What's the going rate for magazine freelance writing?

   Just curious - does anyone know the going rate these days for doing
freelance writing for magazines?

  For 6 years, I had a monthly software and peripherals review column in a
computer focused magazine.  I also did freelance work for a newspaper.
However, then I became a stay at home Dad when we had two kids within 12
months.

  I can't really compare to what I made before, because both of those were
"get your foot in the door to get some experience" sort of jobs.  One was
also for a nonprofit group.  Like I said, I got a lot of experience, a free
Internet connection for a few years, and some $.  Hopefully this time
around, I can get more of the latter.

  Now that they are finally both out of diapers, and I have made some
progress on fixing up our double, I'd like to devote some time to writing
again.

  However, I have no idea what a fair rate is these days.  I don't want to
hold out for too much, and lose work, but I also don't want to be getting
less than the other folks.  I'd like to put most of what I make into my ROTH
IRA, which is sorely underfunded at this point.

  Anyone have a general idea?

 
OhioGuy wrote:

 Good point. Don't hold out for too much.
Try selling the thread you started about thinking you would find a
free refill for the garage sale fire extinguisher and how the fire
department laughed at you. I think your writing could have potential
as long as you "keep it real" and talk about your own life honestly.

 

I wrote articles on computer software and programming and broadcast
engineering for decades. I just took what was offered. If I thought it
was too little I sent the next article elsewhere. It was a sideline to my
main work and just a way to get extra money so I could be flexable. Book
advances and deadlines however are negotiable. I've retired and am out of
the loop now so have quit writing.



--
Every silver lining has a cloud.

 There's a magazine called "Writer's Digest"  http://www.writersdigest.com/  
available at better magazine stands, and they publish an annual book listing
zillions of publishers and what they pay for articles, along with misc
information.

It's a pretty good magazine for the aspiring writer; it's worth trying a
subscription.

 
We'll have to find someone with a subscription who is willing to copy
everything or report it via email because Ohio Guy won't want to spend
money on anything or do anything for himself.