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Writing about the Writing Life, and of course, Getting Paid for It
By Diane Sonntag
I love to write personal essays, and one of my favorite things
to write about is, well, writing. Just about every experience
I have in my real life makes me think about my writing life.
For example, I took my four-year-old daughter to see Dora’s
Pirate Adventure last year and I was very moved by one of the
songs. It talked about how we can sometimes be too afraid to
take steps toward a brighter future. It made me think about
the fear of rejection I so often struggle with. It was very
moving for me. (OK, I guess you had to be there.) But I took
the inspiration home and wrote an essay about it. The piece
sold, and I netted a tidy $25 check.
I watched a movie with my children called “The Adventures of
Shark Boy and Lava Girl.” The movie was about a boy who just
dreams about something and it comes true in real life. It
reminded me that we, as writers, have dreams, but we also have
goals, and it takes a lot of work to get where we want to be.
Once again, I felt inspired to write about my experience. (And
once again, you probably had to be there.) But I earned another
$25 for my effort. The childhood experience of watching football
with my not-so-patient father brought on more inspiration, this
one about managing my time, and - yeah, you guess it - another
check. Cha -ching!
One of the best pieces I’ve ever written was based on an
experience I had at my seven-year-old son’s hockey game last
year. I belittled my writing career to the team mom by saying
that I don’t work. As we all know, writing is one of the most
difficult jobs there is. This essay, entitled “Real Writers
Really Work,” was published in a writer’s ezine over a year ago,
and I still receive emails from other writers telling me how
much the piece touched them and how they could relate to what
I wrote. I got paid for that piece as well, but those emails
meant far more to me than any check I’ve ever gotten. Well,
maybe not any check…
Writers as a group are fickle and our moods can greatly affect
both our ability to work and the quality of the work we produce.
If you can write something that will inspire or motivate another
writer, you have done them (and the world in general) a great
service.
There are quite a few publications just waiting to hear what
you have to say about the writing life. Granted, the pay isn’t
spectacular, but these pieces are quick and easy to write
because they are based on your experiences. The best part is
that it won’t take any time to research these markets because,
as a writer, you’re probably already reading them.
Here are a few writing ezines who will pay for your cleverly
crafted words:
The Fabulist Flash:
Articles should be 500-600 words on topics related to writing
and the writer's life. Writers are paid $25 upon publication of
their article. Contact the editor, Gregory Kompes at
Editor@fabulistflash.com . (On a
personal note, Mr. Kompes is
a joy to write for. He pays promptly and even includes an
encouraging note with your check!)
The Writing Parent:
Send articles to
Thewritingparentezine@yahoo.com . This ezine
is slanted toward writers who have young children. Pay is $20
via Pay Pal.
Writing for Dollars:
Looking for 500-1,000 word articles on all things related to
writing. Pays $25 for solicited articles. Send submissions to
Editor@writingfordollars.com
http://www.writingfordollars.com/Guidelines_display.cfm
Funds for Writers:
Pays $35 for original, unpublished articles of 600-700 words.
Pays $10 for reprints. Query or send full manuscript to
hope@fundsforwriters.com
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/submissions.htm
Absolute Write:
Articles should be between 800 – 2,000 words. Pay is $5 per
article, or a one year subscription to Absolute Markets
Premium Edition. Send submissions to
Amy@absolutewrite.com
http://absolutewrite.com/site/submissions.htm
Writers Weekly:
Articles should be around 600 words. Pays is $30-$50 for
personal success stories and how-to features. Submit query
with credits by e-mail to
angela@writersweekly.com
http://writersweekly.com/misc/guidelines.php
Women on Writing:
Fun website about women finding their way around the writing
world. Pays roughly 5 cents/word. Query to editor first at
editors@wow-womenonwriting.com
. Hope Clark is a columnist here.
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contact.php
And a few print publications who might also love to hear from you:
The Children’s Writer Newsletter:
Pays between $200-300 for features. Contact via their website
at www.childrenswriter.com.
The Writer:
Seeks articles on writing between 600 and 3,500 words. Also
looking for personal essays on the writing life between 1,600
and 2,600 words. Buys first rights. Payment varies, but can
be up to $500. Send queries to
queries@writermag.com
Writer’s Digest:
Looking for writing related articles of 800 – 2,000 words.
Pays 30-50 cents/ word, on acceptance, for first world
rights. Please submit to
wdsubmissions@fwpubs.com
BIO
Diane Sonntag is an elementary school teacher and freelance
writer. She has been published in a variety of print and
online publications including Woman's World, Sasee, and
Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul. She can be reached at
DianeSonntag@comcast.net.
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