I hate it when this happens:
Them: Will you write x amount of words for us on this topic and get it to us by x date? We believe in you, and we hope you believe in us.
Writer/Author: I DO believe in you! Thanks so much for reaching out to me and considering me to write something for this project! Can you tell me more about the project? Will it be edited and, if so, by whom? What rate do you pay for something like this?
Them: Great! Great! We’re excited about this project, too. Yes (or no), you will (not) be working with an editor. Unfortunately, we can’t pay for this [Alternate: We will pay (insert very small amount here) for this project], but our publication reaches x amount of people, and we will gladly link to your website and promote your work.
Writer/Author (to spouse/partner/undying friend): Dang it! I’ve been wanting to write for this publication for so long! I admire them, but I just cannot afford to write for nothing. Writing this piece will take time, and research, and time, and creativity, and time! What should I do?
What would YOU do??? How do you decide? Who do you talk to? Do you have a rate established? Do you know when to say “Yes” because low or no pay pales in comparison to some of the other benefits? Do you know how to say, “No, thank you,” without feeling guilty?
Beginning later this month, I’ll be writing a series about these kinds of writerly things, for subscribers only. If you’ve got a burning question about writing or speaking (turns out, they’re a lot alike), let us know in the comments, then make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter, to get in on the fun (for zero dollars)!
Deidra, this will be an important series. I wrote a magazine article about writing once called “To Freebie or Not to Freebie,” in which I made the point that there are times for professional authors to offer their work gratis. Though the article is weighted towards that, I made it clear that the author is worth her wage (and has probably invested much time and money to get where she is), and that when we volunteer our work, it should spring from God’s direction. Had I written more from the other perspective, I would have pointed out that often people expect Christians to write (or speak) gratis, because, after all, “This is ministry.” What bothers me is when someone approaches you about writing or speaking (and in my case, too, singing), and they don’t initially ask one’s fee. They automatically expect something for nothing, because we are all Christians. I think too it can get problematic on some blogsites when there are *extremely strict* guidelines (like nearly asking for your firstborn child), and they want all original work (all the time), all at no cost to them. In these instances, I don’t think they are giving an author respect, realizing that under most conditions they would need to pay for the work. To be clear, while I’ve been paid for my writing and speaking (and singing 🙂 ), I have also often offered it at no cost. I can’t also tell you the number of my books that I have given free, because I felt the reader would be blessed by the message. In those cases, I couldn’t imagine receiving anything in return. It’s important to exude a spirit of generosity; at the same time, you gotta eat and pay your bills. What’s a girl to do?! 🙂 That is why it will be wonderful to read this series. For me, it’s been a matter of prayerful discernment, and following God’s direction case by case. Doing that, I don’t think we can go wrong.
All the best on this!
Love
Lynn
“Don’t muzzle the ox while it’s treading out grain.” Somewhere in the law, and 1Corinthians 9.
I think sometimes people think that creativity requires little to no effort on the part of the writer (or artist), as though it drops magically out of the brain onto paper. Conception, that spark of an idea, sometimes might come easy. But like babies, there is a whole labor and delivery process to fully flesh out the original concept.
Oh, and I should say yes, please to your articles coming on writing. I don’t have any burning questions; just wishing I could get my “mental babies” out of my head and into the world, for profit and pleasure.
Yes, I want to read your postings about writing. At this point, since I am not a professional writer who is paid for writing, I don’t really have anything to add to the conversation. But I am always interested in your observations about writing and would like to continue to receive your posts on this. When you say, “newsletter”, are you referring to your blog or something else? If it’s something else, please sign me up. Jan Rife
I look forward to following this. It’s not just writing, either, it happens a lot in ministry too, especially if your ministry falls outside of the proverbial box.
Looking forwrard to it!
Thank you for this platform, very much needed!
Do you know of any writing groups? A friend of mine is interested in writing with a group.