Dear Anne,
How can a person without professional writing experience or degree but with a serious love of writing break into freelancing?
Thank you,
jk
Dear JK,
As you already recognize a freelance writing career isn’t like some. If you want to be a banker, you usually start by working as a teller in a bank.
The secret to a freelance writing career is first of all to write, write, write and write some more.
You’ve also got to submit your writing. With persistence and some luck, you’ll gradually get better and start selling what you write.
Another approach would be to get a writing job. …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
This picture is how part of me feels this morning at 5:45 on this Saturday morning. I was going to link to an article on one of my websites and went to look it over… all my sites are down, and it’s not because I haven’t paid my bill.
I called customer service and was told “a server is down.” I hadn’t known where on the planet my websites are served from and it turns out to be Kansas. I asked for that information so I could estimate how long my sites are down. I may ask for a credit.
In truth, …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Hi Anne,
I’m a freelancer new to the game. I have been offered a gig at a local parenting magazine that has a huge circulation. They have only recently sent the writers agreement even though my column has already appeared in two issues. I really need some advice, like I said, I’m a newbie and don’t want to be taken advantage of.
Here is part of the contract. I have left out the specifics of the publication.
“In purchasing First North American serial rights, the content will appear first and exclusively in XXXX (and cannot appear elsewhere in print within …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)

Dear Anne:
I have a question about fiction submissions and copyrights.
Several years back, I wrote a few stories that won short fiction awards and were published in my college’s literary journals. Now I am thinking of sending them out to other publications for reprinting. The problem is that I want to edit and rewrite (to a degree) these stories. Does that affect the fact that they have already been published?
Once I publish something in a literary journal, does that mean I can’t rewrite it and sell it again, even if it is to a ‘accepts …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Hello Anne,
How do I go about doing that all-important resume when I am brand-new to free-lance writing?
thanks,
V.
Dear V.
Having a writing resume or credit list isn’t the only way to break into freelance writing (and there’s no dash in the word, and brand new shouldn’t be hyphenated… I’m assuming you’re in the US – if not, I apologize.)
You need to do what we used to do and many still do and that’s do some work on spec. Usually this is writing for magazines. You query a magazine editor with an idea and if it’s accepted it will probably be on …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
One of the finalists in Michael Stelzner’s Top 10 Blogs For Writers is The Book Deal. Subtitled “An Inside View Of Publishing,” it’s written by Alan Rinzler who bills himself as a Consulting Editor. The list of authors he’s worked with is impressive to say the least and each clickable link on his Authors page gives some insight in how the book came to be and came to be well known.
Rinzler’s blog does indeed give an inside view of the arcane world of trade publishing, plus some darn good information for writers. Take today’s post: Ask the Editor: …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Dear Anne,
I’m a regular reader of your newsletter and always look inside the job postings list. I would like to find a writing job I can do from home one day but it is proving to be rather difficult.
One thing is that some jobs are for US based people only. Another obstacle is that they sometimes want someone with a long experience in a special field. Hmmm.. it’s not going well so far.
I teach English to foreigners for a living but do not have any qualifications in journalism or any degrees. I am new to writing and …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Hi Anne:
At what point in a freelancers career is it appropriate to set up a website? I have one national publication and at least 10 regional publications. Is this too early. If so how long should you wait to set up a site?
–Maureen, Atlanta, GA
Hi Maureen,
First let me apologize. I’d forgotten your question was in comments… I’ve been looking for it in my email! That’s why the delay.
No, it’s not to early; you should set up a website today! Right now! In fact, I suggest writers set up websites very early in their careers these days.
I don’t know what’s going …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Yesterday I was, for a bit, convinced I’d never finish what I was calling the final pass on the book I’m working on. My goal was to finish my proofreading so I could turn it over to a copy editor.
It’s a book for an upcoming teleclass called How To Get Your Book Written With Vision And Spirit. But I wanted the book to also work for people who want to get a book written but who don’t want to take the teleclass. I think I’ve accomplished that.
I’ve been working to finish it over the last month, and this last …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Hi Anne,
Maybe you can help me. I live in Kolkata City, India. I am a web content writer with 1 years 6 months experience. In my 1 and half years of experience as a full time content writer, I have written on a vast range of topics ranging from travel and tourism, food and lifestyle, fashion and e-magazine (traveltorch.com) to health and fitness, sports, education and beauty tips. I have also gathered experience in writing on topics related to finance (loans, taxation, insurance, banking) and technical keywords (internet, laptops, cell phones, automobiles). Officially, I have also done blogging for indiaedu.com …read more