Can we have some rules on commissions?

[blin18]

Hi folks. Been away for a while, but I'm still writing.

Several years ago a member here offered payment for a story idea. There was a small outcry for bad form, but I offered to write the tale and everything worked out. I made some cash. Since then I've picked up a lot of commissions from other sources. Lately it accounts for nearly half my writing.

I see a lot of folks here begging and bumping for stories to be written. Mostly it never happens. In all cases, I'm sure the OP wants their story for free, but the simple reality is that write-for-free authors mostly want to write their own stories, not somebody else's.

Now I'm not replying to any of these posts touting for work, so put your pitchforks away.

What I'm asking, is can we have an explicit rule in the sticky? If it's no paid stories allowed, fine, but if there's a window, let's open it and be clear about what's allowed. For example, we might say no advertising, but offering stories for pay via replies is fine, providing the final product is posted on Lit and the author retains copyright. Or throw the floodgates open - I don't care. It just seems tragic to see all these bumped threads when there are authors probably reading who could offer a commission.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Well, not arguing, but I’m not sure commissions are really needed. I’ve picked up some story ideas here, ones which appealed to me, and written bespoke stories based on them. Many of the ideas presented however are for themes which I don’t enjoy writing about and no amount of commission (ok, no amount short of my mortgage) is likely to drag me down that path. Or am I missing something?

And as for a rule, one of the nice things about Lit is how few rules there are. Imposing an arbitrary regulation would just drive it (whatever it is) underground.

 

[Carnevil9]

How do we know what goes on behind the scenes? If someone posts that they are looking for an author, any and all potential authors are free to PM them, negotiate a price and a word count, and everyone is happy. All that the rest of us ever see is the original post looking for an author (and we see those all the time). If the story is ultimately posted at Lit or not is a matter for the two participants to decide.