Achieving Financial Independence as a Freelance Writer (Paperback)

by Ray Dreyfack (Author), Raymond Dreyfack (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"If you don’t look at your writing career through an economic lens, success won’t come easily. Ray’s book is that lens in sharp focus."

Herbert Holtje – Literary Agent & Author The ability to write well is only part of what it takes to succeed as a professional writer. What too many writers lack is the business sense required to survive financially in the freelance market. Achieving Financial Independence as a Freelance Writer is a complete game plan for creating a sustainable life as a professional freelance writer. Raymond Dreyfack draws on decades of personal experience to introduce other writers to the business side of the writing life. Entire chapters are devoted to making the transition from full-time work to freelancing, computers, breaking into markets, book writing, and more. By examining his own experiences and mistakes, Dreyfack will save his readers an inestimable amount of time and effort in their quest for financial success and personal satisfaction.

About the Author
Ray Dreyfack studied journalism at Columbia University and became an expert at business writing through hands-on experience in a variety of jobs over the years, most notably as a systems executive at Fabergé Perfumes Inc. in Ridgefield, New Jersey. He taught at New York University’s Management Institute, and served several Fortune 500 companies in a public relations capacity. Dreyfack has authored more than twenty published books, and his long-running "The Human Side of Engineering" is repeatedly voted the "most popular and best-rated column" in Plant Engineering Magazine’s readership polls. He has completed innumerable articles, speeches, booklets, newsletters, and other assignments in his long career as a freelance. His desire to share his knowledge and experience motivated him to write Achieving Financial Independence as a Freelance Writer. Raised in the Bronx, he now lives with his wife in Coconut Creek, Florida, and is as prolific as ever—when he’s not playing his saxophone or clarinet. He is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, as well as a contributing editor at Plant Engineering Magazine, Supervision Magazine, and Selling Power.

Product Details

• Paperback: 149 pages
• Publisher: Blue Heron Publishing (May 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936085479
• ISBN-13: 978-0936085470
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,383,362 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very highly recommended, April 23, 2001

By	C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Ray Dreyfack targets writers who don't have many notches on their literary belt in ACHIEVING FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AS A FREELANCE WRITER, although seasoned authors will also benefit greatly from this fact filled book. With the flair and savvy of a freelancer of over thirty years, Dreyflack provides clear information that will have any writer who dreams of chucking their day job well on their way to fulfilling the dream.

ACHIEVING FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AS A FREELANCE WRITER presents solid, time tested information in ten chapters, including getting started, how to move into freelancing as a career without starving, and how to support yourself during the transition and afterward. He also addresses corporate writing, benefits of networking, and choosing specialties.

As an English major who has always made a living from my writing, I have devoured a number of books in this genre, from books put out by Writers Digest to the type I mailed ten bucks for. This is quite honestly the best resource I have seen on the topic of freelance writing, providing tips I've never found elsewhere in addition to reminding me of things I knew but had forgotten. Most books of this type are filled with white space and fluff, but ACHIEVING FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AS A FREELANCE WRITER doesn't waste the reader's time; instead, it provides practical, timely information. I very highly recommend it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ray Dreyfack shares his adventures as an author, August 27, 2000

By	C. M. Winger (Fresno, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is for new freelance writers, or writers who want to leave their boring day job and work into a freelance writing profession. Grab your cup of coffee and sit down in a relaxing chair. Indulge yourself as you hear the ins and outs of the writing business from a pro who spent thirty years behind the typewriter, and now a keyboard. Ray will spin his story that invites you into his world of freelance writing. Some chapters are slow, some material is repeated, but the love of writing freelance shines out clearly. If you freelance, or want to get into the profession this is the `best buy' of new books that shares a successful writer's enthusiasm and joy in the writing trade.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to market what you write so you can make a living at it, February 17, 2001

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Achieving Financial Independence As A Freelance Writer takes up where most creative writing classes leave off. How to market what you write so that you can make a living at it. Raymond Dreyfack has authored more than twenty books, and enjoyed a profitable career as a freelance writer of articles, speeches, booklets, newsletters and corporate assignments. He draws upon his considerable experience and expertise to provide the aspiring writer a complete game plan for creating a sustainable career as a professional freelance writer. All aspects are covered including the essential considerations and prerequisites, specialization, marketing and selling what you write, self-promotion, the role of the computer, whether or not to write a book, and a great deal more. Achieving Financial Independence As A Freelance Writer is very highly recommended reading for anyone aspiring to a professional and profitable career as a freelance writer.