How can you quickly get and keep the attention of a prospective client? Managers who have freelance work to dole out are busy, trust me. I used to be one of them, and I had the opportunity to handle quite a few freelance queries. It’s a process that a lot of folks may enjoy—I know I did—but the fact is that they simply don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to it.

If it occurs to you that the above sample isn’t heading in the best possible direction, you’re on the right track. Here’s an approach to making your one …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Hi Anne,
I’m trying to put together a freelance writing career while raising my two kids. It dawned on me that I’ve got a bunch of tips I’d like to share with other mothers. I don’t know how to put together a query for a magazine, which is what I think I need to do first. Can you help me?
KP
Hi KP,
Thanks for the question. Let me unpack it a bit.
First of all, you can market a series of tips one at a time to magazines that like that sort of thing.
You can turn your tips into a full-length article.
A query …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)
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)
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

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Hi Anne,
Back when I was in college I wrote an academic paper on a topic I’m truly interested in. The research was fun, I got an A on the paper and the subject, reworked, would be timely today. I’d like to see it in one of the big magazines, maybe the New Yorker, Harper’s Magazine, or The Atlantic. Since I already make my living writing books, I’m pretty secure in my ability to convert my paper to something for top notch consumer magazines.
But I’ve been sitting on this for four years! I’ve talked about it, dreamed about it, occasionally looked …read more

Amid all the talk about sub-prime mortgages, emergency Fed action and possible rescission, I just posted 64 New Writing, Blogging, Editing and Translation Jobs.
Go get ‘em and let us know when you do.
Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision – for those who want to get a book written.

No, I’m not talking about the writer’s strike, at least not this time. I’m referring to that stack of papers on your desk, or the pile of yet-to-be-read books by your bed. Or maybe, even how long it takes you to find a client’s file on your computer.
I’m sure a goodly number of you never have this kind of problem. But I know I’m not the only one who, occasionally at least, let’s stacks of stuff grow. Which is why I was delighted to discover b5media has a blog dedicated to helping people organize their business. It’s called MyOrganizedBiz. Not …read more

Michael Stelzner’s Top 10 Blog Posts for Writers (The Best From The Best in 2007!) has some gems.
For example, WebWritingInfo.com has an article called: Are you building your house on a pile of sand?. It does a good job of pointing out why good writing is a better marketing tool over time than schlock seo articles just thrown together to drive traffic.
Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision – for those who want to get a book written.