Customer Reviews

Writing for Quick Cash: Turn Your Way with Words into Real Money

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a spectacularly bad book. I was hoping for a book that provided solid and useful advice on what kind of markets exist for freelance writers, with tips on how to enter those markets. Sadly, there is very little discussion about this. While there is some material about the market for laugh lines and content for greeting cards, the vast majority of this book includes filler that has nothing to do with writing for cash. Indeed, whole chapters are devoted to material that have nothing to do with writers' markets or even how to write. Examples: Chapter 2 is devoted on "how to organize yourself to write", where the advice includes a list of stocking supplies (the listed items include such things as paper, paper clips, pens and pencils... gee I never would have thought of those items... it also includes items such as scissors and glue, I thought we were writing for cash not doing a grade-school craft)... additional advice in this chapter includes how to lower expenses ("build your own furniture" is part of the advice list... page 30), advice on "keeping careful records", and advice on taxes. Again, what does all of this have to do with how to write for cash, or how to enter writers' markets? The book is filled with much more ridiculous "advice"... another example include page 141, when addressing the question of "where to find business and technical writing jobs", the answer given is to "... find these projects at small-, medium-, and large-size businesses"... my question is what other kinds of businesses are there???... the chapter on "photojournalism" includes advice on "how to pack for a trip", where the list on page 116 includes the all-important tips to remember items such as your "airline tickets, your credit cards, your sunscreen (???), and your appropriate and comfortable clothing", among other similarly obvious items. Again I ask, what does this have to do with writing for cash, and why do I need to purchase a book to tell me these things? I could go on and on with more examples. The bottom line: do not waste money on this book, it is of no help whatsoever for aspiring freelance writers.

If you're a skilled writer but have little or no idea as to how to turn that talent into cash, then this book is for you.

Oberlin devotes the chapters to many diferent kinds of writing opportunities--each with the potential of landing some cash in your pocket.

Because of the wide variety of writing opportunties covered in the book, no one area of writing gets extended coverage but the book provides enough detail to whet your appetite and gives you potential areas to consider.

Especially recommended for those who are "weekend writers" and want a quick way to earn money with their writing talent.

Highly recommended for writers of all skill levels.

I can appreciate that 'reading turtle' isn't pleased but after teaching from this approach for roughly 20 years, most recently with online classes, I can tell you it's far from 'an outright lie.' In fact, it works. It's worked for me and for many, many others.

Former students went onto sell successful books to commercial publishers and many dozens more used the course and text (this book) to sell fillers, greeting cards, short and longer feature articles, newspaper pieces, you name it. Others have used it to launch successful freelance endeavors in the business writing realm such as public relations projects, web design businesses, etc.

No where did I imply that by reading only one chapter you can get published, nor that the knowledge in the journalism chapter equals what you get with a bachelor's. It's merely to let the reader know that to get started, this is sufficient. Having more education/experience, of course, always helps but lack of it shouldn't deter any aspiring writer. There's a niche out there for most everyone who wishes to get published.

Most of turtle's complaining has been taken out of context so it makes me really wonder what the motive for offering such a negative review might actually be. Hmmm.

Indeed you can propose a non-credit course fairly quickly. In addition, you can write captions, fillers, and short material, and begin the makings of longer projects quickly as well.

The essence of the "quick cash" approach -- turtle missed this completely -- is that you start small and build your skills from the quicker writing assignments. Therefore, you invest most energy with the greatest opportunity toward getting published fast -- to boost self-esteem as writer AND to boost your bank account.

Turtle is entitled to an opinion, but since my courses have been quite popular, the diatribe seems to reflect the minority opinion. Those who would like to know more about this book are welcome to contact me through my website [...] and I'll be happy to answer any questions. -- Loriann Hoff Oberlin

Like many writers wanting to get published, I put it off, but after reading "Writing for Quick Cash," I could put my goals off no longer.

This book is filled with tons of ideas, a truly diverse array of areas to explore, from those that require little formal training to others that require advanced degrees. But Oberlin breaks each writing avenue down to a manageable level, and for that I was very grateful.

