#freelance writing jobs pay

[marketncard]

Freelance Writing Jobs | Find the Best Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance Writing Jobs – Welcome to the world of freelance writing. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re already a writer or aspire to be one. Freelance writing can be an exciting and rewarding career path, allowing you to work from anywhere in the world, set your own schedule, and pursue your passion for writing while earning a living. Understanding the requirements of freelance writing…

[roomstudent]

7 Magazines That Pay Writers for Personal Stories

Are you a wordsmith with a penchant for sharing private narratives? You are fortunate if your literary talents lie in crafting personal memories, essays, and poetry! There's a thriving market for writers who want compensation for their innovative expressions. In this newsletter, we will delve into seven magazines that are not the simplest keen to submit your non-public testimonies but also pay you for your literary prowess. From quick essays to long reads, this diverse collection of courses spans various genres, providing adequate possibilities for writers to pitch their work, see it in print, and get a hold of financial reimbursement.

1. The American Literary Review

As the name shows, The American Literary Review is a prestigious platform for writers to post their creations. They search for essays, quick stories, and poetry that resonate with cultural diversity and human revel. The ebook now not handiest accepts submissions; however, it additionally compensates writers for their contributions. Whether you are a rising or mounted author, The American Literary Review gives a hazard to be part of its narrative tapestry.

2. Reader's Digest

A household name within the literary international, Reader's Digest has a long history of offering non-public tales that tug at the heartstrings. From heartwarming anecdotes to thought-scary essays, Reader's Digest is known for publishing many personal narratives. Writers can post their testimonies and get paid for their contributions, making it a famous desire for those searching to proportion their stories with a vast readership.

3. Agni

Agni, a literary journal known for its determination to showcase pleasant writing, welcomes private essays and poetry that delve into the geographical regions of human nature, subculture, and society. With a robust awareness of inventive expression and literary excellence, Agni provides writers with the risk of having their work posted and acquiring payment for their innovative efforts.

4. Slice

Slice Magazine is a haven for writers who need to explore the intersections of art, literature, and subculture. They take delivery of submissions of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, making it a perfect platform for non-public tales spanning numerous genres. By contributing to Slice, writers can proportion their narratives while being rewarded for their phrases.

5. Medium

Medium's open platform allows writers to share their memories, essays, and insights with an international audience. While the repayment model on Medium may range, many writers find fulfillment in achieving a vast readership and generating profits through their enticing content. Medium's user-pleasant interface and huge readership make it an attractive choice for writers of all backgrounds.

6. The Sun Magazine

The Sun Magazine seeks non-public essays, fiction, and poetry that discover the complexities of human life. Known for its thought-provoking content material, The Sun offers writers the hazard to contribute to significant conversations even as receiving compensation for their paintings. This guide's commitment to authentic storytelling makes it a treasured platform for writers sharing non-public tales.

7. Barefoot Writer

Barefoot Writer is an ebook and a network of writers aiming to show their passion for profit. This platform supports writers' transition from beginner to expert by imparting resources, possibilities, and steering. Writers can contribute to articles, non-public stories, and insights associated with writing, earning money, and achieving fulfillment in the industry.

In Conclusion

The world of personal storytelling is prospering, and those seven magazines are evidence that writers can only sometimes see their work in print but also get paid for their innovative efforts. These structures cater to various genres and topics, from literary journals to mounted magazines. So whether or not you're penning private essays, crafting poetry, or sharing your particular reports, these magazines offer opportunities on your words to attain a broader target audience while earning compensation for your literary abilities. So, embark on your writing adventure, explore the hints, pitch your pieces, and spot your non-public testimonies coming to lifestyles within the pages of these esteemed courses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I get paid for my memories and essays?

Absolutely! Many magazines, which include Reader's Digest, Agni, and The Sun Magazine, offer compensation for well-crafted private narratives. By sharing your specific stories and insights, you can get posted now and receive a prize for your literary contributions.

2. What sorts of non-public tales are those magazines seeking out?

These magazines seek a huge variety of personal stories, such as essays that delve into cultural diversity, pieces that discover human nature, and narratives that touch on various lifestyle elements, including family, health, and private boom.

3 . How do I put up my work in these magazines?

Each magazine has its submission hints that you must cautiously overview before sending your paintings. Make positive to tailor your submission to fit the magazine's topics, fashion, and preferences.

4. Can I put up both poetry and essays in these magazines?

Absolutely. While a few magazines focus on private essays, others accept poetry or fiction. Depending on the magazine's suggestions, you could publish an expansion of innovative portions that show off your writing skills.

5. Can a historical past be essential in writing to contribute?

Prior writing experience is optional to contribute to those magazines. Your potential to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers is what matters maximum. Whether an emerging writer or a longtime wordsmith, your particular angle makes your paintings precious.

6. How many can I count on to receive a commission for my submissions?

Payment varies depending on the mag, the length of your submission, and the rights they collect. Some courses offer a flat price, while others provide a fee-based total on phrase count number. It's essential to check the fee information in each mag's submission tips.

7. Are there precise topics or subjects I must consider while filing?

Many of those magazines have particular themes or regions of hobby outlined in their submission recommendations. Make positive to align your submission with these topics to increase your chances of popularity.

