How do I even start freelancing? That's probably the biggest question on people's minds when they think about writing for a living. Some of you may be like me, never having written for publication before. Others may have a background in journalism or publishing. The latter may have a bit of a leg up, with experience and contacts under their belts, but becoming a freelancer is something that everyone has to work at to be successful.
I'd like to share with you some resources for getting started. Of course, there are the fabulous prizes, I'm giving away in the next eight weeks here at Adventures in Freelancing. These resources are a great place to start finding information on starting your freelance career off right. Here are some other resources I've found invaluable in learning what to do and what not to do as a freelance writer. This is by no means a complete list. I'm working on a blog roll and list of resources, and my goal is to have that completed this weekend. But I'll get you started with some of my favorites.
Let's start with books. I'm getting used to reading on the computer screen, but nothing will ever replace books for me. I highly recommend:
Writer Mama by Christina Katz - This is one of the first books I read on freelancing, and I use it as a reference regularly. Christina gives so many tips for moms to squeeze writing into their busy schedules. She also discusses ways to break into print magazines, like submitting tips or pitches for shorter, front of book pieces. I consider it a must-read, even if you're not a mama! You can also visit The Writer Mama Riffs Blog.
The Renegade Writer by Diana Burrell and Linda Formichelli - Of course, I'll mention it again here, even though it is the prize for this week. I love, love, love this book! Diana and Linda tell it to you straight. Their advice on which freelancing rules to break and which to keep is just what we all need to know. They've been there, done that, and they share what they've learned in a fun to read style. Did I mention that they're just awesome ladies? Linda and Diana are my freelance gurus. Visit their blog, too!
Make a Real Living As a Freelance Writer by Jenna Glatzer - Jenna Glatzer began her freelancing career "out of necessity". Agoraphobia kept her at home, afraid to venture out into the world. So she dove into learning all about freelancing in order to make a living from the security of her home. And what a living she's made! You'll find hours worth of helpful reading at her website, Absolute Write!
The Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing edited by Michelle Ruberg - I love Writer's Digest magazine. You may want to check it out; they cover all genres of writing, not just non-fiction. They also have a book club, which is where I discovered most of my writing resources. The Handbook of Magazine Article Writing is an anthology of great information by many of today's most successful freelancers. This book will teach you about every aspect of getting published in magazines.
Okay, do you think that's enough to get you started? I totally recommend any of these books to get you started on the right foot as a freelancer. They're all packed with great information we need to know. I think I'll save the websites and blogs for my next post. Are there any books you'd recommend to new freelancers? Leave a comment!
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