Writing for games magazines

[SuperDanX]

Does anybody know,what the going rates of pay are for writing features/reviews for gaming magazines and have advice,tips or contact info for freelance submissions?I have a lot of time on my hands(at work!)a few ideas for features,and would like to give it a crack.Anyone here done this before?Any help would be great.Thanks.

[Mayhem]

Most places charge per word, but some do per page (such as Retrogamer). Generally you will get somewhere between ?50-100 per printed page.

As for actually getting work... starting small and getting bigger is probably a good idea. I just submitted a few bits to places over the years, and got picked up by Oracle Teletext, Superplay and RetroGamer for regular work. Inertia who used to review stuff here, is now working for Edge.

[SuperDanX]

Whats the demand for freelance work?I suppose l can excpect a lot of rejections?although that depends on the qualtity of my work i guess?Having said that the quality of writing in many games magazines doesnt seem to be such a high bar to reach.Would you recommend i offer a proposal before i sent in any articles/reviews?Or just sent them in on spec?Thanks for your advice.

[charlesr]

Spaces after full stops and question marks would give the edge.

[PeteBrant]

Put it this way, people don't become games journalists for the financial reward.

[SuperDanX]

I'm just looking to make a litte extra cash writing things i'd like to read,?50-?100 sounds like a pretty good financial reward to me!
More advice please.Maybe a stupid question,but would i have to submit pics for the article myself,or is that taken care of?

[Mayhem]

Everything I do for RG, I submit a plethora of pics but it's up to them what they use. Sometimes they want to use something I haven't given, so they get it themselves.

[anephric]

Jefe, what is a plethora?

[PeteJ]

I spent about six months trying to get freelance work and failed. One piece went into a magazine, but I was so grateful for the opportunity (and free plugs) that I didn't get paid.

Never found any more work, sadly

[SuperDanX]

I spent about six months trying to get freelance work and failed. One piece went into a magazine, but I was so grateful for the opportunity (and free plugs) that I didn't get paid.

Never found any more work, sadly

Can you go into more detail please?I'd be intrested to hear about the downside too!

[Ramzy]

I suggest looking through Games Press for paid freelance work. You'll need plenty of experience though if you're aiming for the bigger publications.

[SuperDanX]

Not really looking to become a freelancer,just writing the odd thing here and there.If any of the magazine guys are on online,it would be nice to hear from you please.

[SaijoBob]

joystiq.com are currently hiring.

They ask for some info about yourself, along with three articles you have written on any game-related subject.

[Il Postino]

Originally posted by: PeteJ
I spent about six months trying to get freelance work and failed. One piece went into a magazine, but I was so grateful for the opportunity (and free plugs) that I didn't get paid.

Then you're just not trying hard enough young man.

Seriously, any bloody fool can pull a trigger* If you don't believe me then just read some of the ****e that masquerades as games journalism.

Keep on knocking on the door, unless your writing style is really, really out of joint, then somebody will let you in. Once you are in, then you're laughing. Nobody ever reads the text anyway, just get your copy in on time and you'll be fine.

Also, have you tried the backdoor that is the merry world of tips mags? Character building stuff it is, I can tell you. Forget those ASBO things, I reckon every youth throughout the land should have to do two years on a solutions magazine, that'd learn the little angels. After completing a 20-page guide on Croc, these louts wouldn't have the energy to rape telephone boxes and vandalise old ladies**




*Write for a videogame magazine.
**Now that's comedy.

[Robster]

@ mayhem

do you have a list of articles you did for super play mate ?. I would be more than happy to see what is your work in my collection?