Nearly
daily I see someone ranting about being taken advantage of. Today it was
another writer griping about being expected to write for free. He had written
a 650-word sample, then sent a bill, and the client was shocked that he expected
to be paid for the sample.
This
could have easily been prevented, by the writer either offering his clips as
samples or stating a price up front for a fresh sample written to the potential
client’s specs. Neither happened, and the result was both the writer and the
potential client being pissed.
I
recently received a message from a potential client asking about my editing
rates. She didn’t mention how she found me, or what she writes, or anything
more.
I
replied and offered a free ten-page sample edit, as I always do. This way the
writer can see what I do and determine if it meets their needs, and I can see
if the writer just needs a little help or a lot (and thus set my price), or
even more help than I can offer. After the sample edit, either of us can opt
out, no hard feelings.
The
next email said the ten pages just happened to be the first two chapters.
That’s all. No further comment. The attachment was sixteen pages.
I
marked it up, correcting errors and leaving comments about things I liked and
others I questioned.
I
returned the chapters with a pleasant note, and received a response saying that
she was busy but would look at it when she had time.
Then
the replies came. Not one email with commentary about all issues, but a
separate email for each beef.
First
I received a link to a product on Amazon, as proof that her spelling was
correct. I ignored it. There was nothing
I could say in response to using Amazon as a dictionary.
Next
came a long explanation of powdered wigs and powder rooms. Then the difference
in buggies and wagons. Oh, that.
They
kept coming. I received an email saying that she introduced 21 characters in
the first chapter because the book is part of a series (all published, by the
way) and her fans like to know what the characters are up to; another saying her Word
program is set to insert two spaces after punctuation, so something is wrong
with mine/me.
By
then, I was crying, but not because I felt I’d wasted my time or I’d been taken
advantage of. Surely a writer friend was playing a joke on me, and it was
brilliant.
I
looked her up on Amazon. Indeed, she was real, and the book had already been published, along
with many others.
One
of her (few) reviews said that the grammar issues were so numerous that the
book was difficult to read. The author (and I use the term loosely) replied to
that review, saying that there were no grammar mistakes in the book, and
clearly there was something wrong with the reviewer. However, that book now had
the words Newly Edited Edition next to the title.
This
was just getting better and better.
The
final email said that her corrections to my errors were completed, and she
agreed with the rest of my suggestions, so thanks.
I
could only respond, “You’re welcome.” I knew she had no intention of hiring me,
and she never had.
Then
she made nearly every change I suggested in those first 16 pages and uploaded
the new version to Amazon. I enjoy imagining her trying to collect enough
sample edits to never have to pay, although she denies actually needing an
editor.
This
experience was odd, outrageous even, but I’m not pissed. Because it was my own
fault. I don’t like being pissed at myself.
Had
I suggested speaking by phone prior to offering a sample, I would have learned
that the book was already published. I could have determined why she really
wanted me to look at it (if she was truthful). I probably would have learned
that she was argumentative and had no sincere desire to improve her manuscript.
I could have declined prior to spending my time on her project. I could have
done many things prior to offering my time for free. I failed.
I’ll
just call it a lesson. And blog material.
Years
ago, a mentor said to me that he used to be proud to say he could work with
anyone, but now he was proud to say he didn’t have to. Amen, brother.
So
whether writing for free (or peanuts) or feeling used and abused in business or
life, think about it.
It’s
true that we teach others how to treat us.