8. Can I concurrently submit my work to more than one magazine?

While a few magazines accept simultaneous submissions, others decide on unique propositions. Always study the pointers cautiously to apprehend every mag's coverage.

9. Will my private memories be edited earlier than the ebook?

Yes, most magazines have an editorial method to ensure the published content material is polished and aligns with their fashion. While your particular voice could be preserved, there can be a few editorial revisions to enhance readability and coherence.

10. How can I stand out and grow my chances of recognition?

Crafting a properly written, engaging, and accurate tale is prime. Tailor your submission to suit the magazine's pointers and recognition of capturing your non-public studies' essence. Using vivid language, relatable characters, and emotional depth can assist your story stand out inside the submission pool.

11. Can I publish previously published work?

Some magazines deliver formerly posted work, while others select unique content. If you submit previously published work, say it in your submission and look at the mag's coverage on reprints.

12. What if my private story does not suit the subject matters of these magazines?

If your story aligns differently from the subject matters of a particular magazine, feel encouraged. Many other courses exist that cater to diverse genres and subjects. Research different magazines that might be better healthy for your narrative.

13. How long does it take to hear returned after submitting?

Response times can vary broadly, ranging from some weeks to numerous months. Patience is key. Avoid sending observe-up emails, except the mag explicitly mentions a reaction time.

14. Can I publish in those magazines outside the US?

Yes, those magazines welcome submissions from writers around the sector. Remember that a few courses may additionally have particular tips for global participants.

15. Are there possibilities beyond non-public testimonies, essays, and poetry?

Yes, some magazines, like Barefoot Writer, provide opportunities for writers to contribute articles and insights related to writing, earning profits, and achieving fulfillment in the enterprise. These systems allow you to further share your expertise with private stories.

16 . Will my paintings be copyrighted once posted?

Once your paintings are published, they are commonly protected by copyright. However, unique magazines may have various rules concerning copyright ownership and rights.

17. What do I need to do if my submission is declined?

Rejections are a natural part of the writing adventure. Use the comments, if provided, to improve your paintings and keep submitting to different magazines. The course to booklet regularly entails patience and growth.

18. Can I share my posted paintings on social media and personal blogs?

Most magazines permit writers to share their posted paintings on social media and private blogs, so long as suitable credit is given to the magazine.

19. Are there opportunities for rising writers in those magazines?

Many of these magazines are actively searching for contributions from emerging writers. They value clean views and proper voices that resonate with their readers.

20. How do I discover the right magazine for my private tale?

Research is important. Read thru the websites, tips, and previously posted paintings of these magazines to locate the ones that align with your writing fashion and the themes of your private story.

21. Can I post non-public stories focusing on mental fitness and nicely-being?

Absolutely. Many magazines are interested in non-public narratives about mental health, self-discovery, and private growth. Just ensure that your tale aligns with the mag's topics and suggestions.

22. How can I make my non-public tale more culturally relevant?

When submitting non-public stories containing cultural aspects, pay attention to the information that makes you revel in particular. Use shiny descriptions, dialogues, and sensory details to immerse readers in your artistic angle.

23. Do those magazines offer opportunities for rising writers?

Yes, numerous magazines, in particular welcome contributions from emerging writers. They feel clean voices and new perspectives, so do not hesitate to publish your work even in case you're just beginning out.

24. Can I put up non-public stories that involve ancient themes?

Absolutely. Some magazines, like The American Literary Review, appreciate non-public tales that connect with history and tradition. These memories can provide insights into the past, even as reflecting on their relevance nowadays.

25. What must I recall when crafting a personal tale for these magazines?

Focus on authenticity, emotional resonance, and tasty storytelling. Your personal story must captivate readers while offering insights, classes, or moments of reflection.

26. Are there opportunities for writers to make contributions to themed collections?

A few magazines, like The Sun Magazine, submit themed collections and anthologies. Monitor their submission calls for specific subject matters that resonate with your non-public memories.

27. How can I successfully carry emotions in my private narrative?

Use descriptive language, sensory details, and relatable reviews to awaken feelings for your readers. Show, do not just inform, to create a deep emotional connection.

28. Can I put up private stories that discover personal relationships?

Absolutely. Many magazines are interested in non-public stories that delve into relationships, circle of relatives dynamics, and interpersonal stories. These narratives regularly resonate with readers in search of relatable content material.

29. Should my personal story have a particular word count number?

Each mag has its very own word-be-counted recommendations. Some prefer shorter pieces, while others take delivery of longer narratives. Make sure to check every mag's submission pointers for word-depend info.

30. How can I make my private tale stand out in the various submissions?

Craft a unique angle or attitude that units your tale apart. Adding a sparkling detail could make your account extra memorable to editors, whether it is a specific voice, an unexpected twist, or a deeply personal revelation.

31. Can I publish private memories that discover cultural trends and shifts?

Indeed, many magazines are interested in non-public narratives that mirror cultural developments, societal shifts, and the impact of these adjustments on individuals. Your insights can offer precious views on evolving cultural landscapes.

