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Ferociouskitty
Veteran Poster
Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 319
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 01:57 pm: | 
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Attention Freelancers:
I'm preparing to teach a class this fall, Freelancing 101, and I'm interested in your perspectives. What questions do you have about freelance writing, if you are newbie? And for you veterans, what lessons have you learned through trial and error/trial by fire that you wished someone had schooled you on earlier?
Thanks! |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 593
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 02:12 pm: |
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Advice:
1. Subscribe to The Writer magazine for excellent advice regarding freelancing. Besides great articles, it also lists several paying markets in the index of every issue.
2. Read a few issues of the publication you're writing for to get a feel of the type of materials they publish.
3. Never write the piece, and then query the editor. You'll end up having wasted your time writing a piece no one can use if it doesn't sell. Query first, and then write the piece.
4. Don't write something for nothing. Get a huge check, food stamps, or at least a generous byline for your efforts. The publication is usually making money from subscriptions and/or selling ads. You should get your share as well. If the publication is an upstart, tell them nicely to contact you when they can afford to pay you. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7140
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 02:36 pm: |
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1. Avoid contests that charge a reading fee.
2. Specialize but be flexible. Develop an expertise, but be open to doing all kinds of writing (letters, articles, book reviews, fiction, etc)
3. Get a book together as soon as possible
4. Know your audience
5. Getting a byline and compiling some publishing credits is important
6. Look to make what you write pay--consider ancillary functions--for instance, readings, teaching gigs, etc.
7. Develop a relationship with a bookstore
8. Develop a relationship with your local library
9. Interface/network with other writers--discussion groups, workshops, seminars, etc.
10. Realize you are in show business--you might decide you are in the literary end--comparable to an actor doing Shakespeare and art house movies--or you are in the commercial end--comparable to an actor appearing on tv sitcoms and in comic book movies.
The goal is to get your name out there. Get a rep. Be one of those authors whose name is bigger than and before the title on the cover of the book--or at least be respected and mentioned by the critics and cognoscenti.
11. Know Troy Johnson. You ain't NOBODY unless that brother knows your name. |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1409
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 07:26 am: |
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1. Retain your Copyright
2. Learn to Barter
3. Support Publications (help keep them viable)
Can someone tell me who this Chrishayden person is? ;-) |
Ferociouskitty
Veteran Poster
Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 321
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 10:16 am: |
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You guys are the best! Many thanks! |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7144
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 11:43 am: |
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12. Get to know some agents and editors or other people who work in the big publishing houses--Samuel R. Delaney got a contract at 20 because his wife was working at a publisher and made the case for him. |
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