So I'm volunteering....

[CrazyKell]

Not really sure how to title this thread but I've got a bit of a weird situation.

A local bike magazine is starting up this spring. I saw a post on a local forum and contacted the editor. Met with him and submitted an article.

In our early communications he stated that he can't afford to pay anyone yet, but wants to build a good team.

I want to be published and want to build my portfolio. Great!

In the past month I have been asked to write 5 articles. I'm not complaining, but rather trying to guage whether this is appropriate. :scratch: It just seems a bit demanding but I don't know if I'm out to lunch on that one or not.

Any thoughts? :idk:

[skiergirl]

Depends on what the magazine turns into....if it's a success it's a good opportunity, if it fails and fizzles out then it's worthless. All in all it's a crap shoot so you just need to ask yourself if it's worth the effort for the possibility of something or not.

[fasternyou929]

Congrats on getting a few articles published, I hope you benefit from the exposure! :)

That said, I think this thread alone is a sign you're being asked too much as a volunteer. I'd just talk with the editor and remind him you have other commitments that must take priority of a volunteer effort and see if he's willing to work with you. Chances are, he will.

One of the pitfalls of charity work: the work load will not stop increasing until you start to say no. Typically it will then plateau, not go away.

[smileyman]

Published articles does build your resume and experience for a real magazine job someday.

Then again someone publishing 5 of your articles per month for free sounds like he's taking advantage...

We can take advantage of you much better!! but it wont build your resume for legit employment...

[azoomm]

He could be playing the "don't ask - don't get" game. You offered, he asked. That could be the extent of the plot. If it's too much, then tell him you have time for the number of articles you have time for.

I don't think it's more complicated than that.

[No Worries]

Congrats. I don't know the legal stuff, but you probably want to state on the article that it is First North American Serial Rights, so that after he publishes it, all other copyrights to the article remain with you. Probably want to look this up to see how it works in Canada.

[CrazyKell]

Thanks! I think you all made valid points.

I'm excited about the opportunity to write for a reason. I am going to tell him I have other commitments and will do what I can. He can't ask for anything more than that. :idk:

[askmrjesus]

I've been published in a couple of mags here, and in the UK, and what I've noticed about editors and publishers is this:

They're bastards.

I wrote an article for RoadRacing World a few years ago (I know, how fucking cool am I?) no big deal, just a page full of text and a couple pics. Did I get paid? Fuck no. I didn't even get a free subscription. Cheap bastards. You'd think maybe a t-shirt or something, but no. Not even a sticker, or a thank-you note.

You know why there was no thank you note?

It's because they're bastards.

Did we not already cover this?

Five articles a month is bullshit. If you can't get paid, demand, "Associate Editor" status, or better yet, "Editor at large".

Editor at large is the shit. Nobody really knows what it means. You could be a Grammar Nazi, trolling bus stations for semi-colon fax paws on the covers of bootleg porn CD's, or, you could just be a crazy person with a gun and a red Sharpie.

JC

[Papa_Complex]

Good to hear that you managed to get the gig Kel, but WOW! Five articles in a month is pretty heavy. Not that pay for motorcycle journalists is all that great up here. A writer for one of the majors up here told me that he for something like $0.10 a word and $10.00 a shot. It's still money though.

It sounds like you're fronting half+ of the damned mag so not getting paid doesn't sound appropriate. Either the workload should go down, ir the money should materialize.

[CrazyKell]

Editor at large is the shit. Nobody really knows what it means. You could be a Grammar Nazi, trolling bus stations for semi-colon fax paws on the covers of bootleg porn CD's, or, you could just be a crazy person with a gun and a red Sharpie.

As Editor-At-Large I'd like to point out it's faux pas. :lmao: ;)

Good to hear that you managed to get the gig Kel, but WOW! Five articles in a month is pretty heavy. Not that pay for motorcycle journalists is all that great up here. A writer for one of the majors up here told me that he for something like $0.10 a word and $10.00 a shot. It's still money though.

It sounds like you're fronting half+ of the damned mag so not getting paid doesn't sound appropriate. Either the workload should go down, ir the money should materialize.

Thanks Rob. It's been great because I don't necessarily want to make a career out of this, I just want to do it. I just don't want to be taken advantage of. :shrug:

[101lifts2]

Make sure he is not just out to get in ur pants. Just sayin...lol

Sounds cool, but you really need to start getting paid for your work.

[Papa_Complex]

As Editor-At-Large I'd like to point out it's faux pas. :lmao: ;)

Thanks Rob. It's been great because I don't necessarily want to make a career out of this, I just want to do it. I just don't want to be taken advantage of. :shrug:

Wouldn't you know it! You replied before I could ninja-edit my fuck-ups :lol:

[psychochild28]

Congrats on the Gig!
Hope everything works out for you.

