Any aspiring writers?

[http://users.livejournal.com/-xaipe-/]

 Hopefully this doesn't break any community rules. If it does, I apologize! So should this not break any rules and not be deleted:

I've just taken on the practically volunteer position of Media Literacy Topic Editor at Suite101.com and was wondering if anyone here would be interested in writing (in a practically volunteer capacity!) for the section. In the years that I've been lurking here, I've seen some great political and cultural discussions here, and think the site would really benefit from some of the viewpoints and intellect that I've seen expressed here. My only requirements would be that your articles be well constructed and supported, with solid resources and citations. Other than that, I'm open to just about any relevant topic and/or viewpoint. 

If anyone's interested, check out the Media Literacy page and join to become a writer. Or, if you have any questions, please feel free to send me a message!

Thanks,
-x

Comments

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

Seriously, people who work for free are ruining it for the rest of us.

[pastorlenny.livejournal.com]

Furreal.

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

I can appreciate that people are trying to get ventures off the ground. I've heard of a few sites that are offering shares straight up; they don't pay for your articles, but they give you a share in the site for each article you produce. The hope is that it will build up a reader base and they'll be able to flog it. I think that model is fine, because whilst people aren't being paid, they're not writing for free. It also avoids the HuffPo BS.

[pastorlenny.livejournal.com]

Of course, a lot of writers and other artists complain about this kind of thing -- and then gank music like mad. :P

[telemann.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I routinely show that Harlon clip to colleagues in music, I'm not going to dish dirt, but there are some cheap-skate conductors out there that want lots of music material (new editions, scores and orchestral parts) for free. I was really surprised by it when I first encountered it.

[pastorlenny.livejournal.com]

Dish, bitch! Dish!

[kylinrouge.livejournal.com]

That's actually pretty true.

Especially in the writing profession.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Some people value their work differently than you (or Harlan) do. Deal with it.

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

My issue is with those asking people to work for free.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

It never hurts to ask, you can always say no.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Well, we haven't seen anyone approaching the boundaries of rule 6 that much for a long time, but what the hell. This sounds interesting.

[awiredwriter.livejournal.com]

I have an old account and have thought about doing some articles again.

[http://users.livejournal.com/-xaipe-/]

If you're doing it for fun (because you love writing) or exposure (because you don't have some other online presence), please do consider it. I started writing there last year (while laid off - I'm a technical writer) and it's proven useful for keeping an online presence and having an answer for those "so what did you while you were looking for work?" questions. If, however, you're hoping to make money from the site, I wouldn't recommend it (at all).

That said, the platform's not bad (relaxed editorial style and you can basically write about anything you want to) but it's definitely not worth it from a financial standpoint. If you're looking to write for some other online venues, I'm happy to make some suggestions though!

Suggestions Welcome!

[awiredwriter.livejournal.com]

I always like writing in categories for fun and exposure from time to time, especially ones I'm interested in. I am relatively a newbie in the online article SEO world-- 2 years now. However, I've always networked and kept a journal. I write primarily in the arts but am looking to expand my areas of focus. Do you know of any reputable, hopefully :) pay per post sites/companies?

Re: Suggestions Welcome!

[http://users.livejournal.com/-xaipe-/]

Well, I know that pre-Panda (the latest Google algorithm change), there were still quite a few reputable content providers who paid fairly well (considering how "competitive" the environment is) but post-Panda some sites (like Suite) have really been slammed for quality issues. It's my understanding that eHow has faired well(more because Google owns it and less because the quality of writing and/or information is particularly any better), Yahoo/Associated Content pays "well" and has retained visibility, and BrightHub seems popular too.

If you're looking for less formulaic writing venues, I'd try niche-specific websites. One of my personal favorites is Wise Bread (www.wisebread.com). If you're writing about a topic that you're familiar with, you can whip out a quick article in no time and their readership is really engaged -- they love to comment.

Hope that helps!

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

My only requirements would be that your articles be well constructed and supported, with solid resources and citations.

I don't think anyone here can meet that requirement...