Struggling Authors

Hello

I have had 3 articles published for free in two self help magazines and one local info. magazine. Another editor of a magazine says he wants to take me on to write articles for his magazine and pay me. However... he keeps saying 'what do you want to be paid?' and says he doesn't know the correct rate. I don't know either so we don't get anywhere. He said he had 'spoken to someone who said the rate varied from £10 to £40.'

So I've decided that for my 500 word article on a local landmark I should ask £20. When I told him this he sounded dubious but I'm not budging. I think I should ask £20 for that and at least £30 for the next article he wants because it has involved much more researching. Perhaps £40.

Something I just read on Struggling Authors is that you can charge 10p or 20p per word, in which case I'd be up to £50- yay!

Any advice from anyone would be very welcome. This editor is one of those people who promises the world then is too busy to contact me and I don't want to be taken for a ride!

Hello. Yes, the standard rate for freelance work is 10-20p per word (20p's standard rate for NUJ approved journalists. If you haven't joined already it might be worth looking into it?). However, you need to make sure that you get confirmation from him in writing because many editors will try and pay you less than they originally promised!

Edit:

Page on the NUJ site which allows you to join: http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=72

And the page on the site with info for freelancers: http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=157

Hi. Thanks for your reply.

I just told him today that I wanted £20, and he agreed via email [so I suppose that is writing]. I suppose I should ask for more [10p x 500 words = £50?] but I am not qualified or approved, just a wannabe writer, so I suppose £20 is a start.

He is coming round this week because he has a proposal for me I reckon he either wants me to invest money in his magazine [definitely no way!!] or pay me to just write for his magazine only. What do you think?

If he offers you a staff job I say go for it if it's a magazine you think you'd be happy writing for! However, if he just wants you to just write for the magazine but not on a regular basis personally I'd say no as I think it rather defeats the object of freelancing! However, it sort of depends on how confident you are in your work. If youjust want to gain some experience and would like to write for the magazine then maybe it's worth working on a 6month contract or something so you easily extract yourself from the magazine when you're ready to try your luck elsewhere. Just be careful not to get caught out though. If he does want you to write for the magazine exclusively and you're happy to agree then make sure you get a proper contract drawn up - don't let them take advantage of you because they think you're naive 'cos you're just starting out!

Hi again Sammi.

Thanks for your very helpful advice. The editor came round today and said how much do you want to be paid per article if you write 2 per month for me. I said I'd looked it up and the standard was 10p per word, so we agreed on £50 for a 500 word article!!!

He said he wouldn't like to see the same articles written by me in every local mag. but I'm free to write different articles for other mags. It sounds too good to be true, but I'm a suspicious girl and will try not to be taken for a ride, as you say.

Thanks again. BTW, has the look of this board changed? I don't remember it being purple before

That's great news! If he only mentioned local magazines then don't forget there's probably lots of other publications that would be willing to publish your features. And, actually, as far as I remember unless they've paid you for it the copyright remains with you so you're free to do as you wish with your work! Don't be suspicious though. He probably knows he's got a good deal with you as he'd probably normally be paying 20p p/w.

Indeed it has changed! I was fiddling around with it the other night and decided that the purple was nicer .

Indeed it has changed! I was fiddling around with it the other night and decided that the purple was nicer .[/quote]

I agree - it's GORGEOUS!!!

Well done Miranda - good to hear success stories in this game.

Sorry I didn't reply earlier. Thanks for all the info. and praise. All I've got to do now is get the editor to set up the monthly payment, he said it could go into my bank account. I shall be assertive!

That's right! Be strong! Lol