Does anyone write freelance?

[blonde_princess]

If so, may I pick you brain a bit? I've been looking into it for some time now, but just cannot seem to catch a break...

[tweed]

BP, I have not written what most would call "freelance". I've written a couple of modest historical articles for the local newspaper. Pretty heady stuff, huh? :D
Seriously, what are you thinking of doing?

Steve

[blonde_princess]

Hiya Steve
I can't post or talk worth a darn, but those times when the wiring upstairs is right, and the light bulb flickers, my fingers can't go fast enough. :) I've been writing since high school, articles for small town papers, some freelance article work here and there, been working on a 3 part series book for 2 years now, but basically I'm wondering if it's really possible to earn at least a part time wage doing freelance work. I've run across a bunch of freelance job boards, but 99% of them are all outdated to not kept up with... And I'm clueless on how to even approach magazines...
Thanks for any help!
Mel

[tweed]

I am not sure Melody.
Never dealt with a magazine before.
I just write my article for the local paper, e-mail it and then follow up with the editor.
Are you thinking of doing short stories, personal opinions? What's your strong suit?
With your web experience, you might want to consider your own site/blog, with your stories. Maybe get noticed and then published. :)

Steve

[blonde_princess]

Thanks Steve. I'm going to try the "blogging" thing to see if it gets me anywhere other than frustrated. LOL!

[redbrick]

I'm afraid I'm not much help, either. I've written a few articles for Heirloom Gardener, but not much else. I don't think I could make a living on my writing, but I'm having fun with it.

[SpaceAge]

I dunno , I'm writing a book , titled " You Can't Get There From Here™":cool: ...

It's some pretty funny stuff , but not freelance whatever that is I'm sure ...

[redbrick]

Freelance just means that you're not a hired writer. You write what and when you want, then hope that someone likes your work enough to publish it.

[nedwina]

This is published every year, and may have some useful leads:

http://www.amazon.com/2009-Writers-Market-Robert-Brewer/dp/1582975418

[nedwina]

Freelance just means that you're not a hired writer. You write what and when you want, then hope that someone likes your work enough to publish it.

Actually, there is a kind of hidden freelance writing market that can supply a living if you can tap into it. A friend of mine writes copy for big companies' benefit packages & and health insurance plans. She writes the copy for the brochures, the websites, and for orientation materials. It's not "creative"- they tell you what to write and at what reading level they want it- sometimes even what kind of "tone". (Like telling Type A CEO's to get a physical every year in a firm manner, LOL!)

And it's not easy. It's very feast or famine moneywise- with crazy deadlines and many crazy copywriter wannabees on the committee overseeing and critiqueing your work. But she does ok.

She's been doing it for decades, (and used to be in the insurance biz long ago) and has a strong network of insurance people (and ad and graphic designers too), so I wouldn't know how to advise BP to break into something like that. For BP I'd say it's the old adage: write what you know (or what you're interested in), and where your connections are.

[SpaceAge]

