Nov 06 2008
The Freelance Writer’s Handbook
Yesterday I read Andrew Crofts’ updated edition of The Freelance Writer’s Handbook, (Piatkus, 2007.) There may be an even more current edition, but this is the one I was able to borrow from my local library.
Crofts’ presents us with the antithesis of all those hackneyed how-to-write books. This refreshing volume is strictly about how to become a successful freelance writer, provided you already have some level of competency with language. There’s no gentle taking of the hand and leading his readers toward their happy places where they can create—The Freelance Writer’s Handbook is more of an entrepreneurial manual than anything else.
The author is a firm believer that everyone possesses knowledge other people would be willing to pay for. So, if you’re one of those people saying, “I don’t know about anything,” or “I’ve never been anywhere,” or “I don’t have a degree in anything,” then you need to read this book. Yes, I’m talking to YOU.
Many different avenues are covered for selling one’s writing:
- newspapers
- magazines
- business world
- travel mags/agencies
- children’s books
- non-fiction
- fiction
- ghostwriting
- films
- television
- radio
- web
- self-publishing
Logistics are also covered (all that boring stuff like agents, subsidiary rights, taxes, marketing) in a way that most people will easily understand.
In short, The Freelance Writer’s Handbook is practical, it’s well-written and I highly recommend it for anyone considering freelance writing. And, if you’re not considering freelance writing, you might be after reading this book.
“The author is a firm believer that everyone possesses knowledge other people would be willing to pay for.”
Inspiring when you think about it. We all have stories. Personal writing, for me is a thoughtful,therapeutic and reflective exercise.
No one would ever pay to read anything I write, but that doesn’t matter. I love reflective writing! It brings subconscious insight into my conscious mind. That’s always exciting & liberating.