A stringer is a freelance writer who is paid per work published and is not considered an employee. The term originated from measuring the length of a writer’s work with a string. Stringers are used to fill in gaps in publications and cover stories that staff writers cannot. They can also be a starting point for new writers to gain experience and clips for future opportunities.
A stringer is a person who writes for a publication on a freelance basis. Although a stringer earns money for his writing, he is not considered an employee and does not receive a regular salary. Instead, a stringer is considered an independent contractor and receives payment for each work published. Often, stringers are used by news agencies, tackling projects for the television and print news industries.
The term “stringer: can be traced back to a time when freelance journalists were paid per column inch.” Instead of receiving a fixed fee for each story written, a stringer would use a piece of string to measure the amount of space in the newspaper his writing took up. He would then supply the newspaper with his rope, cut to the appropriate length. The newspaper would make a crossbeam payment based on the length of its string.
Today, newspaper sleepers are still used for a variety of reasons. One reason a publisher might use a crossbar is to fill in the extra space in the newspaper. For example, if a regular reporter doesn’t deliver an article on time, the newspaper is stuck with a blank to fill. Similarly, ad buyers can cancel at the last minute, leaving newspaper publishers to find something else to fill their spots. A stringer is helpful in such situations, providing publishers with copy to compile the paper before the deadline.
An editor may also hire a contributor to cover stories that staff reporters are unable to write. Time constraints and news coverage priorities often make it difficult for staff writers to cover every interesting or newsworthy story. In such a case, an editor can call in a collaborator to cover a particular story while leaving the staff writers free to take on other assignments. Additionally, sleepers are often used to fill the gaps left by newspapers that move on to other opportunities, as many newspapers experience a high turnover rate.
Often, publishers are willing to hire less experienced writers as stringers. As such, a new female writer may be able to set foot in the writing industry as a sleeper. In addition to the personal satisfaction of seeing her work in print, the writer can acquire clips that can be useful in securing other writing opportunities. With time, persistence, and hard work, a sleeper can even leverage her freelance work into a full-time position as a staff writer.
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