Can anyone help with freelance writing fee query?

[BigTrouble]

Hoping to catch the eye of any bloggers that write freelance for mags / websites please.

I have just discovered I have had an article I emailed to a magazine published, hooray! Much joy, etc. However... They have said 'thanks a lot, we'll send you a free copy' No mention of any fee. I thought, from google (so no extensive research), I would be sent a contract with terms and payment info, this has not happened.

I sent the article in full, by email and did not mention a fee at this point - I thought that would be negotiated / sorted later. Was I wrong in this? I assume they have sniffed me out as a rookie, but it doesn't feel right. What are people's thoughts? I'm still delighted to be published, and can add it to my bio, but I am wondering what went wrong for next time, if there is a next time of course!

Thanks so much.

Afraid it looks like they might not be expecting to pay. If they haven't mentioned it, I would assume they aren't (lots of websites offer new writers exposure so use that to justify not paying. .. Not saying that's right or wrong, just that it's a common practice. No experience of magazines) But there's no harm in asking them outright for payment and if they say they don't pay point out that that wasn't made clear. ..

Congrats! Just like in any job, I'd advise that you sort out terms, conditions, remuneration etc prior to submitting content next time. It can always be a bit daunting bringing up the topic of payment, but if you want to make a career out of it, then you've got to watch your own bag as the publisher isn't going to :) In this case, it feels like they aren't going to pay as it would have been brought up, but don't let that stop you from asking retrospectively. I'd also make it clear that you'd be wanting payment for any further articles. Perhaps something along the lines of saying that you've seen and liked my work as you've published it, I'd like to continue working with you and have proved my worth, what is the payment policy when it comes to any follow on articles.
Hope that helps and good luck!

Hi,

Thank you both so much for your help and apologies for the delay... Clingy, sleep refusing baby week!

I will definitely follow this advice next time, I guess I thought if I was asking about terms / fees before they'd seen the piece, there would be nothing to hook them in, but your advice TheDADventurer for contacting them next time is brilliant and I will certainly try that.

With submissions to new places, do you tend to send a summary and snippet of the article you are pitching? I have now ordered a book on such things (didn't know they existed!) which will hopefully help, but would be very interested in any first hand experience.

Thank you both again for your help and congrats :)

PS - I did email to ask about a fee retrospectively, wording it as best I could and they haven't replied as yet - three days ago. But, I am published, and am learning!