Ask AP

Posting explanatory notes -- figuratively -- to a literalist is getting me literally nowhere.

 

Because you're going for the big and bloated, which is completely irrelevant to the discussion. It's not easy being the AP. We get it. It's not easy putting out a paper when you're being hamstrung at the last minute by things AP doesn't deliver. Try that one on for size.

 

Yeah. We get it. I've done it for 19 years. I get it.
We all have our crosses.

 

My question:
Why, when the AP takes my story about a kid playing football with a serious disease and puts it on the wire (word-for-word, mind you), does my by-line somehow disappear? When my colleague writes about a man with a funny first name, he gets full credit, so what gives?

 

damn, i only was a little more than two days late.

 

I don't know how things work now, but I do recall that some stories are sent out with bylines as a special member-exchange feature package, but most are not. Your paper sends the stories to the AP, which gets to do with them what its wishes. All part of being a cooperative.

And, Smasher, next time you hear from a reader with a question, remember your speech about providing a service. I'm not saying AP is above criticism. If something is a systemic problem, have you editor-or-chief or publisher take it up with your bureau chief to see what can be done to improve things.

 

You're right about that.

But why did my byline not appear on my story while my co-worker's did on his? That's what I don't get. Is it arbitrary by the AP to put a byline on it or not?

 

Back to Ask AP, the first one apparently is out, according to Editor and Publisher.

 

what does the world wide leader provide to this cooperative?

 

Give and take.

 

solid.