Psst…what if I told you that you could run a successful freelance writing business by charging freelance writers next to nothing and then selling their hard work for much more? Would it seem unethical to you? If so, you may be in the minority among some writers.
I thoroughly enjoy WritersWeekly, and especially appreciate your views about the publishing industry. An acquaintance wrote me recently to tell me that he saw my book posted on Google Books. I hadn’t heard of Google Books and was somewhat shocked to discover a majority of my book’s pages posted in full on the site.
Isn’t this protected by a copyright? Is this good or bad for authors and publishers? I’d love to hear your opinion!
I moved from Seattle to Orlando and, as soon as I settled here, I began writing for a regional publisher, Central Florida Lifestyle, which puts out 12 magazines. I also answered a call for a writer from the Natural Resources News Service (NRNS).
Last Friday, Maine was put under a hurricane watch – the first one in 17 years. We were worried that the electricity might go out during the middle of the Fall 2008 24-Hour Short Story Contest. Just a few hours after discussing our concerns, the electricity did go off…except it was only Friday night and the storm was still over a day away. The entire street was plunged into blackness. Hmmm…
This Week:
I know of no other profession where members accept work assignments without finding out when they get paid. Paid on acceptance or paid on publication used to do the trick, but no more. The world of writing has gotten more complicated.
I wanted a work at home job so I signed up for a work at home site. I got an email saying FreelanceHomeWriters.com is a legitimate site. I have not paid anything yet. I’m very skeptical because they are wanting 2.95 to ship a cd, then after seven days 40 dollars or something like that monthly. I was wondering if you know if this is a scam or not?
Like most people, I love making New Year’s resolutions. Each December, I take stock of the year gone by and plan ahead, meticulously making lists for each area of my life. At the end of the 2007, my career as a fledgling freelance writer was starting to take shape. The queries were flying out fast and thick and the acceptances were coming in slowly. 2008, I decided, was going to be my first big year for writing.
