What should you do?

[donnie]

Okay, what should a guy do if a writer does a story for a national publication on your area and the whole thing is total BS? Would you try and contact him and call him on the issue, or call the magazine, and let them know that the guy is way out in left field?

[Dutchman]

I would write to the editor of the publication, informing them of possible errors in the story. Do your info gathering and documentation before you compose your letter, have your ducks in a row, so to speak. If you can convince the editor of errors the publication may print a retraction. Hope this helps...


" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "

[reelbait al]

Call the editor of the publication.
I can say this because I did, and this did happened to myself and one of my Pro-Staff members this week by a very prominant and highly respected and visible fishing magazine, in two seperate articles on the same page.
Seems a page from over 4 years ago got published as todays facts. Complete with obsolete manufacturers, a lake that never filled and now without any fish in it. To top it off, the magazine editors added in a "tip", that the writer did not put in his original article about a live bait that was illegal to use for the area.
Now my Pro-Staffer is getting calls from the article about being a law violator. He's one stand-up guy and is not what these late night callers accuse him of.
I understand the delema,
Once an article is written, it usually becomes the publishers property, if the publishing magazine doesn't check the facts when it publishes at a later time, it can and does have devistating effects on all those whose names are or are not associated with that article.
In this case everything was unintentional yet with damaging effects.
If they would print a retraction it would be in a few months and by then the damage is done.
So as per my original comment, call the editor, don't shoot the delivery boy!

[Wondrin?]

What magazine? What article?
C'mon..tell us...PLEASE!!

[donnie]

Walleye Insider....latest issue, article on the northwest walleye fishing....nuff said??

[Gumbo]

I've been a magazine writer for 10+ years in the hi-tech field, and I get tons of feedback from readers, venders, companies, everyone. Some are nasty, some are complimentary, some are off-base, some are dead accurate.

Don't hesitate to contact the author. Don't be abusive, use offensive language, or write in an abrasive tone. Simply state what you liked about the article, give thanks for writing an article an a lake in your area, and then list the points you disagree with and include any supporting evidence to back up your claims.

Go through the mag's masthead and cc the editor, editor-in-chief, and publisher. Good luck.