The Well-Fed Writer: Back for Seconds: A Second Helping of "How-To" for Any Writer Dreaming of Great Bucks and Exceptional Quality of Life

Rating:
Summary: This book will change you.
Review: Anyone who has always thought about getting into commercial writing should pick up this book! It does more than act as a "companion" volume to Peter's first book; it encourages, motivates and supports those writers wondering if they've got what it takes to get into this field of writing. It covers everything from having limited resources to work with, living in a small town, having a limited "start-up" budget and it even discusses taxes. It will guide you through the process of being a copywriter thanks to the generous stories shared from writers from all over and, as with the first book, it provides samples of documents readers can use. The best thing I got from reading this book was his no-holds-barred talk on how aspiring commercial writers tend to "overplan" how they will do everything before they even try. It also gives an honest discussion on fears and doubts. After you read this book, you will no longer have either fear or doubt, but inspiration and motivation to get into the commercial writing game.

Rating:
Summary: Essential reading for freelance writers
Review: Anyone who's interested in writing for money, will no doubt have come across Peter Bowerman's great book, The Well-Fed Writer. And now there's a second volume, called Back for Seconds. This time, Peter offers lots more ideas about where to find freelance work and how to persuade some of the less likely suspects that they need a freelancer (you!) to write for them.

His chapter, 'Dining Off the Beaten Path' even has a list of 60 potential writing clients. 60! I found my brain working overtime as I came up with idea after idea to pitch. F'r instance, if you have a gym or health and fitness centre near you (you may even be one of those unafraid to be seen in public in lycra yourself) then why not approach them with your ideas for writing a newsletter, a weekly set of exercises, a leaflet of healthy recipes or other fitness tips?

If you live near a tourist attraction, approach all the businesses that service it (think eateries, accommodation, transport, tours etc) and offer to write a history of the area, a leaflet about the best times/ways to enjoy whatever it is or a guide to similar places close by.

As I said, there are 60 of these potential markets in this one chapter! Then there's the chapter, 'Eating Well in Smaller Markets' that shows how you can make a very nice living thank you very much even if you don't live in the centre of the writing universe.

Of course, the book contains much more than just this, but to my way of thinking, it's the big question of where to find work that most of us are interested in, and Peter's book provides plenty of answers. Just think of the chapters on how and what to charge for your services, the fear-free way to cold call, what you should be doing on your website, how to utilise your network and the rest as valuable bonuses.


Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource for Freelancers
Review: As a budding freelance marketing writer, I've found both The Well-Fed Writer and Back for Seconds to be invaluable tools. Bowerman's humor, insight and perspective give his readers the encouragement needed to succeed in this business.

Rating:
Summary: Guilt-free second helpings!
Review: For writers who are serious about freelance business writing, this book is a MUST! Bowerman writes in a practical, hand-on way for anyone who wants to write commercially. He even has a case story on a stay-at-home mom with two small children who started her business with no writing experience in her portfolio. And with the age of the Internet, anyone can start crafting their marketing pitch with Peter's helpful hints. Bowerman also uses a lot of advice from other successful business folks who know how to take the sting out of marketing. Buy the book---you won't regret it!

Rating:
Summary: Another Template for Success
Review: I'm an aspiring actor looking for creative ways to maintain income while pursuing the craft. Other than the cliche waitor, bartender stuff. Here it is.........


Peter Bowerman serves up another non-sugar coated, revealing book on the topic of starting and maintaining your own free lance copy writing business. This volume is not at all a re-write (says so right on the cover) and it's a great, non-fluff, continuation of his first book The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency As a Freelance Writer in Six Months or Less.

Bowerman actually goes on to spoon feed you with resources on the topic of how to write good copy. Appendix E is alone, worth the price of admission here.

This book is the product of a succesful copy writer, unselfishly illustrating that it is more than just a possibility to do on your own. It's very obvious, in reading both books, that Mr. Bowerman dealt with the same issues of self doubt, and fear of failure that alot of his readers experience. He's been there, he's done that. What better resource to tap into is there? If you want to be succesful in a particular field, ask a person that IS succesful in that field.