32. Should I awareness of a particular writing form for my tale?

These magazines appreciate a variety of writing paperwork, together with non-public essays, memoirs, and narrative poetry. Choose the form that best fits your story and writing style.

33. Can I post non-public testimonies formerly rejected with the aid of other magazines?

Yes, you can post testimonies that have been formerly rejected, as long as they meet the hints of the mag you're submitting to. Remember that revising and refining your paintings can beautify their probabilities of attractiveness.

34. Can I include elements of humor in my non-public story?

Absolutely. Humor can add depth and relatability to private testimonies. Ensure that the mood aligns with the overall tone and subject of the mag you are submitting to.

35. Are there possibilities for personal testimonies that talk about social troubles?

Yes, many magazines are inquisitive about non-public narratives that deal with social problems, activism, and advocacy. Your story can provide insights into those critical topics while resonating with readers who percentage similar issues.

36. Can I submit a non-public tale exploring transitions and lifestyle modifications?

Indeed, magazines regularly search for personal memories reflecting on transitions, existence adjustments, and transformative moments. These memories can inspire and provide solace to readers experiencing similar changes.

37. How can I effectively bring cultural nuances into my non-public tale?

Use precise info, anecdotes, and cultural references to weave cultural nuances into your narrative. Sensory descriptions and private experiences can help readers understand the cultural context.

38. Can I put up personal testimonies that discover the subject of affection?

Absolutely. Love is a prevalent theme that resonates with readers throughout cultures. Whether romantic love, familial bonds, or self-love, non-public stories about love can offer profound insights and connections.

39. Are there possibilities for personal testimonies that discuss trends in psychology and well-being?

Yes, magazines frequently appreciate personal narratives that delve into trends in psychology, mental fitness, and nicely-being. Your stories and reflections can shed light on these essential subjects.

40. How can I ensure my private tale is culturally sensitive and respectful?

Research, sensitivity, and authenticity are essential. Engage with cultural views respectfully, avoid stereotypes, and seek comments from individuals who can provide insights into cultural nuances.

Summary: Exploring Opportunities for Personal Storytelling and Paid Writing

In the dynamic world of literary courses, many opportunities await writers seeking to percentage their memories, essays, and poetry. Magazines that pay writers for their creative expressions provide a platform to delve into diverse issues along with lifestyle, history, intellectual fitness, and extra. These courses, inclusive of Reader's Digest, Agni, and The Sun Magazine, cost authentic narratives that resonate with readers on a deep emotional stage.

Aspiring writers can craft enticing personal testimonies that spotlight cultural nuances, historical connections, and psychological trends. By adhering to submission recommendations, writers can ensure their narratives are well-obtained and revered. The process entails filing polished portions that captivate readers from the beginning, creating connections through shared reviews and emotions.

These magazines compensate for contributions, welcoming emerging and hooked-up writers to partake in their literary journey. The opportunity to publish private stories that discover love, transitions, own family dynamics, and societal shifts can be worthwhile on a non-public and economic level. With a respectful and touchy method to cultural issues, writers can create narratives that resonate with numerous audiences.

In a global wherein private narratives hold mammoth costs, these magazines offer a platform for voices to be heard and memories to be shared. By gaining knowledge of storytelling and adhering to submission tips, writers can embark on a course of personal increase, cultural exploration, and paid innovative expression.

[kulliare]

seriously @ those w english degrees how did u find ur jobs.

[dimiclaudeblaigan]

The worst thing about my brain being an autopilot grammar nazi is that every single time I see people misuse “it’s” and “its” as well as apostrophe placements is that I don’t want to be rude and correct people... but my brain still is like UGH THIS IS THE WORST.

“It’s” and “Its” are more just my brain going weeo weeo on me when that’s a more understandable one bc “its” is literally the exception to a rule (because “it’s” actually means “it is”, so to avoid it being used for two meanings the apostrophe is removed for ownership cases), but when I see apostrophes before an S for plural wording and I know they speak English properly I’m just like. ugh. damn. bruh. please. go back to school.

Less severe cases of incorrect apostrophe use tends to be like, when people are playing Heroes and have duplicates of units and are like “my Ike’s” instead of “my Ikes”, because I think people are trying to... make it more clear that it’s referring to more than one? I think? Maybe? Or they literally just don’t realize it’s incorrect grammar, idk lol. Still can’t get past my weeo weeo autopilot brain though sadly.

LIKE. IT’S NOT ANYONE’S FAULT THAT MY BRAIN IS WEEO WEEO, IT JUST IS.

Which speaking of Heroes, FE in general seems to have its script in every single game ever coded to always use apostrophes for ownership cases even when the word ends in S, so don’t worry folks. IntSys isn’t getting off scot free from my brain either LOL. No amount of “princess’s” is ever gonna fly with my weeo weeo brain.

this has been a psa

mainly a psa of my brain weeo weeos

[hsquire]

Get Paid To Do Writing Jobs Online!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Paid Online Writing Jobs

http://tinyurl.com/tb2405

Are you interested in a flexible online remote job position that pays up to $35 per hour? We are currently hiring new writers on our platform for entry-level blog writing jobs. The pay starts at $35 per hour, and full training is provided. You will be working for e-commerce stores, helping write short blog posts introducing their new products. The business that hires you will provide you with a product image and a description of the product (including price etc.), and then you need to write a 500-word blog post about the product that the business will then post to their blog. This is an introduction level writing job, only basic English and grammar skills are required, and full training is provided.

