Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sari Botton on November 9, 2009 at 8:41am

My attitude has changed dramatically in the past year or so. For a time, I wasn't at all interested in places that didn't pay, or didn't pay well, except for the New York Times, where I've heard Modern Love now only pays $300 – it paid $500 when I had my piece published there, two years ago. Things in publishing are bleak. I've shifted my perspective, and now look to publish in places that are well curated/edited, and that have good readerships who can relate to what I write, even if they don't pay. My goals are multiple - to be heard/read, but also to hopefully eventually make money at it again. By publishing in places that might not pay, I aim to built platform, which can ultimately be currency. It's an investment I suppose, and hopefully it will eventually pay off.

Permalink Reply by Andrea King Collier on November 9, 2009 at 8:48am

I am doing a bit of both. Got two really great paying assignments. But am also doing some stuff for three major sites. Alas for free.

Permalink Reply by Janet Morris Grimes on November 9, 2009 at 8:50am

Great topic, Andrea, and a question my husband often asks.

I would sum it up this way. Twenty years ago, when I first dabbled in writing before my career bumped it to the back burner, it was difficult to get published. I had several bylines, but only one paying gig and that was for $25.

Now that I intentionally dove into the deep into the publishing pool, I am finding that it is easier to get published, but more difficult to get paid. The submission process is much simpler, and responses more immediate. That helps as I am getting started to know that I am being recognized as a writer, by more than one publication. It is at least a step in the right direction.

Since many circulation magazines and newspapers are going under, I believe this trend will continue.

As for my own goals, my goals are all of the above. I want to be published, improving my writing with each piece. I need to make a living, forcing me to market myself in new ways on a daily basis. Agents recognize the continued effort that goes into maintaining a presence in this quickly evolving world, so yes, I hope that one day someone will notice. I am working on a much bigger platform, and each step is a baby step that propels me in that direction. Platforms are built with one brick at a time, I suppose.

If I had been paid well for one of my pieces, I would use that to catapult me to similar publications. It would not be necessary to submit to the free sites, with the exception of an occasional guest blog post that may bring in new readers, once I reached this level of success. I would hope, anyway.

If not, don't tell me. I don't want to know.

Permalink Reply by Shasha Ali on January 10, 2010 at 7:10am

Hi Janet, just wanted to say I find your post inspiring (I am currently in the same boat!)

Permalink Reply by Caitlin Constantine on November 9, 2009 at 11:22am

My goals are multiple - to be heard/read, but also to hopefully eventually make money at it

What Sari said pretty much sums it up. I am happy to be read right now, but eventually I would like to get paid to write.

Permalink Reply by Suzanne Fluhr on December 1, 2009 at 12:05am

I was paid for the first three 500 word essays I had published in a general circulation big city newspaper 5 years ago. Now, they rarely print personal essays that are not polemics. I had a Thanksgiving themed personal essay printed by another regional newspaper last week. They don't pay (or at least didn't pay me). I've noticed that my local newspaper seems to be trying to throw paying work the way of laid off staff writers.

I'm a semi-retired lawyer. I get paid for writing appellate legal briefs. I would love to be able to sell my non-legal writing, but I'm also immensely practical, so I'm not planning to quit my "day job" any time soon. I would like to be able to say that I write for the joy of writing, that I'm one of those people who cannot not write (triple negative?), but I admit that the possibility of being published is a good motivator.

Permalink Reply by Tami Richards on December 4, 2009 at 11:24pm

The only piece that I've had accepted for an actual print publication was an essay that I'd written about my grandfather. At that point, since none of my articles/poetry/etc. yadayadayada had been accepted, I decided to concentrate on essay writing to see where that might lead. I'd like to make a mint on essay writing so that I can quit my day job, lock myself into my office for eight hours a day, and write my novel. Barring that occurance, I'll just take inclusion in "America's Best Essays," thank you.

Since having my essay about my grandfather accepted, I have gone gung-ho on essay writing and I enjoy the genre very much. It's too bad that it's a tough gig to make a living with, but becoming an excellent essayist by writing and writing and writing can surely be great for skill development.

Permalink Reply by LaTonya on January 1, 2010 at 10:43am

Hi Andrea,

I have done some freelance work. Very little actually and I was paid. Today I publish two blogs. I write to be read and my aim is to build a platform for a greater vision. My ultimate goal is to establish my own non-profit. I write to inform, inspire, empower and support. I'm a blogger.

Whenever I write, I keep in mind that my writing is a permanent record and it reflects who I am. I am guilty of writing off the cuff, but I don't hold back better writing for established venues, paid or free. On the Web everything is public therefore it's game face on.

Having said that I do get the difference of writing for a larger audience and writing for a site of community members. In my experience though, I have had many opportunities open because of social settings so again, I'm always cognizant of how I am perceived online.

I believe many online publications will eventually become subscription sites and as subscription sites I'm assuming contributors would receive some compensation. How we communicate and how we are paid for our work as writers is evolving. My attitude is to worry less about the changes and become more savvy in learning how to navigate new platforms and learn how to earn income in this new environment of instant publication.

Permalink Reply by Shasha Ali on January 10, 2010 at 7:35am

I've only had one essay published and that was for free, in 2005. I remember just wanting to have it out there and read, and I wouldn't even dream of getting paid. I was heavily focused on getting work published in established forums, journals, and niche magazines, so was prepared to take the bullet, so to speak.

I'm more inclined these days to push for pay, first and always. Yes, credibility and portfolio reputation are important, but as a matter of need, I will do work for a minimum per word rate to measure against other writing opportunities foregone. It is always harder to say 'No' to unpaid writing work, but if I don't do it, I believe people will just keep asking me to write for free. Besides I can always modify my portfolio for different writing gigs, if the work I'm paid for doesn't add value to my writing profile.

Permalink Reply by Nancy Williard on February 21, 2010 at 10:35pm

I write because I just do. It's always been a part of me. After a bit I wanted it to be read. Now having had some of it read, I'd like to get paid so I can write more and eat as well. The economy has also forced my hand by requiring me to use every opportunity to find ways to make income. I'd also like to have some feedback. I don't want to feel like my words just evaporate into space.

Permalink Reply by Judith van Praag on March 18, 2010 at 10:45am

Andrea, You bring up some great points and questions, all of which are at the top of my mind these days.

The first steady gig I had was with a Dutch web magazine, their payments weren't too bad for a web publication. At the time (2000-'03) I was already living in the U.S. and had just published a book on infant loss, I saw the column I wrote on grief in general, as a way to spread the word about my book and gain name recognition for future projects, like you say, a platform to something larger.

As for writing for free, I've had an issue with that and still struggle with the idea that I have to give away my writing for free. As an artist I've had to make a point that I don't work for free, and I continued holding on to that thought as a writer. When I launched dutchessabroad.com in 2005 I immediately started a blog Hope Filled Jars (quick the webmaster is on the clock, make up a title) to be included on my site, I told myself I should not publish on the blog, what I could be paid for elsewhere.

This said, I'm finally starting to learn, five years after starting my blog that just presenting some information may bring people to your blog, but if you don't engage them, if you don't give them room for thought, you're not going to get any comments, and comments make blogs go around and around.

I was happy to find the American based InterfaithFamily.com that commissioned me to write some essays paid rather well for a web publication.

A while back I read in a trade magazine that you should never hold back your writing, always give it your best, whether you get paid or not. The idea being that you never know who's going to read what you wrote for free, and if it's an editor or agent, your writing better be good, no, make that —your best. If you are giving away something for free, write the piece in such a manner that the reader wants to come back for more, or wants to look you up elsewhere.