Negotiating Pay

Oh wow. That IS a pickle.

How about:


Dear <Editor>,

Thank you so much for accepting my story "<Awesome Story Title>". I had a feeling it would be an excellent fit for <Your Awesome Magazine>. Unfortunately, I find myself in a bit of a quandary. I had intended the story to be submitted to <the paid section> of <Your Awesome Magazine>, but the acceptance notice I received is for <the unpaid secion>. This is certainly an awkward situation, and I was hoping you might have some suggestions on its resolution. Thank you again, and I hope to hear from you very soon!

Best wishes,
NicoleMD




-Michelle

drachin8 said:

Oh wow. That IS a pickle.

How about:


Dear <Editor>,

Thank you so much for accepting my story "<Awesome Story Title>". I had a feeling it would be an excellent fit for <Your Awesome Magazine>. Unfortunately, I find myself in a bit of a quandary. I had intended the story to be submitted to <the paid section> of <Your Awesome Magazine>, but the acceptance notice I received is for <the unpaid secion>. This is certainly an awkward situation, and I was hoping you might have some suggestions on its resolution. Thank you again, and I hope to hear from you very soon!

Best wishes,
NicoleMD




-Michelle

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wow. that is a wordsmith in action

caseyquinn said:

wow. that is a wordsmith in action

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Yeah, the problem with it is that it automatically puts NicoleMD in a weak position. The upside is that it should avoid pissing the editor off. I am hoping some folk more experienced in stronger position handling of this situation might pipe in with some potential variations or completely different methods. Should be interesting and helpful for all to see.




-Michelle

This is an odd one. I've never heard of a publication with a paying and non-paying section. Do they actually tell readers who was paid and who wasn't? I definitely know magazines that say they pay when they can, giving themselves the leeway to make individual decisions on each story. But making the writer choose paying or non-paying up front. That's really strange.

And IMO really obnoxious. And a bit disrespectful. They should just 'fess up that they're a non-paying market. Or be clear that their policy is to pay at the discretion of the editors.

But enough ranting. Back to the predicament at hand. I don't really see any negotiating leverage here. The editors made a decision to publish you without payment. And congrats on that -- I say that because I always focus on the publication rather than the payment. It means you've got a good story there. You can ask them to change their minds, but I don't see how you're in a position of strength.

You need to decide whether the principle is more important than this particular publication credit. It might be. It might not be. You just need to be prepared to lose the publication if you ask for money at this point.

Do they utilize a contract which you have to sign?

If that's what the submission guidelines say, go with that. Mention that you're not interested in the non-paying side. If they take issue, withdraw your piece and sub it elsewhere. I don't see the problem.

Writing my...

marketing columns recently I've noticed that quite a lot of zines are growing into print issues as well. They seem to be paying for print and not paying for the zine.

I'd go with a polite I'm sorry I understood I'd submitted to the paying section. I refuse to give my hard work away.

pdr said:

I refuse to give my hard work away.

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Myself, I'd state it: My hard work deserves to be compensated.

NicoleMD said:

Yes. It's sitting here on my desk, awaiting my decision.

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I'd negotiate it into the contract with the magazine if you haven't already signed. Surely they have a second contract with compensation terms they could just send if you ask.

Drachin8 has a good letter there. The only thing I'd suggest is with this part:

and I was hoping you might have some suggestions on its resolution.

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I'd quote the place on their website that you mentioned, and preface it with something like:

"My interest in appearing on your website led me to study your guidelines carefully. Pursuant to your guidelines, ..."

Good Luck.

I do want to know what percentage of stories accepted actually get paid for. It just feels kinda flaky. (But that may well just be me.)

Williebee said:

Drachin8 has a good letter there. The only thing I'd suggest is with this part:



I'd quote the place on their website that you mentioned, and preface it with something like:

"My interest in appearing on your website led me to study your guidelines carefully. Pursuant to your guidelines, ..."

Good Luck.

I do want to know what percentage of stories accepted actually get paid for. It just feels kinda flaky. (But that may well just be me.)

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I debated when writing my template response whether to go that route but felt it might put the editor on the defensive somewhat. And defensive is usually a bad thing with any person. Without knowing the editor, though, it is pretty hard to tell. I agree with everyone that if my template does get used, Nicole will have to decide to whether she wants to withdraw if the editor declines payment of any sort. And that will not be an easy decision.




-Michelle

If the story is good enough for a market that won't pay you, then it's good enough for one that will.

If the magazine recieve money for printing your work, you should get paid for writing it.

I've been paid from magazines who take in no income from subscribers (can't say whether they get paid advertising dollars)...my personal opinion is that my time (to write and edit) is worth being paid for. Obviously VERY little, based on my payments thus far, but paid nonetheless.