Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments (Paperback)

~ (Author) "So, what's a "real living" anyway, and can a freelance writer really earn one?..." (more)
Key Phrases: email queries, kill fee, query letter, Family Circle, Woman's Day, Writer's Market (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Beginning with plenty of realistic words of caution, veteran freelancer Glazer (Outwitting Writer’s Block and Other Problems of the Pen; Words You Thought You Knew) provides a practical guide for aspiring writers who want to earn a living doing what they love. Glatzer takes readers through the must-do basics—from sending clean, spell-checked cover letters to avoiding harassing busy editors—then delves into the processes of generating ideas, pitching, landing assignments and negotiating contracts. Once a writer has the assignment, she also has to know how to do research, conduct good interviews with experts and provide solid back-up ("if a fact-checker complains loudly enough that Writer X’s article was full of holes, or that the source material was badly organized or unreliable, an editor might not hire Writer X again"). In this honest and thorough volume, Glatzer gives the inside scoop on all of these things, and many other facets of the business that novices (and, quite frankly, many experienced writers) might not realize they need to consider.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"An in-your-hand education in professional writing." —Christian Communicator

"Really shows what publications are looking for in a writer."  —Dawn Papandrea, managing editor, The Collegebound Network

"A 'behind closed doors' look at freelancing...advice that will keep you ahead of the competition."  —The Writer

"Covers everything novice and experienced writers need to know to succeed at freelancing."  —Sheri McConnell, founder and president of the National Association of Women Writers

"A must-read for freelancers and wanna-be-freelancers."  —Julia Rosien, senior editor, ePregnancy magazine

"A must-read for any freelancer wanting to break into the business and stay there."  —Colleen Oakley, editor, Women's Health & Fitness 

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Nomad Press (May 1, 2004) Language: English ISBN-10: 097220265X ISBN-13: 978-0972202657 Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,472 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #15 in  Books > Reference > Publishing & Books > Authorship #17 in  Books > Reference > Writing > Journalism #67 in  Books > Business & Investing > Job Hunting & Careers > Guides

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
So, what's a "real living" anyway, and can a freelance writer really earn one? Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
email queries, kill fee, query letter, electronic rights, serial rights

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Family Circle, Woman's Day, Writer's Market, Woman's World, New York, Chandra Czape, Writer's Digest, Good Housekeeping, Jenna Glatzer, Stephanie Abarbanel, United States, North American, House Beautiful, Melissa Walker, Men's Fitness, National Writers Union, Workforce Management, Bobbi Dempsey, Natural Health, Robb Report, Todd Raphael, Women Who Make, Absolute Markets, Absolute Write, Good Food

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 8 books:

• Good Food by Family Circle on page 33
• The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success by Linda Formichelli in Front Matter
• Surviving High School: Making the Most of the High School Years by Mike Riera on page 117
• Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders: Success Stories, Strategies, and Other Good News by Jenna Glatzer on page 134
• Chicken Soup by Linda Zimmerman in Back Matter

See all 8 books this book cites

 

3 books cite this book:

• Beginning Writer's Answer Book by Jane Friedman on page 180
• Getting Started as a Freelance Writer (Culture Tools) by Robert W. Bly in Back Matter
• Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing by Writers Digest in Back Matter

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Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing by Writers Digest

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• kill fee
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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, Second Edition by Harold D. Underdown

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The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing by Timothy Harper

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• kill fee
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• Family Circle

Starting Your Career As a Freelance Writer by Moira Anderson Allen

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• kill fee
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• Writer's Market

Business and Legal Forms for Graphic Designers by Tad Crawford Discusses: kill fee electronic rights serial rights How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen Discusses: query letter serial rights Writer's Market Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing by Writers Digest Discusses: kill fee query letter electronic rights The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, Second Edition by Harold D. Underdown Discusses: kill fee query letter serial rights Loading...

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	76% buy the item featured on this page: Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments 4.8 out of 5 stars (29) $13.57
	10% buy Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing 4.7 out of 5 stars (7) $11.55
	5% buy Starting Your Career As a Freelance Writer 4.7 out of 5 stars (7) $13.57
	5% buy The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success (The Renegade Writer's Freelance Writing series) 4.6 out of 5 stars (62) $10.17

