my byline is published. It’s so easy, I partnered up with them with a referral link. Get a 30-day free trial of the platform when you use my link.

  • What I’m Reading: The Whole Brain Child by Dr. Daniel Siegel (a nonfiction parenting book) and Beach House Reunion (Mary Alice Monroe)

  • What I’m Listening to: The recap of Treasa Edmonds’ webinar with Ed Gandia and Michelle Garrett that answered freelancers’ questions was very good.

  • What I’m Watching: Sullivan’s Crossing on Netflix. If you liked Virgin River, this one is very similar: doctor redhead + scenic background = TV show success

Freelance / Content / Media Jobs I Found

This roundup includes freelance writing jobs, media jobs, FT jobs, creative jobs, and content writing jobs for creatives I found. Good luck!

Let’s Work Together!

This post contains some affiliate links.

Reply

or to participate.