Find High Paying Writing Markets

Finding high paying writing markets is easier than you think. You really can earn several hundred dollars per article or story and I'm happy to show you how!

There's nothing worse than watching a talented new writer waste time, energy and money - and ruin a potentially lucrative career - by selling their hard work to sites that only pay pennies. Don't do it!

There are lots of sites around the world offering to pay any writer a few cents up to a couple of dollars to write articles that have to be unique, original and in correct English. The problem is, writing a 500 word article that makes any sense can take up to 40 minutes. At $2 per article, you're wasting your time. Even worse, some of the revenue share sites want 500 word articles and they only pay "a share of revenue" - which means you might be lucky to make a few cents for all your time and effort.

So I thought I'd try and stop the fad of writing for a few cents an hour and get writers AWAY from these rip off sites and into REAL paying writing opportunities.

Below is a list of places I search when I need to sell writing or seek out new publications.


Non-Fiction Markets - Articles & Features

Writing For Dollars
http://www.writingfordollars.com/ArticlesDB.cfm
These guys have a massive searchable database of market guidelines. Simply type in your chosen article topic and search through the database. The guidelines tell you exactly what each editor is looking for specifically.

The best part about this is that the markets could be from almost anywhere in the world, which means you could increase your international writing income as well as picking up a great assignment.

Worldwide Freelance
http://www.worldwidefreelance.com/masearch.asp
This international site is great for finding high paying markets from all over the world. I've posted before about the benefits of earning an international income and how it can really help your writing career. Search their database of markets and find something that suits you!

Absolute Write Markets
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=24
A nice listing of "writer's wanted" posts in forum format for both non-fiction and fiction. I've picked up a few nice assignments and fiction listings from this place. Some are great paying! Avoid the low paying posts though...

This site also has a free email newsletter, so join up and you'll receive market listings from all over the world direct to your inbox. You can find the free ezine here: http://www.absolutewrite.com/Markets.htm

Fiction Markets

Duotrope
http://www.duotrope.com/
This brilliant searchable database lets you search for specific genres, specific pay-rates and even competitions. If you write across a couple of different genres, like I do, then Duotrope can be very handy!

Ralan's Webstravaganza
http://www.ralan.com/
Excellent genre fiction site, including short fiction markets from all over the world, including anthology collections. I use this site a LOT!

Fiction Factor
http://www.fictionfactor.com/markets.html
This amazing collection of fiction markets is probably the biggest I've found anywhere on the net. Broken into various genres, the individual free downloadable ebooks are just MASSIVE.

The above link goes to the choices of markets available on this huge site, but below are three downloadable ebooks you can keep and reference later. I use these ebooks more than any other market source.

Horror Short Fiction Markets: http://horror.fictionfactor.com/horrormarketguide.html

Fantasy Short Fiction Markets: http://fantasy.fictionfactor.com/fantasymarketlisting.html

Science Fiction Short Fiction Markets: http://scifi.fictionfactor.com/scifimarketguide.html


Now that you have all my favorite market places, you have no excuse to be earning pennies for your talent when you could be earning big dollars!

What are you waiting for? Get writing!




.

Making Money with Constant Content

If you've been reading my blog, you'll know that I don't agree with revenue-share writing sites. I think they rip off writers by underpaying them, not valuing them enough to even give them their rightful incomes for writing the content that makes the owners rich.

I haven't changed my mind. I still say AVOID REVENUE SHARING SITES at all costs. Period. Your writing career can do better that a few measly cents for all your effort.

Now I've got that off my chest, I have to admit that I've joined up with one of the dreaded article sites - and I've learned that this one is quite different. A few weeks ago a writer-friend told me to go and look at Constant Content and see what opportunities are available on there.

The same friend visited a couple of days later and asked if I'd taken a look around  Constant Content yet. Of course I hadn't. My friend told me this site is different to the others. They actually give you a chance to set your own price for your articles.

She knows me well enough to know that I won't accept pittance for my work. I value my time and my writing business needs to survive, so she also knew that if she told me that I could set a $50 sale price for each article I posted to  Constant Content then I would feel much happier about taking a look.