There is no fixed terms to the contract length and the hours are flexible with the rate being $35 per hour. The only background and skills needed are you must have access to a phone or laptop, be able to work independently, have basic English reading and writing skills, the ability to closely follow provided steps and instructions, and have a reliable internet connection.

These jobs are filling fast. For further information please click on the link below.

Write Blog Posts for $35 an hour.

http://tinyurl.com/tb2406

This forum posting job pays $20 per forum post and is a flexible online remote position for beginner writers and will be filled quickly. We are looking to hire new writers from all countries right now. Businesses can get a lot of traffic to their website by replying to comments and posting in online forums. But to do this they need regular people to sign up for the accounts on the forum sites and post the content in the forums for them. That is why these jobs are so good for beginner writers online with not much experience, and you can still get paid $20 per post.

Full training is provided, and you can start these jobs right away. The only background and skills needed are you must have access to a phone or laptop, be able to work independently, have basic English reading and writing skills, ability to closely follow provided steps and instructions, and a reliable internet connection. The hours are flexible with this remote work online popular job that can be done from anywhere.

If you can start right away, please click on the link below.

Write Forum Posts and earn $20 per post.

http://tinyurl.com/tb2407

Do you think you would be interested in testing out and writing reviews about websites, online software, and books, for $40 per review? We are currently recruiting new beginner paid online writers from your country and writing product reviews is one of the most popular job types on our platform right now. Businesses need to hire and pay regular product users to test their products and write reviews on them. You will either be sent or given free access to the product or service and then you need to use it as a real consumer would and write your review. These are flexible online remote positions, meaning that as long as you can work the required hours you can work from home. The businesses that hire our members are all looking for new remote workers who don’t need experience but are willing to learn, so you do not need to be a professional writer for these jobs.

Please click on the link below if you are interested and can start right away.

Write Product Reviews and get paid $40 a review.

http://tinyurl.com/tb2408

For a FREE Report about Paying Online Writing Jobs just click the link below to download the PDF.

Paid Online Writing Jobs FREE Report

http://tinyurl.com/tbpowjx

[growthmindsetblog]

I AM WHAT I CHOOSE TO BECOME

A testament to our resilience in the face of adversity… Life often confronts us with difficult problems that can be overwhelming. As a result, we create mechanisms for survival, which are behaviors that initially assist us in coping with trauma or mental distress. While some behaviors, such as binge eating, anorexia, or intense exercise, may provide temporary relief, they can become restrictive…

[thelostboys87]

point of postgrad unemployment where you're like i should really dive into content creation actually

[allnovellas]

Get Paid to Write: A List of High-Paying Freelance Writing Jobs for Aspiring Writers

Do you want to learn how to get paid to write? As an aspiring writer, you may have considered the idea of freelance writing as a way to turn your passion for writing into a viable career. The good news is that there are many opportunities for freelance writers to earn a living, whether it’s writing for websites, blogs, magazines, or other publications. In this article, we will provide you with a…

[sailorbrazil]

Please help a queer brazilian illustrator to pay the medical bills to save his cats

Hey yall, I have a friend who's really going through it and I asked him to write a message I can post on here:

"hi! my name is muri and i’m a brazilian illustrator.

these are my cats, pepe and dorian, and unfortunately they both have had a rough couple of weeks due to medical procedures i haven’t been able to afford ☹️

alongside the issues and stress they’ve been under, i had to go through an unprecedented surgery and can’t get a job for at least a few weeks, so the timing for all this has been really troublesome.

it really saddens me not being able to help them as i can so i need all the help i could get!

here are a few illustrations i’ve done throughout my career and that’s something i can get done in these weeks i’m recovering.

any help can and will be immensely appreciated!

my email is murilustra@gmail.com to talk any kind of freelance illustrations and i’m also accepting donations via paypal through it!

thank you thank you thank you!

lots of love from our little family!"

[jinbugs]

VIVERE

“Do you think you deserve it? To be punished?” “I think so, yes.”

A Pathfinder 2e Campaign Introduction Post!

MEET THE PARTY:

REVUN (@dovelydraws)

26 years old

he/they/she

A duel-wielding tiefling fighter. Easy-going freelance mercenary from Alephia, looking for a job that pays well and a little company.

FERRA (@artpepkin)

87 years old

she/her

A beastkin elven rogue from Chiei Thya. Playful vagabond who finds herself wherever the wind takes her. She's maybe gotten herself in a little over her head.

POLITES (@mossy-garden)

17 years old

he/him

A tiefling champion. Proud kingdom guard of Crimyria under the goddess Vildeas, who is willing and anxious to prove himself.

KWAN (@jinbugs)

39 years old

he/they/she

A human investigator. Cunning Po Lian scholar-official informant who is in pursuit of a dangerous secret, the centurion pearl. At any cost.

Glitch (@eternalglitch), our game master, weaves all our loose threads into one coherent story.

