WriteSmart forum
>> Tuesday, December 15, 2009
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As writers, we tend to work alone, with only the dog at our feet for company and coffee stains on our desk to remind us to eat and drink.
Where office workers battle the daily distractions of bored colleagues and demanding bosses, we can let our creative minds bob about in relative peace and quiet (save for the neighbour mowing his lawns).
But, there is one major disadvantage to working alone - there's no-one to ask, 'Hey, Gazza, is this metaphor appropriate?' or 'Shazza, would you use a semi-colon in this sentence?' or 'Bazza, can you read my pitch to the publisher and tell me what you think?' or 'Kazza, is 9.15 am too early for a wine?'
There's no-one for you to bounce ideas off, ask questions, discuss the news of the day.
This is where WriteSmart comes in. You have this blog's community of writers - aspiring and experienced - to liaise with.
Feel free to post your questions, thoughts, musings and responses here in the comments column and myself, and others, will respond.
If you want me to write an article on a certain aspect of writing or getting published, ask away and, if it's appropriate, I will do my best to drum up a tailor-made post.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Pam
As writers, we tend to work alone, with only the dog at our feet for company and coffee stains on our desk to remind us to eat and drink.
Where office workers battle the daily distractions of bored colleagues and demanding bosses, we can let our creative minds bob about in relative peace and quiet (save for the neighbour mowing his lawns).
But, there is one major disadvantage to working alone - there's no-one to ask, 'Hey, Gazza, is this metaphor appropriate?' or 'Shazza, would you use a semi-colon in this sentence?' or 'Bazza, can you read my pitch to the publisher and tell me what you think?' or 'Kazza, is 9.15 am too early for a wine?'
There's no-one for you to bounce ideas off, ask questions, discuss the news of the day.
This is where WriteSmart comes in. You have this blog's community of writers - aspiring and experienced - to liaise with.
Feel free to post your questions, thoughts, musings and responses here in the comments column and myself, and others, will respond.
If you want me to write an article on a certain aspect of writing or getting published, ask away and, if it's appropriate, I will do my best to drum up a tailor-made post.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Pam
15 comments:
I have been conversing with a new freelancer - Walker - on a different blog. He has mentioned that he feels a publishing company owes him money for reproducing his story elsewhere.
My advice, Walker, is to call the publication and ask what their terms of copyright are. You will find that in most cases, a publisher will purchase the rights to publish your story in other publications they own.
The copyright laws vary in every country, so it is worth looking up the copyright laws and terminology in your country.
Copyright - and a standard freelance rate - are two different things. I think the issue you are referring to in our previous conversation actually relates to copyright, not pay rates.
Hi Pam,
Thanks for accommodating me, and moving the conversation to a more suitable venue.
That's good advice, and I think I'll follow up on that. I've tried to sit down and talk with the newspaper's editor and publisher, but things have kind of gone south with them, and so communication might not be the greatest right now - but it wouldn't hurt to ask them, or their parent company, what their standard practices are as regards copyright. And for that matter, as you pointed out, what my country's ( I'm in Canada, by the way ) laws are regarding copyright.
You're right - I guess this has become much more of a copyright issue than a pay-rate issue. Sorry about that.
Hi Walker,
There's no need to apologise for the shift in focus of the conversation. Often the only way freelancers can learn how to do things better is to talk to other freelancers.
If you haven't found it already, the Copyright Board of Canada is at this link http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca/home-accueil-e.html
Another option for you is to see if there is a freelancers group in your area. For example, we have the Sydney Freelance Journalists Group here and it is an online group that also gets together 4 times a year to discuss issues and attend speaker evenings.
I'd be keen to hear how you go with the publisher.
cheers,
Pam
Hi Pam,
I sent an email to a few local media/communications type unions, and I've heard back from a couple of them. One fellow that I heard back from felt that it was a copyright issue as well - so I think I'll follow up on that. Thanks for pointing me toward the Copyright Board of Canada site. One of these days, when I've got an hour or so, I'll look through the Copyright Act - it doesn't hurt to familiarise myself with it, at the least.
That's a very good idea, re: finding a freelancers group in my area. I'm not aware of any, but of course that doesn't mean they don't exist. And like you said, freelancers are really one of the best sources of information for other freelancers - I guess that goes for just about any trade, really.
I still have to get ahold of the publisher, but once things get underway I'll let you know how they go :)
Walker,
That's great. It sounds like you are getting on top of things. Regarding the copyright laws, you may also find it useful (and less time-consuming) to just start with learning about copyright as it relates to your industry.
For example, read through any contracts that you have received in the past as a freelancer, or try to get hold of some standard freelance contracts from various publishers.
For example, when selling my copyright in Australia, all I really need to know is, 'Am I selling First Australian Rights, Second Australian Rights, or Worldwide Rights?' Naturally, that is very simplistic and there are many variables that may be thrown in (i.e. digital or online rights), but just knowing those two aspects helps me understand how copyright affects just me as a freelancer, and not other industry members.
cheers,
Pam
Hi Pam,
Sorry it's taken me a few days to reply! I've been moving kind of slow on this, I have to admit - you know how it goes; life takes over.
I got ahold of a copy of one of the publisher's freelance agreements ( Canwest ), and like you suggested, I should try and get ahold of a couple of other examples in Canada.
I'll let you know how it goes once things get under-way again :)
Thanks for keepnig me posted, Walker. I'd be keen to see what the contracts say.
cheers,
Pam
Hi Pam,
Just wanted to say a big thank you for starting this blog and providing free advice to writers. Really appreciate it.
Cheers
I hope you get plenty of information out of the site.
What do you want to know more about? Drop me a line and if the suggestion has merit, I will tailor-make a post
Hi Pam,
I'd like to second that motion, thank you for starting this blog. It's great to have some contact. The dogs and the cat are lovely but sometimes they lack a bit conversationally.
Hey Jacqueline,
Glad to read you are enjoying the blog. Yeah, I have tried to strike up a discussion on digital media and the new stream of citizen journalists and ebook authors with my dog, but he just doesn't get it!
cheers,
Pam
Hi Pam,
Thankyou for providing free info for all us amatures. I have just started Certificate 4 in Professional Writing and Editing after attending a workshop run by Nicolas Brasch, a writer of children's educational books and other works. He inspired me to be a part of this course, not just for profit but for the fun of it. I will be visiting your site often as a resource. Thankyou.
Tammie
Thanks Tammie. It's great to get comments like yours. I am thrilled that you're getting some useful tips from the WriteSmart site.
Pam
Hi Pam,
I just stumbled on this blog after clicking on your byline on an ABC Health and Wellbeing story. I have added you to my faves list!
Funnily enough, I just completed the features writing course with Holly Nott and I'm nervously biting my nails waiting for the response to my first pitch!
My background is medical so I'll probably be following you round the magazines!
Cheers
Sarah
comments:
* Helen,
You left a post on the blog asking about how to charge a client when they want to republish your work. Shoot me an email at pamela.wilson@writesmart.com.au and we can talk further about this as I will need a few more details to give you a firm opinion.
Pam
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