Illustrates that breaking the traditional "rules" of freelancing can lead to success by revealing tips that the most successful freelancers use.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Keep query letters to one page. Never call an editor. Face-to-face interviews take up too much time. According to sassy authors Formichelli and Burrell, such standard rules about freelance writing ought to be tossed in the wastebasket with last year's self-addressed-stamped-envelopes. So why do so many writers stick to the rules? "Bugaboos abound because freelance writers work largely on their own," the authors explain, and such isolation makes it hard to learn about better procedures and ideas. Their own guide aims to set freelance writers straight. Full of great tips and common sense, the book demystifies all the stages of getting a piece published, from "Cranking up the Idea Factory" to "Getting the Green." Their overall advice: "Timely ideas and professional attitude...will take you further than the so-called 'connections' lesser writers gnash their teeth over." Upbeat and exceptionally informative, this book is an excellent choice for both working and would-be writers.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"A fresh, and dare I say exciting, view of how to run a successful freelance writing business, by writers who know. Recommended reading for every writer who wants to increase sales, get published, and make more money." —Bob Bly, author, Secrets of a Freelance Writer
"What a load off of writers' shoulders: You can break the rules and be successful! The authors are eminent professionals who lead by example. You, too, can be a bold, brazen, renegade writer by learning what really works in the modern publishing world." —Jenna Glatzer, author, The More Than Any Human Being Needs To Know about Freelance Writing Workbook
"The excitement of freelance writing just bristles from the page." —thecompulsive reader.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
82 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If I was to listen to many `other' freelance books, I'd have to start at the bottom, write for `Gopher's Monthly' or any other obscure magazine, amass enough clips to start a small recycling plant, be happy to receive any trivial payment offered and only then feel worthy enough to target the big magazines.
No thank-you! The reason I chose to become a freelancer in the first place was to be able to write the articles I was interested in for the magazines I read. But to do so I'd have to break a few `rules'. This is where The Renegade Writer comes in. It teaches you the rules you ARE allowed to break, and better yet HOW to break them.
Filled with tricks and tips for everything from the all important query letter to where to find those ideas editors drool over, this book is a must have for anyone serious about taking their freelance dreams and turning them into a paid reality.
Do yourself (and your career) a favour by buying this book.
62 of 66 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
According to Linda Formichelli and Dianna Burrell,...Their guide, The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success, as the name suggests, is all about exploding myths and breaking rules ~ not for the sake of it, but for the success of it. The authors claim that not only are many of the so-called rules unnecessary, they're costing writers time, money and even business. They claim their earnings have gone from strength to strength by re-writing the rules of freelance writing.
The book redefines a wide range of issues facing freelancers including:
* Being well connected (they offer tips that allow even unknown-writers to get a foot in an editor's door);
* Brimming with ideas (they show you how to kick start your creativity and generate ideas naturally);
* Writing short queries (they show that queries up to three pages not only tell more but sell more);
* Asking for more money (if you think a piece is worth more money, the girls tell you to negotiate ~ and show you the best strategies);
* Turning down work (freelancers aren't beggars, so they can and should choose assignments that are right for them - the girls have built their businesses on this philosophy);
* Quibbling over contracts (you should negotiate a fair contract rather than simply settle for what's initially offered ~ the authors explain what to do and what to avoid before signing).
The Renegade Writer challenges many more rules and also offers plenty of commonsense advice and tips on everything from winning more assignments, earning more money and getting paid faster to 'stealing' other writers' ideas ~ a wonderful way to develop fresh material.
Some of the highlights of the book are chapters, such as:
* 'Signing on the Dotted Line' ~ lots of useful information on contracts, kill fees plus advice on writing for hourly fees or word rates.
* 'Talking the Talk' ~ solid guidelines for interviewing techniques.
* 'Putting Pen to Paper' ~ opinions on deadlines, quotations and fact checking
The Renegade Writer's light, breezing and somewhat witty style makes reading the book easy going and digesting the new 'rules' effortless.
Many writers will not agree with all of the opinions or conclusions, but most freelancers with an open mind will capitalize on the authors' fresh ideas and viewpoints.
The Renegade Writer is better suited to established freelancers rather than new writers. While it contains a new outlook on many areas of the business, it's important to know the rules before you begin breaking them.
-- Michael Meanwell, author of the critically-acclaimed 'The Enterprising Writer' and 'Writers on Writing'. For more book reviews and prescriptive articles for writers, visit www.enterprisingwriter.com
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Like many freelancers and those-who-would-be-freelancers-if-they-would-stop-reading-books-about-it-and-just-do-it (I'm in that category), I have a shelf full of books on writing and freelancing. They all contain useful information, but this book is the one that's finally made me realize that if other people can making a living from their articles, so can I. I tend to get bogged down in perfectionism, so, of course, my favorite of the authors' rules-to-break is "Make sure your query letter is perfect before sending it out." The authors don't advocate being careless, of course, but they do point out that perfectionism can paralyze a writing career; they then offer some advice for conquering it and even give some examples of their own goofs.
