the craft. we don't have to be starving artists
Photo by Jazmin Quaynor on Unsplash
When you tell people that you want to write, it’s not necessarily because you think it will be the most lucrative career. But it doesn’t mean that you have to be a starving writer either. Art should pay. That’s the bottom line. But we know and understand that often times creativity is undervalued. Even still, there are ways to make money as a writer and often it comes with diversifying your hustle. This week, we’ll explore some of the ways that writers can make money.
This is not at all an exhaustive list. As a matter of fact, if you have other ideas, feel free to drop them into the Slack!
Freelancing - this is not for the faint at heart because it is indeed a hustle. Pitching articles is a consistency and volume game. Rates vary so much from publication to publication that you may have $1/word piece and also have a piece that pays $250 total. But you can strategize how many pieces you need to execute to make your monthly commitments.
Books - whether you are self publishing or going the traditional route, writing books can bring you some cash. I’ve done both and although you’ll get more money per book from self-publishing it’s also a challenge to market and sell a lot. Although you do get an advance for a traditionally published book, note that you will likely receive that money in three to four payments, not all at once. And then hopefully if you earn out, you’ll be able to see royalties from that project as well. Each has their pros and cons like anything, so evaluate what may be best for you.
Workshops - what’s that thing that you know really well about writing? Well, you can teach it. Here at PTW, we host masterclasses all year long. I’ve also been hired by other places to do workshops for their staff or students. When you can build a really solid 1-2 hour presentation, you can find multiple outlets to teach.
Grants - Did you know that there are grants you can apply for that support individual artists? Think something like the Pew Grant. Depending on what you’re working on, you can look for grants that may help support you while you do it!
J-O-B - most people act like having a job is a bad thing. I, too romanticized the idea of being a blog-preneur and quitting my job but it just wasn’t realistic for me. What I did was started treating my job as additional source of income. It’s a revenue stream that helps me steer my writing in a direction that I want without the pressure of paying bills. I work in the music industry. But for other writers this may be a non-tech, tech position as a copywriter. Or it could be an adjunct or tenured position at a college. Maybe a staff position at a publication.
Writing is certainly not the fast track to millions, but a little here and there can all of a sudden become enough for you to not only live but thrive.
Writing/Job Opportunities
Jessica Kingsley Publishing is hiring a Commissioning Editor.
FlatIron Books is hiring a Senior Editor.
BALDWIN is looking for Black writers.
Duke University Press is hiring a Project Editor.
Noema Magazine is hiring an Associate Editor.
The Washington Post is looking for a Deputy Editor for By the Way, an award winning travel site.
Input Mag is accepting pitches.
CBS News is looking for Freelance News Editors. Breaking news and hard news experience is a must. Job is remote and starts at $70k. justin@cbsnews.com
To Be Read
“I could become a writer, or I could die really young.” Octavia Butler on Charlie Rose.
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