Why I Won’t Charge for Most of My Writing By James Love

 Why I Won’t Charge for Most of My Writing

The Case for Free, Accessible Writing in a Paywalled World

By James Love

I studied creative writing and worked at the writing center of a small college known for its nationally recognized MFA program. I wasn’t enrolled in the MFA, but I still learned the craft. And it changed my life.

Writing—especially writing well—has brought deep joy into my life.

There’s something magical about crafting sentences and stories that make people pause, think, laugh, or feel seen. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have.

Like many writers, I once dreamed of making a living from it. The internet offered shiny tools like Patreon and Substack—platforms promising income in exchange for your words. So why wouldn’t anyone want to charge for their writing?

That’s the question I had to wrestle with. And here’s the conclusion I came to:

I’m not going to charge for the bulk of my writing.

Will I monetize certain projects or offer premium content in the future? Possibly.

But the core content—the writing that teaches, inspires, and reflects life—will remain free. And here are the two biggest reasons why.

1. Good Information Shouldn’t Be Locked Away

Too many people today are forced to jump through paywalls, subscriptions, and complex platforms just to find helpful insights or encouragement.

I don’t want to be part of that system.

I want someone who needs hope, perspective, or just a better way to think about something to be able to find my work easily—and benefit from it without needing a credit card.

2. Simplicity and Direct Access Matter

Putting writing behind platforms, paywalls, and complex systems makes it harder for people to simply read. If I post something on my own website or blog, you can find it. You don’t need an account. You don’t need an app.

It’s just there—the way writing should be.

Key Takeaways:

• Accessible writing helps more people—especially those who can’t afford paid subscriptions.
  
  
• Keeping writing easy to access removes barriers and honors the reader’s time.
  
  
• Some writing can be monetized, but not all writing should be.
  
  
• Free writing builds trust, transparency, and community.