[askmrjesus]

As Editor-At-Large I'd like to point out it's faux pas. :lmao: ;)

That was intentional.

No sharpie for you. :lol:

JC

[wildchild]

volunteering was cool, getting published sounds sweet.
him asking you to contribute that much more sounds like he is trying to profit from your hard work.

getting to do something you really enjoy is always great even if you don't get paid. however when it starts to feel like they're taking advantage then the joy of doing it starts to fade.

[the chi]

It really sounds as tho he is trying to get you to write the whole months worth of reading material. I'd cap it at 3 and request the Editor at Large title, it just sounds cool. :lol:

[Papa_Complex]

So what's the mag's name, anyway? I haven't heard of anything new coming out recently.

[CrazyKell]

2ride

He's posted on GTA a bit. www.2ride.ca

[EpyonXero]

Didnt you work at a bike show for them too?

[Particle Man]

do you get to ride any bikes for free?if yes, write away :lol:

[CrazyKell]

Didnt you work at a bike show for them too?

No that was a club I'm involved with.

do you get to ride any bikes for free?if yes, write away :lol:

I wish!!! I've been asked to write articles on some bikes that I've never ridden....I'm really struggling with that. I mean, who wants to read an article about what a bike looks like and its technical specs (and I'm not very technical). :skep:

Anyone have a Honda Fury I could take out? :whatwhat:

[the chi]

If they're asking for tech articles and cant provide you something to test out, I'd tell them their out of luck, or to find someone with the knowledge to write the article. How does it look good for you publishing something based on "what you've heard" or read about? Thats just silly on their part. Tell them to find someone on those who can do a "guest writer" bit or something.

[Papa_Complex]

These days the greatest growth segment in the industry is women. I'll bet that he's asking Kell for the "woman's perspective" ;)

[Apoc]

Anyone have a Honda Fury I could take out? :whatwhat:

Serious???? Thats one of the ugliest bikes I have ever seen!

[wildchild]

well you could just plagarize all the other magazine's articles that have already been written about the Fury.

why would he want to write about a bike that was covered by every other moto rag last year? he has no access to current information in the industry?

[Papa_Complex]

well you could just plagarize all the other magazine's articles that have already been written about the Fury.

why would he want to write about a bike that was covered by every other moto rag last year? he has no access to current information in the industry?

Our guy prefers to crash the bikes for himself. Seems more honest that way.

[CrazyKell]

If they're asking for tech articles and cant provide you something to test out, I'd tell them their out of luck, or to find someone with the knowledge to write the article. How does it look good for you publishing something based on "what you've heard" or read about? Thats just silly on their part. Tell them to find someone on those who can do a "guest writer" bit or something.

Ya. I was given some tech specs and a couple of other articles and told "read this and don't copy this." :rolleyes:

These days the greatest growth segment in the industry is women. I'll bet that he's asking Kell for the "woman's perspective" ;)

Yes! It's a bit frustrating but I get that it's the angle he's going for. I've approached him to do things as a rider, rather than as a woman who rides.

Serious???? Thats one of the ugliest bikes I have ever seen!

I know!!! :skep: bleck!

well you could just plagarize all the other magazine's articles that have already been written about the Fury.

why would he want to write about a bike that was covered by every other moto rag last year? he has no access to current information in the industry?

Ya I don't really understand either. Every other magazine has done something about it and it just seems like he's using this as filler. Odd.

[wildchild]

Our guy prefers to crash the bikes for himself. Seems more honest that way.

not sure if you're kidding or not, but that was kind of my point. it was supposed to come off as sarcasm. LOL I suck at the internet what can i say.

[Papa_Complex]

not sure if you're kidding or not, but that was kind of my point. it was supposed to come off as sarcasm. LOL I suck at the internet what can i say.

Kidding? Ummmmm......

http://cmgonline.com/content/view/2214/57/

[karl_1052]

I would offer 1 article a month, but if he wants a bike review, he better have the manufacturer supply the bike, otherwise you are compromising your own integrity(not his).

Get a few articles published, then go work for Cycle World/Motorcyclist/Sport Rider. Andrew Trevitt is from Kingston.

[CrazyKell]

Just an update.

Got the first issue yesterday and it was really exciting to see not one but two articles of mine in the magazine. Definitely a real thrill for me as this is my first ever published article.

Only bad part? They spelled my last name wrong. :cry:

Oh well....still excited!

[Papa_Complex]

That sucks, but get used to it. The guys I work with STILL get mine wrong, after something like 5 years :lol:

[CrazyKell]

That sucks, but get used to it. The guys I work with STILL get mine wrong, after something like 5 years :lol:

Ya, I was annoyed but not much I can do about it now. Maybe it'll be my writer's name. :lmao: