Freelance Writing for Payment...

[jhawk]

Hi all,

As many of you know, I'm a freelance writer, with partiality to bicycle touring.

I have recently had an article accepted by a French unicycling magazine, as I interviewed a unicyclist who cycled across Canada from Montreal, Quebec to White River, Ontario. Though they have not published it yet, as I haven't given them consent to, I recently discovered that they would not be able to pay me for the piece. They didn't have "Contributor Guidelines" that outlined that there was no payment offered for submissions, I think the piece is worthy of some sort of compensation.

The writing which was originally in English, would also be translated into French, if published.

So, I'm wrestling with this. Do I allow them to publish it without payment? Or do I withdraw the piece and pitch it elsewhere? Am I being obnoxious by thinking that I should be paid for the writing that I produce (despite having little experience). I do write for free, too, for two publications currently. Here and here. And I don't receive payment for my blog posts at all.

I cannot continue to write for free. But I don't know what to do.

Any advice is welcomed.

Cheers,

Jack.

 

[Sharky]

What's a freelance writer? I thought he was guilty!


Keith

 

[vernon]

Getting stuff out into your potential audience is important to establish a reputation. Let it be be published.

 

[marzjennings]

Is the French magazine a free magazine or will they making money from your work? Maybe they can pay you something for your work, especially if they may be making money off you. If you don't get paid make sure you maintain control of the copyright so you could sell the article to another magazine.

 

[DCLane]

Two things strike me here;

1. They've got a fair bit of advertising on the site - so they'll be earning an income from it, if a meagre one.
2. There were guidelines which said 'no payment'. You won't be paid so I'd suggest either publish it for reputational enhancement or try to publish somewhere you would be paid.

 

[helston90]

What are your chances of getting paid for it somewhere else? If they're slim and the piece is likely just to sit on your desktop I'd let them post it.
Instead of payment can they put in a small bit about you? Photo/ contact details etc./ background etc.- this could be worth far more than the article value.

 

[screenman]

Being freelance and making a living is more about selling and marketing in the early days, rather than the skills you have.

 

[accountantpete]

The trouble is that the Unicycling magazine will basically be selling at break-even/small loss numbers so they are probably keen to cut costs wherever possible.

A trick of the trade which sometimes helps is to supply decent photo's with the article and then if they want to use the article you can ask for payment re the photo's as a leverage for getting money out of them.

 

[simon the viking]

Whilst The payment is great!!! at the moment I am happy for my stuff just to be read (or seen if a play) by a wider audience than my family and friends. I have a 'day' job which pays the bills so any extra freelance cash is a bonus.... if my stuff being 'out there' helps me to grow as a writer then thats fine by me....

I suppose it depends on if you see it as a job and need the money to pay bills or as an interest/hobby and just want the kudos..... As it happens I'm saving up my Amazon royalties for a nice bottle of wine

 

[jhawk]

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies, I have taken each one into account.

I've just visited their website again, and found this link: http://funicycle.com/magasin/unicycle-c-171/booksdvds-c-171_23/#monocycle

This would suggest that they do make a fair bit of money as a company, and they sell Uni - their magazine, for 8 Euros.

As @accountantpete said, they appear to be making enough to break even, or low-loss numbers.

 

[hoopdriver]

I am a freelance writer and have made my living this way, writing for magazines, for the past 20 years. (i was a staff writer on Time Magazine before that) here's my take:

I am guessing that you are just starting out in which case a tear sheet, or sample of published work, could be of greater value to you that whatever pittance a French unicycling magazine is likely to pay. In other words, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

If you plan to make your living as a freelance writer, you need to give a lot of thought to your market and focus on those outlets - newspapers, magazines, websites - with the money to make it worth your while and provide you with a decent living. It is not easy. Aim high. As high as you dare.

It is a very, very tough way to make a living, although it can be very wonderful too. It has taken me all over the world and given me many great memories. At the same time, it has not made me rich.

In response to one of the above posts: Selling and marketing are important, but if you cannot deliver the goods you're sunk. Skills matter. A lot.

 

[simon the viking]

Whilst I'm obviously not the OP this thread interests me and therefore..... @hoopdriver, you say, aim high.... Would you suggest just sending articles to any magazine regardless of whether they use freelancers, and would you send the article or an outline and finally hard copy or email copy..... Sorry but to have some advice off someone who is succesfull at what I'm trying to do would be great!

 

[hoopdriver]

Study your market. Familiarise yourself with the style and editorial needs of the magazines/newspapers/websites etc you want to approach.

Editors are very unlikely to commission pieces by unknown or untested writers so your first pieces are likely to be on spec, although you may be able to get an expression of interest if you approach with a good idea.

In your initial approach, when you introduce yourself, offer up some story ideas. Even if you have no tear sheets, your style of writing and the way you express yourself will give them some idea of your potential. It is a tricky business, a juggling act, getting started in this.