Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs [Paperback]

Kristen Fischer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kristen Fischer is a freelance writer living at the Jersey Shore with her husband, Tim, and her cat, Bobbie. Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs is her first book. To learn more about her, visit www.kristenfischer.com.

For more creative self-employment resources, visit www.creativelyselfemployed.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (January 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595421547
• ISBN-13: 978-0595421541
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #577,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kristen Fischer is a copywriter, journalist and author living at the Jersey Shore. She enjoys working out, reading, spending time with her family (including her two cats), and drinking just about anything on the Starbucks menu. Find out more about her at www.kristenfischer.com. To read her book blogs, visit www.ramenrentresumes.com and www.creativelyselfemployed.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars no you're not alone, February 28, 2007

By 

Claudine Hellmuth "Author of Collage Discover... (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs (Paperback)

As a self employed creative person often time you feel all alone in the world struggling with your business. This book is a wonderful reminder that you are not alone! My favorite parts are the interviews, while reading I find myself nodding my head again and again agreeing with what they have to say. I think this book is a must-have for any creative business person!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book for us....., August 2, 2007

By 

Mediterranean artist (Virginia Beach, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs (Paperback)

I found that this book was written with creatives in mind,
and rightfully so. It gives you a humorous and insightful way of looking
at the perspective, pitfalls, and challenges faced by creative types. I
like the way Fischer writes in an upbeat instructive way, not at all
didactic and monotone, like so many other marketing books out there. I
also was surprised by the affirmations for creatives and much of what
she says about those of us whose choice it is to work from home. When I
am struggling with the "what's next" mode, I definitely plan to reach
for this book for a reaffirmation of "what I do." I thought that the
only thing that needed improvement was the cover design. On the outside,
it appears as mundane and uninteresting. I hope that this doesn't deter
other readers from looking beyond the cover. Thanks, Kristen, for saying
the things that most of us struggling creatives are also thinking!
I am thinking about putting CSE following my name on a business card.
I should think that if others can claim M. E.'s and M. D.'s , why can't
we? It would serve as a validation as well as an attention-getter for
a public that tends to remain close-minded about this career choice.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Realistic insights about work & life as freelancer, December 29, 2008

By 

Janice King "Author, "Copywriting That Se... (www.writinghightech.com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs (Paperback)

If you are dreaming of self-employment as a writer or artist, this book will give you realistic insights about the repeated struggles involved, from making money to loneliness to discipline to dry spells. If you are already established as a freelance creative, you will find reassurance that you're not alone in going through these common ups and downs. And all readers will find a celebration of the freedoms and joys that come with a freelance life, which can quickly become taken for granted.

What detracts from the book is the author's intrusive voice -- sometimes too gushy and confessional, sometimes too full of rosy naivete, reflecting her lack of experience as a freelance writer and an author. The book also didn't receive a professional proofread or copy edit and the errors become increasingly annoying as you read through the chapters.

And don't look for much practical advice here; what is given is minimal and commonly known.

Instead, take encouragement and lessons from the words of others who are determined to live and work creatively. The stories and words of wisdom from the writers and artists interviewed for this book make it worth reading.