Scott Carney’s WordRates to launch on Monday

Last spring we told you about the Kickstarter for WordRates, a website aimed at improving rates and working conditions for freelance writers. Since his successful Kickstarter ended, Colorado-based writer Scott Carney has been working with developers to bring WordRates to life. Last week he announced that the site will launch at 8 a.m. this coming Monday, October 19th.

Carney launched the project in response to the stripping of valuable rights from freelance contracts at major magazines. He envisioned WordRates as a way to put some power back in the hands of writers.

His site has a dual purpose. The WordRates side will serve as “a Yelp! for journalists,” giving freelancers the opportunity to post information about their experiences with various publishers, including word rates and information about editors. The PitchLab side of the operation will act as a literary agency, pairing writers with mentors to workshop ideas and shop them to top magazines in exchange for a 15% commission.

Last week, Carney revealed the identities of some of his mentors – award-winning writers from The New York Times Magazine, New Yorker, Vanity Fair and Wired including Trevor Aaronson, Vince Beiser, Erin Biba, Charles Graeber, Jonathan Green, Jon Lackman, Robert Levine, Jason Miklian, Luke O’Brien, Neal Pollack, Paul Tullis and Joel Warner.

Contently ran an interview with Carney last week that explores some of the plans for PitchLab. Although the site intends to represent only the very best story pitches they’re sent, Carney hopes that WordRates will have a wider impact. His ultimate aim is to push all writers to be more aware of their value to the businesses that profit from their work.

That’s a goal we can definitely get behind. Check out Carney’s creation next week at Wordrates.com.