- Reaction score
- -717
- Location
- Concealed Within Each Of You
So, back in 2012, I self-published a nonfiction book, sort of a 'guide' to vaping for smokers looking to quit.
Did pretty modestly, so I figured I'd amplify the exposure by providing free copies to a couple online "magazines" covering the topic. Reviews were great, and then -- a thing I did not expect: They hired me on as a staff writer. Cool.
So from 2012 to 2019, I made a few extra Benjamins a month reviewing vaping products, providing commentary on the regulatory landscape surrounding the industry, etc.
Then, in 2019, the FDA, pushed by the Pharmaceutical industry and "public health" NGOs, shat all over the industry. Now, these "magazines" weren't making their revenue via subscriptions; they were making money by selling advertising space. Industry gets shat on, advertising dollars dry up, which for we staff writers at Vape News Magazine and Canadian Vapor Magazine (for the latter, I was the only staff writer) left us high and dry with unpaid invoices. Canadian Vapor left me holding an invoice for $140, Vape News for $750.
So when it comes to dealing with online "publishers" again, I'm a bit leery these days.
Did pretty modestly, so I figured I'd amplify the exposure by providing free copies to a couple online "magazines" covering the topic. Reviews were great, and then -- a thing I did not expect: They hired me on as a staff writer. Cool.
So from 2012 to 2019, I made a few extra Benjamins a month reviewing vaping products, providing commentary on the regulatory landscape surrounding the industry, etc.
Then, in 2019, the FDA, pushed by the Pharmaceutical industry and "public health" NGOs, shat all over the industry. Now, these "magazines" weren't making their revenue via subscriptions; they were making money by selling advertising space. Industry gets shat on, advertising dollars dry up, which for we staff writers at Vape News Magazine and Canadian Vapor Magazine (for the latter, I was the only staff writer) left us high and dry with unpaid invoices. Canadian Vapor left me holding an invoice for $140, Vape News for $750.
So when it comes to dealing with online "publishers" again, I'm a bit leery these days.
