Letters To The Editor For April 5th
This Week:
- Thanks!
- Is Email Etiquette Passe’ in Publishing?
- Non-Paying Pubs Are Often Cheap AND Greedy!
Flat Fees vs. Hourly Rates: Do Both at Once! By Anne Bingham
My contribution to the debate over whether to charge clients flat fees or hourly rates is: Do both – at the same time.
What To Charge For Second Rights?
Is there a guide of what to charge for second rights? One-time use? I’ve been told that one should try to get half of the first print, but honestly who can afford $1000 for a story on counter top surfaces?
Feeding My Habit – And Myself By Erika Dreifus
I’m not sure how to explain the appeal of searching for documents and details about one’s ancestors, but it seems undeniable that the pull is there. I’ve fallen into the “hobby” of family history research, myself (starting with a first visit to the National Archives during a trip to Washington when I was a teenager), and I’m certainly not alone.
Bloody Thursday
Unfortunately, we had to take a surprise trip to the emergency room last Thursday night. No, it wasn’t for one of the children. It was me.
More World’s Worst Book Proposals By Angela Hoy
I’m knee deep in email this week so I’m once again sharing snippets of some of the worst book proposals we’ve ever received. We hope you get a giggle from them like we did. Yes, these are real!
Letters To The Editor For March 29th
This Week:
- I’m A Victim, Too!
- Another Way To Know If It’s Selling
- Either Obtain Permission Or Don’t Use It – It’s That Easy!
- Thanks!
Is Email Etiquette Passe’ in Publishing? By Ami Ahlstedt
Do editors need manners? Do they need to use basic writing skills in their correspondence with lowly writers? Does anyone care if they don’t? I think the answer to all three questions is: Yes.
Should I Bid on Writing Jobs?
As a freelancer, I am used to editors and publications stating that they will pay flat fees for a certain word count or pay so much per word, but I have come across a situation that is new to me and my circle of writing friends.
A local business with international contacts is looking for freelance writers. This business does quite a bit of work with government and commercial contracts and the freelance work is for a company publication which will go out to employees and retirees. I have submitted a resume and clips to them and now the department which solicits bids needs to contact me. At this point I will be asked to submit bids regarding the articles possibly based on word length or even number of sources.
How should I approach this as I am unfamiliar with what would be a good market rate and what if they want a bid based on something other than word length or type of article?
More Maxisms
Gifford’s opened for the season last weekend and we were very excited. The opening of Gifford’s is a sign that Spring is imminent. We asked Max (age 4) is he remembered what Gifford’s was. His response was a puzzled look.