I worked in the university of California for over 20 years, as a fund manager. It was boring , tedious, stressful and not at all fulfilling, also the commute sucked. It was also stable, and i got to work on campus . Before that I worked in Aerospace and Venture Capital, those both sucked more. However, I retired at 50 with a pension and full medical for me and my wife. Now I draw and whittle and make fermented drinks and live on a small hobby farm. Did I make the right choice? Being retired is great, but part of that is I don't miss anything about working. I think I like just not working. My old man was the opposite, loved working, and really struggled being retired and not being in the middle of the action. I think you are a great writer and have been reading you for at least a decade. Not sure if any of this helps.
I struggle coming up with ideas to pitch because I don’t trust anyone not to ghost. Even editors who’ve historically commissioned me enthusiastically aren’t replying to emails. I’m wildly lucky to have my newsletter supporting me.
I saw so much of my own experience in this and it's why I've been devoting more time and energy to my newsletter and teaching work. Freelancing just isn't a fair or sustainable model at the moment and while that's disappointing, I don't expect it to change. Thanks for sharing your experience Clarissa. The more people who speak up about the challenges of making the freelance life work, the less newer writers (like me) will feel like it's their fault.
I think the challenges you've faced go beyond journalism. Freelancers in all industries—from special effects and post production artists, videographers to web developers—are in a constant chase for security and continuously getting undercut by someone, somewhere willing to do the job for less. And at least when it comes to tech, those people willing to do it for less are in countries with lower costs of living (e.g. India). But they too have their own unique set of challenges. One of them being oversaturation, over-supply of talent and no opportunities locally. Then there's the language and cultural barriers they face trying to find work abroad in the only places there are opportunities. In the states, filing taxes is more of a hassle as a freelancer, it comes with no benefits, and there's always the anxiety and fear of whether you'll be able to cover your living costs the next few months. Frankly, it sucks and shouldn't be this way.
The life of a writer is absolute hell. Each new day demands new ideas and he can never be sure whether he is going to come up with them or not…A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is total freedom.
- Roald Dahl. Only one of the most successful writers of all time. (We all feel like this. The only cure is more writing.)
A familiar picture of precarity here, Clarissa. Thanks for putting it down. Good to have some numbers as well. I notice feature rates are generally better in the US vs the UK but lots of writers on both sides of the pond are still working in content farms, churning out words at abysmal rates.
Reflecting on this after more than 20 years as a professional writer… I barely know anyone who earns a living solely from freelance journalism, apart from those in the upper echelons of the profession. Others supplement their incomes with copywriting, publishing opportunities and speaking engagements, for example. A paid-for newsletter perhaps 🤞🏾
We do what we can to write, form and share opinions eh.
Ps Payment on submission as standard practice – what a dream that would be.
I used to work a more corporate job and I underestimated how much I would miss the growth and support built into most corporate gigs(even when it was the bare minimum, it was more than I have now). As a freelancer, I struggled to understand the end game. And networking for advice (or work) was about as humbling as all the rejection & ghosting. I’ve been in a constant state of feeling like I am failing at something, even when I was objectively doing well. Now I realize that’s just the way it is with freelancing. I’ve got one foot out the door, am trying the Substack thing, but I also don’t see much of a future in freelance writing. I dream of the day I can earn a steady income, turn off my work brain at the end of the day, and just enjoy my time with my family. I know that’s all an illusion too, but that grass sure looks nice and tall and green from these barren pastures lol. Anyway, thanks for posting this.
I started with the $15 articles as well, mostly nutrition because I transitioned into writing from my work as a nutritional scientist in public health. That evolved into a few decently paid articles and many low paid. The higher the pay the more demanding the article and I simply can't rush that type of thing, so yes, the $12/hr is about right.
I felt early on that freelance writing could not be a full-time income, even though I did try to figure out how to do it. Fortunately I love doing lots of things so I diversified early. Yet I've always felt that do-one-thing! pressure. Twenty years into this now, I'm really happy with where I am - I'm a photographer-stylist, a writer, I also manage social and ads for longtime clients. I keep a column in an ag magazine and blog for another client, but I really don't pitch publications anymore. The time involved, the check chasing...
