Careers: Writing/Compensation

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Expert: Cathy Clamp - 9/2/2009


Question
I have recently been accepted for publishing an article I wrote on Ovarian Cancer. I haven't asked for compensation. The Editor liked my work and offered me to submit other articles for publication. I am honored they are publishing my work. They have a circulation of 60K. When is it appropriate to ask for compensation down the road? And may I ever submit this article elsewhere? Thank You!

Answer
Hi, Anne!

Actually, it's appropriate to ask NOW. Simply send an email to the editor asking for a list of their standard terms. If the company doesn't pay as a matter of policy, they won't pay on anything in the future either. If, however, their normal policy is to pay for articles, yours won't be any exception. The things you want to know (and this includes your future submission abilities) are:

1.  Payment per word. For a small pub, it could be a penny a word, all the way up to a dollar a word. Many "pro" markets are in the range of $.05 to $.25 per word. If the magazine has a sister on-line publication, that should probably receive a separate compensation---from $10 to $50 one-time fee.

2.  Rights requested. Likely it's "First North American Rights" (FNAR) or "First World Rights". This allows the magazine to be the FIRST to publish, and thereafter you may sell REPRINT rights only.

3.  Term of right. First rights generally lasts from six months to a year after RELEASE of the magazine (not from when it's contracted.) But it's best to have the time period stated in writing so you can mark your calendar.

Hope that helps, and feel free to ask any other questions that come up! :)

Cathy

Careers: Writing

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Cathy Clamp

Expertise

I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of writing articles, short stories and novels, from the beginning kernel of an idea through completion. I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology and acronyms. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication. I can teach the rules of formatting a manuscript, creating viable plots, characterization and flow in the following genres: romance, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, suspense, horror, women's fiction, mainstream and mystery. I can also answer questions about writing for major print magazines in the outdoor genre (hunting/fishing/boating/travel.)

Experience

I'm a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance for Tor/Forge Books . Along with a co-author, I've published fifteen mass market novels since 2004, and have contracts for four more books through 2011. I've also published more than two dozen feature articles in leading outdoor magazines.

Organizations
Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America, National Association of Legal Assistants.

Publications
Magazines--Guns & Ammo, Fur-Fish-Game, Rocky Mountain Game & Fish, Deer & Deer Hunting. Many others. Novels/Anthologies--Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing, BenBella Books, Running Press, Wild Child Publishing. Many others.

Education/Credentials
Published Author. Published Freelance Writer. Certified Paralegal with specialities in intellectual property (copyright, trademark, patent) and real estate.

Awards and Honors
USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, 2009, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.

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