I read two good articles on freelance writing this week. In fact, it seems as though I\u2019m seeing more about freelance writing in the publishing mainstream this year than in past years. It could be because of the economy. Isn\u2019t practically everything that seems new and different these days a reaction to the economy? Well, it follows that there would be more information, ideas and education related to freelance work at a time when so many people are jobless. <\/p>\n
There are a lot of unfortunate aspects to this phenomenon, but I can tell you that lack of information and education about freelance writing is not one of them. What\u2019s so unfortunate about the freelance writing business during these economic times? <\/p>\n
\u2022\tThere\u2019s more competition\u2014more people wanting to freelance.
\n\u2022\tThere are fewer magazines using fewer pieces.
\n\u2022\tMany new magazines are not paying writers.
\n\u2022\tSome magazines have lowered their rate of pay.
\n\u2022\tSome magazines are having trouble paying their writers at all.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been writing for publication for over 35 years. I supported myself through article-writing for about 20 years. And I can tell you that this has always been a tough business to break into and to maintain. Most people find it impossible for two reasons\u2014they just don\u2019t understand the nature of the business and what it takes to break in and maintain a career as a freelance article-writer and\/or they don\u2019t have expertise in an evergreen or popular topic.<\/p>\n
Many writers don\u2019t realize that they need some sort of special knowledge or guidance in order to break in and succeed. <\/p>\n
Of course, I write about freelance writing often in my blog and for writing newsletters and magazines. I\u2019ve even written a book on the topic. Some of you may have A Writer\u2019s Guide to Magazine Articles<\/em><\/strong>. It\u2019s only $6.50 at http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/writingpage.html<\/a>. <\/p>\n The two articles that caught my eye this week are both by Marcia Yudkin, a veteran writer who, according to her bio, has excelled at turning words and ideas into money. In these articles, she shares some of her ideas for doing just that. For example, she says that magazine editors are looking for good article ideas, of course, but also they want to work with writers who \u201chave an appealing edge over other writers.\u201d And that \u201cedge\u201d might include research ability, firsthand knowledge of the topic, access to experts within that field or area of interest, expertise, dependability and promptness. Read this complete article in World Wide Freelance Writer <\/em>newsletter, May 6, 2009 edition. Her other piece, \u201cWhy Don\u2019t Magazine Editors Like My Article Ideas?\u201d is the Feature Article of the Month in the Writer\u2019s Editors <\/em>online newsletter. If you are trying to break in to freelance article-writing or if you have been writing for magazines for a while, but you\u2019re not getting much work, consider reading these articles. Also study the articles on this topic at my website and at the SPAWN website. And subscribe to appropriate newsletters and magazines. Of course, membership in SPAWN will bring with it access to the SPAWN Market Update<\/em>, which is full of information, jobs and other opportunities for freelance writers each month. http:\/\/www.spawn.org<\/a> (Click on \u201cJoin SPAWN Now.\u201d Membership $45\/year.)<\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.worldwidefreelance.com<\/a> <\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.writers.editors.com<\/a> <\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/articles.htm<\/a>
\n http:\/\/www.spawn.org<\/a> <\/p>\n