If you've always dreamed of making a living as a writer, this book will take you where you want to go. Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer, Second Edition, demystifies the process of becoming a writer and gives aspiring writers all the tools they need to become successful freelance writers, get their names in print, and start earning a healthy income from writing. Completely revised and updated, the second edition includes an entirely new section on the "online writer," discussing how to set up your own website, whether you need a blog, how to effectively participate in social networking sites, and information on electronic publishing, POD and more. New chapters provide guidance on writing for international markets and other writing opportunities such as ghostwriting, speech-writing, technical writing, copyediting, teaching, etc. This indispensable resource walks writers through the process of developing marketable ideas and then finding appropriate markets for those ideas. It includes effective tips on how to set writing goals; make time for writing; hone research and interview techniques; create outlines and first drafts, approach editors (online and offline), and prepare and submit material. Writers will also discover the vital business issues of freelancing such as rights and contracts, plus how to manage income, expenses, and taxes. Author Moira Allen has more than 30 years experience both as a freelance writer and as an editor; her tips come from a keen understanding of what works from both sides of the desk. Whether readers are looking to support themselves as full-time freelancers or supplement an existing career, no one wanting to make money as a writer can afford to be without this book.
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“Few know the ins and outs of freelancing better than Moira Allen. In her comprehensive guide, she walks you through everything you need to know to get started and become successful. This is an essential read for freelance writers.” —Jeff Reich, editor, The Writer magazine
“This book is a clear, comprehensive, example-packed, practical, and wise compendium of advice for any freelancer. Don’t be fooled by the title—Moira Allen has given us an excellent introduction for beginners and an invaluable reference for experienced writers. My copy is already stickied with reminders.”—Noelle Sterne, editor, writing coach, and author of Trust Your Life: Forgive Yourself and Go After Your Dreams
“Moira Allen's advice is sound, practical, and comprehensive. Her long history of helping writers makes this book invaluable to the beginning freelancer.”—Barbara Florio Graham, author and publishing consultant
“This book is a clear, comprehensive, example-packed, practical, and wise compendium of advice for any freelancer. Don’t be fooled by the title—Moira Allen has given us an excellent introduction for beginners and an invaluable reference for experienced writers. My copy is already stickied with reminders.”—Noelle Sterne, editor, writing coach, and author of Trust Your Life: Forgive Yourself and Go After Your Dreams
“Moira Allen's advice is sound, practical, and comprehensive. Her long history of helping writers makes this book invaluable to the beginning freelancer.”—Barbara Florio Graham, author and publishing consultant
About the Author
Moira Anderson Allen has been writing professionally for more than 30 years, contributing to such publications as Writer's Digest, The Writer, Byline, and Entrepreneur, among others. She is the author of eight books (including The Writer's Guide to Queries, Pitches and Proposals, Second Edition, Allworth Press, 2010) and more than 300 published articles. Her versatile background includes technical writing, corporate editing, corporate newsletter directing, and operating her own publishing firm. A long-time instructor of freelance and creative writing at community colleges, Allen often is a speaker at writing conferences and workshops. She lives in Columbia, Maryland.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer will not teach you how to write. You need to do that yourself, with practice and feedback from people around you.
What this book will do is take you step by step through the trials of becoming a paid writer: everything from coming up with ideas to write about to structuring to the finished product, from querying editors for the first time to building a lasting relationship. The "rules" set down apply to multiple forms of writing, and not just for magazines, and references to other work are instructional and welcome.
There is also an excellent overview of how to manage your personal business as a freelancer, which for those of us "creative types," is certainly helpful.
The greatest part of this book, though, is its ability to lead the reader into types of writing for pay that many of us would never even consider. For instance, there is a chapter (written by a different author, suggesting the book's author knows her limits) on writing copy. Though I would never have thought to write copy, and almost skipped the chapter, following reading it and having been convinced that maybe this was a good way to suppliment income, I made some cold-calls as the book suggested, and a few days later, I already have a copy writing gig.
