Because, from the writer's point of view, it would be equally good publicity if the venue published the work and paid the writer too.
This dubious 'publicity' happens automatically when the piece hits the shelves. The venues aren't offering publicity instead of payment; they're simply offering no payment.
Go ahead and admit your profit margins are tiny and you can't afford to pay me much. Just don't try to convince me you're paying me with something I would have gotten anyway.
4 comments:
This reminds me of a conversation I had recently at work. I have gobs and gobs of experience managing one particular kind of project - that I hate. Someone who knows this tried to convince me to do another one recently, and had the gall to say, "it would be a good learning experience." Luckily I was in a position to tell him where to stick it.
Back to "publish for publicity" though, I guess some people do just want publicity. But as a stepping stone I've read over and over again that it's a bad idea: unpaid credits rarely help you get paid credits. In fact, it may just cheapen your brand.
I now refuse to get involved with 'pitches' for design agencies. They can take samples and bios etc. etc. But if they want my work, they can pay for it. I got sick of being told what a 'magnificent opportunity' x project was and doing the work - and not getting paid.
I also prefer to send my stories to paying markets. I often contribute the payment back to smaller mags, but I like to treat the whole thing as a professional transaction
There are, however, exceptions... To be published in some mags enhances the reputation, whether paid or not. But there are precious few of that type of publication.
Kate: That is a valid point--that for some people, the publicity is what they really crave, not the money. However, for someone wanting to make a career of writing, you have it exactly right, that unpaid credits are more likely to hurt than help.
McKoala: That's a very kind policy, with the smaller publications, and I think I'd consider that too. As for the publications that really do enhance reputation, and thus act as valuable publicity, as you say they're few--and generally they pay the best!
Oh, eyeroll! That's classic, they are doing you a favor by helping you build platform, name recognition, etc. I suppose?
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