OP-ED

I Hopped on the Money Train

But, NewsBreak has me teetering on the third rail

When I was solicited for NewsBreak’s “creator” program, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but at first blush, it seemed like an interesting venture. You know. Something new to try out and maybe make a few bucks from.

Now, I’m not a reporter, in the strictest definition of the word. Nor, have I claimed to be. Sure, as a writer, I “report” stuff that I’m interested in and think my readers will enjoy, or gain some benefit from. But never have I considered writing for a news outlet.

However, in its early incarnation, NewsBreak was willing to accept the type of stories that I write on Medium. And, I shared many of those same pieces on the platform.

So, NewsBreak, thank you for that.

I’m not going to take a deep dive into the contractual elements because that’s not something we writers should be divulging. It’s not Kosher, so to speak. I do remember that we had to gain a certain number of followers and post a specified number of stories per week and in turn, were guaranteed a very decent monthly base pay.

Note that I’m not giving away state secrets here as other stories about NewsBreak have already touched upon the same material, with much greater detail.

This lasted for three months and, as I checked all the boxes, at the end of that period, I’d earned some serious coin. I was gobsmacked! I’d never earned anything close to that on Medium and was thrilled to ride this money train for as long as I could.

And then, we were alerted that NewsBreak was making a change. Each story would be assigned a numerical rating from one to ten. Stories on the lower end earned a base pay of $25, while higher-ranked stories earned $60. Views, impressions, and reads also impacted monthly earnings.

I was cool with that as this new system upped the monthly ante. In my best month, factoring in story ratings, I earned over $1,500. And it was easy AF! For someone who hadn’t made any real money in nearly three years, this was not to be sneered at.

Deep down, though, my gut told me I was in for a let-down. The ease with which I was able raise my bottom line should have tipped me off. Because once the shit gets simple, that’s a sign that change is on the horizon. Again.

And you understand the reasoning behind this. Sure you do! It’s because no one wants to pay writers what they’re worth. Once you get this, you’re less likely to crumble when the next kick to the ass comes aswingin.’

This is not new. Although I made an excellent income when I was employed full-time, negotiating a fee for freelance gigs, when I got them, was an exercise in shit-eating.

“You want $50 an hour? I can’t pay more than $25.”

And why should they when they can get Darrel, the IT guy down the hall to fart out a piece of typo-ridden copy, for free?

But, like with NewsBreak, now and then an opportunity comes along that gives our desperately needy and fragile little egos something to hope for. Until once again, they’re shattered like that cheap-ass screen you bought for your phone even though you knew you’d be better off paying a few bucks more.

We live and we learn.

So, when NewsBreak’s latest mandate was to cover only local news, I was stymied. First, how many people put much stock into local news these days? And also, there’s not a hell of a lot going on in the Chicago suburb where I live.

Sure, I can write about the city proper, or the surrounding suburbs and the like. But, there’s only so much time in a day, people, am I right? I get that “lack of time” isn’t NewsBreaks fault, but why refer to us as “creators” if we’re supposed to be covering local news?

One doesn’t “create” the news. It just is.

Now, to their credit, many writers who I respect and admire, and who also write on Medium, are killing it on NewsBreak. They’re loving it!

They’re conducting interviews, covering city council meetings, reviewing restaurants and generally, kicking ass.

To all of you, I extend a sincere, MAZEL TOV!!

I, on the other hand, am a mope who feels like writing a review for the pizzeria down the street is akin to pulling my own teeth.

There’s no doubt in my mind that this story will not endear me to the people behind NewsBreak. With that said, in the short time I’ve been spewing on the platform, I’ve amassed a decent number of followers, along with a shit-ton of hateful comments. (Yeah, baby!) So, perhaps they should consider opening up the playing field a bit. What an I, and those writers who agree with me? Chopped liver? Spam?

I mean, what’s wrong with a well-written opinion piece? Or a personal essay that one of their ignorant and incredibly offensive readers could potentially learn from?

Nothing, that’s what! Even The New York Times publishes such material.

There could still be restrictions, like no sexual content or “naughty” words (eek!) but come on. I don’t think any kids are perusing NewsBreak.

There’s a Facebook group for NewsBreak where I’ve openly voiced my “concerns,” and it probably won’t surprise you to learn that my “concerns” didn’t go down so well.

I was asked why I write for NewsBreak if I “hate” it so much, which I never expressed, by the way. Not once did I state that I “hate” writing there. Also, and you’ll hear this from some Medium writers, as well, there was the unspoken, but thick as treacle subtext, that bitching about the money, or lack of it, (due to the loyal news-only mandate) is crass.

HUH?

Because I’m not an ungrateful slob, I am happy to have the opportunity to bring in a few extra bucks a month. What I’m not too jazzed about is being hobbled. I’m not a beat reporter. I’m a writer. And that one word encompasses an infinite array of possibilities. From which NewsBreak can only benefit.

If only they “got it.”

© Sherry McGuinn, 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s soon-to-be-ex-manager is currently NOT pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.

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