Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers [Perfect Paperback]

Brigitte A. Thompson (Author), Chelsea Baxter (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2009

This book addresses issues writers face daily such as how to deduct travel expenses, determine taxable writing income, and claim home office deductions. Navigating through the recordkeeping required for a small business owner can be difficult. This book is written exclusively for those of us who earn money by writing. It includes useful information to help interpret the complexities of our federal tax code and proven techniques to reduce taxable income. Throughout the book we have included tips from both new and seasoned writers. In the Tips for Success feature writers share the wisdom they have acquired over time. In the Writer s Block feature you will discover specific questions writers have submitted which, when answered, help clarify points made about that topic. You will also find that each part of this book works together to assist you in forming your overall business plan. Each chapter steps through a comprehensive plan that works as a building block towards a successful writing business.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Writers everywhere will be so happy to find this book! I am a writer, not a bookkeeper, but bookkeeping is a big part of being a writer. Unfortunately, many writers do not have bookkeeping or business skills. This book can help you tremendously with forming your business, setting up what you need to do legally, choosing a name, and documenting your income for the IRS. The forms included in this book are invaluable and make the process much easier and stremlined, including a freelance contract and subcontractor agreement. Save yourself much time and aggravation and use this book and the forms included to begin your successful writing career today! ----Michelle Dunn, columnist and author of eight books in the collecting money series

A practical manual that covers far more than its title not just bookkeeping but many other business aspects of running a freelance writing business in the U.S. I had to find all this out from trial and error this book will give you a great head start. ----Shel Horowitz, author of Grassroots Marketing for Authors and Publishers

Becoming a freelance writer is really exciting, and it can be easy to get caught up in getting your business off the ground. But many creative types do their bookkeeping basics on the fly, or not at all. Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers explains how to track your expenses, file for taxes, and organize your business in an easy-to-understand way. More importantly, it helps freelancers understand that keeping the financial aspect of their business organized is just as critical to success as that first big article published in a national magazine. ----Amy Forstadt, Freelance Communications and Marketing Specialist

About the Author

Brigitte A. Thompson is the President of Datamaster Accounting Services, LLC and author of numerous recordkeeping and tax books. She has been active in the field of accounting since 1986 and is a member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers and Vermont Tax Practitioners Association. Thompson is also a freelance writer whose articles have appeared nationally in print and online publications. Her new blog, Writers In Business, has become a popular page for writers throughout the United States. You can visit at WritersInBusiness.blogspot.com

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 93 pages
• Publisher: Crystal Press; First edition (June 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963212389
• ISBN-13: 978-0963212382
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,114,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brigitte A. Thompson is the President of Datamaster Accounting Services, LLC in Vermont. She is the author of several recordkeeping and tax books, and is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared nationally in print and online publications.

Brigitte is a member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, Women Business Owners Network and the Vermont Tax Practitioners Association. She has been in the field of accounting & taxes since 1986. Brigite also teaches workshops on recordkeeping.

Her next book, Bookkeeping Basics for Home Daycare Providers, will be released in 2011.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolute Must for Professional Writers July 9, 2009

By Kate Clabough

Format:Perfect Paperback

I have been freelancing for more than a dozen years and wish Ms. Thompson would have written this book sooner. Her bookkeeping tips and advice are invaluable to anyone writing professionally. She almost makes it seem easy for this mathmatically challenged writer.
Since this book is written for a specific target - writers - ALL of the information is relevant and useful for those in this chosen profession. The book covers everything from figuring out what travel expenses are deductible, to determining taxable writing income and knowing how to claim home office deductions plus so much more. "Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers" needs to be on every writer's shelf right next to "Writer's Market" as a must have resource for writing success.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Become a Successful Writer with this Book July 7, 2009

By Michelle Dunn VINE™ VOICE

Format:Perfect Paperback

Writer's think about their writing or getting writing jobs so they have something to write about. They don't think about taxes or expenses or billing and getting paid, until it's unavoidable and they have to deal with it. Most writer's don't have bookkeeping experience, so what do they do?
They pull out their well worn copy of Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers by Brigitte Thompson and let out a sigh of relief.
Thompson shares her expertise, knowledge and skills with you, the writer on how you can choose a business name for your writing business, deal with your income, track your income, how to deal with business deductions, expenses of all kinds, home office deductions and setting up a realistic and BASIC (it's in the title!) business entity and everything that goes along with it. She also includes a chapter of blank forms you can use that make it SO easy.
You can be a freelance writer without this book but in my opinion you can be a much more successful freelance writer with this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for Writers July 2, 2009

By Brette Sember

Format:Perfect Paperback

This comprehensive book tells writers everything they need to know about business types (such as an S-corp or sole proprietorship), tracking income, maximizing business expense deductions, understanding home business deductions, and the tricky entertainment and travel deductions. In addition to all the very accessible information, the author includes pages and pages of forms, checklists, and lists that make it easy to get organized. The advice is straightforward and clear. Anyone who makes any money as a writer needs this excellent, first class business guide.