Pitch us, please, says This Magazine
Can't recall a Canadian magazine a) launching a public campaign to attract writers and b) publishing a comprehensive "menu" of its fees for each type of article and department. But that is precisely what This Magazine's editor, Jessica Johnston is doing. On the magazine website's blog, she has posted what is in effect a promotional pitch to writers, illustrators and photographers who may not have considered contributing to the magazine.
Johnstson posted the same information on the Toronto Freelance Editors and Writers list, a listserv that goes out periodically to about 100 subscribers.
This Magazine can't afford to pay much, mind you, so their intention is not to lure people in with big money. But it's an interestingly transparent way of dealing with the freelance community and their own readers. Will it encourage a greater diversity of opinion and voices? Time will tell.
We are looking for smart, quirky or fun pitches on political topics of national relevance. This Magazine articles are well researched, have a strong analysis at their core, and a Canadian angle. We welcome ideas for investigative features, literary non-fiction, politically oriented service journalism, essays, photo essays and arts and cultural analyses. Or, pitch a shorter piece for one of our departments.The piece details themes and the editorial calendar for the next year, a guide to how to query the magazine (which doesn't accept unsolicited complete articles) and a detailed, department-by-department list of story lengths and fees or fee ranges.
Johnstson posted the same information on the Toronto Freelance Editors and Writers list, a listserv that goes out periodically to about 100 subscribers.
This Magazine can't afford to pay much, mind you, so their intention is not to lure people in with big money. But it's an interestingly transparent way of dealing with the freelance community and their own readers. Will it encourage a greater diversity of opinion and voices? Time will tell.
posted by D. B. Scott at
11:03 am
8 Comments:
"This Magazine can't afford to pay much, mind you, so their intention is not to lure people in with big money."
Sigh. They just don't get it, do they?
Whenever I feel the urge to write for free, I post an anonyomous comment on this blog.
Oh I promise you, "they" get it.
The problem is that our culture doesn't get it. I actually appreciate the fact that they're being transparent about how much they can afford to pay so their readership and beyond can get a real idea of how dismal the entire small mag culture really is.
As someone who receives a pay cheque from a small mag I can promise you it's not about how much they "don't get it," its about how much they don't get.
The entire system is unbelievably flawed. One day I'll write an in-depth piece about it and as a result be able to afford... lunch?
It really is shameful that they still pay such low rates. They should apply for a project grant or something to increase their fees...
Gee, I really bet they don't apply for every grant available....
Quick recap:
No ads, small circ, low subscription rate, and yes they still apply for every grant in the book (as every magazine in Canada does).... and yet most mags still just squeak by.... most small magazines cannot afford (with or without grants) to increase fees. It would be nice, but the Canada population and demand for magazines can sustain so much.
So how many of the people who gripe about low contributors fees actually pony up the dough for a subscription, and tell all their friends to subscribe? Hmm?
Contributors are doing their job, which is to write or draw or photograph. Pimping the magazine they write for to thier friends and family is not part of their work, nor does it have anything to do with what they get paid. That is a little 'company store' don't you think?
Should small mag contributors be paid more? In a lot of cases, they should. Are there other people willing to write for less, next to nothing or for free? Yes there are.
We get offers from people to work for free on a regular basis. We have paid contributors who turn around and work for free for other smaller publications. When I tell them they shouldn't do it, they give me some song and dance about experience or enriching the community.
Writers should be paid more. Publishers should be paid more. Editors should be paid more. Circualtion managers should be paid more. Interns shoud be 'paid'.
If you have a magazine the core staff are getting paid nothing how do conributers expect to be paid more? Where is this money coming from? If the magazine isn't paying the rate you want, they most likely can't. Everyone in this industry works long hours, crappy schdules, and are typically underpaid. How is it contributors complain to people who are in the same situation in terms of wage?
Some business plan: expect staff and freelancers to work for little or no pay.
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