Shiter job?

[scruff]

I was a tractor driver before I got a break as a junior on Land Rover Owner. 8 years and 2 mags later I've just landed the editor's seat on a bimonthly - for Kelsey funnily enough. Making for a busy life with the tat shifting business as well but loving the variety.

 

[Mr Livered]

Dolly/Eddy - Just out of interest, what sort of credentials do you need to apply for as a staff writer for a magazine? I've always thought that I might like to have a go someday but I've nothing really to show.

My web design company is currently designing a website about old cars. I'm quite excited about it actually, because it's pretty Autoshite friendly. They're going to need articles written about old cars, and I know they can't pay well but I could definitely get a couple of articles in for you, if you wanted to write them.

 

Just thinking it might be a bit like a portfolio if you see what I mean, something to show potential employers.

 

They could use articles about specific cars, with an emphasis on using them and fixing them, rather than dry historical information. Also bangernomics type stuff about why older cars make more sense.

 

If you fancy it (this goes for any shiter) let me know.

[warren t claim]

How come the wages are so diabolical and why don't the NUJ do something about it?

[eddyramrod]

Oh that's just bog-standard capitalism, nothing to worry about especially there.  It won't bother me, I've always been low-paid.

[warren t claim]

 

FFS!

[warren t claim]

Next time I'm in Peterborough I'm going to ring for a pizza and hopefully it'll be delivered by a journo in a Daimler SP250 just trying to make enough to pay the rent and buy shoes for his kids!

[warren t claim]

 

Well there's nearly half a journalist's salary gone with the cheapest house with parking!

[Mr Livered]

To all those who have messaged me to say they would be interested in writing something, thanks. I have passed your details on, and I'm also trying to find out what sort of moolah might be on offer, because I haven't got much idea at the moment (except that I have a feeling nobody's going to get rich out of it).

 

I'll be in touch...

[plasticvandan]

The net wage is more than my gross wage,and i work full time

[dollywobbler]

How come the wages are so diabolical and why don't the NUJ do something about it?

 

It's probably higher than local newspapers. Also, I don't think many classic writers are NUJ members, even though that's the 2CV's reg number. 

[warren t claim]

Being a good journo is like excelling at a musical instrument or having the ability to ride a horse to a decent standard, I know that even if I'd gone to school and learnt to read and write there's no way in a million years I'd be able to structure sentences and write saleable copy, in other words it's a natural talent that few people are lucky enough to have and as it's the writers that sell the magazines they at least deserve to share some of the financial reward.

 

Journalists are the artistic talent of the publishing houses but seem to reap little reward in their not inconsiderable skills.

[dollywobbler]

I don't disagree, but it seems people are sadly happy to do a great job for very little. Rates do go up with experience/skills, but few writers earn megabucks. You need to bolt TV on the side to stand a chance - ie Top Gear. 

[warren t claim]

Is there  more money in freelancing and is there any guarantee of a regular income?

 

If one of our members won the advertised job are they free to freelance as well or does a publishing house own exclusivity on any written work they do?

 

Sorry about all the questions!

[dugong]

Freelancing is rife in radio because of the low wages involved. Most of the time they just use a different name, although there's normally a problem if a stream clash occurs i.e. you read for two stations that are deadly rivals.

[warren t claim]

Freelancing is rife in radio because of the low wages involved. Most of the time they just use a different name, although there's normally a problem if a stream clash occurs i.e. you read for two stations that are deadly rivals.

When's the next Blacktop due out?

[dollywobbler]

More money in freelancing? Ha ha haah ha! I'm not doing too badly, but it is far from secure, and prone to odd very scary months where income drops. I have no complaints really, but then I live very frugally.

 

Not much scope for freelancing if you're a staffer, but it can and does happen. Terms and conditions vary between companies. Some others are very strict and anything you write/photograph, even during non-work hours, is technically the company's. I never signed that agreement myself. Copyright ownership is a complex and very boring area.

[dugong]

Incidentally, that's more than I've ever been paid in any job, ever.

[warren t claim]

I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that I've been overpaid for driving a truck. A job that, let's be honest, could be done by at least 25% of motorists in the UK as long as they're willing to invest £2.5k on specialist training.

[dollywobbler]

Would 25% of motorists want to do it though? Editing a weekly newspaper is probably less stressful!

[warren t claim]

Would 25% of motorists want to do it though? Editing a weekly newspaper is probably less stressful!

I'd say that at least half would like to have a  go at driving an artic but the reality is seriously dull. 

[dollywobbler]

Yup. I've driven one on private ground, and it was good fun. I used a speed-limited 7.5 tonner when we moved house, and as you say, it was seriously dull! 56mph feels like barely moving at all.

 

Every delivery driver job I've had has been a nightmare because of idiot management and nightmare road users though.

[barefoot]

I write a regular column for a well known* monthly magazine.

VW Camper & Commercial.

Interestingly/bizarrely, I write a cookery article as the barefoot chef.

It doesn't pay very well.

[scruff]

I would do low loading but the thought of RDC runs etc, no thanks. 

 

Regarding freelancing, I am not brave enough to rely on it for a sole source of income, I've heard too many horror stories and been screamed at down the phone by too many frustrated contributors when some lazy mongtard in a office bloody miles away hasn't clicked the "pay this person" button for the nth month in a row. 

 

BTW I happened to be in Classic Car Buyer's office yesterday and someone's Mac was logged into Autoshite... Hello! 

[warren t claim]

Publishing a magazine as a journalists co-operative might be a way forward but I must confess that as I haven't bought a monthly for many years maybe printed classic car mags are a dying media?

[warren t claim]

 

 

BTW I happened to be in Classic Car Buyer's office yesterday and someone's Mac was logged into Autoshite... Hello! 

This place is probably a goldmine for the Martin Buckley's and Will Holman's of this world.

[dollywobbler]

I don't think classic mags are in terminal decline yet, but I do think the next wave of classic fans are probably less interested in magazines.

[DSdriver]

I was biding a while at the intergalactic* terminal near Cheriton whilst awaiting a delayed Shuttle. Espying a display of magazines I chose one with a title to my liking, thinking it might help pass the time on the voyage through the wormhole. I presented the tome to the nice lady who pointed a hairdryer at the stripey bit on the front cover and said "That will be £4.50 please". HOW MUCH? "You haven't bought a magazine for some time have you Sir? 

[CortinaDave]

i freelance in radio.. I love it but its shit money and very insecure... very similar to working for mags it seems. That said ive been doing it now for 15 years and only been properly on my arse for three months in that time

 

I'm in a full time gig at the moment which is good, but I still hoover up shifts here and there on other stations  to keep my hand in with them in case the gig i'm in at the minute blows up in my face. (which it inevitably will at some point)

[Lankytim]

I'm driving a lorry again and it's the biggest piece of piss evAr. I'm doing containers and spend 50% of the working day on autoshite as I'm waiting to get loaded/unloaded.

 

I'd rather write about cars though.

[New POD]

Some wanker called david simister, who was the 'motoring correspondent' for the Formby Champion, (and still is), managed to get himself a job with some classic car mag in peterbro'.

 

It seems the qualification is talking shite about cars, because he seems to know feck all.