Freelance just means that you're not a hired writer. You write what and when you want, then hope that someone likes your work enough to publish it.

~~~~~~~~~

Oh ... !

I do that every day here ! :eek:

[Hairy Moose Knuckles]

If you just want to write for fun, try backwoods magizine. It might get you a free subscription.

[blonde_princess]

Thanks for the tips everyone! :)

[gardener5]

Hiya Steve
I can't post or talk worth a darn, but those times when the wiring upstairs is right, and the light bulb flickers, my fingers can't go fast enough. :) I've been writing since high school, articles for small town papers, some freelance article work here and there, been working on a 3 part series book for 2 years now, but basically I'm wondering if it's really possible to earn at least a part time wage doing freelance work. I've run across a bunch of freelance job boards, but 99% of them are all outdated to not kept up with... And I'm clueless on how to even approach magazines...
Thanks for any help!
Mel

Clueless and blond that just is funny:p. Good luck I hope you are successful with your writing:)

[love2playinthedirt]

I tried to make a living of it a few years ago, and sold a few articles to some hobby/trade magazines & newspapers. First off- get used to rejection-and dont let it discourage you. It is a part of the business. I used to average about 10 rejection letters to every 1 acceptance letter. The best advice I can give you- if you decide to pursue it- is sit down make a list of topics you know- then make a list of article ideas based on these topics- try to give a creative twist on something. Then the time consuming part- trying to find a magazine that will be a good home for the article. I am on writers market and writers weekly's free e-mail list- but honestly my best ally in finding a good magazine was google, &getting a sample copy of the magazine or going to the library and flipping through the magazine b/c sometimes the blurb about what the magazine wants from writers off their websites- doesn't fully describe the magazine.
Then the most important thing- The Query Letter. Dont send the article to the magazine- type up a 1 page letter (never longer than 1 page)- describing what the article is about, why it's releveant, how it will be significant to their readers. etc. Chances are a editor will take the time to read a short letter- much faster than they will read your whole article. Every article I sold- I sent a query letter 1st.
Start small- most of the big magazines like redbook,cosmopoliton,rolling stone, etc. wont even accept unsolicited submissions. Look at trade/regional/hobby magazines.
And as I stated before- get used to rejection- but dont let those rejection letters reject your dreams of being a writer. When the acceptance letters do come- the joy you get from them is well worth it. And seeing your name in glossy print- is one of the best experiences you can have as a writer.
Hope this helps & best of luck to you!
ps-there is a magazine called writers digest that is helpful- you should go to their website & read some sample query letters, etc.

[blonde_princess]

:) Rejection is just a numbers game, like sales. You can't take it personal and every no is just another step closer to a yes. :D

Thanks for the info on query letters. I've been perplexed on how to approach magazines. Funny, I'm not interested in the "big boys" of the magazine world. My interests lies within regional and hobby magazines. Let me say, our local big box bookstore makes a bunch of money off me on magazines. :)

Thanks again!

[SusieF]

Try the net. You can find out how and where to send your stuff and get detailed information on how to present.

[Uncle Buck]

[QUOTE=love2playinthedirt;262613]I tried to make a living of it a few years ago, and sold a few articles to some hobby/trade magazines & newspapers....

Let's get right to the nitty-gritty...the $$$. :eek: :D
Do you price your work or have to take a standard fee that the magazine pays?
What is an article worth?

[HerbalBetty]

Check out the websites of the magazines in which you are interested. They should have a submissions guidelines page. If not, email the editor and ask if they have a submissions guideline. Then, follow that guideline. It might be how your submission should be set up and it might tell you what "tone" they want for the mag or the number of words needed. Make sure you are familiar with the mag and the style it represents (folksy, scientific, humorous, etc.) They may also send you an editorial calendar (in October a certain mag may decide to focus on harvesting, drying and pickling). Or, they may have a certain theme for a certain month. In the beginning, you will probably have to accept their standard fee. Make sure your author information in the article includes your email and a website, if you have one. Best of luck!

[herb girl]

Ask winter unfazed, he is a free-lance writer (I think).

[GeorgeSims]

Redbrick,

BTW, Andy, nice piece of yours in the current Heirloom Gardener.

I've found that lots of places don't mind publishing your stuff, but won't pay anything for it (other than maybe a free subscription). It's always a bit harder to get a check.

Start off small, in local and regional publications. It's really cool when someone stops you and tells you they've actually READ something you've written.

[redbrick]

Thanks, George! I'm glad you liked it.

This thread is really a Godsend to me right now. I just got done writing a new piece about gardening in Scotland, and DW says I should spread this one out to more magazines. So I guess it must be pretty readable.

[GardenMamma]

The first thing I did when I started freelance was get a copy of Writers Market. It gives a lot of submission guidelines for different magazines, and also gives a listing of names to contact. When you get an idea/ write an article, you should always do your homework and check back issues to make sure the topic already hasn't been covered. If you want a writing forum that is well traveled I suggest: http://forum.writersdigest.com/category-view.asp
There are a lot of writers that started freelance, and they give a lot of good advice.

I also took a Creative Writing class at the community college, just to get the creative juices flowing. My Professor has been very helpful with freelance advice, and has encouraged me to write outside of my comfort zone.

Kristina

[love2playinthedirt]

[QUOTE=love2playinthedirt;262613]I tried to make a living of it a few years ago, and sold a few articles to some hobby/trade magazines & newspapers....

Let's get right to the nitty-gritty...the $$$. :eek: :D
Do you price your work or have to take a standard fee that the magazine pays?
What is an article worth?

Most magazines have set prices that they will pay. The prices are usually listed in their submission guidelines. And 1 article definitly wont pay your bills, thats why you have to be constantly working, when your freelance writing. I usually got paid between $50-$150 per article. If you become a regular contributer to a magazine- I'm sure the pay is a little more negotiable.