Customer Reviews

How to Become a Fulltime Freelance Writer: A Practical Guide to Setting Up a Successful Writing Business at Home

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

 

 

Mr. Banks has produced a fine how-to guide for anyone interested in the field of freelance writing. As with most books of this genre, he gives an honest, forthright evaluation of both the possibilities and the pitfalls of striking out on your own as a freelance writer.

The book deals with subjects such as finances for writers, dealing with the day-to-day routine of writing, and even has hints about what to do if your writing career doesn't go as far or as fast you'd like.

Although he does touch on other ways for a writer to pull in income, this book deals mainly with writing for publication. Writing for business is only mentioned as an additional way to make money but does not go into much detail as to how to get started in business/commercial writing.

Since commercial writing (writing for business and industry) is where the money is, and if you don't mind writing things that don't give you a byline, you may want to consider the "classics" on freelance writing by Bly or Bowerman in addition to or instead of this book.

However, this book is another fine introduction to the sometimes-difficult field of freeelance writing and you will benefit from it should you decide to buy it.

Contrary to what the title would have you believe, Banks's book is perfect for the experienced writer who is contemplating a jump to fulltime freelancing, as well as for the new writer who would like to explore the idea of taking the first steps toward a freelance career. Spot-on advice also abounds for the fiction and non-fiction writer alike.

I found Banks's book easy to understand, thorough, and a delight to read from cover to cover. From his advice on marketing to writer's block to financial management and more, Banks speaks to the reader in enthusiastic yet well measured tones.

Frankly, most writing career books leave me quaking in my boots. They seem to sneer, "How dare you, a mere mortal, presume to write for a living without first draining the blood from your body and climbing Mount Everest sans sub-zero parka?" Instead, Banks's refreshing style left me objective rather than dejected about my options as a writer.

Thank you, Michael Banks, for a well researched, well written, and thoroughly enjoyable book!

I thought this book was loaded with good information. Michael is realistic about the ups and downs of being a freelance writer. I only gave it 4 stars b/c I was under the impression that it would give more information on "how to break into the business" and start from the beginning. Micheal writes more about going from a part-time to a full-timer writer. I will definetly be going back to this book and using it for a reference when I get to that point. I am now reading "Starting your career as a Freelance writer" by Moira Anderson Allen. This is the book you need if you are a beginner. I am finding it very helpful and full of information for the beginner.

How to Become a Fulltime Freelance Writer is an excellent resource to have in your collection if you dabble in writing. The book is geared towards people looking to transition from moonlighting into full-fledged freelancers, but there's plenty of advice that beginners can use as well.

This is the first book I've read on becoming a freelance writer that talked about the business of writing. I've read over a half dozen books on freelancing so far, and Michael A. Banks covers topics in detail that I rarely see in other titles such as tips on staying organized, financial planning, and filing taxes.

Banks gives readers pragmatic advice to chew on in virtually every chapter. I can appreciate that Banks doesn't sugarcoat what being a freelancer means, but there are some areas where he seems a bit too cynical. Regardless, this book contains more than enough valuable information to warrant its purchase.

How To Become A Fulltime Freelance Writer: A Practical Guide To Setting Up A Writing Business At Home by professional author Michael A. Banks is a straightforward and practical guide to earning a living by writing full-time. Individual chapters address the skills and character traits necessary to supporting oneself through writing, financial planning for writers, relationships with agents and editors, sources of extra income, and much, much more in this well-thought-out compendium that should be required reading for all aspiring writers who hope to establish themselves professionally.

This book is fine if you like innane ego-stroking but that's about it. There is no concrete information about how to actually get started in the business. This might be suitable for a freshman Writing 101 class but not for someone seriously wanting to know how to start making a living off their writing. Fluff, fluff, and more fluff.

Not recommended.