I also don't think that this is an issue with freelance writing alone. I know many photographers and stylists I know are feeling the pressure to diversify as well. Things are just changing in all industries. The key for me has just been to find a few more things I love that can build income streams.
Yes! This really resonates with me. The problem isn't finding work. After so many years, I've finally found my rhythm in the pitching process. It's more the check chasing, the ghosting + the emotional labor.
With the current state of the economy it seems like editors are the first to get laid off or made "redundant" in media companies. It's all for the sake of saving money. I think this is why we're seeing more freelance writers offering photography and video services as well.
Thanks for this. I'm really new to the scene so it's good to hear what someone ahead of me has to say. I've been published four times and the highest paid one was $150, yay haha. So on one hand I can look at you with envy. But on the other hand I get it, having to do 20 odd pitches a week to "prove yourself" is exhausting. I've only been doing it a few months and it's taxed me! Hopefully you find that "diversification" you wrote about.
Thanks for taking the time to write this and to share it. While I've never made income from writing, I have felt how much like a black hole freelance writing feels in the past few years that I started writing. Everyone loves free blog submissions, but finding decent pay is scarce. Your post gives me words to understand why I still need to find a "paying job" (just work for the pay) in order to do what I would actually prefer to do if actually living and supporting a family wasn't an issue (write). I hate that's where it lands me and want to believe the future can be better. But who knows.
Yes, freelance writing was great when I was single and really young. But now that I'm in my third decade of life, I've found that it's esp unsustainable with a family!
I worked in the university of California for over 20 years, as a fund manager. It was boring , tedious, stressful and not at all fulfilling, also the commute sucked. It was also stable, and i got to work on campus . Before that I worked in Aerospace and Venture Capital, those both sucked more. However, I retired at 50 with a pension and full medical for me and my wife. Now I draw and whittle and make fermented drinks and live on a small hobby farm. Did I make the right choice? Being retired is great, but part of that is I don't miss anything about working. I think I like just not working. My old man was the opposite, loved working, and really struggled being retired and not being in the middle of the action. I think you are a great writer and have been reading you for at least a decade. Not sure if any of this helps.
What frustrates me in this industry is the lack of linear progression: i’ve done it for 7 years and i can’t pinpoint any sort of evolution.
It’s hard to maintain working relationships with editors because even those who previously commissioned you are not afraid to ghost you down the line.
Personally, I am using substack as the avenue where I publish my best writing and am on the lookout for less sexy, more stable day job(s).
I’m ramping up my language tutoring business too.
Yes that's exactly right. While I've landed bigger bylines, not much else has changed.
I struggle coming up with ideas to pitch because I don’t trust anyone not to ghost. Even editors who’ve historically commissioned me enthusiastically aren’t replying to emails. I’m wildly lucky to have my newsletter supporting me.
100%. I thought more time and experience would ensure more stable relationships, but honestly, without a contract, there are no guarantees.
All the things! I’ve been writing and pitching for 25 years and it’s only gotten more challenging both financially and emotionally.
it feels like a dead end!
I saw so much of my own experience in this and it's why I've been devoting more time and energy to my newsletter and teaching work. Freelancing just isn't a fair or sustainable model at the moment and while that's disappointing, I don't expect it to change. Thanks for sharing your experience Clarissa. The more people who speak up about the challenges of making the freelance life work, the less newer writers (like me) will feel like it's their fault.
I think the challenges you've faced go beyond journalism. Freelancers in all industries—from special effects and post production artists, videographers to web developers—are in a constant chase for security and continuously getting undercut by someone, somewhere willing to do the job for less. And at least when it comes to tech, those people willing to do it for less are in countries with lower costs of living (e.g. India). But they too have their own unique set of challenges. One of them being oversaturation, over-supply of talent and no opportunities locally. Then there's the language and cultural barriers they face trying to find work abroad in the only places there are opportunities. In the states, filing taxes is more of a hassle as a freelancer, it comes with no benefits, and there's always the anxiety and fear of whether you'll be able to cover your living costs the next few months. Frankly, it sucks and shouldn't be this way.
Yes! The taxes are a pain
The life of a writer is absolute hell. Each new day demands new ideas and he can never be sure whether he is going to come up with them or not…A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is total freedom.
- Roald Dahl. Only one of the most successful writers of all time. (We all feel like this. The only cure is more writing.)
