If you're on a contract at 'The New Yorker,' the contract…
“If you're on a contract at 'The New Yorker,' the contract specifies the number of words you will publish in the magazine per year. I get paid by the word, like most writers. That's one reason why the Scientology article was 25,000 words long!”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Writers are often paid per word, which can incentivize longer articles regardless of content quality.
In simple terms: Payment per word can inflate article length.
Key Takeaway
Consider quality over quantity.
Themes
journalism
economics
ethics
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- magazine writing
- contract negotiations
Key Concepts
incentive structures
media economics
Questions to Reflect On
- Does word count affect your writing style?
- How can integrity be maintained under such incentives?