Thank you for the shout out! I've worked really hard over the past few years to build up the art part of my business, largely because I wanted to be in control over my own income and not have it dependent on freelance/commission work. I had a moment earlier this year when I realized that I had zero freelance or commission work lined up and thought to myself "oh no, it's entirely up to you!" Which was horrifying and freeing all at the same time. All to say: it's all a wild ride and I'm just glad that we are at the very least being more open and transparent about it so that everyone has a better understanding of what creative labor entails not just from a money and work perspective, but also a psychological one.
So grateful for this piece, and fully agree that we need more transparent discussions of the finances, viability, and structures of freelancing! (The Dirt's recent series on writers' finances was also great.) Would love more forums like these so people can share insights about the daily pitfalls and occasional joys of it all.
We do need more spaces for this conversation! I agree the Dirt series was so good and necessary. Thanks for appreciating this—I have a lot to say on why I freelance and why it’s never been stable/functional, yet still is how I personally work best. It’s very complicated, and deserves thought and conversation beyond siloed spaces.
Totally agree! I appreciate the independence, but that often comes hand in hand with precarity 🤷♀️ I hope there’s a way we can all create a non-siloed space that allows for the space and thought this discussion deserves (somewhere between academia, media, and over the rainbow!).
I watched your video. I loved the honesty and the fire! it sounds familiar. I'm working with a freelancer right now who can't get editors to answer her pitches, which makes it harder to justify the money she spent on me to coach her and get a hit! (But she was just published in the Washington Post, so some do answer.)
Speaking as a former editor, I had my salary and benefits, and I didn't think much about what my freelancers were going through, other than deciding that they chose to become self-employed, and that has its ups and downs. It's definitely more stressful when you do not have a trust fund or a spouse with good income. I think I say on p. 4 of Will Write for Food that people should not quit their day jobs.
I quit my day job in 2015 and it has been working ever since. Few freelancers go self-employed without understanding, yes, but also the industry is built on freelancers. There needs to be more respect.
As noted in the video and my short essay, this is a unique moment and most long-time freelancers agree. We’ve established ourselves and are seeing a cratering.
It is a terrible time to be a freelance writer, I can confirm.
Agreed. It’s brutal out there.
Thank you for the shout out! I've worked really hard over the past few years to build up the art part of my business, largely because I wanted to be in control over my own income and not have it dependent on freelance/commission work. I had a moment earlier this year when I realized that I had zero freelance or commission work lined up and thought to myself "oh no, it's entirely up to you!" Which was horrifying and freeing all at the same time. All to say: it's all a wild ride and I'm just glad that we are at the very least being more open and transparent about it so that everyone has a better understanding of what creative labor entails not just from a money and work perspective, but also a psychological one.
So grateful for this piece, and fully agree that we need more transparent discussions of the finances, viability, and structures of freelancing! (The Dirt's recent series on writers' finances was also great.) Would love more forums like these so people can share insights about the daily pitfalls and occasional joys of it all.
We do need more spaces for this conversation! I agree the Dirt series was so good and necessary. Thanks for appreciating this—I have a lot to say on why I freelance and why it’s never been stable/functional, yet still is how I personally work best. It’s very complicated, and deserves thought and conversation beyond siloed spaces.
Totally agree! I appreciate the independence, but that often comes hand in hand with precarity 🤷♀️ I hope there’s a way we can all create a non-siloed space that allows for the space and thought this discussion deserves (somewhere between academia, media, and over the rainbow!).
I watched your video. I loved the honesty and the fire! it sounds familiar. I'm working with a freelancer right now who can't get editors to answer her pitches, which makes it harder to justify the money she spent on me to coach her and get a hit! (But she was just published in the Washington Post, so some do answer.)
Speaking as a former editor, I had my salary and benefits, and I didn't think much about what my freelancers were going through, other than deciding that they chose to become self-employed, and that has its ups and downs. It's definitely more stressful when you do not have a trust fund or a spouse with good income. I think I say on p. 4 of Will Write for Food that people should not quit their day jobs.
Hang in there! There will be another up period.
I quit my day job in 2015 and it has been working ever since. Few freelancers go self-employed without understanding, yes, but also the industry is built on freelancers. There needs to be more respect.
As noted in the video and my short essay, this is a unique moment and most long-time freelancers agree. We’ve established ourselves and are seeing a cratering.
That venting sure hit home for me, especially as a new-er freelance writer. Thanks for this piece (and the TikTok video).
I’m glad it helps! I hate that this is how things are right now.