What is the difference, if any, between a contributing writer and a freelance writer? Is there any difference in terms of the sort of duties these writers have? Is a contributing writer more bound to a specific publication, as opposed to a freelancer who’s name may appear in a myriad of publications in a given month? Is it all just a matter of semantics?
Anyway, if any of you game mag editors on the board can clear this up for me, that would be great. Thanks! :D
Yeah, it’s based on the mag. All the titles you see in a masthead are usually subjective to the magazine. We have a departments editor who functions like a managing editor.
Typically, I think most publishers have a set pay rate for specific editorial titles, and the amount they feel yer worth is where you’re slotted.
But contributing editors are typically freelancers who do a lot of work, like a columnist, or someone who reviews each month. It can be an easy and free way to compensate a good writer who otherwise gets paid shit.
The PC Gamer Deputy Editor title is a hold-over from the original UK edition. Deputy Editor is the usual title for the #2 spot on most UK game mags. At least it was when I was still there.
And I’ve worked on mags where even Contributing Editor is just a glorified name for a freelance writer, even though they don’t actually edit anything.