One fun rule we’ve incorporated into this campaign: players CANNOT share their character backstories with each other outside of gameplay.

It gives more mystery fun! It’s also driving us insane. Pray for us.

(Map created by @dovelydraws, summary also written by Dove)

A lot has gone into the cultures and politics of each of the countries our characters come from. Enough so that it doesn't make sense to get into all of it on an introductory post! But perhaps later in a reblog.

THE STORY SO FAR…

As of the writing of this post, we have now played 5 sessions of the campaign.

Our party all met each other in the small seaside town of Plumeport, Crimyria. We were all brought together in pursuit of the same thing: a legendary man-eating boar, said to hold the power of immortality.

It is believed that consuming the flesh of this boar would grant eternal life, and even just a bit of its fur or blood can extend a person's life, for a time. The King of Crimyria himself has offered whoever can take down this boar a large sum of wealth and a small offering of its blood for personal consumption. He wants the job to be done in time for the Crimyrian Festival of Flight, in a couple months time.

The bounty on the boar's head has drawn adventurers from all over the continent, but none so far have been able to take it down. Many have lost their lives. While each of our party members have their own reasons for wanting to take on this job, Kwan has a very personal stake in their success.

He has, reluctantly, revealed that he once knew the boar before it obtained the power it has today. He has reason to believe it has swallowed something once known as a centurion pearl: a powerful artifact that caused the fall of a once great kingdom, and threw the continent into tumultuous conflict. Kwan is adamant that this power should not be handed over to any king. Once it is killed, they want to extract the pearl from its body to make sure it can never fall into the wrong hands.

So far, Kwan has only revealed this to Revun. Polites, meanwhile, works directly under the king and wants to succeed on this mission to make him proud. Ferra seems to only be interested in the money and adventure. Revun has also said they were in this for the money, but vaguely admitted to Kwan that they also had their own personal reasons to go after the boar, and if he truly believes its power is too dangerous, they will follow his lead.

Once faced with the boar, however, the party was unprepared and outmatched. It was massive, its eyes as large as their heads, emanating a golden glow. It moved unlike a normal animal, and seemingly bore a higher level of intelligence than it should.

After a deceptively strong start, Polites went down in battle, and they were all forced to run to ensure everyone's survival. Before retreating though, Kwan shot the boar with a strange arrow, claiming they would be able to track it again later.

The party camped outside of the marsh, unable to sleep while waiting for Polites to wake up. They discussed next steps- going back to the city to regroup, get proper healing, and perhaps find a sponsor to help them in their next try. They still have a few weeks to get things figured out.

And that's all, so far! We're all pretty stoked and making tons of art and written works, so keep a look out, we might publish a zine when the sessions start wrapping up. Bye-bye, for now!

[bitchesgetriches]

Getting a job:

How to Write a Resume so You Actually Have a Prayer of Getting Hired

How to Write a Cover Letter like You Actually Want the Job

Ask the Bitches: What the Hell Else Can I Do to Get a Job?

How to Frame Volunteering on Your Resume When You’ve Never Had a Job

How To Get Ready For a Job Interview: Prep Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them with the Confidence of a Mediocre White Dude

10 Questions You Should Never Be Asked in a Job Interview

What to Wear (and What Not to Wear) to a Job Interview

What to Do When You’re Asked About Your Salary Requirements in a Job Interview

How NOT to Determine Your Salary

How to Find Remote Work: On Getting the Elusive Work-From-Home Job

High School Students Have No Way of Knowing What Career to Choose. Why Do We Make Them Do It Anyway?

The Actually Helpful, Nuanced, Non-Bullshit Way to Choose a Future Career

Myers-Briggs Personalities and Income: What Your Type Says About Your Salary

I Just Applied for a Job. How (And When) Should I Follow Up?

Our Best Secrets for a Successful, Strategic, and SHORT Job Search

Season 2, Episode 11: “I Tripped and Fell into a Career I Don’t like. How Do I Reinvent Myself?”

Freelancing and side jobs:

Should Artists Ever Work for Free?

Stop Undervaluing Your Freelance Work, You Darling Fool

Romanticizing the Side Hustle: When 1 Job Isn’t Enough

The Ugly Truth About Unpaid Internships

Freelancer, Protect Thyself… With a Fair Contract

Ask the Bitches: My Boss Won’t Give Me a Contract and I’m Freaking Out

I Lost My Job and It Might Be the Best Worst Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me

Becoming a Millennial Entrepreneur (in the Midst of a Pandemic) with Katelyn Magnuson

11 Awful Mistakes I Made as a Self-Employed Freelancer, and How YOU Can Avoid Them

Workplace benefits:

Workplace Benefits and Other Cool Side Effects of Employment

Your School or Workplace Benefits Might Include Cool Free Stuff

Your Yearly Free Medical Care Checklist

Dafuq Is a Retirement Plan and Why Do You Need One?

How to Save for Retirement When You Make Less Than $30,000 a Year

Season 2, Episode 6: “Someone Offered to Mentor Me! How Do I Be a Non-Sucky Mentee?”

