Postmortem: How to Write a Quick Op-Ed in Only 5 Years
My latest unpopular opinion for the New York Times (!!)
Friends - dreams do come true! Yesterday, the NYT opinion published my fourth op-ed — about my least popular opinion yet. It came together over 2 days of writing, 2 days of re-writing, and only five years from the first pitch.
How can YOU publish 1,200 words in only 5 years and 4 days? Let’s dig in!
Timeline
2006: I got my first ACT prep book from the library when I was locked up in residential treatment. I took solace in it and kind of LOVED studying for it.
2006-2009: I studied for standardized tests while institutionalized, in foster care, and homeless. Then I took them, and was embarrassed by my scores. Oops.
2010: I got into college anyway. At Harvard! Over the years, I thought back fondly about these tests. (The youth may not dream of labor, but I do.)
2019: I wanted to write about why I loved the SAT. One morning before work, I sat down at a coffee shop and pitched the NYT Magazine “Letter of Recommendation” section. I NEVER just wrote a pitch and sent it. But I did that morning!
I got a swift, kind "No."
It wasn't timely at all. I didn't keep trying. I mean, honestly, WHO CARES about standardized tests? At the time - NO ONE.
2020: Covid! The world went test optional. Everyone I knew was deriding these exams for being racist, classist, and BAD. I basically just accepted this — just because **I** liked them, doesn’t mean they are good!
Feb 6, 2024: One of my Twitter followers tagged me on a story that Dartmouth was requiring tests again. (Thanks Sherman!) They were doing this because test optional policies were hurting the disadvantaged kids they were supposed to help.
That day, I pitched my editor contact at the Times this SAT idea. (Note: my first piece came from a totally cold email after googling “NYT tech opinion editor.” That works too!)
My editor asked for a draft (NYT op-ed is always on spec, meaning you have to write the whole thing first.)
Feb 7-8: I wrote a draft in 2 days about how these tests can be helpful for disadvantaged youth - including interviewing a counselor and 3 students!
I'm pretty proud of myself for that turnaround.
Feb 26: My editor came back and said that angle was covered by the news, but what about the angle of the hope these can provide. It took a minute to get by in.
Feb 27-28: I rewrote for the new angle: HOPE! This angle was MUCH harder and felt hokey. I really had to lean into the emotions and personal details.
I also worried I'd get canceled, since it's not really okay to say you like these tests in progressive circles. I lost sleep over it. I never want to publish something that will bring badness into the world, so I wanted to be sure.
But I had also spoken to so many people — across the political spectrum, from a diverse set of backgrounds — who had similar experiences. This gave me confidence to put my little perspective out there.
March 15: THEY SAID YES. Edits etc. They cut out the reporting, but I think it’s better without.
March 27: It’s out!!
Learnings
HUSTLE. Go ahead, write that pitch right away. Why not??
PATIENCE, TADPOLE! Then sit on it.
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PITCHES AND DRAFTS!! You never know when the moment will be right.
BUCKLE UP if you're submitting to the NYT (or anywhere on spec). It can take a while. Also, not every piece is worth writing on spec! I used to ONLY try pitching the NYT and that just made me deeply depressed. At least when I wrote this, I believed I could find another home. That got me through.
RELENTLESS POSITIVITY AND KINDNESS!! Editors have a lot of shit going on. If something takes longer than you want, you 100% have the ability to take it elsewhere. Recognizing that’s my call has made it easy to weather the waits.
NURTURE the relationship, even if it's a no! A no is 1000x better than silence.
Outcome
Well, I haven’t been canceled yet. But maybe that’s because it’s not popular enough to cancel me? Glass half full/ half empty.
Final Acceptance Virtual Book Talks!
A Recipe for Authentic Resilience
Wednesday, April 10th at 12pm EST / 9am PST
Sign up here.
How to Write a Memoir
Book event with CASA Los Angeles, the Foster Project, and the Best Collective
Wednesday the 24th at 9pm EST / 6pm PST
Open to the public and ESPECIALLY folks invested in child welfare, foster care, and those with lived experience!
Bring Me To Your Campus or Company!
I’m taking a brief hiatus to birth a small human, but I’m so excited to go back on the road this fall!
Last month, I had the privilege of speaking at the First Year Experience conference to 300 colleges who have Common Reads programs. It was SO fun meeting people from all over the country and reminded me of why I love getting to connect with other people who are redefining resilience!
If you’re interested in hosting me, reply to this or hit up my agent Alysyn: areinhardt [at] penguinrandomhouse.com
New Favorite Newsletter
Last month, I met
author of The End of Bias (and Minnesotan!) and I fell in love with her newsletter .This episode introduced me to one of my favorite pods in years.
AND I got to be featured! I have no idea what I said, but I hope it sounds smart.
Till next time!! (Hopefully in less than 5 years!)
xx
Emi
Emi, I love how you break down and demystify the pitching process-- it should be WAY more transparent, so kudos for actually making it so! And thanks for the kind words about my newsletter. It was a JOY to speak with you, and I've already heard from many people who said your words really helped them-- and helped them think about the teens in their own life who are struggling. <3
Hi Emi it’s great to hear from you. I think so many people can and have benefited from your experience. I’m still amazed at how you turned so many negatives into positives in your life and by telling the truth…very rare these days! Keep putting it out there. I always look forward to hearing from you, it makes my day better!