I have a chance of getting a series of travel articles in a local magazine but I seem to have the choice of 'byline or payment'. I have argued that I would like both but seem to have hit a brick wall. Apparently travel articles are two a penny or rather two a no-penny.
I am reluctant to lose the opportunity of getting in print and so it looks as if I am going to have to do them for free.
Anyone else had a similar experience?
Sue n

What an awful predicament Sue. How much are they offering as payment? If it is only a paultry amount, I'd opt for a by-line, at least that way you can impress future publications that may pay more. I was recently offered £50 for a broadcast fee on Radio 7 and I'm talking about two six part series, I agreed as it was the opportunity of reaching another audience or nothing.

All the best whatever you decide.

Julie

Sue, what a horrible dilemma- but I guess, as Julie says, if you will long-term benefit more from the byline, then it's probably better to go with that- and although the money'd be nice too, I hope it's not a large amount that you'd be choosing to turn down. Do e our directory editor with the details of the mag, if you don't mind, cos then we can add them in to the directory and future writers can benefit also from your experience. Best of luck.

No sum has ever been mentioned so I will never know what I am not getting!
Sue

Is it worth finding out? and also what their argument is for offering one or another, or what their reasoning is?

Sorry to be thick but what does byline mean?

Elspeth

Elspeth, it means the writer's name is published, e.g.:

What's your Line by Elspeth Graty

Most newspaper or magazine articles have a byline, but not always, and The Economist is pretty much byline free.

In the case of this thread it seems to be a choice between receiving money or public profile, but not both.

Adele.

Thanks for that Adele. It seems incredible (to me)that your article would be published without your name, Sue.

I agree Elspeth - which is why I think I am being taken advantage of.
Direct quote from editor
'I have to admit that we not usual pay for travel features because they come in thick and fast from various sources and we also write a lot of them ourselves after going on press trips.'
Sue
Ps you made me feel better as I had to ring a journalist friend to find out exactly what byline meant

Hi Sue, I've been thinking about this all day, which is why I didn't comment earlier. One way to look at writing for just a byline is to equate it with doing unpaid work experience - you may build up some good contacts and useful experience which ultimately might lead to a paid job, or article in your case. Also, you will build up a body of published work. These things could be more valuable than any payment you might receive.

I've only ever written once for a magazine. That was a now defunct publication called The Industry Standard which was the bible of the internet sector. My day job was as an internet analyst with an investment bank, so I was asked to write a piece from that perspective. I did get paid (without even asking) but the profile it brought me was very useful. That is what I would focus on at this stage if I were you. You never know what else this might lead to.

I wish you the best of luck,

Adele.

I agree with Adele. It'll be much better to get your name out there now than to go for the money. Later, when you become more established, it'll be easier for you to get both paid and published. Good luck with it!

JB

Thanks everyone - you have all confirmed that I must be content with the byline. Who needs money anyway.
I will let you know if the article(s) gets published and how big they print my name.
Sue