A familiar picture of precarity here, Clarissa. Thanks for putting it down. Good to have some numbers as well. I notice feature rates are generally better in the US vs the UK but lots of writers on both sides of the pond are still working in content farms, churning out words at abysmal rates.
Reflecting on this after more than 20 years as a professional writer… I barely know anyone who earns a living solely from freelance journalism, apart from those in the upper echelons of the profession. Others supplement their incomes with copywriting, publishing opportunities and speaking engagements, for example. A paid-for newsletter perhaps 🤞🏾
We do what we can to write, form and share opinions eh.
Ps Payment on submission as standard practice – what a dream that would be.
yes! i've noticed that re: uk vs us rates as well...
I used to work a more corporate job and I underestimated how much I would miss the growth and support built into most corporate gigs(even when it was the bare minimum, it was more than I have now). As a freelancer, I struggled to understand the end game. And networking for advice (or work) was about as humbling as all the rejection & ghosting. I’ve been in a constant state of feeling like I am failing at something, even when I was objectively doing well. Now I realize that’s just the way it is with freelancing. I’ve got one foot out the door, am trying the Substack thing, but I also don’t see much of a future in freelance writing. I dream of the day I can earn a steady income, turn off my work brain at the end of the day, and just enjoy my time with my family. I know that’s all an illusion too, but that grass sure looks nice and tall and green from these barren pastures lol. Anyway, thanks for posting this.
Agreed! Many bylines + a critically acclaimed book afterwards, I also don't really understand the end game.
I started with the $15 articles as well, mostly nutrition because I transitioned into writing from my work as a nutritional scientist in public health. That evolved into a few decently paid articles and many low paid. The higher the pay the more demanding the article and I simply can't rush that type of thing, so yes, the $12/hr is about right.
I felt early on that freelance writing could not be a full-time income, even though I did try to figure out how to do it. Fortunately I love doing lots of things so I diversified early. Yet I've always felt that do-one-thing! pressure. Twenty years into this now, I'm really happy with where I am - I'm a photographer-stylist, a writer, I also manage social and ads for longtime clients. I keep a column in an ag magazine and blog for another client, but I really don't pitch publications anymore. The time involved, the check chasing...
I also don't think that this is an issue with freelance writing alone. I know many photographers and stylists I know are feeling the pressure to diversify as well. Things are just changing in all industries. The key for me has just been to find a few more things I love that can build income streams.
Yes! This really resonates with me. The problem isn't finding work. After so many years, I've finally found my rhythm in the pitching process. It's more the check chasing, the ghosting + the emotional labor.
The ghosting is the worst. I always want to say - Hello, person here. Would love to be treated like one. Ha.
With the current state of the economy it seems like editors are the first to get laid off or made "redundant" in media companies. It's all for the sake of saving money. I think this is why we're seeing more freelance writers offering photography and video services as well.
Wonderful piece, I am impressed with the work you put into each piece. I appreciate you speaking to this historically not transparent topic!
Love that your work exists in the world, and thanks for sharing this. It resonated deeply with me, as did the comments
thank you so much for being a subscriber!
Thanks for this. I'm really new to the scene so it's good to hear what someone ahead of me has to say. I've been published four times and the highest paid one was $150, yay haha. So on one hand I can look at you with envy. But on the other hand I get it, having to do 20 odd pitches a week to "prove yourself" is exhausting. I've only been doing it a few months and it's taxed me! Hopefully you find that "diversification" you wrote about.
Disappointing how rates haven’t improved over the years. I was doing $175 write-ups in 2016. …which took me about a week to put together.
Good luck!
Thank you! Likewise.
Thanks for taking the time to write this and to share it. While I've never made income from writing, I have felt how much like a black hole freelance writing feels in the past few years that I started writing. Everyone loves free blog submissions, but finding decent pay is scarce. Your post gives me words to understand why I still need to find a "paying job" (just work for the pay) in order to do what I would actually prefer to do if actually living and supporting a family wasn't an issue (write). I hate that's where it lands me and want to believe the future can be better. But who knows.
Yes, freelance writing was great when I was single and really young. But now that I'm in my third decade of life, I've found that it's esp unsustainable with a family!
Yup