Go to The Impossibility Of Knowing
- Add a comment
- Go to Sell Yourself Short And We All Pay
MayB, Recently I sent some shorties to a publication called Glitter Train out of Portland, OR... while it appears to be one of the best in its genre, they claim to be making no profits... well, I say now... how can this be?... what would I do as a publisher?
posted by
cmoe
on July 21, 2005 at 8:27 AM
| link to this | reply
Excellent advise MayB!
A couple of years ago I sent an article to a magazine knowing they didn't pay. Since then I decided I wouldn't do that and went for the mid-paying markets where I was fairly successful in getting a few articles published. A few months ago I received a calendar from the non-paying magazine and my article was printed on one of the months. While happy to see it in print...I felt a bit used!
posted by
ginnieb
on July 21, 2005 at 7:56 AM
| link to this | reply
It holds true for all walks of life. Whenever people sell themselves short, it becomes expected that they will continue to do so.
posted by
Ca88andra
on July 21, 2005 at 5:16 AM
| link to this | reply
Mayb
very good job here!
posted by
TIMMYTALES
on July 20, 2005 at 9:19 PM
| link to this | reply
I agree with you...In my opinion the absolute worst are the "compete for this job by bidding on it" sites that result in such a ridiculously low fee...but I've seen hundreds of people bidding...it never ceases to amaze me. I don;t think I would have done that even when I was just starting out. If you;re willing to settle for something like that, what does that say about your belief in your writing ability?
posted by
Julia.
on July 20, 2005 at 9:13 PM
| link to this | reply
MayB,
It is so important to study what editors want and deliver that. Great post!
posted by
jacentaOld
on July 20, 2005 at 7:44 PM
| link to this | reply
MayB,
Excellent methods! Personal networking is the way.
Ben
posted by
A-and-B
on July 20, 2005 at 7:31 PM
| link to this | reply
Ben, I know what you mean but I never respond to listings. I send ideas and people like it when you send ideas which show you have been thinking specifically about their publication
posted by
Azur
on July 20, 2005 at 7:30 PM
| link to this | reply
MayB,
A buyer who really buys is better than a potential buyer who accepts submissions but never replies. Many of the listings are "dead". We waste time chasing dead leads.
Ben.
posted by
A-and-B
on July 20, 2005 at 7:28 PM
| link to this | reply
Ben, yes that's the bait. Bait goes off doesn't it? I'm thrilled to have guessed it for once. Normally I can't see those for toffee.
posted by
Azur
on July 20, 2005 at 7:25 PM
| link to this | reply
Good post. The cheaper wage payers can afford to buy more work than the better payers, which is the bait.
Congrats! You've won on the tug of war on the puzzle.
Ben.
posted by
A-and-B
on July 20, 2005 at 7:22 PM
| link to this | reply
UsualSuspect, I was pleased with this post myself even though I knew it would not be a bestseller. That sounds boastful but you know what I mean I think?
posted by
Azur
on July 20, 2005 at 6:59 PM
| link to this | reply
Hemlocker, thanks. Well it is a publishing industry of a kind but not the one that everyone dreams off. People should hold the dream in their minds
posted by
Azur
on July 20, 2005 at 6:58 PM
| link to this | reply
Great Post.
posted by
UsualSuspect
on July 20, 2005 at 3:34 PM
| link to this | reply
Ah, yes, May,
I remember being paid two cents a word back in 1929. But no, you are mostly, if not completely, right. Way back before electronic media, there were trashy, pulpy little "zines" of the time, where many a good writer got a start--and some of those pulpy, trashy things got a start too, and grew into respected publications, though not always successful. You've offered some very good advice. Pitch a few at the little e-zines if you are a new or unpublished writer, but don't get the idea that they represent the publishing industry. Hemlocker
posted by
Hemlocker
on July 20, 2005 at 2:39 PM
| link to this | reply
Well said, MayB
posted by
word.smith
on July 20, 2005 at 2:07 PM
| link to this | reply
MerryAnne, thanks but was it too confrontational?
I wonder if many people already know this but it is too hard to deal with
posted by
Azur
on July 20, 2005 at 1:31 PM
| link to this | reply
J.King, I do believe that it's up to individuals to sell smartly and to be the best they can be
posted by
Azur
on July 20, 2005 at 1:22 PM
| link to this | reply
You're welcome Vane
posted by
Azur
on July 20, 2005 at 1:21 PM
| link to this | reply
NCWriter, I know it's true but I fear it's too late for writers. It was always precarious but now it is so undervalued.
posted by
Azur
on July 20, 2005 at 1:21 PM
| link to this | reply
great post MayB...
and a good wake up call.
posted by
MerryAnne
on July 20, 2005 at 10:03 AM
| link to this | reply
MayB,
Very well said! And very true. Good writers deserved to be paid well. When writers continually drop rates or accept a lower payment, it hurts the entire industry.
posted by
NCwriter
on July 20, 2005 at 5:41 AM
| link to this | reply
thanx for the info.
posted by
Vanidad
on July 20, 2005 at 12:51 AM
| link to this | reply
Hola!
Amen to that, MayB! I started out by selling articles to lower paying markets. Now I know that by improving my writing and promotion techniques, I will, and deserve to be paid, and paid well at that! Thanks for reminding me of this!!
Go Easy,
J. King
posted by
J.King
on July 20, 2005 at 12:46 AM
| link to this | reply