Articles

Writers Beware: Are You Using Stolen Art Without Knowing It? By Tiana Bodine

Published on October 2, 2013

When pulling art or photography from the Internet, most authors know to be careful about copyright protection. Most of the work found online cannot be copied without the expectation of a DMAC take-down notice from an artist's attorney, so most writers focus their searches on stock photo sites instead. These sites, usually owned by massive multimedia conglomerates, sell licenses to photographs and vector artwork at reasonable prices. Professional and DIY cover designers alike rely on stock sites as a source of affordable, safe art. Unfortunately, not all stock art is trustworthy... …

For Writers – The Art of Closing the Deal By Mridu Khullar Relph

Published on September 25, 2013

One of the first things freelancers, self-employed professionals, and entrepreneurs have to learn very, very quickly is the art of closing the deal. The problem is, despite having worked in the business for years, many freelance writers still don't realize that they're responsible for being proactive about this and that this business term - closing the deal - doesn't just apply to other businesses, but to everything they do. …

Tips for New Bloggers By Kate Tietje

Published on September 18, 2013

Tips for New Bloggers By Kate Tietje

Back when I was in high school, I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to write what I wanted, when I wanted. I wanted it to be informational, yet conversational. I wanted to control when and what I wrote about, yet still have a consistent job... …

Simple Ways to Grow Your Market Share By Susan Sundwall

Published on September 11, 2013

We're used to hearing the term in relation to finances with visions of bulls and bears dancing in our heads. But, let's expand our definition of market share a little bit. Once you've cornered your niche market, figured out what what your readers love, and capitalized on it, you nonetheless should be exercising a flexibility that leads to growth. Think hard on the following points... …

Meeting Steinbeck By Eric D. Goodman

Published on September 4, 2013

Montecito, California, just outside Santa Barbara, is practically paradise. Today (and from what I am told, virtually every day) it is sunny and bright, not a cloud in the deep blue sky. Palm trees decorate the parking lot, and a cool breeze sweeps across the front of the bookstore where I am sitting in a high-back chair before a table of books. I'm about to begin the final book event of my west coast tour for Tracks: A Novel in Stories. Tecolote Books in Montecito is kind enough to host me. …

Why I Don’t Post My Rates on My Website By Kathleen Krueger

Published on August 21, 2013

Why I Don’t Post My Rates on My Website By Kathleen Krueger

What do you charge for website copy? What about blog articles? Do you charge per page or per word? How about a sales letter? What are your rates for those? Those are typical questions for clients to ask a writer these days... …

How to Explode Your Freelance Writing Income with Copywriting and Copyblogging By Halina Zakowicz

Published on August 14, 2013

How to Explode Your Freelance Writing Income with Copywriting and Copyblogging By Halina Zakowicz

Copywriting and copyblogging are two highly lucrative writing fields yet too many freelance writers continue to "grind it out" at small-time blogs, "mom-and-pop" businesses and non-profits. In some cases, these freelance writers assume that they don't have the right credentials to land a corporate gig. In other cases, they are intimidated by the corporate world and its profit-centric terminology such as ROI, KPI, sales copy, landing page, marketing collateral, etc. However, aside from being prefaced by the word "copy," copywriting and copyblogging still involve writing well for an audience... …

Offered a Traditional Publishing Contract? Know the Facts…and Fiction By Gary Gabelhouse

Published on July 31, 2013

In 2001, I began to write my first fiction manuscript. Three years later, I'd established a website, and began to upload information about the title. Imagine my surprise and excitement when, not more than two months after my finishing it, an acquisition editor for a good-size publisher read my web excerpts, and requested the full manuscript. I remember I was beside myself with anxiety as I received nothing back... …

How to Write Part-Time, and Make it Work By Patrick Icasas

Published on July 24, 2013

How to Write Part-Time, and Make it Work By Patrick Icasas

As profitable and satisfying as full-time freelancing can be, a part-time freelancing business has its merits, too. For one, you have the security of a salaried position to make it through the inevitable lean season. Also, depending on the job, you'll still be covered by employee health benefits - something many full-time freelancers still struggle with... …

BEWARE THE BACKEND DEAL: Don’t Sell Yourself Short for Other People’s Dreams By Rich Mintzer

Published on July 17, 2013

BEWARE THE BACKEND DEAL: Don’t Sell Yourself Short for Other People’s Dreams By Rich Mintzer

How many people would ask a contractor to remodel their kitchen (a $20,000 job, or more), and expect the contractor to agree to be paid when you sold your home for a hefty price several years down the road? More significantly, how many contractors would take such an offer, knowing that the real estate market could tank, leaving the seller with less money than they anticipated and none left to pay your bill? …

