Unpaid debts

‘Look! Such a big juicy watermelon! Do you want it?’

Big brown eyes wide with wonder gaze unblinkingly at the giant fruit. Hesitant nodding of a small dark head indicates acquiescence. Clad only in a thin cotton vest and a black string around his rotund little waist, the small boy toddles off after the delectable temptation, his podgy fist held fast around a guiding finger, all his faith vested in one single assurance.

While the boy is occupied with the watermelon, his father and mother hurriedly get onto a waiting bullock-cart and begin to ride away. The tell-tale clip clop of the bullock’s...

Read the full article in the February 2016 issue of Scarlet Leaf Review

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Request to read the original essay via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

550 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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Words from the Wise

"We like your style... From my point of view (and not only because all of us had the same impression) your work is of very high quality."

Roxana Nastase

Editor

Scarlet Leaf Review

8 Simple ways to maximise your earnings

If only we didn’t have to pay tax! Now that would maximise my meagre earnings as a writer by as much as 20% – a significant growth indeed. Luckily for us, though, there are some simple ways in which we can ensure that we are squeezing as much value out of the dollar as the law of the land will allow. 

1. Stay away from non-paying markets Bit obvious, really. It’s a lose-lose situation for you and a win-win situation for them, so why should you even bother with markets that cannot compensate you for your work? Forget the ‘for the love of literature’ and ‘amass glory and prestige’ rubbish. If you wanted...

Read the full article in the March 2015 post of Walrus Publishing

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

1095 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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Words from the Wise

"This (is) a very nice article."

Lisa Miller

Editor

Walrus Publishing

"I enjoyed your article... I enjoyed reading your articles at your website which focused specifically on the freelance writer."

Brian Scott

Editor

Freelance Writing

"This one looks right for us."

Dana Cassell

Editor

Freelance Writer's Report

6 Ways to reuse your story ideas

Ever wonder how that bestselling author has managed to churn out seventeen books in a single series, and still shows no signs of stopping? Think you may have a book in you? Think again – there may be more than two!

If you have a story idea that you believe is the next Harry Potter, why not use it more than once? This doesn’t mean selling the same story again and again in different markets, although having second and subsequent reprint rights to give away is a handy tool to increase your income. Neither does this mean “lifting” or plagiarising someone else’s ideas to use as your own. In fact, absolutely...

Read the full article in the January 2015 issue of Writing

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

1270 words
Nonfiction
UK publication

8 Tips to maximise your freelance writing earnings

If only we didn’t have to pay tax! Now that would maximise my meagre earnings as a writer by as much as 20% – a significant growth indeed. Luckily for us, though, there are some simple ways in which we can ensure that we are squeezing as much value out of the dollar as the law of the land will allow. 

1. Stay away from non-paying markets Bit obvious, really. It’s a lose-lose situation for you and a win-win situation for them, so why should you even bother with markets that cannot compensate you for your work? Forget the ‘for the love of literature’ and ‘amass glory and prestige’ rubbish. If you wanted...

Read the full article in the December 2013 post of Freelance Writing

or

Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

1095 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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Words from the Wise

"I enjoyed your article... I enjoyed reading your articles at your website which focused specifically on the freelance writer."

Brian Scott

Editor

Freelance Writing

"This one looks right for us."

Dana Cassell

Editor

Freelance Writer's Report

Love thy competition

As professional writers, we are particularly vulnerable to competition, which comes not only from our contemporaries, but also from those who are long dead and gone but have left their lasting mark in the annals of literature.

However, did you know that your competition can actually come to your aid? Other writers help us make money just by being published. How’s that again? Simple – by providing newer markets and vistas for publication.
 
1. Read writers’ biographies and bibliographies – Make it a point to read the bios and publishing credits of any and all writers you come across. Most writers...

Read the full article in the March 2013 issue of Freelance Writer's Report

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

650 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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Words from the Wise

"That's definitely a good article... The article felt richer and more detailed. I particularly liked your example of coming up with the piece on titles -- it struck me as a great example of what one can do if one thinks creatively."

