For Sale -- How Much?

[Guardian]

Greetings Faithwriters:

Recently I got an offer to buy one of my poems. I'm so very naive. As this was my first request to buy, I had no idea what to charge. The request came from a fellow Faithwriter. I asked her to make me an offer, but she too was inexperienced of what to offer. I ended up extending it for free for 6 months. In turn, her daughter also wanted to use the poem and I found myself caught extending the same courtesy. So twice I might have gotten paid, but could not discern what was too much or too little. I figure in the next 6 months, the Lord will surely have answered me reguarding the value of my work. But until then, could I please get some general ideas?

Blessings,
Guardian

[JesusPuppy]

Laugh while telling them $100 or best offer.

Actually pricing for a single poem would be hard, depending on how it would be used. If they are just copying it for themselves, I would just give it away. (Just me there) If they were adding it to a book to be published... Add my name in there. (Again just me) If they had grand plans of doing a poster set up I would ask for the first copy.... just to make sure it looks good mind you.

But as I have given away more copies of my poetry books than I will ever sell... (Mainly cause I have never tried...yet) I would just just let them use it.

Unless of course they are willing to buy me a house ooff the sales of it.

[Verna]

The going rate in some Christian publishing companies is $10 or $15 for poem. That won't buy many groceries, but it's still exciting to get and see your name in print. The one I'm most familiar with is EVANGEL, a Free Methodist Sunday School paper. They pay more for longer articles.