Handbook For Freelance Writing

Rating:
Summary: I got a lot out of this book...
Review: I finished up Handbook For Freelance Writing by Michael Perry over the last couple of days. If you're looking to start writing as a freelancer (magazine articles, stories, etc.), this is a good book to read. He writes in a very practical and amusing style, and you'll get quite a few tips on how to start structuring your efforts in this field. You'll learn the different types of freelance writing, what to expect during the process of seeking out assignments, how to make yourself easily acceptable to editors, and much more. If you've been doing freelancing for awhile, you may already know most of this. If you're just starting out like I am, then you'll benefit quite a bit from this read.

Rating:
Summary: I got a lot out of this book...
Review: I finished up Handbook For Freelance Writing by Michael Perry over the last couple of days. If you're looking to start writing as a freelancer (magazine articles, stories, etc.), this is a good book to read. He writes in a very practical and amusing style, and you'll get quite a few tips on how to start structuring your efforts in this field. You'll learn the different types of freelance writing, what to expect during the process of seeking out assignments, how to make yourself easily acceptable to editors, and much more. If you've been doing freelancing for awhile, you may already know most of this. If you're just starting out like I am, then you'll benefit quite a bit from this read.

Rating:
Summary: Magazine writing and a way to approach it.
Review: I really would not recommend this book to others. It does not give enought information on how to make it as a freelance writer or how to make good money. I would recommend Robert Bly's book Secrets of a Freelance Writer : How to Make $85,000 a Year or How to Start a Home-Based Writing Business by Lucy Parker. I believe that these books give more actual information on how to get started, where to look for business and how to price your services. Bly's book is primarily about commercial writing but is worth buying whether you are doing magazine or commerical writing.

Rating:
Summary: Could have been better
Review: I really would not recommend this book to others. It does not give enought information on how to make it as a freelance writer or how to make good money. I would recommend Robert Bly's book Secrets of a Freelance Writer : How to Make $85,000 a Year or How to Start a Home-Based Writing Business by Lucy Parker. I believe that these books give more actual information on how to get started, where to look for business and how to price your services. Bly's book is primarily about commercial writing but is worth buying whether you are doing magazine or commerical writing.

Rating:
Summary: Magazine writing and a way to approach it.
Review: This book actually contains a fair amount of useful information. It is primarily aimed at individuals who are setting out to write magazine articles. So, if you have no interest in writing magazine articles, this is probably not the book for you.

In short, it essentially posits that one ought to approach magazine queries in the same manner that one would work a cross-word puzzle. i.e. Looking to multiple sources to max income on things.

The author's approach follows his interests, which are diverse with a sub-specialization, ie country music, medical, etc. The general tone is converational, and it is easy to read.

Rating:
Summary: A great guide -- IF this is what you want to do
Review: This book is terrific if you're interested in making a living as a free-lance writer and would like practical guidance about how to do it -- and it's funny too. The author focuses on the part most writers have trouble with -- finding a unique "take" on a subject -- and his advice about that is very good. I also heartily endorse his comments about how to present your work most effectively to editors. He doesn't downplay the drawbacks of working as a free-lancer, but he's also upbeat enough to make you believe it's possible if you're willing to put in the effort. I agree with his recommendation to find a good accountant to handle the financial aspects -- but, for those of us who don't live in a pop. 485 town, it would have been useful to have some hints about what to look for in an accountant! But in general this is an excellent guide to the free-lance life.
However, based on my own experience (I've been making a living as a writer for most of my adult life), I have one caveat: Perry's life as a writer may not be the best life for you. If you just want to earn a living from your writing, and aren't fussy what you write about or for whom, this is a great book for you. If you have an area of specialization (e.g., computers), you can still free-lance successfully in that area -- and it's sometimes helpful in getting work for you to be an "expert." But if you're a writer who wants more time to work on your Big Project (your serious novel, your mystery series, etc.), you're better off taking a full-time job in a totally unrelated field and writing in your spare time. Free-lance writing is time-consuming, requires total commitment, and can be psychologically and physically draining; if you have any spare time at all, you'll want to go fishing rather than work on your novel! Before you quit your day job, consider WHY you want to become a free-lance writer; you may find you're better off where you are.