Hi Scott,

I have mixed feelings about your advice. My experience todate is everyone I have asked to write for wants to look at my writing but is not willing to pay for anything. I realize you must establish yourself but I feel most writer's are being abused.

As I have discovered, most publications, especially newspapers, expect you to work for free. This is nonsense. Writing is like any other profession. You do the work you get paid. Yet this attitude of write for the "glory of recognition" permeates the writing world. This is 2008 and Randolph Hearst is long gone.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks
Rich

Amen. If you're going to write for free, I say do it from your blog. At least that way you can be prolific, but you're still promoting yourself.

And, if you produce enough quality volume you may attract that book, magazine, website, or big blog editor/publisher offering a palatable deal.

I've never written for free. I'm lucky enough to have a source of income from another company, (in addition to my writing company) I operate (and it ani't easy). But, for me there is no compromise.

The only possible way I would write for free is the editor would agree, in writing, to a paid position after a reasonable length of time. obviously, this wouldn't work with a book arrangement.
I sincerely hope my sound off helps.

Clarence

Hi Rich and Clarence,

Your point is well taken. Your time is important and you want to make sure you’re investing it well.

My own stance is that in some cases settling for little or no payment can sometimes viewed as free publicity, particularly if you are given the chance to promote some other aspect of your writing. Let's say you have the chance to write an article for a community newspaper, and while the article doesn't pay, it does allow you the chance mention a book that you have written or that is forthcoming. If you're not a book author, perhaps such an article could allow you to promote your name as an authority on the subject (particularly if you're just starting to build your name) and potentially open the door for better (paying) opportunities down the road.

For beginning writers, the process of simply gaining experience communicating with editors is, in my opinion, worthwhile.

Your point about not letting yourself be taken advantage of is a very good one. With most articles you will first inquire with a query letter or email and discuss payment (or lack of payment) prior to writing the piece. At that point you can decide if writing the piece makes sense from a promotional point of view. If it seems like a relative low investment of time for some good publicity, it might be worth considering--but that's really up to you.

Thanks for your comments. Definitely food for thought.