When referencing “editor,” I’m talking about the ones who make the decision whether to publish your editorial, essay, feature, short story, or even book. These are gatekeepers. These folks decide if they like what you submitted.

So what is the criminal question you’re banned from asking?

What topic do I write about?

This is about as close to an instant rejection that I can imagine, short of submitting in all CAPS or all lower case. This flies in the face of an editor putting together a publication. They are not paid to create content (usually). They are paid to correct, edit, arrange, and prepare to publish content.

They are also paid to pick through submissions to find the best compilation of writing and subject matter. Good writing is part uniqueness, part proper English, and part voice.

Writers must endear themselves to editors by proving they come loaded with thought, style, and quality. These days, way too many writers pitch to editors by simply asking, “What topics are you looking for?”

Editors are not looking for writing machines! They are looking for good material. But they are looking for something else. . . a writer with a work ethic.

Coming to an editor asking them to provide you with anything is putting more work on their plate. Your job is to make their job easier. Provide them a manuscript as ready-made to drop into publication as you can.

Writers are supposed to be imaginative. Part of any payment from a publication to a writer is based upon originality. So to ask that question, What topic do I write about, not only labels you as unimaginative but also lazy. For this editor, it’s instant rejection.

The easier you make an editor’s life, the quicker they snare your submission and give it a yes.