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Best Practices
Copyright Information Understanding copyright is vital. Copyright ensures that writers are paid each time their work is published, and that they retain the rights to license further use of their work - an integral part of the livelihood of professional writers.
The Canadian Copyright Act contains everything a writer needs to know about copyright.
For an overview on copyright basics click here.
PWAC Copyright Kit The PWAC Copyright Kit aims to assist writers in understanding their rights. Careful management of copyright licenses for writers is key to making a living as a freelance writer. The kit contains four parts:
- Copyright Basics: a few facts about licensing work to print and electronic publishers
- Protect Your Rights: tips on protecting copyright
- Copyright FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions
- Copyright Tools: sample letters of intent and a standard freelance publication agreement.
To download a copy of the PWAC Copyright Kit click here.
Professional PracticesPWAC offers a brief overview of professional practices in the freelance writing world, both for freelancers and for those who buy their work.
It is in the best interests of both writer and client to have a written agreement that spells out the terms of the assignment and the copyright licence being acquired. This ensures that terms are clearly understood right from the start of a project and eliminates the possibility of misunderstanding.
To find out more about Professional Practices click here.
Standard Agreement PWAC provides a sample letter of agreement that writers and publishers can use to help set fair terms for writing assignments. The letter can be modified as needed to suit each assignment. The resulting letter should be sent to clients before work is started. That way, there will be no surprises when the publisher receives the invoice... and there will be a paper trail to support a claim in the event of non-payment.
To download the PWAC's Standard Agreement Letter click here.
What to Pay a Writer
For both freelance writers and those who hire them, that frequently asked question lacks a simple answer. Fees charged by professional writers vary according to the work involved. Many factors affect payment, including:
- the type of assignment (e.g. magazine article, marketing report);
- writer's skill, background and experience;
- the number of words and/or time the project requires;
- the number of interviews and/or amount of research needed;
- the type of rights being purchased.
PWAC's rate guidelines are based on fee information collected from PWAC members across Canada and from various industries that regularly hire writers on a freelance/contract basis.
PWAC's information reveals large pay variations between markets and locations. For instance, writers tend to earn more in large cities than in other areas of the country. There are also large variations between writers: a very experienced, established writer can charge more for her work than someone just starting out.
Therefore, the rates listed are general guidelines only. The exact fee will need to be negotiated depending on the particulars of the assignment.
To find out more about "what to pay a writer" click here.
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PWAC is an incredible organization with a marvelous collection of folks and wisdom.
PWAC Member
Dee Gibney, Toronto Chapter |
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