Freelance Fees Guide: Print media / Magazines

Print media / Magazines

Please note that the suggested rates below are minima; that rates for copyright works are for limited licences; and that VAT is not included. See notes on negotiating rates and find a freelance

The rates for words are for their first appearance in a UK magazine, or US as the case may be. If the publisher wants further uses, negotiate.

Read me first! Print media / Magazines advice

Uploaded 2020/0404/18181818: if you have a printout, check the current version at www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/PrMagRat.html

The suggested rates (Know a better rate? tell us!)
For full definitions of the categories, click on their names

See also: reported rates, to compare: Print media / Magazines

RATES: Magazines category: A: large-circulation and glossy mags

Writing, per 1000 - prestige US magazines from $3 a word		1900.00
Writing, per 1000 words		700.00
Acting as editor on publication: per day		350.00
Section or production editor: per day		250.00
Reporting or researching: per day		220.00
Sub-editing and production: per day		200.00

RATES: Magazines category: B: smaller consumer mags

Writing, per 1000 - run-of-the-mill US magazines ($1/word)		640.00
Writing, per 1000 words		420.00
Acting as editor on publication: per day		275.00
Section or production editor: per day		220.00
Reporting or researching: per day		180.00
Sub-editing and production: per day		170.00

RATES: Magazines category: C: larger trade and trade union mags

Writing, per 1000 words		310.00
Acting as editor on publication: per day		230.00
Section or production editor: per day		180.00
Reporting or researching: per day		155.00
Sub-editing and production: per day		155.00

RATES: Magazines category: D: smaller mags

Writing, per 1000 words		250.00
Acting as editor on publication: per day		180.00
Section or production editor: per day		160.00
Sub-editing and production: per day		140.00
Reporting or researching: per day		140.00

Notes:

Category D magazines cover a multitude of sins, down to those that are either very small or very stingy (not mentioning any New Statesmen in particular). The above are decent rates for words contributed that are achievable from many magazines. But some get away with paying £150 per thousand - especially those that hold a virtual monopoly on a specialist field or where the field is infested with enthusiastic amateurs.

Notes:

Freelances paid a day rate risk being taxed at source and paying National Insurance as an employed person, though this can be challenged - see Shift payments - tax and time off.
Writing on a day rate may have implications for copyright. NUJ members should see Rights and why they are important and check with the Freelance Office.
Note that many small-circulation specialist mags pay rates in line with category C, or category B if their readership is particularly influential. A newsletter distributed to a handful of Chief Executive Officers who know that the subject is important, but not what it is, may pay silly money to a writer who does know what it is.
Contract publishers may pay considerably more for work used in a given category of magazine than direct publishers would - for example £700 per 1000 words for work that appears in a Category B magazine. See Advice on Magazine work.
Some magazines get away with paying less for sub-editing shifts. But they shouldn't.

Print media / Magazines advice

Agreements

Agreements affecting Print media

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