Writers just starting their careers will go through different methods to get their names out there. In this digital world, these methods have become more varied and sometimes, complicated.
Some writers start their own blogs, message businesses, join digital agencies, and find mentors. In this journey, you’ll occasionally encounter publications that want you to write on spec. But is working on a piece without a guarantee of publication or money worth the effort?
What is Writing On Spec?
Writing on spec (“on speculation”) or spec writing means doing work that you’re not sure will be bought. Or, in the case of employment, without the promise of acceptance.
You come up with the idea, do the writing, submit it, and gamble on the chance that someone will like it enough to pay or hire you.
This is a common method used by many businesses in the writing world. It’s not only limited to short-form and long-form articles but also novels, tv manuscripts, blogs, and other forms of writing.
Spec writing for fiction and non-fiction can be two entirely different processes. Fiction writing tends to have a more generalist approach as genres frequently overlap. Your story could easily be applied to multiple audiences.
Non-fiction has stricter guidelines as you typically write for a more specific audience. For example, if you do spec work for a company called Wax and Scents, you’ll be writing for candle enthusiasts. While you could make the content more generalized, it will still be mostly for a limited audience.
Why Publications Ask For Spec Work
Publications, businesses, and other markets ask for spec work from you because they don’t want to commit without seeing what you can do first. It’s the writer’s version of an audition.
This, of course, mostly happens for newbie writers who have yet to build a respectable portfolio and a reputation. Most veteran writers have already established themselves enough that it is the businesses who approach them for work rather than the other way around.
Pros and Cons of Writing On Spec
The writing community has mixed opinions about writing on spec. Some consider it worthwhile while others think it’s a waste of time. Take a look at a few pros and cons you should consider to help you decide which side of the debate you’re on.
Pros
- It’s a chance to build up your portfolio—Regardless of whether your piece is accepted or not, you now have a sample that could help you secure opportunities in the future. You could even rewrite it and submit it to a different publication.
- It’s a way to gain experience—Spec work helps you practice and showcase your skills. Even if a publication rejects your work, you still did the writing, and hopefully learned something from it. Some publications give feedback on rejected work, which is valuable for beginner writers.
- It’s an opportunity to expand your network—Writers, especially freelancers, benefit from a solid network of clients and fellow writers. Doing spec work with an established business can connect you with more people.
- Freedom of writing—Compared to assigned work, you often have little to no guidelines to follow when spec writing. This means you have full creative control over a piece, giving you the best chance to show your capabilities.
- You might get paid—If they like your work, they’ll pay for it. You might even get yourself a recurring gig. This is a significant step towards establishing yourself as a professional writer.
Cons
- Your work could be plagiarised or stolen—Without a contract, it’s easy for shady businesses to use your work without compensating you first. Exercise caution by documenting the whole process, which may give you a better chance to prove that you own a piece.
- Your time and effort might be wasted—Having no guarantee of payment or publication, there’s a chance you won’t get anything out of doing spec work.
- You might lose more money than what you’re earning—If your spec work isn’t accepted, that’s considered lost revenue. That work already costs you time and effort. Making up for the lost revenue will also cost you time and effort. If this keeps happening, what you earn might not even make up for the money you’ve lost.
- Your work might not be what a client is looking for—A big advantage of assigned work is that it has guidelines you follow to meet a client’s voice, style, and intent. Because spec work has none of that, what you write might stray too far from what they like.
When Should You NOT Write on Spec?
Don’t do spec work if a publication specifically asks you not to. Always check their submission guidelines and see what they prefer.
Look for phrases like “no finished pieces” or “send us a query about an idea of yours.” These two, and all their variations, are clear indications that a market isn’t looking for spec work. You’ll waste your time sending them full pieces as they’ll only ignore you. Do it repeatedly and you could get blacklisted.
Some markets do accept both pitches and spec work. Choose the one you think is best.
Is Spec Writing Worth It?
A writer who keeps getting rejected will call spec writing pointless. Another who earns consistently from it will tell you it is effective.
Judge the advantages and disadvantages of doing spec work and decide whether it’s something you’re okay with doing. Generally, do spec work if:
- You’re confident you can do a great job.
- You’re okay with not getting paid if your piece is rejected.
- You don’t have relevant samples for a publication you want to work with.
- You think you can reuse a rejected piece for another market.
Like in everything else, do research on the business you’re submitting to. Make sure they accept spec work and that the piece you’re working on is relevant to their audience.
You’ll find many horror stories about spec writing, but you’ll also find an equal amount of inspirational tales. Ultimately, its worth will lie in your personal experiences and rate of success. Do what you need to do to grow and survive, but be careful with the things you try doing.
Have you tried writing on spec? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
