Online Writing Sites for Self-Expression & PROFIT

This Hub is an overview of online outlets for self-expression and profit, written in response to a request by ProCW.

Basically, these sites offer writers of all experience levels the opportunity to write about what they love, get some feedback on their writing, and perhaps -- for there are no guarantees -- make some money in the process.

Writers can participate in more than one site at a time, limited only by their own energy levels. But while writers typically retain all rights to their original content, most -- if not all -- content sites severely frown upon posting the same content on more than one site. If you want to reuse content, it would be advisable to post it to your personal blog, or include it in a book (e-type or paper).

Here are just a few of the more prominent content sites, starting with the one this article is written on:

Hub Pages is easy to use. No coding skills are required; writers can focus on writing. No explicit "adult" content is permitted, and excessive self-promotion (spam) is another no-no. Hub Pages promotes useful, original, well written content, and rewards participation in the Hubbing community. Hubbers can make money, typically by incorporating Google AdSense, Amazon, eBay and Kontera ads into their pages (Hubs) and by linking to social networking sites. Yet another way Hubbers generate revenue is to drive traffic to other members' Hubs, thereby earning a share of the income from ad clicks. Hubbers can also earn money when new members join under their accounts and produce profitable Hubs of their own. Earnings via referrals contribute much to the unique culture of sharing in the Hub Pages community.

Squidoo is similar to, but older than, Hub Pages. Similarities exist, but Squidoo's culture, content and outlook are more commercially oriented. HTML tools and coding are available for the tech-minded writer. Squidoo does permit explicit "adult" content, but readers can choose what they see. Money can be made by incorporating ads from Amazon Standard, Amazon Plexo, eBay, CafePress, Netflix and others. Squidoo-ers can choose to be paid for any commissions their pages (Lenses) earn, or they can donate their earnings to a charity or non-profit.

Xomba writers receive 50% of revenues generated by Adsense clicks on their articles, or Xombytes. Xombytes should be at least 100 words long. Writers can also post Xomblurbs, which are links to websites, blogs, video or audio, accopanied by a short, original blurb. Font styles and formats are plentiful, and images can be added. But not much can be done about the total look of the page which, frankly, is cluttered. Still, this is a chance to earn money for relatively few words.

Knol, a Wikipedia-type site, is a new Google project. Articles are called, well, Knols, meaning "a unit of knowledge." A Google Account is required to join. Earnings come, of course, from Google AdSense. Writers are encouraged to provide credentials, and many Knols -- not all -- are quite scholarly. Collaboration is welcome, and writers can specify the amount of collaboration, if any, that they will allow. Good exposure for writers seeking to establish a reputation for their expertise.

Epinions is a consumer journalism site. Members post reviews on products and services. Earnings take the form of "Eroyalties" (redeemable in U.S. dollars) under their Income Share program. As with Helium, a member's standing depends both on their writing and on how active they are in rating the articles of other members.

eHow.com. Write or post how-to videos. To make money, join the Writer's Compensation Program. eHow Writers Academy (free) helps writers create better articles.

About.com. "Guides" must have proven credentials and writing skills, and must apply for a position under one of About.com's available topics. Guides create and maintain GuideSites devoted to their topic. Pay is determined by number of page views.

The following sites do not pay in cash. If your interests focus on commmunity involvement, improving your writing and gaining exposure, these sites might fill the need:

Yahoo Answers. Show off what you know! Members earn points for giving answers and voting on answers given by others. Questions come in all flavors and colors. So far, Yahoo Answers is the biggest site of its type. But it does have its competitors:

• AllExperts. Quality matters here -- apply to be a volunteer expert.

• Amazon Askville. Earn "Quest Gold," which will soon be redeemable on a new site, questville.com.
• AOL Yedda

Ordinary folks, frustrated by the media and freed by technology, are creating their own media. Many services have popped up to support them:

Digital Journal is devoted to reporting hard news, not opinion. All members ("Citizens") can post blogs, upload photos, vote on articles and otherwise take part in the community for free. But to become a paid Citizen Journalist (CJ), one must submit an application along with a sample of one's own writing. CJs receive a share of Digital Journal's advertising revenue, with payment based on number of articles contributed and how high their articles are ranked. Classic standards of journalism are rigorously upheld.

WireTap is geared toward training young adults in journalism skills. WireTap publishes articles from writers of all ages, but gives first priority to writers 16-28 years of age. WireTap pays $50-$250 for each article accepted, depending on quality of writing and research.

Helium is a news and opinion service. Members can choose sides in debates, or write articles based on hundreds of titles provided by Helium. Members can create their own titles, but the best rankings and earnings typically come from ready-made titles. The best moneymakers are Helium's Marketplace, where members vie for direct payment from publishers, and from contests on the site. Earnings stop if a member has been inactive for 6 months. A member's standing is based both on quality of articles and on how active they are in ranking other members' articles. Helium's culture is highly competitive.

For the Sake of the Message, Not the Money

Sometimes getting the word out is enough. As a bonus, citizen journalists can gain experience and exposure from unpaid sites.

Indymedia is an international collective of independent media sites. Grassroots journalists are encouraged to submit text, photos, video and audio to the Indymedia outlet closest to them.

AlterNet publishes only a small, select number of the thousands of grassroots submissions it receives. This lends a certain prestige to articles written by successful submitters. Alternet keeps itself afloat with a combination of donations and ad clicks.

More (and More) Citizen Journalism Sites

Citizen journalism is a growing movement. These directories try to keep up with the proliferation of outlets:

SourceWatch's list

CyberJournalist's list

Given the nature of web-based reading, perhaps it's no surprise that many online fiction markets are devoted to flash fiction (stories under 1,000 words) or to speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy and horror).

Paying Fiction Markets

(TIP: Before submitting, check every site's guidelines carefully. Guidelines, payment and author's rights are always subject to change.)

Mainstream Fiction & Poetry

The Pedestal

Flash Fiction. Every market defines "flash fiction" in its own way. Guidelines vary wildly on acceptable lengths.

Flash Fiction Online. Accepts stories of 500-1,000 words, only. Right now they pay $50 per story accepted.

Vestal Review. Accepts stories up to 500 words. Pay rate varies according to number of words used.

Speculative Fiction

Helix SF. Submissions open only to writers who qualify for SFWA membership (they don't have to be members) or by invitation. Funded by donations.

Jim Baen's Universe

Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show

Strange Horizons

Weird Tales

Market Lists

Duotrope serves all genres of short fiction, online or pulp. Search for markets by genre, length of story or rate of pay (if any). Find guidelines and check out the market's response times. Find anthology openings, podcast markets and contests too!

Literary Magazines. Writer-focused reviews of literary (and some genre) magazines, online and pulp, with contact info for each magazine.

Ralan's Webstravaganza specializes in speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy and horror) and humor.

Story Pilot's Science Fiction and Fantasy Market Engine also specializes in speculative fiction. Find writer's workshops as well.

The Market List. Yet another speculative fiction market list, with free blogs, articles, writer's classifieds and other services thrown in.