Rates for article writing: what's the standard?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Debra M. Rolon on August 28, 2009 at 12:53pm

Hello Lauren,

You can find a wealth of information for writers, such as rates, in the publication "Writer's Market" found in book stores in the reference section. They have a table in the book outlining rates for writers based on what industry standards. The rate the university quoted you sounds like it falls within the guidelines. But pick up a copy of this publication it will be very helpful to you in your writing career.

Debra M. Rolon

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lauren Rinker on August 28, 2009 at 1:59pm

Hi Debra,

Thank you so much for this information! I will definitely check this publication out. It sounds like it will be very benficial to me as I Iam just starting my writing career. The quote i was given did sound fair to me, but I just want to check industry standards just to make sure it was fair. If you ever have anymore helpful tips feel free to let me know!

Lauren E. Rinker

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christine Anne Piesyk on September 3, 2009 at 4:48pm

Writer's Market is the bible of information sources for writers. I update my copy every three years or so. TONS of info.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Keith Gregory on August 28, 2009 at 3:17pm

A friend of mine who writes to starve has always told me is about a $1 per word. That might very well be on the b2b side of things.

An annual report, though, seems a bit involved at 25 cents per word. But, its hard to have any leverage when starting out.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeanie Croasmun on October 9, 2009 at 7:11pm

Hi Lauren:

It really depends upon the publication as well as your experience with the editor. $0.25/word isn't all bad for your first time around, especially considering who is paying (universities don't have big budgets). As an editor, I tend to pay lower when I work with a new writer and increase the payment as the relationship builds. I'm willing to pay more for a writer whose work I know will come in on deadline, clean, that exceeds the assignment and my expectations (but not the word count, at least not by much), and will add to our readers' knowledge of a subject. Oh and entertaining work always scores higher pay with me.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Eddie Lee Rider, Jr. on October 12, 2009 at 11:06am

Yes, depends on the market, the payer and payee.

▶ Reply to This