Who would have thought that a simple, innocuous (to me at least) offer from a magazine would prompt so much ire. Among some anyway, there's also a lot of common sense on this thread. Okay, it could be argued that common sense is in the eye of the beholder.
We live in a market economy. And thank god we do - have you seen the alternatives? If you like the idea of receiving GBP150 and seeing yourself published in a paper magazine, go for it. If you don't, don't. But please spare us the whinging.
Those asking "Why should I pay GBP3.99/whatever for a magazine that pays its writers peanuts?" are missing the point. No, you really are. No-one buys magazines or anything else in this life based on how much it cost the providers to provide them. We buy on the basis of whether we as individuals feel the product is worth our money. It really is that simple.
When I look at photos in magazines or elsewhere I care nothing for how much the photographer was paid - if paid at all. I care only for how good the photos are. It's the same with written material. Should I buy books based primarily on the size of the author's advance?
As for "If we don't pay writers generously good writing will disappear": Rubbish. User-generated content available for free on the internet is one of the most incredible children of the information revolution. I have often found far more useful, interesting and reliable information about motorcycling on forums than I can from a book. And I love books. And own thousands.
"Professional" writers who moan about poor quality "Amateur" writing are not actually angry about the quality of the amateur writing. They are angry that they may be losing their livelihood. Fair enough. But at least be honest about it. And remember, the editor who pays his contributors GBP5,000 a paragraph will soon be meeting them in the dole queue, his magazine having gone rapidly bust.
Okay, there's an awful lot of cack around on the net as well as the good stuff. Look at any youtube argument. "You're a twat" "No
you're a twat". Perhaps the best thing about 21st century magazines is that, as well as allowing us the old-fashioned pleasure of reading from paper, they have been edited to filter out the drivel and show only the best. Some editors are better than others at this of course. I will chime in agreement with those who have expressed their irritation at reading yet another "Look at us drinking free
in the sponsor's tent" article. Like most people I vote with my feet. I have reduced my magazine spend accordingly.
I'll end this post by adding a potential twist to the thread:
If you're reading this Cpl(?) Hogan, have a look at
15 countries in 40 days: Tanks, minefields, crashes and Kalashnikovs.
It's a longer ride report than the average, and better written or so I am told (and conceitedly believe). My price is therefore £250. But if you don't wish to proceed at that price, you'll get no whinging from me.
Andrew
Threaded Mode
