Handbook For Freelance Writing [Paperback]

Michael Perry (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0844232564 | ISBN-13: 978-0844232560 | Publication Date: May 11, 1998 | Edition: 1

Running a successful freelance writing business requires an understanding of a host of critical details. This handbook looks at how to find markets, make contacts, get inside information, deliver work - and get paid promptly.'

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Wherever you see words," writes Michael Perry in his Handbook for Freelance Writing, "someone wrote them." That means that there's an awful lot of freelance writing work to go around. While many prospective freelancers disdain commercial writing, Perry is more realistic. "Hack writing," he says, "is the writer's equivalent of playing weddings." In other words, commercial writing is a great way to support your magazine writing, at least until the New Yorker comes calling. Perry has managed to cobble together a very successful freelance career from some small town in the middle of nowhere, and, he makes you believe, so can you. Here he shares much of what he has learned in the process, from ferreting out markets, writing query letters, and conducting interviews to placating sources and wooing and wowing editors. Perry doesn't offer much in the way of business advice, but hey--that's what accountants are for. --Jane Steinberg --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (May 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844232564
• ISBN-13: 978-0844232560
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,299,293 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Perry has written for numerous publications, including Esquire, the New York Times Magazine, Salon, and the Utne Reader. A contributing editor to Men's Health, he lives in northern Wisconsin with his family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magazine writing and a way to approach it., June 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Handbook For Freelance Writing (Paperback)

This book actually contains a fair amount of useful information. It is primarily aimed at individuals who are setting out to write magazine articles. So, if you have no interest in writing magazine articles, this is probably not the book for you.

In short, it essentially posits that one ought to approach magazine queries in the same manner that one would work a cross-word puzzle. i.e. Looking to multiple sources to max income on things.

The author's approach follows his interests, which are diverse with a sub-specialization, ie country music, medical, etc. The general tone is converational, and it is easy to read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I got a lot out of this book..., December 26, 2003

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Handbook For Freelance Writing (Paperback)

I finished up Handbook For Freelance Writing by Michael Perry over the last couple of days. If you're looking to start writing as a freelancer (magazine articles, stories, etc.), this is a good book to read. He writes in a very practical and amusing style, and you'll get quite a few tips on how to start structuring your efforts in this field. You'll learn the different types of freelance writing, what to expect during the process of seeking out assignments, how to make yourself easily acceptable to editors, and much more. If you've been doing freelancing for awhile, you may already know most of this. If you're just starting out like I am, then you'll benefit quite a bit from this read.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could have been better, November 9, 2000

By 

Jennifer Woodard (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook For Freelance Writing (Paperback)

I really would not recommend this book to others. It does not give enought information on how to make it as a freelance writer or how to make good money. I would recommend Robert Bly's book Secrets of a Freelance Writer : How to Make $85,000 a Year or How to Start a Home-Based Writing Business by Lucy Parker. I believe that these books give more actual information on how to get started, where to look for business and how to price your services. Bly's book is primarily about commercial writing but is worth buying whether you are doing magazine or commerical writing.