Getting Started as a Freelance Writer, Expanded Edition Book

Acknowledgments     xv
Introduction     1
Do You Really Want to Be a Writer?     5
Ten Secrets of Success     7
The Sarton Syndrome     8
The Question of Talent     14
The Publishing Conundrum     15
Money and the Working Writer     17
Things You Need to Know and do Before You Start     21
Money     22
Logos, Letterhead, and Business Cards     23
Recommended Computer Systems and Internet Connections     23
Filing     25
How to Do Online Research     26
Reference Books You Should Own     27
Organizations and Societies Worth Joining     27
Publications     28
Websites for Writers     29
Setting Up Your Home Office     29
Zoning     31
Incorporation     31
Taxes     32
The Self-Confident Writer     33
Does Moonlighting Become You?     33
Can You Moonlight?     34
Moonlighting Problems and How to Handle Them     36
Overcoming Guilt     37
Best Projects for Moonlighters     38
Moonlighting Fundamentals     39
Moonlighting Money     40
Making the Transition from Moonlighting to Full-Time Freelancer     40
Specialist Versus Generalist     41
Money and the Freelance Writer     47
Stop Haggling over Nickels and Dimes     48
Negotiating Rules     50
How to Set and Get the Fees You Deserve     51
Getting Paid     53
Start Saving Today     55
Retirement and the Writer     58
The Freelance Writer's Business Plan     61
Creating Your Business Plan     61
Tips for Working Moms and Dads Who Write at Home     68
Entry-Level Assignments to Get You Started     71
Local Newspapers     71
Comic Books     72
Cartoons     72
Nonfiction Books     74
Ghostwriting     75
Copywriting     75
Travel Writing     75
Resume Writing     76
Trade Publications     77
Writing for Small-Press Magazines     88
Three Ways to Crack New Markets     89
Magazine Articles: The Writer's Bread and Butter     91
Know Your Market     91
How to Write Winning Query Letters      93
Should You Enclose Clips with Your Query Letter?     97
More Tips for Succeeding as a Magazine Writer     98
Marketing and Self-Promotion for Writers     101
Twenty Tips for Successful Self-Promotion     103
How to Network Effectively with Editors, Prospects, and Fellow Writers     105
Create a Bait Piece     107
How to Get the Most Out of a Book Signing or Event     111
More PR Tips for Writers     112
Venues for Book Promotion     116
Hiring Your Own Publicist     116
Gaining Visibility in the Marketplace     117
Big Bucks in Business Writing     119
What to Charge Business Clients     120
Finding Clients     121
Writing Copy that Sells     124
Tips for Beginners     126
Choosing Your Market     127
Moving Up From Rookie to Pro     128
Working with Agents and Book Proposals     129
Why Having an Agent Gives You an Edge     130
Getting Your First Agent     130
The Agent's Percentage     131
Writing Your Book Proposal     132
Building Your Website and Publishing Your Ezine     141
Creating Your Website      142
Seven Steps to Creating an Effective Freelance Writer's Website     143
Promoting Yourself with an Online Newsletter     146
Do You Need a Blog?     149
Writing for the Internet and Multimedia     153
Two Worst Online Writing Opportunities     154
Five Most Lucrative Online Writing Assignments     156
Getting Online Writing Assignments     162
The Pot of Gold: Selling Your Own Information Products Online     164
Maximizing Your Personal Productivity     169
Make Personal Productivity a Business Priority     169
Six Biggest Time Wasters for Writers     172
Nine Ways to Increase Your Personal Productivity     173
Energy and Environment     175
Smart Writing     175
Sell Smart     176
Go High-Tech     179
The Quality Curve     179
More Productivity Tips     182
Overcoming Writer's Block     184
Awaken the Poet Inside You     187
Does Writing Poetry Pay?     187
Getting Ready to Write a Poem     188
Attend Poetry Readings     190
Tools You Need     190
Are Poetry Contests a Crock?      191
Submitting Your Poems     191
Chapbooks     192
Writing Short Fiction   Harlan Ellison     195
The Great American Novel     205
Writing Your Novel     205
Getting an Agent     206
Finding a Publisher     209
Promoting Your Novel     211
Writing and Selling the Personal Essay     215
Essay Basics     216
Qualifications     216
Coming Up with Essay Ideas     217
Writing the Essay     220
Essay Markets     221
Marketing Your Essays     222
Growing Your Business     225
The Lottery Method     225
The Business Method     226
Conventional Writing Usually Does Not Pay     226
Six Steps to Getting Clients     227
How to Handle Dissatisfied Clients     228
Hiring an Assistant: Can It Work for You?     231
Where to Find Affordable Help     232
How to Get Out of a Business Slump     233
More Advice on Getting Out of Your Writing Slump     235
Making Your Writing Dreams Come True     237
Getting Published: The Self-Publishing Option     237
Seven Steps to Becoming Rich and Successful as a Freelance Writer     240
Parting Thoughts: 19 Tips for a Successful Freelance Career     243
Notes     245
Appendices
Books     251
Websites     253
Software     257
Organizations     259
About the Author     263