Eeks! Can Writers Make a Living From Their Words?

"Freelance writing's unfortunate new model

With many outlets slashing pay scales, the well-written story is in danger of becoming scarce. The hustle is just beginning for new and seasoned freelancers.

The list of freelance writing gigs on Craigslist goes on and on.

Trails.com will pay $15 for articles about the outdoors. Livestrong.com wants 500-word pieces on health for $30, or less. In this mix, the 16 cents a word offered by Green Business Quarterly ends up sounding almost bounteous, amounting to more than $100 per submission.
Other publishers pitch the grand opportunities they provide to "extend your personal brand" or to "showcase your work, influence others." That means working for nothing, just like the sailing magazine that offers its next editor-writer not a single doubloon but, instead, the opportunity to "participate in regattas all over the country."

What's sailing away, a decade into the 21st century, is the common conception that writing is a profession -- or at least a skilled craft that should come not only with psychic rewards but with something resembling a living wage..."

From ON THE MEDIA -January 06, 2010 James Rainey Los Angeles Times

Read the rest here.

What Inspiration!

According to Robin Sloan, world traveler and creator of cutting edge fiction, he just received a tweet that his new book is done printing and ready for shipping to customers.

Using his online connections as a distribution base, Sloan was able to bypass a more traditional publishing route. Posting his writing project on Kickstarter.com yielded Sloan more than $13,000 in advance sales from committed backers.

Reminds me of the patrons and salons of the literary past.

Personally, I cannot wait to get my copies of this fresh book and see the results of a fascinating, new approach!

Author Goldberry Long

Sitting in Starbucks, working and grooving to the catchy ever present tunes.

I just met Goldberry Long, author of Juniper Tree Burning. She's a lovely person, glowing with energy and intent on her writing. We chat about growing up eighties and wearing designer jeans.

I leave her alone and turn to my own work as I can tell that she is trying to sink into writing mode. She has that slightly anxious air of the writer who needs to tune into her deeper self.

I wonder if I will run into her again. Will we become friends? I have a growing collection of books signed by their authors and an even more vibrant collection of friends who write.

I think I'll buy her book. It promises to be lyric and moving. Maybe she will sign it for me.