Print media / Magazines
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.
To emphasise what's in the advice section: do remember to register with the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society to get your share of money collected for copying of magazines. See the link below.
Read me first! Print media / Magazines advice
Uploaded 0707/0404/20202020: if you have a printout, check the current version at www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/PrMagRat.htmlPlease 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
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 (exchang rate updated to July 2018) |  |
2200.00 |
| Writing, per 1000 - prestige US magazines from $3 a word | |
1900.00 |
| Writing, per 1000 words | |
750.00 |
| Writing, per 1000 words | |
700.00 |
| Acting as editor on publication: per day | |
350.00 |
| Acting as editor on publication: per day | |
350.00 |
| Section or production editor: per day | |
300.00 |
| Section or production editor: per day | |
250.00 |
| Reporting or researching: per day | |
240.00 |
| Reporting or researching: per day | |
220.00 |
| Sub-editing and production: per day | |
200.00 |
| 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). Exchange rate updated July 2018 | |
750.00 |
| Writing, per 1000 - run-of-the-mill US magazines ($1/word) | |
640.00 |
| Writing, per 1000 words | |
450.00 |
| Writing, per 1000 words | |
420.00 |
| Acting as editor on publication: per day | |
300.00 |
| Acting as editor on publication: per day | |
275.00 |
| Section or production editor: per day | |
240.00 |
| Section or production editor: per day | |
220.00 |
| Reporting or researching: per day | |
180.00 |
| Reporting or researching: per day | |
180.00 |
| Sub-editing and production: 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 | |
335.00 |
| Writing, per 1000 words | |
310.00 |
| Acting as editor on publication: per day | |
280.00 |
| Acting as editor on publication: per day | |
230.00 |
| Section or production editor: per day | |
220.00 |
| Section or production editor: per day | |
180.00 |
| Reporting or researching: per day | |
165.00 |
| Sub-editing and production: per day | |
165.00 |
| 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 | |
220.00 |
| Section or production editor: per day | |
170.00 |
| Sub-editing and production: per day | |
150.00 |
| Reporting or researching: per day | |
150.00 |
| 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 £900 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.
Browse a selection of NUJ freelances with relevant skills through the Freelance Directory:
Commissioning editor On negotiating for Print media / Magazines PR / Writing harder work, higher rates Interest and penalty calculator and the law on late payments Resist a payment-on-publication nightmare Freelance May 2018![[www.londonfreelance.org]](gif/nujsma.gif)
Rates for the Job good, bad and ugly Join the NUJ to get individual advice & representationText © Mike Holderness & previous contributors; Moral rights asserted. The collection (database right) © National Union of Journalists. Comments to ffg@londonfreelance.org please. You may find the glossary helpful.
The National Union of Journalists must not, can not and would not wish to dictate rates or terms of engagement to members or to editors. The information presented here is for guidance and as an aid to equitable negotiation only.
Suggestions apply to contracts governed by UK law only. In any event, nothing here should be construed as legal advice.
