working for free
The July/August Poets & Writers magazine cover asks “Should Writers Work For Free?”
Of course writers should work for free. For charity, or to help a friend, or because for whatever reason, saying no isn’t an option (I rarely say no to my mother, that’s what I’m really getting at here). My lawyer occasionally works for free. So does my web designer. Doctors and accountants, mechanics and hairdressers, trainers and chefs; why not writers?
But that’s not what Author Steve Almond was getting at; the cover should have asked “Should Writers Ask to Get Paid?”
Almond’s article is primarily concerned with the invitations writers receive — to contribute a short story for publication in an anthology, to speak at a book group or library, that sort of thing. The question Almond asks is should writers, who’ve toiled lo these many years even to arrive at the point of publication and who are now utterly thrilled to have made the jump from writer to author, ask to be paid for performance (either by contribution or speaking engagement or both) when there is money at stake? Is there a bridge pro parallel? Making the transition from dues-paying amateur to check-cashing professional — playing with friends versus playing for hire — the answer is the same simple “Of course.”
In bridge (and writing), the transition from amateur to professional may be a long and drawn-out affair; I can imagine cases where one is occasionally paid but generally not and cases where one is always paid, except on occasion. Achieving professional status isn’t easy; maybe it’s a matter of licensing or certification. There’s no diploma, no residency, no internship one serves to become a professional bridge player or author; payment is in fact the defining characteristic. Right?
Yes, writers should work for free. And yes, the good ones should expect to get paid.
July 1st, 2007 at 7:46 pm
working by invitation and without financial compensation is how we get our work out in front of our critics and the public. once we’re recognized for our good work we hope to get paid for it. on that note, i’d better get back to work.
hope all is well with you and the fambly. i miss you!