Customer Reviews

THE ACCIDENTAL MEDICAL WRITER: How We Became Successful Freelance Medical Writers. How You Can, Too.

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm giving this three stars because the authors do write well, and they do provide interesting information about their experiences as medical writers. I'm only giving it three stars because it's incomplete and frustrating. Basically I felt cheated. This isn't really a whole book. It's only part of a book. This section goes through the experiences of the two authors as they become medical writers. What it does NOT do is give any information on exactly what kind of writing a medical writer does, the formats involved, and most important, how to market yourself and get a job as a medical writer. This is the first book of a self-published series, and for further information on the field, the reader has to buy the next book in the series, and the one after that, and the one after that, all, I assume, for $16.95 each.

It would have been a much better project if the authors had created a full, complete book and divided it into three sections: the first section would consist of this book (possibly cut slightly, down to 100 pages), the second section would detail the kinds of writing a medical writer does, and the third section would go into the all important details on how to get a job as a medical writer. This would have been a much better, and more complete, project and might have stood an excellent chance of being picked up by a commercial publisher. I would happily have plunked down $19.95 or $22.95 for such a book.

But as I said, I felt cheated. Because of this and a few other self-published books I mistakenly bought, I've purged all self-published books from my wish list. And I am NOT going to buy the next in the authors' series of Accidental Medical Writer books. Or the next. Or the next. Or the next.

Written from a real insider's perspective, this book is encouraging yet realistic, with specific ideas and suggestions for getting started as a freelancer in the fast-growing field of medical writing. Cyndy and Brian, both successful medical writers, weave in their own experiences as they offer valuable tips, lessons learned, and mistakes to avoid. I particularly appreciated the detailed listing of resources in section 3, which includes books, websites, databases, and organizations that every medical writer should know about.

I don't know how you can be an "accidental" medical writer, but authors Cyndy Kryer and Brain Bass share with you their experiences landing in this unique field of work from very different backgrounds. Freelance medical writing is growing by leaps and bounds, so finding out the mistakes that others have made along the way will make your journey less bumpy and more enjoyable as you glean from the lessons that both Kryder and Bass have learned along the way.

When you're learning a new craft or career path, then it's beneficial to speak with those who have gone before you to gain a better grasp for what is to come. Reading this book is like having an apprentice relationship with the authors and finding out all their "secrets" in one-on-one conversations.

From firsthand stories of the challenges they faced entering this profession, the authors guide you by the hand to educate you on what it takes to be a medical writing genius! And don't miss the invaluable resources in the back of the book that anyone interested in this field won't be able to live without.

I enjoyed reading Cyndy and Brian's journey into freelance medical writing and am grateful for the advice they share. I appreciated the helpful hints, especially ones that are often overlooked and can make a difference when establishing a freelance business. In addition to the helpful hints, Cyndy and Brian include a resources section filled with books, Web sites, and organizations that are useful to medical writers. And like any good storyteller, they leave me looking forward to the future releases. If you are contemplating freelance work, then this book will help you get started.