Happy New Year!
Before we get stuck into things, I want to acknowledge it’s been nearly a full year since my last dispatch – sorry for ghosting you all!
Travel, work and family (including the arrival of a new baby boy) all got in the way of making 25 Words or Less a regular habit, but I’m back and looking forward to sharing more insights, advice and behind-the-scenes content with you.
So, without further ado, let’s get into one of the thornier subjects among freelancers…
Real talk – editors aren’t stealing your ideas
Recently, I’ve attended social events where I caught up with other freelance writers and creatives. Along with swapping notes on who is commissioning, bemoaning rates and the creep of AI, there was another consistent theme: this editor at X or Y publication stole my idea and published it.
The theory is that greedy editors use their inboxes as a content farm, cherry-picking the best ideas to write themselves or assign to a favoured contributor.
The writers who have shared these complaints have bemoaned how unfair the industry is, while attempting to smear the outlet that allegedly stole their idea.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Was your idea stolen, or was it just unoriginal?
I’m not saying pitch theft never happens (I’m sure there are outlying cases where this has happened), but the “stolen” ideas are often generic listicles or topics along the lines of ‘The best islands to visit in Greece’ or ‘Why you should go to Bali for yoga’.
The reality is that the editor, whose job is to be ahead of trends before they are trending, most likely already had the same idea, or you were beaten to the punch by another freelancer.
I’ve experienced this myself while pitching to a national newspaper on a subject that, admittedly, was a bit generic. The editor declined and told me another contributor had already written a similar piece, so I wouldn’t think they stole the idea!
So, what to do if you think your story might have been stolen? Let’s sit down with your pitch and ask some honest questions:
Is this a recurring subject or topic that comes in seasonal cycles? If so, it is possible the editor already thought of it months ago and either decided to avoid it or has already assigned it. To quote Miranda Priestly in the Devil Wears Prada: “Forals? For spring? Groundbreaking”.
Are you bringing a unique perspective to the subject? If you can’t make the angle uniquely yours, then it’s possible anyone could write it.
How could you pivot the angle to add depth or a twist? Maybe you know somebody close to the topic, have a first-hand account to share, or can expand on the issues in a new way.
What do you think? Do editors really steal ideas? Do you think it has happened to you? I’d love to hear your experiences.
Safe travels, JM
The Takeaway in 25 Words or Less
To stand out in a crowded inbox, you need to show a story is uniquely yours by leaning on your own experience, skills and perspective.
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What I’m reading
Journalist Caught Publishing Fake Articles Generated by AI: “I did not speak with this reporter and did not give this quote.” – Futurism
Inside The Parrot Cartel: A yearlong investigation into the African-grey trade reveals a web of poachers, egg smugglers, wealthy businessmen—and multitudes who want a talking bird. – WIRE
Seven travel trends that will define 2026: Data from the world’s leading hotel groups, travel firms and trend forecasters suggests that 2026 will be the year of quiet escapes, algorithm-shaped itineraries, and ultra-personalised retreats. – BBC Travel