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Customer Reviews

29 Reviews 5 star:  (26) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (29 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 50 of 53 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book for Magazine Freelancing, August 19, 2004 By  Barbra A. Annino "Freelance Writer" (Galena, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    If Jenna's book was around when I went full-time a few months ago, I would probably have more work than I know what to do with. As it is I have tripled my response rate on queries and my productivity has skyrocketed. How? Simple. This book is like camping out in the personal office of a professional freelancer. Jenna offers invaluable insights about queries, markets, resources and how to maximize on your time. Sidebars filled with websites that all freelancers should be privy to are peppered throughout each chapter. Real life scenarios play out between the pages and you learn what works and what doesn't with supermarket publications like Family Circle and Woman's Day. Interviews with successful writers and seasoned editors reveal the keys to making it into the acceptance pile. Queries? Jenna answers all the questions by disclosing her personal methods. Simultaneous Submissions? Always. Email pitches? You Bet. Multiple ideas queries? Why Not? She delves into interviewing, syndication, contracts, copyrights, and everything else that a newbie and even pros should brush up on. Even if your shelves are filled with other books on the business of writing and even if you subscribe to all the best newsletters, you still need this book. Barbra Annino www.barbraannino.com 24 of 24 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Sustain a Lucrative Career while Wearing Pajamas, June 7, 2004 By  Maryanne Raphael (Carlsbad, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Book Review by Maryanne Raphael, Writers World Sustain a Lucrative Career while Wearing Pajamas . MAKE A REAL LIVING AS A FREELANCE WRITER explains how to be successful "in today's publishing climate where the Internet rules and stamps are nearly obsolete and the articles that earned front-page headlines last decade wouldn't even get short blurbs today." The book shows how to earn top dollars writing for magazines, how to write a marketable story, how to know what sections of a magazine welcome freelancers, how to market reprints, and how to become an expert in your chosen field. Author Jenna Glatzer is the editor-in-chief of Absolute Write and author of Outwitting Writer's Block. She is a full time writer from NYC who has published 9 books and hundreds of articles. Her style makes reading fun with her quick wit, vast experience, knowledge of her subject and her use of meaningful quotes, relevant anecdotes and helpful resources. She says, "You'll have to learn where to find writing markets and how to study them, write irresistible query letters, make editors fall in love with you, get regular assignments, negotiate, make deadbeats pay up and more." She helps discover your strengths and how to use them.,, shows you how to set goals, see writing as a business and get started. "You must find something worth telling to a mass audience," she says, "and convince the `powers that be' that you're the right person to tell it." She even tells how to make the most of rejection slips, how to network, write a column, interview, write for the Internet, have a Web Site, and make your article timely. She shows how to become your editor's favorite by being "reliable, accurate, nice, respectful of the editor's time and by proposing plenty of new ideas with regularity." Author Glatzer helps readers learn from her mistakes as well as her achievements. After stating that big magazines do not want stories that have appeared elsewhere, she tells how she goofed once . "You shouldn't be a dummy like me and actually emphasize this as a selling point in your query." The book tells everything you need to know about taxes once you start earning money from your writing. By the time you finish this book, according to the author, "You'll have the insider knowledge you need to figure out what sells to whom and how to build up and sustain a lucrative career while wearing pajamas." I'd recommend the book to anyone who wants to try freelance writing. 18 of 18 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Makes a good read, April 18, 2004 By  Debbie (CA United States) - See all my reviews This was an easy-to-read book written with a "you can do it" attitude - good for writers who are new to the field or are trying to break into bigger markets. The book is a good mix of the author's experience (what worked and what she learned from mistakes she made), and quotes from editors and other established writers. Very helpful were the websites with additional helpful information, like a fax site where you can receive your faxes by e-mail at no cost (i.e. no need for a fax machine), websites for writers, websites for finding sources, etc. Also helpful were sections on negotiating contracts, how to pitch a story, how to study the market for your work (and the importance in doing so), how fact checking works, and how to find story ideas (and spin them off into even more ideas). If you're the type who does well with assignments, the book has assignments you can do like one on coming up with ideas. The book is less how to write, than the mechanics behind getting assignments and following through on them. It takes the mystique out of the process. I ended up earmarking a bunch of pages to go back to, and have already used some of the information (mainly websites) to further my own writing.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Jammed with practical, useful information This book is a must-read for anyone considering freelancing, whether as a career or for extra income. Read more Published 8 days ago by Old Ancestor 5.0 out of 5 stars This book got me my first paid assignment! I practically hyperventilated with happiness while devouring the pages of Jenna Glatzer's 'Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer', which I stumbled upon on amazon. Read more Published 11 days ago by K. Kennedy 5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Freelance Book Ever I refer to this book on almost a daily basis. Jenna helps you develop article ideas through interesting exercises that use the things you know to get you started. Read more Published 5 months ago by Carla Michelle 5.0 out of 5 stars Great How-To! This book is right on the money! I've sold two articles since I bought the book a month ago. I've been writing for eight years without a real focus. Read more Published 11 months ago by Sully 5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing! Excellent book by an excellent author. This one covered everything that I have always thought missing in other, similar, books. Read more Published 12 months ago by Charmain Ross 5.0 out of 5 stars Let's read it again! I read this book through in just a few days, and I'll be going through it a second time in a few days more. I am a freelance writer by trade, and Ms. Read more Published 17 months ago by Dionne Obeso 5.0 out of 5 stars I've been in three national glossies with no prior experience... Thanks, Jenna! I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's good enough that I've been able to masquerade as a veteran while really a novice. No, I never lied, editors assumed. Read more Published 17 months ago by Amy Gamet 5.0 out of 5 stars For Serious Freelance Writers only! Jenna is a great thought leader in this difficult, thrilling industry. She gives practical advice for those who want to make a real business out of writing. Read more Published on July 4, 2007 by Kristen L. Fischer 5.0 out of 5 stars What References . . . . . . do I rely on? Over and over again, I've been asked which books I turn to time and time again for reference. Read more Published on July 1, 2007 by Jenn Greenleaf 5.0 out of 5 stars Sharp, practical advice from an insider who knows Want to be a freelance writer? Jenna Glatzer tells you the truth about the business in a conversational, factual, no-nonsense style sprinkled with her warm personality and humor... Read more Published on February 20, 2007 by Rebecca Jacoby Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Nomad Press (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097220265X
• ISBN-13: 978-0972202657
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,472 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #15 in	Books > Reference > Publishing & Books > Authorship
  #17 in	Books > Reference > Writing > Journalism
  #67 in	Books > Business & Investing > Job Hunting & Careers > Guides

