Getting Started as a Freelance Writer, Expanded Edition
This expanded edition goes beyond advice on making a living as a business writer to include the more creative forms of writing. There are new chapters on writing and selling poems, short stories, novels, and essays, plus a new section on cartooning. Existing chapters have been brought up to date. You learn to start, run, and build a freelance writing business doing whatever type of writing you prefer.
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This expanded edition goes beyond advice on making a living as a business writer to include the more creative forms of writing. There are new chapters on writing and selling poems, short stories, novels, and essays, plus a new section on cartooning. Existing chapters have been brought up to date. You learn to start, run, and build a freelance writing business doing whatever type of writing you prefer.
Acknowledgments xvIntroduction 1Do You Really Want to Be a Writer? 5Ten Secrets of Success 7The Sarton Syndrome 8The Question of Talent 14The Publishing Conundrum 15Money and the Working Writer 17Things You Need to Know and do Before You Start 21Money 22Logos, Letterhead, and Business Cards 23Recommended Computer Systems and Internet Connections 23Filing 25How to Do Online Research 26Reference Books You Should Own 27Organizations and Societies Worth Joining 27Publications 28Websites for Writers 29Setting Up Your Home Office 29Zoning 31Incorporation 31Taxes 32The Self-Confident Writer 33Does Moonlighting Become You? 33Can You Moonlight? 34Moonlighting Problems and How to Handle Them 36Overcoming Guilt 37Best Projects for Moonlighters 38Moonlighting Fundamentals 39Moonlighting Money 40Making the Transition from Moonlighting to Full-Time Freelancer 40Specialist Versus Generalist 41Money and the Freelance Writer 47Stop Haggling over Nickels and Dimes 48Negotiating Rules 50How to Set and Get the Fees You Deserve 51Getting Paid 53Start Saving Today 55Retirement and the Writer 58The Freelance Writer's Business Plan 61Creating Your Business Plan 61Tips for Working Moms and Dads Who Write at Home 68Entry-Level Assignments to Get You Started 71Local Newspapers 71Comic Books 72Cartoons 72Nonfiction Books 74Ghostwriting 75Copywriting 75Travel Writing 75Resume Writing 76Trade Publications 77Writing for Small-Press Magazines 88Three Ways to Crack New Markets 89Magazine Articles: The Writer's Bread and Butter 91Know Your Market 91How to Write Winning Query Letters 93Should You Enclose Clips with Your Query Letter? 97More Tips for Succeeding as a Magazine Writer 98Marketing and Self-Promotion for Writers 101Twenty Tips for Successful Self-Promotion 103How to Network Effectively with Editors, Prospects, and Fellow Writers 105Create a Bait Piece 107How to Get the Most Out of a Book Signing or Event 111More PR Tips for Writers 112Venues for Book Promotion 116Hiring Your Own Publicist 116Gaining Visibility in the Marketplace 117Big Bucks in Business Writing 119What to Charge Business Clients 120Finding Clients 121Writing Copy that Sells 124Tips for Beginners 126Choosing Your Market 127Moving Up From Rookie to Pro 128Working with Agents and Book Proposals 129Why Having an Agent Gives You an Edge 130Getting Your First Agent 130The Agent's Percentage 131Writing Your Book Proposal 132Building Your Website and Publishing Your Ezine 141Creating Your Website 142Seven Steps to Creating an Effective Freelance Writer's Website 143Promoting Yourself with an Online Newsletter 146Do You Need a Blog? 149Writing for the Internet and Multimedia 153Two Worst Online Writing Opportunities 154Five Most Lucrative Online Writing Assignments 156Getting Online Writing Assignments 162The Pot of Gold: Selling Your Own Information Products Online 164Maximizing Your Personal Productivity 169Make Personal Productivity a Business Priority 169Six Biggest Time Wasters for Writers 172Nine Ways to Increase Your Personal Productivity 173Energy and Environment 175Smart Writing 175Sell Smart 176Go High-Tech 179The Quality Curve 179More Productivity Tips 182Overcoming Writer's Block 184Awaken the Poet Inside You 187Does Writing Poetry Pay? 187Getting Ready to Write a Poem 188Attend Poetry Readings 190Tools You Need 190Are Poetry Contests a Crock? 191Submitting Your Poems 191Chapbooks 192Writing Short Fiction Harlan Ellison 195The Great American Novel 205Writing Your Novel 205Getting an Agent 206Finding a Publisher 209Promoting Your Novel 211Writing and Selling the Personal Essay 215Essay Basics 216Qualifications 216Coming Up with Essay Ideas 217Writing the Essay 220Essay Markets 221Marketing Your Essays 222Growing Your Business 225The Lottery Method 225The Business Method 226Conventional Writing Usually Does Not Pay 226Six Steps to Getting Clients 227How to Handle Dissatisfied Clients 228Hiring an Assistant: Can It Work for You? 231Where to Find Affordable Help 232How to Get Out of a Business Slump 233More Advice on Getting Out of Your Writing Slump 235Making Your Writing Dreams Come True 237Getting Published: The Self-Publishing Option 237Seven Steps to Becoming Rich and Successful as a Freelance Writer 240Parting Thoughts: 19 Tips for a Successful Freelance Career 243Notes 245AppendicesBooks 251Websites 253Software 257Organizations 259About the Author 263
