Make A REAL LIVING as a Freelance Writer How To Win Top Writing Assignments

by Glatzer, Jenna

• ISBN13: 9780972202657
• ISBN10: 097220265X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-05-01
• Publisher: Nomad Press

Summary

Step-by-step instructions on how writers can earn top dollar writing for magazines are provided in this book. Secrets are revealed about what the high-paying magazines really want, how to build relationships with editors, how to ascertain which sections of a magazine are open to freelancers, what kinds of stories are in demand, what to do if a deadbeat publisher doesn't pay up, how to market reprints, and how to become an expert in one's chosen writing field. Basic terms likequery,clips, andsource sheetare defined for beginning writers, and tips on everything from coming up with an idea to pitching a syndicated column are also included. Writers learn about the little-known sources top freelancers use to find new stories and experts. In addition, they learn how to get their first paying assignments even if they have no prior clips, how to negotiate for better pay, how to find high-paying magazines that aren't swamped with queries, and how to worm their way into editors' inboxes even if their e-mail addresses aren't publicized.

Author Biography

Jenna Glatzer is the founder and editor in chief of Absolute Write, (www.absolutewrite.com), a popular online magazine for writers. She has written for hundreds of publications, including Prevention, Salon, Woman’s Own, Woman’s World, and Writer’s Digest. She is also the author of Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders, Outwitting Writer’s Block and Other Problems of the Pen, and Words You Thought You Knew. She lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(3)
Setting the Stage	3	(8)
Generating Ideas	11	(12)
Finding Markets	23	(10)
Study Your Market	33	(14)
FOBs and BOBs and Wells, Oh My!	47	(6)
Pitching Like a Pro Versus Pitching Like a Schmoe	53	(20)
Style and Chutzpah	73	(12)
Queries in the Wild	85	(16)
Reprints and Spin-offs	101	(12)
And They're Off!	113	(18)
Sold!	131	(18)
Views on Interviews	149	(10)
On Becoming a Favorite Freelancer	159	(14)
Play Nice With Your Editor	173	(10)
Bring Out the Bucks	183	(12)
Delving Deeper	195	(22)
The Life of a Writer-for-Hire	217	(4)
Appendix A: Queries That Landed Me the Jobs	221	(4)
Appendix B: Useful Jargon	225