My rant is over. This is THE place to start learning about this topic, and as Peter Bowerman will suggest in his books, checking out Robert Bly is also a must.

Rating:
Summary: Follow the advice in this book and you really can't miss
Review: I've been a fan of "The Well-Fed Writer" since it first came out. Peter Bowerman connects all the dots for anyone wanting to pursue a freelance career. Peter's writing style draws you right in, amuses you while delivering a wealth of information, and makes you feel you've got a friend to guide you. IT CAN BE DONE. "Back for Seconds" adds even more to what I thought was a complete discussion in "The Well-Fed Writer."

For anyone hesitating to make that first cold-call to drum up freelance work, "Back For Seconds" is a gotta-read. You'll be on the phone, knowing what to expect and how to make it all work in no time flat.

For anyone longing to cut the cord tethering them to a full-time, in-office job in corporate America, "Back to Seconds" will show you, in detail, how to do it. With case studies from folks who have made the leap, and done so successfully and recently and in a down-economy, you'll gain both reassurance and concrete advice you need that you too can make it happen for you.

Bottom line - buy this book, grab your highlighter and a stack of sticky-notes, then sit in your favorite armchair and do what I did. Read it cover to cover, then place it within arm's reach on your desk. You'll find yourself reaching for this book time and again as you build a successful career as a freelancer.

Rating:
Summary: Lots of new info--and all practical
Review: If you've read many books about freelance commercial writing (copywriting), you find that most of them say the same things. In fact, I recently bought one that was little more than tired reruns of the writer's previous tips--just a blatant repackaging to make more money.

BACK FOR SECONDS is different. You'll get tons of new, useful information. Peter covers everything from insecurity about cold calling to what's important to make a go of it in a small market. Especially helpful are the articles by working, established writers, revealing their strategies. This approach harvests the best from several different sources, not just the person writing the book.

WFW-BFS may not answer ALL your questions, but it does an excellent job covering the critical ones. Peter Bowerman obviously put in a terrific amount of time and thought putting this together.

This is NOT the same old stuff. These fresh ideas, especially about the Web, are solid gold. You will definitely enjoy and benefit from this book.

I've earned my living as a writer in the commercial and nonprofit sectors for over 30 years, and I plan to follow this advice in my new freelancing career.

Pick the brains of the folks who do this every day and are financially successful at it. BACK FOR SECONDS has set a new standard for commercial freelance writing guides. Do your career a favor and get this book.



Rating:
Summary: Writing IS a business!
Review: Peter Bowerman has challenged the publishing "world"
in instructing and encouraging writers that it IS possible
to write (and eat, too!). In Back for Seconds, Bowerman
provides great marketing tips and methods that will benefit
ALL entrepreneurs to review on a regular basis! I will
certainly add this book to the resource chapters of my books'
future editions! Priscilla Y. Huff, <[e-mail]>
101 Best Home-Based Businesses for Women; & The Self-Employed Woman's Guide to Launching a Home-Based Business


Rating:
Summary: Fluff seekers need not read
Review: This book contains a tremendous amount of solid, practical information. Peter Bowerman does a great job sharing his wisdom in an easy-to-understand, friendly manner. Whether you're an aspiring copywriter or a seasoned pro, The Well Fed Writer: Back For Seconds is not only a great read, but an excellent reference tool, especially when combined with its predecessor The Well Fed Writer.


Rating:
Summary: Well Fed Seconds, belch, Most Excellent!
Review: This is the perfect follow-on to the Well-Fed Writer. It's filled with up-to-date information that isn't regurgitated from the first book. The author not only discusses his experiences with real-life examples, but also draws from experiences, hints, and recommendations from professional writers nation-wide. He provides unprecedented in-depth coverage on portfoilios, what to charge, web-pages, and the most important aspect--getting clients. Both books have been invaluable for launching my successful business--and I was putting food on the table in 4 months! This is a must read if you want to be any sort of writer who works from home! ((Don't forget to read the first book too!))