To Pay or Not to Pay
This week I've received lots of correspondence from my esteemed subscribers over the issue of whether writers should have to pay for writer's resources - including market listings. I thought the topic worthy of discussion, not least because there are so many writer's sites out there that do charge fees - for almost everything from agent contacts, representation services, and the old chestnut, vanity (now often called POD or partnership) publishing. It's interesting to me because it seems to be an issue that is unique to the Internet. Writers feel no similar qualms over paying for writing services and market listings off-line. It's only on the Internet that writers seem to think everything should be free! Why, I'm not really sure. I guess it's because once, a long time ago, there was an idealistic notion that the web would one day become a resource for humanity, free to all, forever... Whilst a fervent minority bought into this cute idea, vast money...