This book contains many highly practical tips and fun-to-read examples from the "real world," but the aspect that I most appreciate is that neither writer has been freelancing for years and years (Linda went full-time in mid-1997; Diana doesn't give a date, but I get the impression of a similar length of time). However, they've both cracked major markets and are making a decent living, complete with houses, vacations, and retirement plans. Very motivating!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Third Edition in the works for 2012
Good news for Renegade Writer fans! Linda and I are revising the Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success for 2012. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Diana Burrell
Renegade cult follower
I loved this book. It's nice to know that all of those stuffy "rules" are made to be broken! We'll see if it works! Read more
Published 9 months ago by Former Book Seller
The Renegade Writer
The content is interesting and inspiring. The book arrived in perfect condition. Hats off to your 'retailer'... Maybe I will learn to write a better review for my next purchase!
Published 15 months ago by 1goodwriter
Amazing
This is an amazing book which I truly recommend. While there are hundreds of guide books for freelance writers out there, this one is unique because it tells us what not to do... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Walter E. Kurtz
Renegade Writer Rocks!
This book is packed with a lot of great information. Especially for writers of all levels, but especially for beginning writers. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Heiddi Zalamar
This book is amazing!
I am just an average Joe... a mom who works full-time at a job I can't hardly stand, and who dreams of becoming a known writer. Read more
Published on March 31, 2010 by Jennifer Passmore
Good resource for the freelance writer
"The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success" by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell is a motivating book about breaking the traditional... Read more
Published on September 15, 2009 by Alain B. Burrese
Insightful tips for beginners
This book provided insightful tips on how to approach a freelance career. It offers practical tips based on the actual experiences of the authors, who are established freelancers. Read more
Published on July 14, 2009 by Mary Kirkpatrick
Renegade is breath of fresh air
I liked this book...from the title throughout! Finally a book on Freelancing that is honest about there really not being a FORMULA in getting published. Read more
Published on July 6, 2009 by Penny
Confidence for Beginning Freelancers
These ladies cut through the bull to tell new freelancers what works and what doesn't work. In some situations it is all based on the comfort level of the beginning freelance... Read more
Published on August 3, 2008 by Amber Stults
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Maybe the dream started in the eighth grade when you wrote a controversial article about the new school dress code: Replacing "Boy Toy"-emblazoned T-shirts with button-down Oxfords surely doomed you to remain "like a virgin" for the rest of your life. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
renegade writer, freelance success, kill fee, other freelancers, newsstand magazine, editorial calendar Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Woman's Day, Writer's Market, The New York Times, Anne Russell, First North American Serial Rights, Kelly James-Enger, Men's Fitness, National Writers Union, Rolling Stone, Connecticut Magazine, The Bitter Truth, Brett Forrest, The Wall Street Journal, Writer's Digest New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Maybe the dream started in the eighth grade when you wrote a controversial article about the new school dress code: Replacing "Boy Toy"-emblazoned T-shirts with button-down Oxfords surely doomed you to remain "like a virgin" for the rest of your life. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
renegade writer, freelance success, kill fee, other freelancers, newsstand magazine, editorial calendar Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Woman's Day, Writer's Market, The New York Times, Anne Russell, First North American Serial Rights, Kelly James-Enger, Men's Fitness, National Writers Union, Rolling Stone, Connecticut Magazine, The Bitter Truth, Brett Forrest, The Wall Street Journal, Writer's Digest New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 11
books:
See all 11 books this book cites
10
books
cite this book:
See all 10 books citing this book
- Pop Quiz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) by Cynthia Boris in Back Matter
- Write More, Sell More by Robert W. Bly in Back Matter
- First Aid (Fit for Life) by John Books in Back Matter
- How to Write Irresistible Query Letters: An easy-to-follow guide to writing professional queries that produce sales--for articles and nonfiction books by Lisa Collier Cool in Back Matter
- Magazine Writing That Sells by Don McKinney in Back Matter
See all 11 books this book cites
- The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams! by Stephanie Chandler on page 20, and page 21
- 100 Simple Ways to Become a More Inspired, Successful and Fearless Writer: by Jennifer Lawler in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Opportunities in Writing Careers (Opportunities In...Series) by Elizabeth Foote-Smith on page 32
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting and Running a CoffeeBar by Linda Formichelli in Back Matter
- The Girl's Guide to Starting Your Own Business: Candid Advice, Frank Talk, and True Stories for the Successful Entrepreneur by Caitlin Friedman on page 216
See all 10 books citing this book
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