Not writing for free

There still is a persistent attitude that writers should not be paid for their time and effort.   That somehow, we should be apologetic for even writing—and I see this even on the indie book covers, where the writers put their names in teeny-tiny letters, like they’re whispering, “I wrote this.”

From the New York Times:

“Maybe what’s behind the inequity isn’t just a lack of opportunity, but a lack of confidence, an inability among women, or just me, to step up and say My work matters, and to really, truly believe it.”

Not only does the work matter, our time does, too.  We wouldn’t tell a metal worker he should make fences for free.  We wouldn’t tell a wood carver he has to make his chairs for free.  Yet, writers are told all the time that they should write for free.

And too many of us believe it.

Non-paying it is not worth what it costs.  To our confidence, to our writing quality, to ourselves.

—

“Anton Keymas is part of a magical Special Forces, the Vai, and blessed by a party goddess.  His mission?  Hunt monsters that no one believes in any more and try not to get killed.

“But this new monster has killed two soldiers.  Now that it’s gotten a taste of human flesh, it will be back for more.

“Keymas has little time to stop a monster that is intelligent and cunning.  He may have to do the one thing he has refused to do, and even that has a cost, especially when gods get involved.

Filed under: Writing Tagged: confidence, indie, writing for free