When Should You Write for Free? - by Carl Hose

The simple answer is never. Not if you are a professional writer who consistently delivers good material. That said, however, there are exceptions to the rule. There's almost always an exception to the rule.

Before I talk about exceptions, let's talk about why a writer shouldn't write without being paid. If you're writing is good enough to be published, it's good enough to earn you a little money (or a lot, depending upon the publication). While writing is enjoyable for those of us who do it, it's still work. It still takes time and effort. When you give your work away, you show no respect for your own hard work, and those who take your work without paying for it are simply looking for a free ride. There's no reason for you to promote that sort of behavior.

A lot of writers give their work away for the glory. Fuck that. There is no glory in giving your work away. The real glory comes when an editor is willing to dig down into his pocket and shell out the cash to get his hands on your stuff. If your work is good, somebody will put his money where his mouth is and pay for it.

Another problem with giving work away is that it degrades the quality of reading material available. Editors who don't pay for material tend to be less choosy about what they'll consider publishing. The main criteria boils down to, "Can I get it without paying for it?" Any writer worth a damn will answer with a resounding, "Hell no," and then move on to a publisher willing to pay for quality.

All that aside, have I ever been published without pay? Sure I have, way back when I first started writing. This falls into the exception-to-the-rule category I mentioned earlier. In the beginning, it doesn't hurt to let go of a few stories for free. It's a good way to get your name in print the first time and a good way to build a list of publishing credits. Just remember, there comes a time when you have to draw the line and say, "If my shit is good enough to publish, it's good enough to pay for." You'll know when that time comes.

One other reason you might allow a publication to have your work free of charge is if the publication is held in such high regard that to have your work published there is an honor above and beyond money, or maybe the publication offers such high exposure that you feel it will it benefit your career in the long run. There are a few rare publications that fit into that category, I'm sure, but I can't name any. I don't buy into that crap. You can if you want. The choice is yours.

I don't write for free these days, not because I think I'm the greatest writer that has ever been, but because I know people like to read my stuff. I know that my work delivers. I get paid for what I do, and I do it to the best of my ability. I love to write, but I love to eat too. I make money with words. It's what I do, and I've spent years developing the talent it takes to do it. All I ask is that I get paid for what I do, and I do.