She also told me they have a marketplace (you'll find it under 'Requested Content'), filled with article requests from clients who will happily pay good money for articles they've specifically requested.

So I went and took a look around the site. I peeked at other articles. I checked out what is selling, what's being downloaded and how much people are asking for their work. I researched what topics seemed to be selling well and I did a quick Google search to learn a bit about what other writers are saying.

I admit I joined up the same day. The pay isn't professional level and it's not enough to retire on, but it IS enough to increase my business earnings by putting up reprinted/re-slanted articles (i.e. articles that have been sold and paid for somewhere else already, but reworded to make the unique again for this new market).

There is a drawback to  Constant Content - they charge a 35% fee on whatever you sell. If you make $100, they take $35 as their fee for finding a buyer for your work. So you just put your price up a little to cover the fee.

Regardless of this fee, I still think the benefit of being able to set your own sale price means  Constant Content has way more advantages than low-paying slave-labor places like Helium or Associated Content or Triond that only pay cents for all your hard work.

The fee they charge might seem high, but there's also the chance that they'll pay a share of any ad revenue they collect from your page views as well. Payment is through PayPal.

At first I refused to put unique articles into  Constant Content. My logic was they'll only get reprinted/rewritten stuff that I don't mind being sold again at a lower rate - but let's face it - those extra dollars from sales of articles I've already researched, written and sold before before means...

I just got a pay rise! :)

Since then I've begun submitting and selling highly-focused niche articles that are completely unique to  Constant Content simply because I can raise my price to $100 per article and still make sales comfortably.

The editors at  Constant Content are quite particular about the level of quality they'll accept from article submissions, so be sure you read the guidelines carefully before you submit anything and always edit your work before you submit.

Overall, I'm enjoying the boost to my freelance income that  Constant Content brings me each month. I'm happy to recommend this site to any writer looking for extra ways to earn money from writing articles.

How to Succeed as a Creative Writer

Have you ever wanted to write fiction stories or novels but didn't know where to start? There really is a secret formula for success as a creative writer. Are you ready for it?

Here's the formula for you right now

1) Write Because You Love It

When you write your story, write for the joy of writing. Ignore that pesky inner critic telling you to change this word or edit that sentence. Just get the story out on paper and enjoy the process. The story will be smoother for it and you'll get more done without interupting the creative flow with editing mode.

2) Put It To Bed

When you've finished your tale, put it aside and ignore it for a day or two. There is a reason for doing this! The distance of a couple of days gives you a new perspective on what you wrote. When you re-read it in a couple of days, you will pick up mistakes or issues that will need fixing or perhaps a stronger idea will come to you for a new twist ending. Perspective is like reading your work with a fresh set of eyes!

3) Editing!

Be harsh with your editing. Cut out any dangling modifiers. Delete any obscure words and tighten up the dialogue. Remove any passive voice and replace it with stronger active voice. Cut out any repetition. Be sure your narrative is showing your reader what's happening - and not telling! Your story will be stronger for it.

4) Market Research

The creative writing market is bigger than most people think. Jump online and find a paying market that will suit your style or genre of writing. Most publications have online guidelines these days. Read them carefully and see how they like writers to submit stories. Learn what the editors like and dislike.

If a market doesn't seem right for your story, move on to the next one and keep going until you find one that suits.

5) Preparation

Prepare your story manuscript exactly how the editor has requested in the publication's guidelines. Many editors are picky about submissions, so be sure you look professional by getting yours right first time!

6) Submit!

It's not scary. You're sending out a product to a customer. Your product is your story. The paying customer is the editor. If they say no, it's NEVER personal. It's a business decision. Simply go back to step number 4 and begin again until you find a customer willing to pay for your product.

Remember that publishing is a business like any other. If you don't succeed with the first customer, go and find more potential customers. The more you submit, the higher your chances of getting a check.

7) Persist

Never stop trying. Richard Bach is quoted as saying "A professional writer is an amateur who didn't give up."

All professional writers receive rejections. Read that last sentence again until you've got it. Never give up.

There you have it - the formula for creative writing success. The more you write, the more confidence you will gain. And the more you submit, the greater your chances of publication.

What are you waiting for? Get writing!