Susan, that's awesome! Let's hope it's something that can become a regular source of income. If anything, it's more to add to your resume (or whatever you call a body of written works, my brain, she be dead this morning.)

um, that's a clipfile. Or some people say "portfolio".

Ah, thank you, erika. Somehow, I thought of portfolio as just for graphic artists (my aunt is a painter.) I am too literal upon occassion and must needs put things into very small and rigid definitions.

Most people say "clipfile" Published articles are clips. As in "Erika found it much easier to sell her work once she had recent clips."

Or as in, "Kristin bemoaned the fact that she never managed to submit her work and so was completely clipless."

Or clueless. Your pick.

Most people say "clipfile"

Neat. I'm really getting more of an education hanging out here. Thanks!

Kristin, never admit to being clipless. It's Not Done. When you want to sell your work, explain in your query the oodles of experience you have teaching English and why that makes you the perfect choice. For instance.

Oh don't worry. I admit nothing. I'm just being sardonic about myself.

ETA: And I guess it isn't entirely true; I have been published, just not in years and not in anywhere particularily exciting.

That's a good choice, too. Pretty much my default, actually.

Oh, the clip would be great to have. I'd finally have something written this century not in a religious publication or in the newsletter of the college I worked for until last year. And while I have no problem writing for religious publications as long as they're either reasonably neutral politically or have politics close to mine, that limits the market a bit in the present climate. Also, let's face it--the kind of fiction I write is seen as sinful by a substantial minority of my co-religionists, so that market might dry up on me if and when I'm published. So I don't want to get stuck in a niche. Also, it'd be a travel clip. Not a bad thing to have if I ever want to try for a travel article in a print market.

But the part that really makes me happy is the money. Since going freelance I've developed an Anya-like attitude toward the stuff. Something about actually knowing that the money for Necessity X came from Project Y makes it a lot more personal than when it magically showed up in my account on the 10th and 25th of every month as long as I put in my time in the office.