| Back to Home > Bulletin Board > Beginner Issues > Topic: How Do I Get Started? |
Topic: How Do I Get Started?
| Author | Message |
| CoffeeNow71 | Posted – 5/29/2008 11:13:52 PM | show profile I am interested in working as a freelance writer. I've had a job in academia for many years, and though it is, at times, rewarding, I've grown tired of the microscopic paycheck, the lack of recognition and appreciation, and the office politics. And the closer I get to 40, the more I want to make sure I'm spending my time wisely. Additionally, I have two small children?another reason why spending my time well is important and why not being tied to an office would be wonderful. I'm not interested in earning a great deal of money, $500 - $750 a month would suffice, at least for the first few years. Is this a realistic goal? I'm hoping to work no more than 20 hours a week. I've got a good deal of writing experience: a bachelor's and a master's degree in English (with an emphasis in creative writing), several years as a reporter for small newspapers (and winning some awards), and nearly 10 years of teaching writing at the college level. Still . . . where do I begin? What do I need to know and what do I need to do to get started? I would be especially interested in writing articles that have to do with parenthood, but I'd be willing to write almost anything at first to make a little income. |
| caitlinkelly | Posted – 5/30/2008 8:33:52 AM | show profile You can easily make $1,000+ a month if you have decent reporting skills. Get a few good books on the topic for the basics and maybe take a class, on-line or locally, to brush up your writing/interviewing skills. A word of caution about setting your goals too low. While you may only need $750 -- and therefore be willing to accept lousy pay rates and restrictive contracts to get there -- don't do it. It hurts all writers, at any level, when publishers know there is an endless supply of eager newbies who just want a few bucks -- and therefore aren't willing to negotiate properly or walk away when needed. Many of us do this for our FT living. --- caitlinkelly.com |
| CoffeeNow71 | Posted – 5/30/2008 8:59:59 AM | show profile That's helpful Thanks! I appreciate your advice and am considering attending a workshop at the end of June. So you think $1,000 a month is a reasonable part-time goal? That's good to hear. Yes, I understand about not setting the bar too low. From the looks of it, based on previous threads, most freelancers charge at least $1 a word?is that right? It might be a bit less in my area (if I'm going to do writing for local people/places, that is), which is small-city/rural and economically depressed, but that gives me a good idea of where to start. From the looks of it, some of the things I need to think about are making a contract and figuring out my rate. What kinds of things?along with the pay-by date, as discussed in another thread?do I want to address in my contract? Are there samples? I'm most interested in magazines, with an emphasis on parenthood and/or pop culture. But it sounds like, financially, corporate is the way to go. Do I make a card? Just start contacting places and making pitches? Write some sample pieces first? Do I need a website? |
| Village Gal | Posted – 5/30/2008 9:31:58 AM | show profile I suggest you read the ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing a take few classes. You might also want to read a book or two about writing query letters. When you are writing for newspapers and magazines, they generally set the rate not you-and they send you their contract. Editors really don't care about teaching experience. (I'm also a college teacher) or your degrees. They care about your writing experience, so start getting clips. Good luck. |
| Louisewasnothalfbad | Posted – 5/30/2008 11:20:22 AM | show profile If you only want to work 20 hours a week, you might want to rethink freelancing. How old are your clips? Do you have any contacts with local papers or magazines? Your own college publications office might be a good place to start. And I wouldn't limit yourself to wanting to write about parenting--being a parent isn't really enough to set you apart from all the other parents. Why not think about The Chronicle of Higher Education, or writing about teaching or service pieces for college students (and their parents) for your local paper. To get started, you need some published clips, some ideas that you can work up into pitches, and people and publications you can pitch to. |
| CoffeeNow71 | Posted – 5/30/2008 12:28:19 PM | show profile Clarification Just to be clear, while I would be most interested in writing about parenthood (though not necessarily my own personal parenting experiences) or pop culture, I won't limit myself to those topics. I'll be willing to write just about anything at first. I've already reserved a copy of the ASJA book at my local library. It looks really helpful! Thank you! I really appreciate all of the advice thus far and would love to hear more. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 5/30/2008 3:00:10 PM | show profile ALso get Linda Formicelli's books- The Renegade Writer & Query Letters That Rock. I do think it is worth buying these and the other one I recommended so you have them on your book shelf for reference. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 5/30/2008 5:49:26 PM | show profile book rec: correct title/ auhtors The Renegade Writer by Linda Formichelli & Diana Burrell |
| CoffeeNow71 | Posted – 5/31/2008 3:08:42 PM | show profile In retrospect Thanks again for the tips on books and places to consider (college admission offices & The Chronicle of Higher Ed). Very helpful! Based on the comments on this other threads, I'm under the impression that many of you have been doing this for a long time and are successful at it. If you were to look back to when you started, what are some things that you wish you would have known at the time? I'm seeking your wisdom on both picture issues and lower-level, practical daily details. |
| CoffeeNow71 | Posted – 6/4/2008 4:56:28 PM | show profile Thanks Looks like this thread has come to an end. Thanks all, for the advice, and especially for the book recommendations. It will all be helpful as I make my decision. |
| salsera | Posted – 6/5/2008 2:09:11 PM | show profile | email poster CoffeeNow... I'd actually be interested in finding out more about how to get into academia with a master's degree and some clips! At the moment I have a full-time job as a writer, but I'd like to make the switch to working as a college-level teacher. It would be great if you could reply to me via e-mail. As for how I started freelancing, many of my gigs come from the days when I was a staffer at a magazine. In addition to doing writing, I also do some freelance fact-checking. My guess is that you should be able to make $500 a month. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 6/5/2008 3:44:49 PM | show profile I'm currently a college teacher and writer. To get hired in most colleges, you need teaching experience and a Master's or Ph.D.. It also depends on where you live In NYC competiton is stiff, even for adjunct gigs. Most colleges list jobs opening on their web sites. I'd say the easiest way to break in is by teaching continuing ed classes. |
| salsera | Posted – 6/5/2008 4:17:44 PM | show profile Thanks, Village Gal! I have an MA and and MFA, and I do have some teaching experience. But I am, alas, in NY, where competition is steep. Do you know which universities' continuing ed programs tend to look for writing teachers? |
| Village Gal | Posted – 6/5/2008 5:29:11 PM | show profile | email poster can we talk off the board? |
