Getting paid for writing
By 41Combedale
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
Greece
October 26, 2015 11:16am CST
A recent post was asking how we could be paid for what we write. The general view was that it is a matter of luck. I would endorse that because I have struck lucky a few times. I was taking a writing course a few years ago, it was a good one that encouraged trying all sorts of different genre and challenged the students to get into print and earn enough to cover the cost of the course.
The tutor's first suggestion was to write to the letters page of a magazine. I did this with some enthusiasm and over a few weeks my short letters appeared in several magazines. I was paid £10 for each one. It certainly encouraged me to continue with the course and eventually I covered the cost. But the details of that are for another post.
16 people like this
12 responses
@else34 (13515)
• New Delhi, India
27 Oct 15
@41Combedale,I have written,got published and paid many times in offline magazines.All the magazines were in my mother tongue Hindi.I had also joined some article writing sites.A couple of those sites published my articles,but my articles lacked views.Therefore I didn't get paid.For writing online in English I have got paid only by Mylot and Bubblews.
3 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
27 Oct 15
We must not underestimate the importance of writing for a site that pays, such as this one. It gives us a chance to appreciate other writers and to enjoy a variety of styles.
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
27 Oct 15
I think the computer age has made it more difficult, so much competition.
@Bluedoll (16770)
• Canada
27 Oct 15
@41CombedaleRoad Is it right to say, there are more opportunities to get published but getting paid not so easy? There are still conventional ways to get out there in the writing world though I think. I think you know more about this than I do.
2 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
28 Oct 15
@Bluedoll Since we can self publish or write on sites like this then yes there are many more ways of getting published but to write for a living, or at least to earn enough to notice the difference is another thing. Conventionally we need to find a niche and then we are in with a good chance.
@taramarie39 (667)
• Williamsburg, Virginia
27 Oct 15
That is awesome. Congrats to you. I think it would be nice to be able to write for a magazine.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
27 Oct 15
That's a good challenge and even more awesome that you got your letters featured in the magazine! One success really does breed another. 
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
27 Oct 15
what a great idea from yer instructor 'n glad'ja had success with such. sometimes those magazines're hard sales, lol.
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
27 Oct 15
If you get to know a magazine and study the letters' page it isn't difficult at all. It can only be for a short term however because the editors get wise to people like me when the same name keeps coming to their notice.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
27 Oct 15
@41CombedaleRoad i used to dribble fer magazines 'bout 20 years'go. funnies, serious ranchin'/horse articles 'n know what'cha mean 
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5815)
• Vancouver, Washington
27 Oct 15
That was so neat that you got down to bussiness.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
27 Oct 15
I've never tried that. I'm glad it worked for you and you were able to cover the cost of the course.
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
30 Oct 15
As I always say, a market is a market. I started out in the 1980s with magazine and TV show competitions and, like yourself, short letters in magazines and papers. Well done for making your course self-financing.
