It was definitely an unexpected response. I think moments like that reveal how sensitive conversations about pay still are in this industry. Thanks for adding to the discussion, Staci.
I don’t think what you asked is inappropriate at all — in fact, that person’s response would only NOT make me want to pitch to them. Totally get if their answer was “We’re not sure yet” or “Let me get back to you”, but to tell you that you’re asking was rude was actually quite inappropriate on their end.
Thank you for fighting for us & our work. It’s rough out there, and this post sadly proves it.
Thank you, Marcie. I really appreciate your perspective and supportive words. Being told that asking about pay is rude was more discouraging than the question itself and reflects exactly the kind of unnecessary friction writers face. I hope more writers feel empowered to ask about pay and that more publications start to see transparency as part of building trust rather than something to avoid. Comments like yours remind me why it matters to hold this standard publicly and consistently. Freelance work is hard enough without unnecessary barriers and every bit of clarity helps make it more fair.
Rejecting financial transparency is practice that keeps employees from making a fuss to management. There needs to be an understanding that if you aren't transparent about what you pay your employees, then you might be hiding how you truly treat them. If you can't show your rates, then you are probably showing the worth of your values.
Absolutely. Transparency is about more than just numbers. It shows how a publication values its writers and their time. If rates are hidden it can send a signal about how work is prioritized and how labor is respected. I also think it opens a larger conversation about trust. Writers invest a lot of energy in ideas, research, and pitching. When the pay is unclear it forces them to guess whether their time is worth it. That uncertainty is exhausting and it skews the power balance in ways that are rarely discussed openly.
We can go back and forth on DM if you like, because I can talk about this all day. Rate transparency is treated like a social norm such as "asking someone their age"; Context is everything. Pay rates are designed to be fair to not just an employer, but to a market. At a certain number, work is essentially free.
Thank you again for adding your perspective. I really appreciate your insight and the thought you’ve put into this. Pay transparency is complicated, context does matter, and your points about fairness and valuing work highlight exactly why this conversation is so important.
That answer is embarrassing. It's the very first question any writer has.
Not advertising price is rude
Wow. That curt response sounds like somebody nobody would enjoy working for, regardless of the pay rate.
Agree absolutely 100%.
It was definitely an unexpected response. I think moments like that reveal how sensitive conversations about pay still are in this industry. Thanks for adding to the discussion, Staci.
I don’t think what you asked is inappropriate at all — in fact, that person’s response would only NOT make me want to pitch to them. Totally get if their answer was “We’re not sure yet” or “Let me get back to you”, but to tell you that you’re asking was rude was actually quite inappropriate on their end.
Thank you for fighting for us & our work. It’s rough out there, and this post sadly proves it.
Thank you, Marcie. I really appreciate your perspective and supportive words. Being told that asking about pay is rude was more discouraging than the question itself and reflects exactly the kind of unnecessary friction writers face. I hope more writers feel empowered to ask about pay and that more publications start to see transparency as part of building trust rather than something to avoid. Comments like yours remind me why it matters to hold this standard publicly and consistently. Freelance work is hard enough without unnecessary barriers and every bit of clarity helps make it more fair.
Rejecting financial transparency is practice that keeps employees from making a fuss to management. There needs to be an understanding that if you aren't transparent about what you pay your employees, then you might be hiding how you truly treat them. If you can't show your rates, then you are probably showing the worth of your values.
Absolutely. Transparency is about more than just numbers. It shows how a publication values its writers and their time. If rates are hidden it can send a signal about how work is prioritized and how labor is respected. I also think it opens a larger conversation about trust. Writers invest a lot of energy in ideas, research, and pitching. When the pay is unclear it forces them to guess whether their time is worth it. That uncertainty is exhausting and it skews the power balance in ways that are rarely discussed openly.
We can go back and forth on DM if you like, because I can talk about this all day. Rate transparency is treated like a social norm such as "asking someone their age"; Context is everything. Pay rates are designed to be fair to not just an employer, but to a market. At a certain number, work is essentially free.
Thank you again for adding your perspective. I really appreciate your insight and the thought you’ve put into this. Pay transparency is complicated, context does matter, and your points about fairness and valuing work highlight exactly why this conversation is so important.