Who Pays Writers?
2+ weeks until the end of the year.
My holiday joy meter has been running a little low and my kids are determined to boost it. They’ve pulled out every Christmas decoration and have decorated the house. They play Christmas carols on the piano (and my younger son belts out Hark the Herald Angels Sing on repeat). They’ve hung the stockings with care. They’ve adorned the house with *four* advent calendars.
It’s working. Kind of. But I can't wait until the calendar flips to January and we officially say adios to 2018.
Thank you all for reading this newsletter. It means a lot and I appreciate the comments and feedback.
Who Pays Writers?
In freelance world, a number of freelance writers are sharing a list of their favorite stories from the year along with how much they were paid for them. Seems like a radical idea, right?
The impetus for this was the fact that some outlets/publications prohibiting writers from disclosing rates and the desire to bring more transparency around pay for freelance writers. It’s not meant to provide a full picture of how they earned their income this year.
Hopefully, it starts a bigger conversation around freelancing and how writers are treated, especially in light of all the media lay-offs (like Mic laying off its whole staff in advance of being acquired by Bustle), and how little some media companies pay for deeply reported articles. Hopefully, it will help other writers negotiate better.
I decided to share my favorite stories too in this Twitter thread. However, I didn’t share exact rates because (surprise) some of my contract prohibited me from disclosing that information. Maybe I’m erring on the side of being overly cautious but as a freelancer, I don’t know. I feel like I have to do my best not to piss anyone off because I have no job security or employment protections.
If you’re curious, here are some stats from the year:
I worked on 122 stories.
112 stories were published in 2018 including 22 print stories.
The vast majority (like 100+) were assigned.
I sent 79 pitches, much lower compared to other years. 21 were accepted. PS: I hate pitching.
Pay ranged between $150 to $3,000 with the majority between $300-$400.
I also write grants for nonprofits and do some usability consulting which really helps to pay the bills.
If you have questions about freelancing, please ask. I will do my best to answer them!
What I’ve Written
I wrote a few fitness stories for Parade on mistakes you’re probably making with your squat, gym equipment you should be using, strength training myths, and core exercises that don’t hurt your lower back. For Women’s Health, I talked to registered dietitians and got their recommendations for the best healthy cookbooks. (They all look so good!)
What I’ve Been Reading
Blood Cries Out (Atavist): This is long but so worth it. Not only because it’s an incredible story (Murder! Wrongful jail sentence! Broken court system!) but the storytelling is incredible. There are so many gems in this story like: “The conflicts that existed with regard to Woodworth’s judicial process ... could be the lyrics to a country and western song” and "Before being taken away from the courthouse, Mark told his mother, “Just don’t forget about me, OK?”
The Future of Football Has Flags (NY Times): As some of you may know, my kids are football fans. Like the kind of football fans who put on jerseys and hats and drag out the team paraphernalia before a game. My youngest son dreams of playing pro football. (Hard no.) But we let them play flag football. And looks like we’re not the only one as flag football teams and leagues have grown all over the country. I mean, even Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints coaches his kids’ teams.
These children can neither move nor speak. Clowns and engineers are trying to listen to their inner worlds (STAT): This is a really interesting story about how engineers are helping children who can't communicate (because of stroke, brain injury or some other condition) interact with their family and clinicians through something called biomusic.
An Aging Marathoner Tries to Run Fast After 40 (WIRED): Can you beat your best after 40?
The Path to an American Dream, Paved in Vienna Fingers (NY Times): About a women, her grandmother, and their love for Vienna Fingers.
'Crazy Rich Asians' Writer on What the Movie Has Done for Asian-American Scribes (The Hollywood Reporter): This about sums it up >> “Similarly themed projects are advancing in the wake of the breakout hit, says co-screenwriter Adele Lim, as success no longer means having to ‘think and sound and write like a white dude from Yale.’”
How Many Years Do We Lose to the Air We Breathe? (The Washington Post): Why clean air matters.
Ten Galleries Whose Founders Quit The Big City To Become Cultural Trailblazers in the Heartland (Vulture): Really interesting look at gallery owners who have chosen to set up shop in cities outside of NY, LA, and San Francisco.
Welcome To Our Modern Hospital Where If You Want To Know A Price You Can Go Fuck Yourself (McSweeney’s): haha. Funny but so true.
What I’ve Been Watching
Killing Eve: Finally got around to watching the first season. While I loved Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, the series started to fall apart towards the end, no?
The Clinton Affair: While it seems like everything that could possibly be said about Clinton, Monica Lewinsky, and the impeachment proceedings has been said, this 6-part documentary actually provides a much broader context about what happened. More importantly, Lewinsky tells her story, which is much more than just a blue Gap dress and being the punchline of jokes for years.
RBG: I mean, it’s RBG.
Momentum Generation: A documentary about nine guys (Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian, Taylor Knox, Benji Weatherley, Kalani Robb, Ross Williams, Taylor Steele and Pat O’Connell) who came together in the ‘80s and changed the world of surfing. But it’s more than just good surf footage. It gets into the backstory of each character, challenges of growing up, and what it means to suddenly be making a living doing a thing you love.
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