Comments on: And the Sourpuss Award Goes to…

By: Shannon

Shannon — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:37:11 +0000

In my humble opinion, Felicia, your ‘sourpuss’ correspondent has coping issues with the vastly different world of freelance writing in the Digital Age. 1978?!? That old-school thinking just doesn’t apply now.

I know someone who writes occasionally for major publications (print media) for upwards of $150 per article, but she also writes for sites on the Internet that pay residual income … and she certainly doesn’t turn up her nose at the latter. As a matter of fact, she often complains about the slowness of getting paid when she writes for print magazines and newspapers.

I wrote several articles for an NYC newspaper last spring and, in June, they folded … so I didn’t get paid at all! That never happens with Suite 101 or eHow. Personally, I’d much rather get a few bucks per month, per article, and let those articles continue to produce unlimited income over time.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:23:23 +0000

Hey, just thought I’d chime in here…I really think DS and others have figured out how much writers like to work and get paid. If you are established, it’s true that you command more (I was established, sort of, once) but you **still**come up with assignments, track down assignments, write, invoice, wait, wait, wait, get paid (maybe). DS, I just pick 10 assignments, write, get paid, do it again…it is so simple. I find the editors 90% easy to deal with. Whatever. I think, again, these places understand working writers better than we think they do. I like to write. I like to get paid.

Also, when I did have a print magazine, I thought of the idea of paying “revenue share” but couldn’t quite wrap my brain around how to make it work…I think it is a brilliant idea. So many writers don’t understand the concept of how publishers earn money…

I hope this isn’t a rant.

I love this blog : )

Thanks, Felicia!

Wendy
Wendy´s last blog ..Another day, another…

By: Lisa R

Lisa R — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:07:15 +0000

Isn’t that funny- If her writing is so valuable, then why is she giving it away in repeated emails to you? The world is changing and the value of words is changing. While writing is becoming an easier field to break into, not everyone is cut out to be a $50/article writer. That’s OK, there’s room for everyone. I’m not sure the woman realizes what you mean by residual income. My Suite101 articles bring in over $60 a year, forever. I think that’s pretty decent.
Lisa R´s last blog ..The Sparkling Martins

By: jen brister

jen brister — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:45:12 +0000

Wow! That’s insane that someone would spend their time berating you about your pay. Obviously, she does not have anything better to do with her time.

By: Felicia

Felicia — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:12:50 +0000

Thanks guys.

Sites like Demand Studio, eHow and the others have their place. I grew to appreciate them after spending in excess of 6 months chasing down a $520 payment for a magazine article I did. After threatening them with a letter from an attorney friend of mine, I finally got paid.

I’ve never had to threaten any of my online writing sources. I like to write, I don’t like having to chase down my money. If it’s not broke, there’s no reason to fix it.

After that experience, I decided that online writing was the way for me to concentrate my efforts. Sometimes I get paid a lot, and sometimes I get paid less, either way I get paid. I don’t submit query letters and I don’t undergo stress when it comes to writing. If one of the Demand Studios editors requests something that is off the wall, I delete the article and place it elsewhere.

I’ve spent many years in the 9-5 work world doing it their way. When Ms. Sourpuss decides to pay me for the work that I do, then I’ll care what she thinks of my professionalism. In the meanwhile, I’m a happy “hobbyist”.