Getting Started as a Freelance Writer (Culture Tools) [Paperback]

Robert W. Bly (Author)

Book Description

Series: Culture Tools | Publication Date: February 13, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In Getting Started As A Freelance Writer, professional writer Robert W. Bly draws upon more than twenty-five years of experience and expertise (he became a self-made millionaire while still in his thirties and is the author of more than one hundred articles and sixty books) offers aspiring writers and authors a comprehensive understanding of the highly competitive process of becoming a published freelance writer.

 

Introducing readers to a complete knowledge of where the work for writers is to be found, how to get paid assignments, the fine art of negotiating fees and contracts, how to turn out acceptable manuscripts, and how to insure getting paid, Getting Started As A Freelance Writer provides a concise exploration and complete knowledge of what freelance writing is all about.     -Midwest Book Review, June 29, 2009

 

An informed and informative resource for a sustainable progression into the world of profitable writing and freelance authorship, Getting Started As A Freelance Writer is very strongly recommended as a key "how to" reference for anyone at the beginning of their professional writing career.

 

About the Author

Bob Bly, age 49, has been a professional writer since 1979 and a full-time freelance writer since 1982. His annual gross income from freelance writing is more than $600,000, and he became a self-made multimillionaire while still in his 30s--solely from freelance writing (he has no trust fund and his wife is a full-time homemaker).

Bob is the author of more than 100 articles and 70 books, including The "I Hate Kathie Lee Gifford" Book (Kensington), The Ultimate Unauthorized Star Trek Quiz Book (HarperCollins), and Make Every Second Count (Thomas Nelson), a collection of his essays.

Mr. Bly's articles have appeared in such publications as Amtrak Express, Computer Decisions, Cosmopolitan, City Paper, Science Books & Films, The Money Paper, The Parent Paper, Successful Meetings, Bits & Pieces for Salespeople, New Jersey Monthly, and Writer's Digest. Bob writes regular columns in Early to Rise, DM News, Writer's Digest, Internet Marketing Review, and Subscription Marketing. His monthly ezine, The Direct Response Letter, reaches over 70,000 subscribers. Bob has been a featured speaker at writers' conferences nationwide.

Mr. Bly has held a number of writing-related jobs. He was a technical writer for Westinghouse Electric Corporation and a marketing communications manager for Koch Engineering. As a freelance copywriter, he has handled writing assignments for dozens of corporations, including AT&T, IBM, ITT, Value Line, Medical Economics, and Chemical Bank.

He has taught writing at New York University. Mr. Bly is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and serves on the board of the American Writers & Artists Institute.

Product Details

• Paperback: 255 pages
• Publisher: Sentient Publications; Expanded Edition edition (February 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591810698
• ISBN-13: 978-1591810698
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #740,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert W. Bly (River Vale, NJ) is a professional writer, speaker and marketing consultant with over 3 decades of experience in business-to-business, high-tech, and direct response marketing. He became a self-made multi-millionaire while still in his 30s. Bob is the author of seventy-seven published books including Careers for Writers (McGraw-Hill/VGM), Secrets of a Freelance Writer (Henry Holt), The Copywriter's Handbook (Henry Holt), The Elements of Technical Writing (Alyn & Bacon) and The Elements of Business Writing (Alyn & Bacon). McGraw-Hill calls Bob Bly "America's top copywriter," and he was named 2007 Copywriter of the Year by American Writers and Artists, Inc. Bob writes regular columns for Target Marketing, a monthly trade publication covering the direct marketing industry; Early to Rise, a daily e-newsletter on business success; and The Writer, a premier monthly magazine providing information and inspiration for writers. The Direct Response Letter, Bob Bly's free e-newsletter, has over 60,000 subscribers.

Check out Bob's blog at http://bly.com/blog or contact him at www.bly.com/contact

Follow Bob:

E-newsletter: www.bly.com/reports
Twitter, http://twitter.com/Robertbly
LinkedIn, http://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbly
Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Bly/535042603

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Overdelivers--It is Much More Than "Getting Started", November 6, 2008

By 

W. Terry Whalin "Publisher/ Editor / Writer" (Scottsdale, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Getting Started as a Freelance Writer (Culture Tools) (Paperback)

Many people want to know how to begin the journey of a freelance writer. To learn a new skill like freelancing, you are wise to follow someone who has "been there." Bob Bly writes with authority and wisdom about the details of a freelance writing career.

Whether you are just starting out or have been in the writing business for a long time, you can gain vast insight from this book. The book covers the details of so many issues which concern writers like how to get properly compensated, how to concentrate on the main thing you want to do (write), how to run your writing career as a business (and all of the details), what are the range of possibilities for your writing and how do you grow your business.

In the introduction, Bob points out a key distinction of this book: "One thing that makes this book different from other "how to become a freelance writer" books on the market is the experience and financial success of the author." (page 2)

The information in Chapter 13: Maximizing Your Personal Productivity" is worth the cost of this entire book. Bob gives six keys (and the explanation in the book): Don't do everything yourself, don't shy away from the Internet, don't become addicted to Internet chat, don't get up, don't go out, and don't undervalue your time." (page 170-171)

GETTING STARTED AS A FREELANCE WRITER is packed with useful information for every writer--beginning or professional. I highly recommend you get this title and study every chapter.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now in a newly revised and significantly expanded edition, May 16, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Getting Started as a Freelance Writer (Culture Tools) (Paperback)

The nice things about being a freelance writer include being your own boss, setting your own hours, picking out your own subject matter, seeing your name in print, and basically being in charge of what, when, where, why, and how you make money from your writing. The not-so-nice aspects of freelance writing include the massive competition you face when trying to solicit business, sell your work, and manage the business aspects of your do-it-yourself career. Now in a newly revised and significantly expanded edition, "Getting Started As A Freelance Writer" by Robert W. Bly (himself a professional writer with an average annual income of more than $600,00) who draws upon his more than 25 years of experience and expertise is an ideal instruction manual for anyone who aspires to a successful and profitable career as a freelance writer. Bly provides pertinent and reliable advice and instruction covering every aspect of freelance writing including where to find work, how to obtain paying assignments, how to negotiate fees and contracts to best effect, turning out saleable manuscripts, getting paid on time and in full, and so much more. Of special note and value are Bly's comments on getting started and avoiding common mistakes, writing and selling poetry, as well as the commercial sale of short stories, novels, and essays. "Getting Started As A Freelance Writer" is an ideal and invaluable 'how to' manual that should be considered mandatory reading for anyone who seeks to earn their living (full-time or part-time) through their writing.

8 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not enough Info., June 14, 2008

By 

Merrifield Winters (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Getting Started as a Freelance Writer (Culture Tools) (Paperback)

This book is perhaps the best book on writing freelance articles I have ever seen. The job of a freelance writer is treated with respect and realism. The text is well-written, concise and organized. On the other hand, since Bly has limited himself to a 154-page book, his coverage of the career suffers from a lack of detail in some areas.

Bly explains that he expanded the book by including a section for fiction writers and poets. This is unrealistic in a book that focuses mainly on the career of direct mailing.

Despite the ever repeating references to his $100,000 a year earnings, he manages to stay on the straight and narrow by playing with subject of the "pyramid scheme."

If it hadn't been the almost overbearing focus on money, I would have accepted it more. As it happens, though, this book is excellent and it serves the purpose of desiring to read more of Bly's other resources and book.

Every writer of all shapes, sizes and proclivities should own this book. Buy it today, if you can.