Answer: More magazine articles are written in-house, and that means fewer assignments for freelancers
I’m not even going to talk about how the payment per word, on average, has gone down. The publications which pay $1/word are still doing so (if they’re still publishing), but more and more new magazines are coming in and paying way less. And then, there are the ones that never paid well and still aren’t.
But separate from that is the trend to publish shorter pieces, more in-house roundups, and simply requiring editors to write more features each month.
Take the case of Spirit Magazine, published for Southwest Airways. I don’t write for them, and never have. Instead I’ve managed to write for in-flight magazines that have gone under. But that’s a whole ‘nother issue.
On a recent trip, I opened the January, 2010 issue of the magazine and took a close look at the byline and associations of the authors. What’s going on in Spirit Magazine is one indication of why freelancers are selling fewer articles to publications.
There are a few interesting articles. The first I read is Your Adventure in Birmingham. It’s a clever concept with a quiz to see what kinds of activities you’d enjoy in Birmingham — whether you’re primarily interested in golf or fine dining or other potential areas — and then the article tells you the places you can go that match your interest.
It’s written by Mike Darling. I go to the masthead, read down editorial staff and find associate Editor Mike Darling.
I got it, cost cutting.
We move on to Food that Moves You. Plot your course (culinary and travel) with Sarah Murphy to America’s top foodie meccas. I certainly enjoy food and travel. I read on. Afterward I go back to that editorial staff list and … there she is – Field Editor.
Another article was Prize Glider – Johnny Weir. It’s a Q&A with Spirit poses the questions and Weir answers. Another unpaid piece.
Finally, I come across a really interesting article, The Happiest Man on Earth. Peter Heller meets a mountain man who pursues the ideal life. It was a delightful, and (of course, given the author) exceeding well-written. Was he paid? He’s certainly a top writer, but he’s also writing a memoir. Is this part of it? I don’t know. But if he was paid, he was certainly the only one I found in the magazine.
And that took care of the features for Spirit Magazine. Four in total, three definitely written in-house. One perhaps paid writer.
Like I said – I got it. Cost-cutting. Anyone got ideas for under-employed freelance journalists? There’s a whole lot out here.