Customer Reviews

Freelance writing for magazines and newspapers: Breaking in without selling out

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Marcia Yudkin is a writer/journalist with integrity and this virtue permeates her book. Unlike countless other writing books that promise the moon but but deliver the doldrums, Yudkin's advice is sound, practical and relevant. The subtitle -Breaking In Without Selling Out- summarizes the theme of her book. Her chapter on Informational Interviewing is timeless. After numerous articles and interviews, some good, some bad, some disastrous, I read her chapter on interviewing and found a kindred heart. Many of her experiences and observations are the same as my own. One example of this: "You can often trace mistakes in articles based on interviews to a reporter's failure to ask for clarifications." As true a statement as ever made about the need for clarity in interviewing. In chapter six - Constructing an Article - Yudkin resists the temptation of so many writing teachers who o-v-e-r t-e-a-c-h, who don't allow room for growth and a writer's own discoveries. She states, "... the general structure for magazine and most newspaper features run like this: lead-backgroud-development-close. She discusses each aspect, but doesn't overwhelm with opinion nor irrelevant information. Several other chapters: Productive Work Habits, Building Momentum, and Succeeding As A Writer are well written and provide timely advice. I have read countless books on magazine and newspaper article writing, and none of them, including those weighty volumes with 200-300 pages are more practical than Yudkin's Work. For new, aspiring non fiction writers, I recommend putting it next to your copy of The Elements of Style, your dictionary, and thesaurus.

If you're serious about free-lance writing, you can profit from this book. I left a trail of yellow highlighter all through it. Written in crisp, lively style-like the work you'll want to sell-it's filled with practical examples and inside details on how to write, how to sell what you write, and how to get paid for it. Ms. Yudkin is helpful and encouraging, yet honest about writers' headaches and prospects. You'll learn about query letters; constructing an article; contract details like first serial rights, second serial rights, one-time rates, kill fees, and more; dealing with editors; style and voice; even managing your time. Yudkin's twelve-page "annotated list of resources" points readers to books, magazines, and annual guides that expand on her topics.

It's hard to find books on freelancing that offer solid advice but don't promise you the world. In the early 70s, after graduating journalism school, I freelanced overseas in India, Bangladesh and Spain for newspapers and magazines and learned about "the realities" first hand. Yes, I did write for some newspapers (Chicago Daily News, Christian Science Monitor and various other publications) and even did some contributions to National Public Radio (All Things Considered) from Madrid. (Then I dashed it all in 1990 to become a fulltime ventriloquist....but that's another story!)

I wish I had read THIS first!

True, this book is NOT a primer for that kind of freelancing (which may not be possible now anyway given the shrinking "news hole" for foreign stories in the American media). This book is geared, as the cover states, "for educated people whose primary motivation for trying to get into print is the wish to effectively communicate their ideas, skills and discoveries in appropriate publications." But there's a wealth of helpful stuff crammed into this tightly-written book.

Marcia Yudkin uses personal examples and anecdotes where she feels it's necessary and offers sound, solid, advice on not only the nuts and bolts of becoming a successful freelance but setting yourself up as a business -- and doing it with integrity. The words "journalism" and "integrity" are not always linked these days...so her approach is to lift the craft and develop the craftsmanship.

Even if you don't totally like her approach, she includes a list of annotated resources for freelance writers that's worth the cost of this book. Many of these resources are additional how-to magazines and books. So her book is the perfect starting point since it'll get you off and running and guide you quickly to places where you can learn more.

The basics on query letters, targeting an audience, interviewing are all there...but I especially liked her chapters on the importance of revision and maintaining integrity. Integrity: What a refreshing concept these days! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

(From a rural Illinois reader and writer) The nice thing that Marcia emphasizes is keeping your integrity as you write. She shows you how to find markets and work them in keeping with your preferences and values -- while creating a piece that sells. Probably one of the strongest chapters is on how to revise your way to a sale. The editor's not condemning your writing, but instead giving you another opportunity to get what you're both after -- a publishable article and a paycheck.

I just had to say thank you for this book. I bought it a while back as I wanted to be educated about selling some of my work. Well, it just paid for itself. Without the knowledge of *rights* and *pay* models, I would have probably given away the farm and never gotten paid!

Marcia Yudkin has a great style and many useful hints, but much has changed in the few years since this book came out. I hope she will put out a new edition that takes into account the internet's effect on the way people do research.

I too got tangled up in the personal stories and anecdotes while reading. Was looking for practical useful information, and had to wade through to find it. There IS useful information, you just have to read to find what you are looking for.

I did however find the information on copywriting and taxes very useful, and marked those pages for to more easily locate the information later, when I need it.

A published freelancer for over a year now, I found Yudkin's book to be the best one that I have read on non-fiction freelance writing. I feel that her advice is timeless and very applicable to the markets out there for the freelance writer today.
The advice she gives is helpful for both the beginner and the more experienced writer, and it is presented in a very clear, specific manner.
If a person could only buy one book on freelancing--this should be it.

I picked up this book to find out if I wanted to try freelance writing. It is clearly written, practical, detailed. The tone is cheerful. The writer does not promise that freelance writing is as easy as interviewing your grandmother, but she does give you a concrete idea as to how to go about it. Her information on dealing with publishers and money is particularly good.

Yudkin's book is not what I expected, but helpful all the same. I bought the book expecting to find a treasure of up-to-date gems of advice. Instead, it lends itself more to the craft and the pride in being a writer. I would not consider this a resource book, but rather a wonderful pool of writing inspiration and validation. Well worth a spot on any freelancer's bookshelf.