Navigating the workplace:

My Secret Weapon for Preparing for Awkward Boss Confrontations

Are You Working on the Next Fyre Festival?: Identifying a Toxic Workplace

Woke at Work: How to Inject Your Values into Your Boring, Lame-Ass Job

Can Looking Weird at Work Be Good for Your Career?

Why Is Short Hair Controversial? An Examination of Expensive, Annoying Beauty Standards

Season 1, Episode 1: “Should I Tell My Boss I’m Looking for Another Job?”

You WILL Regret Accepting Your Coworker’s Social Media Friend Request

Season 1, Episode 5: “I Don’t Love My Job, but It Pays Well. Should I Quit—or Tough It Out?”

Season 2, Episode 7: “How Do I Throw My Incompetent Coworkers under the Bus?”

Sexual Harassment: How to Identify and Fight It in the Workplace

Getting a raise:

Salary Range: Are You Asking for Enough?

A Millennial’s Guide to Growing Your Salary

The First Time I Asked for a Raise

You Need to Ask for a Fucking Raise

Should You Increase Your Salary or Decrease Your Spending?

Getting a promotion:

Santa Isn’t Coming and Neither Is Your Promotion: How To Get Promoted

How I Chessmastered Myself Into a Promotion at Work

Job Hopping vs. Career Loyalty by the Numbers

The Fascinating Results of Our Job Hopping vs. Career Loyalty Poll

I Hate My Job and I Don’t Know How To Leave It: A Confession

A New Job, a New Day, a New Life, and I’m Feeling Good

Season 1, Episode 9: “I’ve Given up on My Dream Career. Where Do I Go From Here?”

Working remotely

How to Successfully Work from Home Without Losing Your Goddamn Mind (Or Your Job)

How to Find Remote Work: On Getting the Elusive Work-From-Home Job

8 Genres of Productivity Music (Plus Our Secret Stash of Personal Favorites)

My 25 Secrets to Successfully Working from Home with ADHD

[neil-gaiman]

Yo've said a few times that you got into writing because you needed the money. I was wondering if you could expand a bit on how that could be. For most of us, writing is something we can't afford to make our focus. It just doesn't make enough and isn't reliable enough to be a plausible answer to the problem when you need money right now in order to eat and be clothed and have a home.

Do you think this is because times have changed? Were you in a lucky position that enabled you to know you would be paid if you wrote? Did you just believe you wouldn't be able to get a job in, eg, service/retail/a call center - the kind of work many of us have had to choose to make ends meet when we'd rather be writing.

I'm not questioning the reality you lived (I hope it doesn't come across that way) but when you respond this way when people ask how you got started it feels like it reveals a gulf of understanding that it's hard to bridge, both for young writers now, trying to understand how writing could be the answer to putting food on the table, and for you to understand that your answer has not really addressed these questions.

I don't think I ever said I got into writing because I needed the money. I said I became a writer because I had no other usable skills or things I wanted to do and needed to pay the rent and eat. My first year as a writer I survived because the bedroom in Edgware I was renting was £25 a week, and by about 3 months in I was getting about £300 per 2000 word interview and, because I found an editor who liked me, I had a regular monthly gig. I was a pretty good writer, in retrospect, even though I was very young and didn't know what I was doing.

It didn't occur to me to try and get a job that wasn't writing. As far as I was concerned I was meant to be writing fiction, but my day job was going to be reviewing books, interviewing people, writing non-fiction, which also was a learning process. It seemed like the service/retail options just took me further away from what I wanted to do, which was write. I went for a job interview at my father's urging, and was relieved when I'd spent the afternoon there and nobody came out and saw me, and so went home unseen. And never went back.

I found jobs that allowed me to write.

And sometimes I said no to more money if it seemed like it was liable to pull me off the path I was on. I remember being offered a Features Editor job on a monthly magazine, for an actual monthly salary that hugely exceeded what I was making as a freelance. But I was certain that being a freelance writer was more likely to get me to my destination than being a Features Editor, and I turned the job down.

Does that help?

[celenawrites]

— a soft life: unofficial prologue

Summary -

Retired and domesticated, Johnny and Simon look forward to the next step in their life as a couple - parenthood. However, initiating this process turns out to be a lot trickier than usual.

And then enters you, a tired grad student who is desperate and willing to be their surrogate for some much needed cash. Needless to say, they find themselves orbiting you - like planets to the burning sun.

Warnings - A/B/O dynamics, Metaphorical ramblings of 'killing' parts of one's personality, reader is implied to be an immigrant and POC so expect topics of misogyny, sexism and threats of forceful marriage/parenthood to pop up in later chapters, Unbeta'd and unedited contents so mistakes are inevitable, etc.

Word count - 1, 128.

series masterlist || read on ao3

Your eyes burn. 

The black cursor blinks against the empty white expanse of your Word document, taunting you and your incapability to muster up anything to write for your thesis. You shut down your laptop after staring at the blank document file for what seems like hours, barely mustering up the concentration needed to finally name the topic of your research thesis. 

You lean back against the black ergonomic chair and it creaks under your weight, and you can feel the way your back cracks as you stretch your arms over your head. You take off your glasses, and then let your palms rub at your aching eyes as you contemplate what more you could do to distract yourself from your imminent doom. 

