MBToolBox - Behind the 'bistro
Monday, Jan 09

AvantGuild Member of the Week: Cator Sparks

catorsparks.jpgAge: 29

Location: Harlem, NYC

What are you working on now?
I am always working on a cocktail but between sips I am continualy pitching to my regualr magazines such as Clear, Flaunt, Genre, Out Traveler as well as to others such as T and GQ. I have been working on short stories about my life in Harlem that I hope to organize and publish in 2006! The blog is my after 5 delight that I indulge in as much as possible.

What's the most helpful thing you've learned about
freelancing/writing?

That being a freelance writer is just like being in PR. My PR background has been a huge help. I am used to pitching magazines/editors, I always follow up and I often know what they are looking for and how to angle it towards them. I also learned alot in the Travel Writing class I took with MB, mostly about editing. It was a great launch pad.

What's been the worst career advice you've ever received?
It may not be advice, but everyone warned me that being a writer is a
very lonely job. I have not found that true at all. My dance card is
always full of people to meet, parties to attend and new places to go. This is how I keep up with what is hot, new and exciting and meet the people I want to interview and editors I want to work for.

You have a beautiful website: based on what you've learned putting
yours together, what would you advise other writers on putting
together an attractive yet functional site for themselves?

Many thanks! It was hard work but such fun. The most amazing thing I have learned about my website is how much trouble people have navigating it. My niece can find my articles after 2 clicks but so many editors are either lazy and dont want to try or really cant find my tear sheets and ask me to send hard copies. If I were to do it over I would put all of my tear sheets on the first page of my site. Also, using your name for your website (and email) is much more respected than www.trendywriter.com or something to that effect.


Email This Post

Fill out the following information and click on the Send button in order to send this post, AvantGuild Member of the Week: Cator Sparks, to a friend.
Friend's name
Friend's email address
Your name
Your email address
Note to your friend (optional, max 200 Characters)

Read more on MBToolBox >

Behind the 'bistro
MBToolBox in Your Inbox
Mobile Version
RSS Feed

Job Listings

Featured Company
Pontiflex
Jobs of the Day

Client Services Manager
SmartBrief, Inc.
Washington, DC

Executive Director
New England Newspaper and Press Association
Dedham, MA

Shalom Sesame Project Freelance Producer
Sesame Workshop
New York, NY

MEDIA PARTNERS

ADVERTISEMENT


mediabistro.com l Member Benefits l Jobs l Freelance Marketplace l Courses l Events l Forums l Content
mediabistro Blogs: Media News l TVNewser l GalleyCat l UnBeige l FishbowlNY l FishbowlLA l FishbowlDC l PRNewser l AgencySpy
MobileContentToday l WebNewser l BayNewser l MediaJobsDaily l mbToolbox
Site Map l Advertising/Sponsorships l Partners l About Us l Contact Us/Help

internet.commediabistro.comJusttechjobs.comGraphics.com

Search:

WebMediaBrands Corporate Info

Legal Notices, Licensing, Reprints, Permissions, Privacy Policy.
Advertise | Newsletters | Shopping | E-mail Offers