What's the going rate for magazine freelance writing?

[OhioGuy]

Just curious - does anyone know the going rate these days for doing
freelance writing for magazines?

For 6 years, I had a monthly software and peripherals review column in a
computer focused magazine. I also did freelance work for a newspaper.
However, then I became a stay at home Dad when we had two kids within 12
months.

I can't really compare to what I made before, because both of those were
"get your foot in the door to get some experience" sort of jobs. One was
also for a nonprofit group. Like I said, I got a lot of experience, a free
Internet connection for a few years, and some $. Hopefully this time
around, I can get more of the latter.

Now that they are finally both out of diapers, and I have made some
progress on fixing up our double, I'd like to devote some time to writing
again.

However, I have no idea what a fair rate is these days. I don't want to
hold out for too much, and lose work, but I also don't want to be getting
less than the other folks. I'd like to put most of what I make into my ROTH
IRA, which is sorely underfunded at this point.

Anyone have a general idea?

[Al Bundy]

OhioGuy wrote:
> Just curious - does anyone know the going rate these days for doing
> freelance writing for magazines?
>

> However, I have no idea what a fair rate is these days. I don't want to
> hold out for too much, and lose work, but I also don't want to be getting
> less than the other folks. I'd like to put most of what I make into my ROTH
> IRA, which is sorely underfunded at this point.
>

Good point. Don't hold out for too much.
Try selling the thread you started about thinking you would find a
free refill for the garage sale fire extinguisher and how the fire
department laughed at you. I think your writing could have potential
as long as you "keep it real" and talk about your own life honestly.

[Ken Knecht]

"OhioGuy" <no...@none.net> wrote in news:fdtign$s6l$1...@aioe.org:

I wrote articles on computer software and programming and broadcast
engineering for decades. I just took what was offered. If I thought it
was too little I sent the next article elsewhere. It was a sideline to my
main work and just a way to get extra money so I could be flexable. Book
advances and deadlines however are negotiable. I've retired and am out of
the loop now so have quit writing.

--
Every silver lining has a cloud.

[Tockk]

There's a magazine called "Writer's Digest" http://www.writersdigest.com/
available at better magazine stands, and they publish an annual book listing
zillions of publishers and what they pay for articles, along with misc
information.

It's a pretty good magazine for the aspiring writer; it's worth trying a
subscription.

[Al Bundy]

We'll have to find someone with a subscription who is willing to copy
everything or report it via email because Ohio Guy won't want to spend
money on anything or do anything for himself.

[New Leaf]

There are so many people trying to work at home via the internet right
now that a lot of writers and aspiring writers are working for peanuts
and the market has really fallen apart for those who don't have
regular clients. I'm talking people working 50 hour weeks for $10,000
a year. Take a look at one of the online freelance writing sites. You
can bid for jobs and get a good idea of what is being offered. Some
people I know use http://www.ifreelance.com/

I'm lucky to have a couple of regular clients in addition to my main
contract work, so I've never used the bidding sites, but if you have
time to polish your portfolio and spend some time working for very
litte, it might be a way to start.

Viv