Between your laptop and piles of printed papers, textbooks and notes lies an opened manila envelope that has delivered devastating news to you at a crucial point of your life. 

The education system is unfair in many ways, and going into academia and research is definitely not going to be a walk in the park for you. But your passion for the subject had you undeterred - leaping at the first chance of pursuing your postgraduate degree from one of the most prestigious universities in all of the United Kingdom. And yet, the printed letter you had received last week is threatening your dream and you do not know if there is any way for you to salvage it. 

You have rapidly applied for financial aid, scholarships, internships and even odd jobs - but most of the potential employers have either ghosted you or put your name on a never-ending waitlist. You cannot wait till next year to know if they would hire you for minimum wage, damn it. 

By the time they reach out to you, you might already be well on your way back home. And you do not want to go back home. 

A few tears of frustration bubble up in your eyes, leaving hot tear tracts on your skin as you try to wipe them away. You need a break. God knows when was the last time you had slept. 

At moments like these, when life was too much and the stress made the idea of death all the more inviting to you, your inner voice - your Omega, someone you have suppressed and killed with your own violent hands, would resurface into your life like a phantom and she would haunt you with incredulous ideas and sweet impossibilities. Need someone, need Alpha, she would whisper to you all sultry, Wanna be taken care of. Too much, too much, too much-

And you would bury her remains again. 

You cannot be soft. You cannot be kind. You cannot let people know you care. 

It would only get you killed. Or worse. 

You get up to leave the room on shaky legs and your knees buckle after staying so still for hours on end. You enter the small kitchen, put the kettle filled with water on the stove and turn it up to high heat as you lean against the island and rub your hands over your languished face. You’re so tired. So fucking tired. 

The kettle simmers over the fire, letting out a small hiss from its spout. You pay it no heed. You think and think and think of all the possible ways you can salvage this mess of a situation - only to end up with nothing. 

The market hasn’t been kind, and you do work as a TA and some freelance work online as an editor to ease your financial worries, but it is not enough. 

You can always take up more shifts at the floral shop, but that can also possibly interfere with your academic schedule - which is the last thing you could possibly want. You can always call back home, but the very idea of it fills you with dread and makes your stomach turn and sicken you even more. You could-

The kettle lets out a loud whistle, steam oozing out of it rapidly and the mobile phone in your jeans rings at the same time, startling you into action. You turn and hurriedly turn the stove off, letting the kettle rest on the island as it lets out all the steam stored in the ceramic vessel. 

You abandon the pot of leafy concoction, opting to go outside into your living space to finally pick up your ringing phone. You wipe your clammy hands on a hand towel lying nearby before you swipe the green button to pick up the call. 

“Hello?” you state your name, “Who is it?”

“Good afternoon, Miss” the feminine voice greets you over the mobile, “This is the Larksky Fertility Clinic”. 

Your heart stills. 

You read the email the clinic representative had sent you after you got off the call with her. 

Alice was her name. Alice sounded like a kind woman. 

You read through the attachment files in the mail. The pamphlet outlined the vision and works of the fertility clinic, highlighting their doctors and the various fertility testing and treatments they offered to people and couples alike. The other attachment files consisted of the bare minimum information about the couple that are currently seeking you out in order to conceive. 

Mr. Simon Riley and Mr. John Mactavish. 

Both are ex-military - one of them is a personal fitness trainer and the other runs a security company. They’re willing to negotiate the price for your ‘assistance’; which is something you’re grateful for, even though you’d have done it for free once upon a time. 

While you have always been unsure about parenthood being the right path for you (and your personal aspirations and fears wouldn’t necessarily allow you to indulge in such ideas just yet), you have always wished to help people create the families they deserve. And you believe this call to be some sort of sign, corny as it might sound to some. 

Maybe it's divine intervention. Or manifestation. Or some spiritual signal. 

You have always been willing to help others out in any way possible - from taking on extra workload and sharing necessities to blood donations and volunteer work. At one point, you had been looking forward to helping people out with completing their families - eager to see them so ecstatic about becoming parents. The idea of doing this for money solely leaves your mouth dry, as if you have swallowed cotton - and yet, yet. 

It wouldn’t hurt to try, anyway. Sending out a response through your email, you confirm the time and date of the meeting with the clinic. You console yourself  and reason with your heart (or what is left of it anyway) - you need the money, you always wanted to do this, now is a good time anyway. 

A/N -

I decided to post this almost scrapped prologue in hopes to motivate myself and to keep on writing some more. Hopefully, I will be able to post more in May. Also, forgive the few grammatical errors in this piece, I haven't been too keen on correcting such errors at the moment. I will eventually clean this up later on. I just wanted to put this out there so that I can work on the later parts of this series.

[thebibliosphere]

wrt the AI thing, the doom is in what is just good enough to no longer pay people for it. Machine translation isn't good! The sentences are nice and often grammatically correct, but the information hasn't been accurately transferred a lot of the time (genre doesn't matter, but DeepL is pretty good for news articles, less good for other stuff). AI text is sentences that are made of words likely to go together it doesn't understand any of it. Especially if you want to write something a bit experimental, if you want to use specific words to evoke specific things etc etc... true art will not die, no matter how much some people try.