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book for Magazine Freelancing, August 19, 2004

By	Barbra A. Annino "Freelance Writer" (Galena, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If Jenna's book was around when I went full-time a few months ago, I would probably have more work than I know what to do with. As it is I have tripled my response rate on queries and my productivity has skyrocketed.

How? Simple. This book is like camping out in the personal office of a professional freelancer.

Jenna offers invaluable insights about queries, markets, resources and how to maximize on your time. Sidebars filled with websites that all freelancers should be privy to are peppered throughout each chapter. Real life scenarios play out between the pages and you learn what works and what doesn't with supermarket publications like Family Circle and Woman's Day. Interviews with successful writers and seasoned editors reveal the keys to making it into the acceptance pile.

Queries? Jenna answers all the questions by disclosing her personal methods. Simultaneous Submissions? Always. Email pitches? You Bet. Multiple ideas queries? Why Not?

She delves into interviewing, syndication, contracts, copyrights, and everything else that a newbie and even pros should brush up on.

Even if your shelves are filled with other books on the business of writing and even if you subscribe to all the best newsletters, you still need this book.

Barbra Annino
www.barbraannino.com

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sustain a Lucrative Career while Wearing Pajamas, June 7, 2004

By	Maryanne Raphael (Carlsbad, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Book Review by Maryanne Raphael, Writers World

Sustain a Lucrative Career while Wearing Pajamas
.
MAKE A REAL LIVING AS A FREELANCE WRITER explains how to be successful "in today's publishing climate where the Internet rules and stamps are nearly obsolete and the articles that earned front-page headlines last decade wouldn't even get short blurbs today." The book shows how to earn top dollars writing for magazines, how to write a marketable story, how to know what sections of a magazine welcome freelancers, how to market reprints, and how to become an expert in your chosen field.
Author Jenna Glatzer is the editor-in-chief of Absolute Write and author of Outwitting Writer's Block. She is a full time writer from NYC who has published 9 books and hundreds of articles. Her style makes reading fun with her quick wit, vast experience, knowledge of her subject and her use of meaningful quotes, relevant anecdotes and helpful resources.
She says, "You'll have to learn where to find writing markets and how to study them, write irresistible query letters, make editors fall in love with you, get regular assignments, negotiate, make deadbeats pay up and more." She helps discover your strengths and how to use them.,, shows you how to set goals, see writing as a business and get started.
"You must find something worth telling to a mass audience," she says, "and convince the `powers that be' that you're the right person to tell it."
She even tells how to make the most of rejection slips, how to network, write a column, interview, write for the Internet, have a Web Site, and make your article timely. She shows how to become your editor's favorite by being "reliable, accurate, nice, respectful of the editor's time and by proposing plenty of new ideas with regularity."
Author Glatzer helps readers learn from her mistakes as well as her achievements. After stating that big magazines do not want stories that have appeared elsewhere, she tells how she goofed once . "You shouldn't be a dummy like me and actually emphasize this as a selling point in your query."
The book tells everything you need to know about taxes once you start earning money from your writing. By the time you finish this book, according to the author, "You'll have the insider knowledge you need to figure out what sells to whom and how to build up and sustain a lucrative career while wearing pajamas." I'd recommend the book to anyone who wants to try freelance writing.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes a good read, April 18, 2004

By	Debbie (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This was an easy-to-read book written with a "you can do it" attitude - good for writers who are new to the field or are trying to break into bigger markets.

The book is a good mix of the author's experience (what worked and what she learned from mistakes she made), and quotes from editors and other established writers.

Very helpful were the websites with additional helpful information, like a fax site where you can receive your faxes by e-mail at no cost (i.e. no need for a fax machine), websites for writers, websites for finding sources, etc.

Also helpful were sections on negotiating contracts, how to pitch a story, how to study the market for your work (and the importance in doing so), how fact checking works, and how to find story ideas (and spin them off into even more ideas).

If you're the type who does well with assignments, the book has assignments you can do like one on coming up with ideas.

The book is less how to write, than the mechanics behind getting assignments and following through on them. It takes the mystique out of the process. I ended up earmarking a bunch of pages to go back to, and have already used some of the information (mainly websites) to further my own writing.