Thursday, May 14, 2009

An Idea Whose Time Has Come: Writers Worth Day

Now here's a noble idea whose time has come, particularly within the freelance context (unfortunately, I just can't envision the literary journals all joining in). Writer Lori Widmer has declared tomorrow, May 15, as "Writers Worth Day."

According to the press release, the project is designed "to promote the fair market value of writers through education, awareness, and ongoing support."
"Writers Worth Day was established in response to the increasing amount of job postings that offer little, if any, compensation for the amount of work expected," says Widmer, a veteran writer and editor, who has seen a decline in market rates. "More beginning freelancers accept abominable rates. The message of Writers Worth Day is every writer has marketable skills, and those skills should be compensated fairly and within industry-acceptable standards."

All this month, Widmer’s weblog – Words on the Page – is highlighting numerous career tips for new writers and extending into the blogging community to inspire other established writers to educate and offer guidance to their followers and all within the writing community.
So there you are. Think about it for a moment. Imagine a world where it's more possible than not to support yourself, feed your family, heat your house, and save for retirement through writing. Then go visit Lori's blog and read through some of the tips and advice she is offering.

10 comments:

Lori said...

Erika, you're the best. :) Thanks for the link love and the support, hon!

Gillian Swart said...

Writer's Worth Day, huh? I just wrote to the paper for which I am a stringer reminding them that they owe me more than $1000 in back invoices. Should I send them a link to Lori's blog? lol

Glad I found you!

Joshua Scheer said...

Thank God for Lori!

Lori said...

Send them a link to Angela Hoy's blog, Gillian! Her Whispers and Warnings section will get them to cough it up! LOL

JDS, no, thank God for all of YOU! It's because of people like Erika that this crazy chick's notion is getting any air time at all. Thanks for talking about it, commenting on it, and spreading the word!

Erika D. said...

Thanks for all the comments, and special thanks to Lori for her inspiration!

Unknown said...

Erika, Thanks for your acknowledgment of my comment on Keely's blog, "The Living Poet." Thought I'd officially meet you on your blog.

I am so happy to have discovered such a supportive network of writers. I am (finally) constructing my own essay blog and look forward to learning from and being encouraged by reading yours.

Erika D. said...

Welcome, Cheryl Ann!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I enjoyed this and all of your other info and links. I'm waiting to hear what you think of the O. Henry Prize linking up with Pen. Also, I'd love to know what you think of the anthology this year as well!

Cheers.

Anonymous said...

Great to meet you, one Writers Worth Day author to another! (and a fellow New Yorker).

Erika D. said...

Thanks for stopping by, Devon!

And to anonymous: Not sure what I think about the O. Henry Prize linking up with PEN. Do you have thoughts about it? I haven't read the most recent anthology (is it OK to admit that?). I did read the Rushdie-edited BASS, and enjoyed it very much. I'll be looking out for the new O. Henry in a few months, I guess.