I wrote an article for a small magazine that was accepted for their January 2005 issue. There were no rights discussed (I’m not so naive now!), just the acceptance, which read that they had accepted my article and to let them know if I had any questions. Now I would like to use the article in its entirety in my upcoming book. Do I need to secure permission?
I didn’t set out to write a book.
When I started my business, Twentity.com, it was more of a hobby. It was just a website to help recent college graduates make the transition from college into the real world. As time passed (years, actually), I realized I really wanted to develop this as a business and started treating it as such.
Last week, Max got a sore throat and a runny nose. I’m not typically the type to run a kid to the doctor for a cold but the Swine Flu has me nervous. So, off we went. He had a low-grade fever by the time we got there. Strep was negative and they swabbed his nasal passages to test for swine and the other influenza. Uh, that nose swabbing stuff is NOT like they make it seem on the news.
The word CENSORSHIP is sure thrown around a lot these days. It has a very negative connotation about it, don’t you think? But, it is really a BAD word? It was previously used primarily when speaking of government action…but the word Censor is far more widely used today.
Angela,
Just finished How Much Are Examiner.com Writers Really Earning?. I am so glad there is someone like you willing to post the truth behind these horrible sites. I’ve been a professional writer for well over ten years now, but I no longer seek out freelance gigs online because I would say 99% of the ones I find are exactly like the Examiner – a total joke (read between the lines, people). I can’t understand how anyone would in their right mind would write for pennies. These are probably the same people who wire money to Montana (a.k.a. Nigeria), keep all their 401k money in stocks, and hand over their winning lotto ticket to the sneaky clerk behind the counter so he can check the numbers (a.k.a. pocket the ticket), while they shop for goodies.
Also, I have stopped reading blogs, twitter pages, articles, etc. on the Internet unless the content from a reputable site like CNN, MSN, and even WritersWeekly. These Examiner writers are clogging the Web, along with Twitter, etc., with junk. I guess it’s nice because now I have my life back. When I log on to the Internet, I go to respected sites to get my news, read my email, and then I’m done. I no longer waste time reading all the extra fluff, like the stuff from Examiner (if these examiner writers admit to spending 20 minutes or less per article because they are trying to build up their portfolio, then the article can’t be worth crap, so why should people bother reading it if the writer doesn’t even care to put in the hard work to make it a worthwhile piece? Hello). Life is too short. It’s amazing that even after you posted the article on WritersWeekly, these so-called writers still stuck up for company.
Keep up the great work Angela. You are truly awesome! The work you do is making a difference. Thank you!
DT
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Hi Angela,
I was surprised at the number of people willing to defend Examiner.com, but I have to comment on something the writer referred to as Katrina said. She claims that the problem is new writers who “expect something for nothing.”
Excuse me, but writing articles for a website — helping to add content, drive traffic, and generate more ad revenue — is NOT nothing. It is a valuable professional service. To have a fellow writer suggest that what we do is worth nothing is possibly even more offensive than the $1.96 she earns per article.
Katharine S. Leppert
https://www.katharineswan.com
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Angela,
Your presentation of the Examiner.com issue was fair and representative of various opinions. That’s why I respect your site the most for information on writing controversies. You put it out there and now it’s up to writers to make the choice.
Kathie
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Angela,
Thank you for your research and facts about Examiner. I have never written for them, wouldn’t even consider it, but what’s bothered me is their ‘dumbing down’ effect on the industry, and the sheer volume of writers who feel that working for pennies is what freelance writing is all about. Hopefully your piece will convince them to rethink working for Examiner and similar sites, and we can bring the standards of freelance writing back up to where they belong.
Again, thanks for all you do toward keeping freelancing a reputable and profitable business.
Debbie
The ad seems legitimate enough. It claims to be posted by an “Internet start-up” company, specializing in “niche content”, looking for “well-versed” writers who are comfortable writing “high quality content” about a variety of subjects. The company claims to pay “very competitive” rates for articles that are at least 400 words each, then lists the specific subjects you would be required to write about. The ad closes with a request: please send your resume and at least two original writing samples. Sound familiar?
I want to publish a funny celebrity quote on my book cover. Can I legally do this?
Many times I get ideas for articles while chatting with friends. Several weeks ago, I was telling someone how my mother has played bridge all over the world. She traveled to visit my sister and me when we lived overseas and found bridge groups in Argentina and Italy, and she plays in tournaments in many U.S. cities. When I mentioned that my mother turned 80 last winter, my friend was astounded. Her reaction made me realize I should be writing about my mother’s adventuresome spirit but where would I pitch it?
Last Thursday, we jumped in the RV and drove to the coast. We already had reservations at a campground there and we were determined to go, despite the forecast of rain – for every day of our trip.
Last week, we pondered if Examiner.com, which seems to be running ads for writers EVERYWHERE, is just another pay-per-click meat market. I issued a call for “Examiners” to contact me, and to share their experiences. Sadly, some Examiners are working very hard for very, very little money…and seem very happy to be doing so. You’ll see that not everybody below is disgruntled so we believe this represents a fair sampling of Examiners.
