How the Internet Has Affected the Writing Community

As is true with most things, the Internet has impacted the writing community in both good and bad ways. Let's take a look at both the good and the bad that has come about through the explosion of online publishing.

Pros of Online Publishing

1. The Internet creates a level playing field for writers. Although titles and degrees may help land certain writing gigs, most writers, even without credentials, can publish their work online. This gives all writers a chance to be heard.

2. Writing is immediately or very quickly published. No longer does a writer have to wait months or even years for their work to be published. Online publishing provides immediate gratification.

3. The Internet provides a good amount of exposure for new and experienced writers alike. Having work published anywhere, including online, may lead to more work, speaking engagements, and so on down the road.

4. Even beginning writers have an opportunity to be paid for their work. While the pay scale may be lower than it is in print magazines, it is a start, and a dream come true for many writers. Many sites provide ongoing pay, based on page views, for work submitted. Over time, this can result in a steady stream of income, even if a writer takes some time off from writing.

5. There are seemingly an unlimited number of places where work can be published online. This provides hardworking writers with the opportunity to publish a much higher volume of work.

6. Many online sites provide not only a place for writers to publish their work, they also provide a great deal of community. Internet writing has given many writers a social outlet with other like-minded people. Rather than feeling alone, many writers feel connected as a result of online publishing.

Cons of Online Publishing

1. Many people think they can write, but really can't. In spite of their lack of writing ability, they may find it easy to be published on the Internet. This leads to a lot of poor quality writing on the Internet that would never end up in a printed magazine. The poor quality writing of others impacts even good writers, who may not want their work on sites where much of the writing is subpar.