I mean, yeah, but that’s also just a progression of what’s already been happening for years. Publishing houses and companies have been outsourcing to the cheapest bidder for decades now due to lack of labor regulation and the death of unions. That’s what the major Harper Collins strike was about. Even while publishing houses are making record profits, they’re not paying their editors a living wage.

When I worked for a medium sized mainstream publisher back in the late 2000’s to 2010s, they used to remind us daily that if we didn’t hit our editing quota there were people on Freelancer and Fiver who would do it for a lot cheaper— and I was already earning below minimum hourly wage, that you could “make up” by taking on extra work.

(The salaried editors were the only ones with guaranteed income, the rest of us were told we were just lucky to be there.)

And multiple times a month they’d eliminate someone to ‘cut costs’ and the work would land on your desk and you’d be told to get it done because they knew we had no other options. It was this or unemployment at the start of what would be the second global recession of my life.

Eventually we did all get laid off and they opted for the cheaper, subpar labor. And while it sucked to be unemployed at that time, the relief I felt was real. I was no longer self-medicating with caffeine and alcohol to cope with the work environment. I was no longer churning out 100-200k a week in edits and rewrites to keep a job that treated me like shit. I missed it, because I loved working with my authors and editing and writing was something I loved. But I did not miss the rat race they had us locked into for the sake of profit over quality.

The fact that Harper Collins staff, one of the biggest publishers in the world who contribute to the monopoly that creates that environment, were also not making enough to live, tells me things have only gotten worse inside the industry. Unless, of course, you’re near the top of the corporate ladder. In which case you probably can’t understand why all the peasants are so unhappy.

The machines will not fully replace us—at least probably not in my lifetime. But that doesn’t mean what’s already happening isn’t bad.

AI is just the next wrung on this sordid descent into exploitation and elimination. We need better labor laws. We need better protections. We need fucking respect.

[theliteraryarchitect]

Hi! I wanted to say, I read that you are a professional editor, and think it's amazing! You also give very logical and well explained advice. I was wondering; would you say being an editor is a job you can support yourself with? I actually aspire to become one someday, but I'm not exactly sure if it's a good plan.

Thank you for your time, and I hope you have a good day/night

Hey there. Great question. It's totally possible to support yourself as an editor. I've done it, and so have other editors I know. However there are a few important things to consider before choosing editing as a career path.

Your chances of being a self-employed freelancer are extremely high. The number of in-house editing jobs in publishing are low and getting lower. While being self employed can give you a certain amount of flexibility, it also comes along with a lot of hustle and hassle, namely fluctuating income, a stupid amount of confusing tax paperwork, and the need to constantly promote yourself to clients in order to maintain steady work.

You probably won't make as much money as you'd think. Editing is one of the many skilled jobs that suffers from market saturation, which has sadly driven down the price the average client is willing to pay for editing services. I can't tell you the number of overqualified editors I know charging barely more than minimum wage for their work. Personally I've stuck to my guns about charging what I'm worth, but I've sometimes suffered by not having as much work as my colleagues who charge less.

Robots have already chipped away at the future of editing as a human occupation, and will continue to do so at exponential speed in the years ahead. They will never obliterate the job completely, as there will always be humans who prefer to work with humans instead of machines. But the outlook will become ever bleaker as more humans compete for fewer gigs, which in turn will drive down prices even further.

If you are also a writer, editing may adversely affect your writing. I don't mean that you'll become a worse writer, quite the opposite. My editing work has brought new depths to my writing, and I'm grateful for all I've learned by working with my clients. However, editing takes time, uses creative energy, and requires staring at a screen (or paper), and personally the more I edit, the less time/creativity/screen-staring capabilities I have left for my own writing.

If you mention you're an editor, someone will troll your post for a typo, grammatical error, or misused word, and then triumphantly point it out to you in the comments. This is mostly a joke. But it does happen every single time.

I hope this hasn't been too discouraging. If you feel a true passion for editing and really enjoy the work, none of the above should dissuade you. However, if you think you might be happy in any number of occupations, I'd honestly advise you to explore other options. Choosing a career path at this point in history is a gamble no matter what, but the outlook for editors is especially grim.

If you'd like to work with writers and aren't attached to being an editor, there are a few jobs (still freelance) that I believe will survive the coming robot apocalypse. Do a little Google research about "book coaches," "writing coaches," or "book doulas." These are people who act primarily as emotional supporters and logistical helpers for writers who are trying to get their book published or self published. Some of them do actual editing, but many do not, and due to the therapeutic nature of their work I believe they will flourish longer than editors in the coming robot apocalypse.

If you do explore editing as a path, the further away you can lean from spelling and grammar (e.g. proofreader or copyeditor), the longer your skills will be useful when competing with robots. AI still struggles to offer the same kind of nuanced, story-level feedback that a human can give. (Speaking from experience here--I'm a developmental editor and have yet to see a dent in my workload because of robots.) They'll catch up eventually, but it could be a while, and as long as there are human readers, there will always be humans who are willing to pay for a human perspective on their writing. Human spell checkers maybe not so much.

Hope this helps!

[growthmindsetblog]

How To Stay Positive In Stressful Situations.

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