Why are so many writers and authors so broke? I’ve wondered this after attending writers’ groups. Sure some of us have made some money at this place, but most of us are broke. Why? Often it’s because they have low self-esteem and don’t ask for pay that matches their work or value. This is a personal problem, but there are other reasons as well. Another reason is for simple economy; offer and demand. Nowadays, anyone can be a writer or author thanks to word processors, software and the internet, and that means more writers, and while there are also more places that require this skill, even poor writers look good all things considered. trash online. Okay, before we get into any kind of rant, let’s talk.

Not long ago an acquaintance of mine, Dr. Gary S Goodman, asked me; “Should you write for free?” Then he asks a deeper question: “A sure sign that you’re a professional is that you get paid for your work. If you don’t get paid, does that mean you’re anything less?”

My opinion is that if what you write has value, then someone will be willing to pay you for it, unless they can get it somewhere cheaper or free. In that case, the buyer of such written material is getting something inferior due to its adverse price, its marketing is insufficient, or what it writes is not necessary. Today, information is very cheap, sometimes free.

Writing, in my opinion, is not usually a very wise profession, however, all industries need writing and the written word (today) to get that information to willing buyers and sellers. So there’s plenty of room for writers, at least now, in our pre-AI age, as soon there won’t be a need for writers, even fiction writers; Most likely, the days of writers are numbered.

When I look at my personal library of about 4,600 books and growing, I realize that there are many published writers and authors, all of whom sell their work and have sold books, so by definition they are professional writers and authors. Still, since those terms are loosely defined, anyone who writes an online essay on her blog, who is advertised, actually gets paid to write, right? Therefore, the definition of a professional writer or author applies. Interesting, maybe we need some clarification on this topic. Your thoughts, comment below.