Associated Content Drama

I ran into a bit of a snag this week with an article I wrote for Associated Content. The working title is The NAAFA and Fat Acceptance in America. I interviewed the public relations chair - very nice lady by the way - for the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. The association works to battle health care companies and certain states on issues facing overweight people.

I was intrigued by the association, especially given the popularity of diet and television shows like the Biggest Loser. Rather than provide my own judgment, I wanted to ask the association what they do and why they do it. I think they have some stances that lend themselves well to debate - heated and otherwise.

The issue at Associated Content is that the public relations chair mentioned several medical studies as well as specific doctors that support the association's beliefs. The article is a standard Q&A format, so I didn't think it was necessary to reference every study. It's her words. AC denied the article and asked for references to each study including in content links. I found the studies, added the links and was denied again. This time there was too much "third party information."

I added no more information into the article since the first denial, so this was odd. I removed all mention of the medical studies, without ruining the point she was trying to make, and again the article was denied with a threatening note from the Content manager.

• DO NOT submit the same article twice, especially when it was called out for plagiarism. Doing this again will result in account suspension evaluation. This is a warning to stop resubmitting this content. If you continue to resubmit this content despite instruction, AC will evaluate your account for suspension.

Don't throw the "plagiarism" word around me as I don't take it lightly. I also followed the instructions that came with each denial. The only method to contact anyone at Associated Content is through email - an email system that rarely works and probably won't be responded to. I will be giving the matter a few days to be resolved - if it is not, you will see that article right here at Lloyd Zeffler.

I have written for Associated Content for closing in on 2 years, with nary a speed bump in the way. This situation has not soured me on writing for that site. I normally receive decent offers for my articles and there are many other writers there who write fantastic stuff and are extremely helpful. I would still recommend AC to anyone. I also understand they have many writers who rely on cut and paste that give the site a bad name. I will not be one of those writers. If this was about making money, I would be writing 5 articles a day about Britney Spears and celebrity marriages. It's always been about becoming a better writer - getting paid was a nice benefit.

However, I will not be denegrated by a Content Manager who can't be bothered to actually read the article. These complaints against AC are a dime a dozen. That company has some major growing pains they don't seem equipped to handle at times.

I'll get off my soapbox now. Did I really say denegrated? It's not that serious. Maybe if I mention Britney Spears again it will alleviate the tension, and get the Lloyd Zeffler blog a few more pageviews. Britney Spears.