I would highly recommend this book to any competent writer that is looking to make a bit of money doing something that they love. If you can bring the work ethic, this book can bring the game plan.
What this book will do is take you step by step through the trials of becoming a paid writer: everything from coming up with ideas to write about to structuring to the finished product, from querying editors for the first time to building a lasting relationship. The "rules" set down apply to multiple forms of writing, and not just for magazines, and references to other work are instructional and welcome.
There is also an excellent overview of how to manage your personal business as a freelancer, which for those of us "creative types," is certainly helpful.
The greatest part of this book, though, is its ability to lead the reader into types of writing for pay that many of us would never even consider. For instance, there is a chapter (written by a different author, suggesting the book's author knows her limits) on writing copy. Though I would never have thought to write copy, and almost skipped the chapter, following reading it and having been convinced that maybe this was a good way to suppliment income, I made some cold-calls as the book suggested, and a few days later, I already have a copy writing gig.
I would highly recommend this book to any competent writer that is looking to make a bit of money doing something that they love. If you can bring the work ethic, this book can bring the game plan.
52 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am a fan of Moira Allen's incredibly resourceful website WRITING-WORLD (www.writing-world.com) and looked forward to reading her all-in-one guide on freelancing writing. As I expected, NO disappointments here - all you ever wanted to know about the basics of writing for magazines and going freelance is explained simply and expertly in this book.
I normally don't take more than 3 days to read a non-fiction book, but Moira Allen's took me over a week! You can have an idea just how comprehensive and thorough the contents must be. Fromtime management to setting goals, from finding ideas to handling accounts, Moira helps you to become a successful freelance writer, with her words of wisdom (born out of a 20+ year-old writing career) and conversational-yet-pithy 'tone'.
On the craft of writing, Moira teaches you how to face the first draft and write the perfect query to target the right market. There is a seperate division on rights and contacts and how to keep records and go full-time freelancing. You also have a special chapter by Peter Bowerman, the 'Guru' of Cold-Calling Strategy and the author of THE WELL-FED WRITER.
It doesn't matter if you're a clueless layman, a budding freelancer or a veteran freelancer. This book serves both as an excellent introduction on the freelance writing biz for new writers and as a refresher for experienced ones. Don't miss it!
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book contains all of the essential information I needed to jump start my career as a freelance writer. Having some experience in the field in the distant past, I needed a refresher course and this book provided it. (It would be even more useful for someone without previous experience in the field.) Besides providing proper form for query letters and instruction on how to go about finding and approaching markets, it gives specific guidelines on the right way to pursue a freelance writing career, reasonable expectations and how to organize your work as a business.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great for Experienced Freelancers, Too!
"Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer" offers in-depth insights and quick tips for beginning and experienced freelance writers - a great way to learn the business and refine... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Adele M. Annesi
Step by Step, Perfectly Explained!
This is a really good book about writing.
Moira Anderson explains from the very beginning what to do if you want to work as a writer. Read more
Moira Anderson explains from the very beginning what to do if you want to work as a writer. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mondea
A great reference book and an enjoyable read
I am a freelance writer and I'm in the first year of my career. I have been published online many times and I feel I have learned a lot about freelance writing. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Christine Rice
Freelance
If your thinking about writing for money than you have to read this book from front to back. Lots of good information.
Published on February 23, 2010 by Mommy6
"Freelance Writer is Great!"
Moira Anderson Allen's book is very easy to read and the instructions are great. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in writing, and I will be purchasing her other... Read more
Published on January 14, 2009 by Sandy James
Two-Thirds Full of Great Information
The first third of the book is a review of how to write, how to do research, and what you should have in your office ("a chair," "a desk," "a place to store your writing... Read more
Published on February 20, 2008 by Eve Granger
An extremely practical and detailed career guide
Starting Your Career As A Freelance Writer by professional author Moira Anderson Allen is an extremely practical and detailed career guide for the aspiring writer seeking to become... Read more
Published on February 7, 2004 by Midwest Book Review
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