Comments on: Turn Down That Writing Job!

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:39:54 +0000

I’ve done some magazine work on spec, but only when it paid well and I wanted to be in that magazine.

By: Star

Star — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:25:03 +0000

I recently had a query answered with something to the effect: OK, we would like to see the story on kids returning to school from cancer treatment, 700 words, $50, on spec, how does that sound? I replied: Lousy. I don’t write on spec and $50 is below market.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:01:56 +0000

Thanks for the link. I think turning down work is a huge issue for writers; it is for me anyhow. It’s that whole feast or famine issue. I worked for so long to get enough jobs to be really supporting myself (and know others like that too) and so once you get to a point where you don’t have to try as hard you feel really weird and off center.

I just quit a writing job recently and turned three good jobs down which would have been unheard of in my world a year ago and could change back tomorrow. I think it’s the hardest part of writing — the balancing act. Unless you’re like Steven King or someone, then that might be less of a consideration. Hmm, I wonder. If I ever find out I’ll come back and re-post :)

By: Chase

Chase — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:09:07 +0000

I generally turn down jobs when I have ethical complaints against the way my work will be used. I write SEO articles and a blog that teaches people how to get into it.

Unfortunately, SEO companies sometimes house some unscrupulous web developers, and I frequently find myself turning down jobs that would make the internet less user-friendly in some small way.