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In the introduction section of her book, Jenna
Glatzer claims on page two that "by the time you finish this book, you should be
ready to compete with established writers."
I completely disagree.
Why? Because if you apply her simple, timely
and insightful advice to your own freelance career, you'll not only be ready to
compete with established writers, you'll be well on your way to becoming
an established writer.
Already freelancing? Don’t make the mistake of
thinking this book is for new writers. As a fiction writer-turned-freelancer
with more ideas for articles than the day has minutes, Chapter 2, Generating
Ideas (and the Topic Worksheet activity in that chapter) had ideas--salable
ideas at that--multiplying like proverbial rabbits in my mind.
But what to do with all those ideas? Markets,
of course. Packed into the pages of Chapter 3, Finding Markets, worth the price
of the book alone, you'll find information on websites, market listings, weekly
ezines and other resources full of writer's guidelines. If you can't find a
market for your ideas here, it might not exist (yet, anyway).
When you find the market you want to write
for, Chapter 4 gives you the real scoop on how to study a market to discover
what sets it apart from the others. Once you've uncovered the secrets of the
publication, you'll want to visit Chapter 8 on queries. Of all the freelance
query advice I've read over the years, Glatzer's examples and suggestions are
ones I use most frequently and with the most success. Not only does she show
what attracts editors, she gives you examples of what you shouldn’t include.
After the query, hopefully, comes the sale,
(Chapter 11), the issue of reprints (Chapter 9), interviewing sources (Chapter
12), working with your editor to become a favorite writer (Chapters 13 & 14),
and payments (Chapter 15). The book wraps up with an appendix of Glatzer's own
queries that ultimately led to assignments.
Whether you've been freelancing since the days
of typewriter ribbon or are considering using your knowledge to expand your
writing repertoire, Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer gives you the
guidance, advice and insider secrets to take your writing career to the next
level.
About the
author: Beth Morrow is a freelancer
who never tires of hearing the inside secrets from other successful writers. Her
latest article on using authentic dialogue to create dynamic characters, can be
found in the October 2006 Romance Writers Report. You can find her writing blog
at www.bethmorrow.com.
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