Moira Allen

Publisher

Writing World

"My editor and I love this piece. It's a topic we haven't seen covered before. We look forward to working with you! I think this is an interest(ing) topic and one our readers probably haven't considered before. :)"

Angela Mackintosh

Editor

Women On Writing

Love thy enemy (How your competitors can help you make money)

We all can do without competition. Be it for the time of that much sought after nanny for the children, that plum freelance assignment, or that exclusive house in the highly desirable and posh neighbourhood, competition can sour things up pretty rapidly and thoroughly. As professional writers, we are particularly vulnerable to competition, which comes not just from our contemporaries but also from those who are long dead and gone but have left their lasting mark in the annals of literature.

However, did you know that your competition can actually come to your aid? Other writers help us...

Read the full article in the January 2013 issue of Writing World

or

Request to read the original article (and get a fun Debora cartoon) via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

1520 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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Words from the Wise

"That's definitely a good article... The article felt richer and more detailed. I particularly liked your example of coming up with the piece on titles -- it struck me as a great example of what one can do if one thinks creatively."

Moira Allen

Publisher

Writing World

7 Simple tips to maximize your earnings

If only we didn’t have to pay tax! Now that would maximise my meagre earnings as a writer by as much as 20% – a significant growth indeed. Luckily for us, though, there are some simple ways in which we can ensure that we are squeezing as much value out of the dollar as the law of the land will allow. 

1. Stay away from non-paying markets Bit obvious, really. It’s a lose-lose situation for you and a win-win situation for them, so why should you even bother with markets that cannot compensate you for your work? Forget the ‘for the love of literature’ and ‘amass glory and prestige’ rubbish. If you wanted...

Read the full article in the October 2012 issue of Freelance Writer's Report

or

Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

1055 words
Nonfiction
US publication

Deal or no deal? (The art of negotiation - 16 Tips on how to ask for more money)

“We absolutely love your story,” said the editor.

I got a warm fuzzy feeling.

“It is charming and has a lovely ‘voice’,” he continued.

I glowed. This smelled of big bucks.

“We especially liked the vivid imagery and flawless energy of the piece.”

I preened and strutted around the room. The scent of money got a little stronger. Maybe he would give me a hundred pounds!

“You are a very talented writer, with a knack for intriguing plots.”

I sprouted wings and began to float on cloud nine. Perhaps even two hundred pounds. I was definitely beginning to taste the dough now.

“We will be delighted and honoured...

Read the full article in the Autumn 2012 issue of New Writer

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

2680 words
Nonfiction
UK publication

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Words from the Wise

"I love it! It's fabulous! Excellent."

Moira Allen

Publisher

Writing World

How to ask for more money

A bit of skilful negotiation may bring you more money. A few magazines may even expect it and advertise their pay scales accordingly. As long as you are not too pushy and know when to back down, you should try to negotiate rates whenever you can.

1. Assess the market
Try to find out what the magazine’s budgets are and where they get their funding from. Check out how big their subscriber base is. Study their advertising rates. You can ask a higher price for an article for a privately owned corporate publication catering to a niche community, than for a article that will appear in a Literature department...

Read the full article in the June 2012 issue of Freelance Writer's Report

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

1145 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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Words from the Wise

"I love it! It's fabulous!"

Moira Allen

Publisher

Writing World

The art of negotiation (16 tips on how to ask for more money)

How many times have you wished that you were being paid just a little bit more? How many times have you wondered whether it was "good form" to ask for just a bit more pay? How many times have you actually done so?

If a magazine has shown interest in your article or story, chances are they are inclined towards publishing you. In such a situation, a little bit of negotiation might just bring you extra benefits. No magazine minds some amount of haggling over price. In fact, a few may even expect it and advertise their pay scales accordingly. As long as you are not too pushy and know when to back down, you...

Read the full article in the September 2011 issue of Writing World

or

Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

2680 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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Words from the Wise

"I love it! It's fabulous!"

Moira Allen

Publisher

Writing World