Re: stringer, Blogging and decent money

**j* e* m* s* <h*@sbcglobal.net>**

Interesting, your comment about garden writing in newspapers. I've 
been writing a weekly column in the Indianapolis Star since 1989. 
Last fall, the paper cut a handful of regular freelancers, but 
(breathe a sigh of relief), not me.

Two days ago, the features editor told me they were revamping the 
section and wondered if I'd be interested in 'updating' the column to 
cover green living topics along with gardening. Of course, I told her 
I was interested, thanked her for asking me and requested that we 
meet and talk more about this.

I must say I look at this with mixed feelings. As some of you know, 
I'd editor and part owner of Indiana Living Green 
(http://www.IndianaLivingGreen.com), published six times a year, so 
I'm familiar and somewhat well-versed in these topics. (If the Web 
site is funky, it's because we're getting ready to launch a revised 
one any day).

However, I'm just getting ready to launch a hoosiergardener.com blog, 
where I'll post my Star columns. I've had a Web site for the columns 
for a while, but am switching it to a blog. I've worked hard to build 
my 'hoosier gardener' brand for the past decade and worry about 
eroding that with the green living stuff. I may have to come up with 
a different name for the green column.

My preference would be to have topics be scheduled, such as first and 
third Saturdays, green living and second and four Saturdays, 
gardening, with some flexibility to cover subjects that might be 
timely for one reason or another.

A big part of me really doesn't want to write about green living for 
the Star, but in today's economy, I'm in no position to just say flat 
out no. Also, I've been making $65 for the column since 1994 and 
would like to use this opportunity to again ask for an increase, 
espcially since I'll be helping the paper developing this area for 
its readers.

Everything feels so tenuous. I've taken a 40 percent pay cut in one 
monthly freelance job and about a 30 percent cut in pay at the 
magazine. I'm just grateful that there's still some income. I've also 
been developing other revenue streams. I posted my service as a 
garden coach about a weeks ago on Craig's List in Indianapolis and so 
far have had two inquiries. I'm meeting with one next week.

Sorry for rambling. Martha/Molly's post struck a chord. Input, 
comments welcomed.

jems

>Well, it appears that writing for the newspaper is pretty much moribund. In
>particular garden writing.
>
>And magazines are dropping writers, editors and other hard working people of
>words, thoughts and soul.
>
>Is literacy dying? Horticultural literacy?
>We shall see when the economy turns in a few years. In the meantime what are
>all the writers going to do?
>
>Martha Stoodley
>pen name Molly Day at http://muskogeephoenixonline.com/blogs/MollyDay/
>

-- 
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
The Hoosier Gardener
Director Garden Writers Association
Writer * Editor * Speaker * Garden Consultant
Co-author,The Indiana Gardener's Guide
Editor, Indiana Living Green magazine
P.O. Box 20310, Indianapolis, IN 46220
E-mail: hoosiergardener@sbcglobal.net
http://www.hoosiergardener.com
http://www.IndianaLivingGreen.com
E-mail: editor@IndianaLivingGreen.com
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