You Ask, We Answer: Help! I got an assignment and the editor didn’t mention how much they pay.
I hear this all the time:
“The editor asked me to write up this piece and gave me a deadline, but he didn’t mention pay or rights. When will he tell me?”
Even worse, sometimes I hear:
“I wrote up my article for the editor. How do I know how much he’s going to pay me, and when?”
I don’t know why editors do this to writers. They know we need to know how much and when we’re going to get paid. And yet, many of them will ask me if I want to do an assignment without letting me know how much I’ll get paid.
How much I can expect to earn is of intense interest to me, and plays a huge role in deciding whether or not I’ll take the assignment.
So what can you do when an editor plays coy?
Don’t be afraid to be up-front. If an editor asks me If I’d like to write a 1,200-word article on X, due on Y, I write back, “Thanks so much for thinking of me! Can you let me know how much the assignment will pay?”
I do the same thing when the editor doesn’t mention a contract. “I’m excited to work on this assignment for you! Will you need my mailing address for the contract, or will you be e-mailing it to me?” That’s my passive-aggressive way of saying, “You will send me a contract, right?”
Will the editor get mad and take away the assignment?
Many new writers are so awe-struck when they hear from an editor that they accept assignments without knowing the terms — and they’re afraid that if they ask, the editor will yank the assignment away while emitting an evil laugh.
Trust me: It never happens. What always happens is that the editor says, “We pay $500 on acceptance” or “We pay $1 per word on publication.” (Or, if the editor is one of those who hopes you’ll accept the assignment without asking, the answer is often, “We can’t afford to pay our freelancers, but you’ll get great exposure.”)
How about you? Do you often find that editors give you an assignment without including this vital information? Have you ever accepted without knowing what you’d be paid — or have you ever spoken up and asked? Let us know in the Comments below!
If you liked that post, you might also like:
- You Ask, I Answer: What Do I Do When an Editor Goes AWOL After I Turn in an Assignment?
- 5 Assignment Terms You Can Negotiate With Your Editor
- How to Find Out Everything You Want to Know from an Editor
- You Ask, I Answer: Should I Write on Spec?
- You Ask, I Answer: Can I Send Similar Ideas to Different Magazines?
Jun 28, 2012 Advice, Editors, Money, You Ask, We Answer
I have had one occasion where all communication stopped once I responded to ask about pay, but I later found out they were a nonpaying market (but did not advertise as such), so I wouldn’t have wanted to write the piece for them anyway.
Yeah, not getting back to you is a dead giveaway!
It is also quite the fashion now to send the contract AFTER the piece is done so you have a vested interest in not walking out on dopey indemnities, all-rights-for-pennies, and other ripoffs. You need to treat this like a business transaction–you will do X, they will do Y. You need to ask. Get at least an email of understanding… If they won’t do this, they won’t be fun to work with, believe me you will be hating life.
This actually happened to me recently. A trade mag editor was “gung-ho” about the idea in my intro letter and mentioned when the article could be published. As soon as I asked about the contract and budget, I didn’t hear from her for a few weeks. When she finally responded, she said they do not offer contracts, but they can offer me a small gratuity upon publication.
Seriously? I didn’t know this was so common. I knew editors often forget to tell you the pay, but I didn’t know about this trick of non-paying markets. Jeez!
I’m glad Fiona pointed that out, because it happened to me recently as well about no answer on the pay. Whew, unnecessary work averted!
Goo to know, right?
I made this mistake only once, and thanks to your advice, never again! Now when someone asks me to provide an article or blog post, I make sure to discuss my rate right after I thank them!
I’m so glad the post was helpful!
Re: your great response: “Thanks so much for thinking of me! Can you let me know how much the assignment will pay?”
That sounds almost exactly like what I will write to an editor if they haven’t mentioned the money. And I’ve never had a bad reaction or response by asking it. When I was a new/young writer I did feel odd asking (it felt so pushy, I mean, who am I to question an editor?)but we gotta do it, its part of our job as writers, and they expect it. They know you want paid and editors are cool with it.
Thanks for the great site!
Thanks for sharing that it’s worked for you. I think most new writers are scared to take that approach, so it’s good to hear confirmation from a more experienced writer!
Awesome! This did happen to me, but I didn’t lose the gig when I asked. Nonetheless, the paranoia and panic that sets in when you realize that you don’t know if it’ll be worth it is nerve wracking! LOL I love your solution! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Tania!
You also said maybe the editor would say they paid a dollar a word–in the terms, the is almost always per assigned word–so a flat rate of say $500 for 500 words. They don’t count the words and multiply by a dollar. I have had this tried, though–they edited it to $132 words and tried to say it was $132. You have to keep an eye on these people!
Personally, I’m a ‘show me the money’ type writer. I’m not too pushy, but I also consider my time worth something so it’s important for me to have a contract and all expectations up front before I do the work. Also, I have never written for free. Don’t believe in it. Even my very first article–I got paid for it. However, that first article was 1500 words + photos and I got a measly $200. But it was a great first clip. And it got me into other better paying markets. I must say, it does bother me when writers give it away without protecting themselves because it makes it harder for other writers. Have some self esteem! If the pub doesn’t want to discuss payment, that means they don’t respect a writer’s time! It’s like dating -have some self worth! In addition, I have a few trade pubs that send me assignments every month, which is great. It’s nice not to have to pitch all the time. I’ve worked with them for a few years. Every so often, I bring up raises but many times they give me one without me asking. It’s because I go the extra mile (meet deadlines early or on time, spell source names correctly, find new sources they don’t even know about so they can add to their lists, ask manufacturers who a good secondary source is, bring my editor news from the front so she can have ideas for new stories, etc.). Additionally, if a contract says 1200 words, for x amount of dollars, I don’t care if I sent them 1400 words for the same price. I ask my editors if it’s okay to go over and they always say yes, but not more than 250 words. They like that I’m not into the word count at the expense of informing. So far, I’ve found that editors don’t like writers who are 1. petty; 2. prima donnas; 3. desperate to give it away for free (they wonder why you are so eager to get underpaid–are you a loser?; 4. unsophisticated about payment (because they feel that a hick with low self esteem who is afraid to talk about money will not be a good reporter who can kick butt with a reluctant source).
This is a pet peeve of mine…writers who think they don’t deserve to be paid like other professionals. Just because you are creative doesn’t mean money is something you can’t talk about!!!! Be classy about it, but get your due. As one writer to another: be confident enough to get the terms set before you commit to the assignment. This is the professional way.
By the way, this is the best writer’s site ever. I got my first writing gig after buying the first Renegade Writer book and I have had steady assignments each and every month since. Seriously.
Now THAT’S what writers need to hear! Thanks for your comment. And I’m glad you like The Renegade Writer!
I no longer hesitate bringing up money. Two days ago, an editor at a national newspaper emailed me asking if I’d be interested in freelance articles and if I could pitch him some ideas. I promptly sent him a couple of ideas and also asked for their freelance pay rates. Haven’t heard back yet, but keeping my fingers crossed that he wasn’t crazy enough to think I was working for “exposure”.
Good for you, Chryselle! If it’s a national newspaper, I’m betting they pay — fingers crossed for you!