Having taken her advice, I started out with the small stuff, and now I have some published "clips" as they call them in the trade to send with query letters in the future. I never thought of greeting card writing before either. So if you're looking to jump-start your talent, this book ought to do it. I spotted this title at a nearby literary festival this spring, and if I got this far with just the book, I'm curious how far I'd go with more instruction in one of the author's seminars based on this book?

BTW: My 12-year-old daughter spotted the book, started looking at certain chapters, and now she's writing some things also!

Writing For Quick Cash is a straightforward business guide by Loriann Hoff Oberlin to making money from by writing for periodicals, websites, newsletters, greeting cards, puzzle companies, as well as books. From sizing up potential markets, to pitching one's ideas, to professional rules of interaction with editors and clients, to advice for negotiating pay rates, to regulations specific to copyright and tax matters, and more, Writing For Quick Cash packs all the basics into one handy and practical 226-page guide. Very highly recommended, Writing For Quick Cash is a "must-read" for anyone pursuing a career as a professional freelance writer.

I bought this book to take with a corresponding course. I must say both were exceptional. As a writer for a local paper, I am constantly looking for other outlets for my writings. This book opened my eyes to a lot of opportunities. I would recommend this book for the beginer to the experience writer.

One review mentioned that it really isn't "quick". As someone who is semi familar with the writing business, you must understand that Quick is not the next day. The book gives clear steps on how to get your writing career off with a jump start.

This book serves as an excellent guide if you are a freelancer looking for outlets for your work. Chapters cover everything from writing tips to query submissions to suggestions on areas to focus your writing for "quick" cash. By quick, I got the sense the author compares writing shorter pieces to perhaps writing a book. A book, she states, not only takes longer to produce, but requires significant publishing and marketing efforts to be financially successful. Writing short pieces and tarketing specific markets has the potential to bring in steady cash -- though the author points out that you will probably not get especially rich from this.

Each chapter ends with informative "Starting-out Steps." These tips should get your juices flowing with creative ideas about the topic covered in that chapter. The subtitle of the book, "Turn Your Way With Words Into Real Money," provides key insight into the premise of the book: 1. It assumes there is some writing skill (or way with words); and 2. It also assumes some degree of "newness" to the area of publishing your work for money.

Though I found the book informative, I would have liked a few of the sections expanded on, like the section on writing fillers. Overall, I would recommend the book if you have good writing skills and little experience writing for cash. It is definitely a good reference guide that offers innovative ideas for selling your work.

When I purchased Writing for Quick Cash, I was looking for ideas to expand my writing opportunities, for new markets for shorter work. I found Loriann Oberlin's book extremely helpful in that regard. She has a quick, bright writing style that is easy to read, and includes sidebars and examples to illustrate her text in a very concise way. Whether you are looking to enter the writing market for fillers, greeting cards or newspaper articles, or beginning to research the non-fiction book world, Writing for Quick Cash will be a great way to start your journey. Highly recommended.

I wish to tip my hat to Loriann Hoff Oberlin. She has not only written a wonderfully succinct,thorough,inspiring book on the writing industry and how to hone your own bit of the craft to help you make money in those hard times we all suffer whilst making our way to the Best Seller List; she has also given seasoned writers a creative kick in the word processor -- and as always with steady hand to help along the way should you need it. I had the distinct pleasure to meet Loriann at a signing she did in Pittsburgh,Pa. Having discovered Writing For Quick Cash only days before (reading and highlighting till my eyes saw yellow)I was completely engrossed and inspired. The book covers everything from mechanics to ideas to strategies for success (as the title states Quick Cash). She truely wishes those with the interest to be the best they can be and to be successful. Thank you Loriann! If this book doesn't get you started -- don't bother!

I enjoyed learning a little bit about a lot of things, such as how to write greeting cards, fillers, and shorter things that make use of my time. That said, it's great to dream and learn what you need to do in order to write features, business projects, and who knows....maybe my own book someday. For the money, you get a lot out of it -- and I read the author's book on Working at Home While Kids Are There Too -- and I'm now off to check out the courses I know go with this writing book.