"I know straight away if I like an idea"
How to pitch Stylist's Strong Women editor, Miranda Larbi
Hello! How are you doing this morning? I’m so pleased that the third instalment of my editor interview series is with my own editor at Stylist – Miranda Larbi. Read on to find out how to get Miranda to shout ‘YES!’ at her desk when she reads your pitches.
Tell us more about your role at Stylist.
I'm the health, fitness and wellbeing editor, and I work across free site and paywall. My section — Strong Women — covers everything from walking and strength training, to hormones and dementia, and I write, edit, commission, collate — you name it, I do it.
Perhaps my favourite part of the job, aside from seeing stuff perform well, is when we do events. I'm most proud of the Strong Women Run Club. Every time we have come together, it's been an absolute joy.
How many pieces do you commission? Do you take ideas to meetings, or are they straight off the bat?
I commission three pieces a week — one for free site and two for paywall and usually, I know straight away if I like an idea. Saying that, I do take my whole content plan for the paywall into a meeting every week and it's rare to get commissions knocked back. If anything, we'll decide that they're too 'in the public interest' to be behind a paywall - which is totally fair and good.
What are the pay rates? How quickly do freelancers get paid?