As the saying (sort of) goes: things happen. But what happens if one of those things involves that piece that you’ve put your heart, soul and time into? What happens if something goes wrong with that piece upon publication? Perhaps it’s something as “small” as typos, or something as huge as misspelling a source’s name. Whatever the issue may be, mistakes and things happen. Take a deep breath, take another, and follow these suggestions to get your good name and your portfolio back on the right track.
Speak with your editor/publisher first. Whether the blame is yours, or someone else’s, taking a proactive, mature approach will highlight you as a team player in your editor’s eyes. If you hold responsibility for the mistake, admit it, and propose steps to take in order to correct the issue.
Speak with your interview subject or source, if applicable. Besides yourself, this may be the person most affected by the issue at hand, even if the mistake wasn’t directly related to them. Subjects are generally happy to see themselves in print, and mistakes or misrepresentations may be a disappointment. Definitely get to your subject or source before they see the work in question. You want them to find out about the mistake through you, so that you can soften the blow or outline the steps that will be taken to correct the piece.
Try to save the piece. Depending on the editor/publisher’s selected course of action, you may be able to salvage the piece. For example, if you’re writing for a print publication that also has an online component, perhaps the piece can be posted online, in perfect form, of course! Another common option is to print a correction in the next issue or edition.
Save your clip! Losing a potential clip can be a real blow, especially if you are a new writer with limited examples. Try to save your clip by using a flawless hard copy, if you have one, as opposed to the published version with the mistake. You can then simply note where and when the piece was published. However, there may be some ethical implications here. Discuss this issue with a trusted editor or a writing friend. Another way to use your clip is to couple it with any kind of correction or apology issued in subsequent issues.
Save Your Reputation! Word of mouth can work wonders in this instance, as can a printed correction or apology. But be careful- it is never ok to badmouth your publisher/employer/sources or co-workers/co-contractors! If you have contacts in the industry, casually bring up the issue, with no blame assigned. If the publication is local, get the word out to your community. Let people know that the mistake is known, and that steps are being taken to fix it.
Buck up. Writing can be a very public job. When something goes wrong, your name may just be at the top of the page. This is the nature of the work, and knowing this ahead of time will go a long way to helping you manage your career.
Whether you are a new writer, or a tested veteran, knowing how to practically deal with potential publication issues is a big part of your job description. How you react to these mishaps will echo throughout your freelance career, so take one more breath and do your best!