A Review of oDesk.com – Kris Gutknecht

Published on June 26, 2013

Sometime between my 105th sent resume and 35th rejection letter as a freelancer, I've become a cynical, hate-filled spinster who doesn't even have a cat to fill me with love. It's a perfectly sensible attitude to adopt when you're an unemployed writer looking for work on the Internet. I've been burned by an "employer" on Craigslist so, when I heard about oDesk from a friend, its double-checking system sounded pretty safe... …

BE A FREER FREELANCER! How to Obtain Income Stability as a Freelance Writer – Katharine Paljug

Published on June 12, 2013

At the end of 2012, NBC reported that freelancers (across industries) now make up almost a third of workers in the U.S. But, the MBO Partners State of Independence Report around the same time pointed out that 30% of these independent workers are still worried about their future as freelancers, and 40% are worried about where their next job will come from... …

Traditional Publishers Have Let Me Down For The Last Time… – Tom Douglas

Published on May 29, 2013

Traditional Publishers Have Let Me Down For The Last Time… – Tom Douglas

I started my book publishing career a dozen years ago at BookLocker.com, which is not a traditional publisher. So successful was Some Sunny Day - an account of family life when my father returned from overseas after the Second World War - that it led to a multi-book contract with a traditional publisher. And, that's where the heartache began... …

Is Your Best Client MIA? Don’t Panic! – Patrick Icasas

Published on May 22, 2013

Many freelancers have that one client they love above all others. They're the VIP that pays on time, the customer who doesn't question his bill, the friend who gives you both steady work and the time of day. They're the rock upon which your business is built. When that rock disappears, negative thoughts start to run through your head. Anxiety starts creeping in, and your thoughts spiral down into panic. I know, because I've been there myself; and I can tell you this. Yes, your business can survive. And here's how... …

When to Fire a Client – Anita Rodgers

Published on May 15, 2013

When to Fire a Client – Anita Rodgers

Steady work is survival for a freelancer - it means paying your rent, keeping the lights on, and eating. So, when you snag a regular client you want to hang onto them... …

Writing and Editing for the Legal Profession – Sara Puls

Published on May 1, 2013

Writing and Editing for the Legal Profession – Sara Puls

Much of the legal profession, and especially non-profit law firms, rely on instructional materials, such as "How-To" pamphlets and "Know Your Rights" brochures, to provide basic legal information to their clients. Here's where you come in: these pamphlets and brochures often appear to be slapped together without much effort or editing. …

The Value of Speaking with Visual Aids – Alice J. Wisler

Published on April 3, 2013

The Value of Speaking with Visual Aids – Alice J. Wisler

Just two days before my event at the local library, the librarian called to touch base. "Now, you are the one who wanted to do a PowerPoint presentation, right?" Huh? Clearly she had me confused with another presenter. I had no plans for a PowerPoint, but the second I opened my mouth, I heard myself saying, "Sure. I'd like to do that." For two days, I rushed to create a presentation in connection with my fifth novel's release. Although I'd created a few PowerPoint presentations before for various teaching engagements, I'd never thought to do one for a novel... …

Query Letter Steps – Marlene Caroselli, Ed.D.

Published on March 27, 2013

Literary legend has it that mystery writer Robert Parker sent a two-sentence query to the publisher of his first novel: "Here's my manuscript. Want to publish it?" While it was accepted--no doubt on the strength of the author's bestselling style--most wannabe-published writers need more than this to be taken seriously... …

Before You Say I Do…to Every Assignment – Ashley Bennett

Published on March 20, 2013

Writers often jump at the prospect of work. They will jump through hoops, walk through fire, and compromise their core values just because there might be a chance of getting some work. They will often overlook important details about projects, which might cause them to never get paid or get any credit for their work. Writers need to think carefully before they say "I do" to any project. Experienced writers probably know all of this, but inexperienced writers often make a lot of mistakes in this area. Here are some things to consider before saying "I do" to any project... …

Ghostwriters For Hire – Violet Ivy

Published on March 13, 2013

Notoriety and cash in the bank are still possible regardless of being time pressured, lacking confidence or losing motivation to complete that novel... …

Never Say Never to Your Dreams! – Dawn Colclasure

Published on March 6, 2013

Writers dream of big things for themselves and their careers. When faced with rejection or roadblocks, however, some writers abandon their dreams. This doesn't need to happen to you! If you want to make your dreams come true, you need to do what I did... …

Feedback, Consider the Source and More – Rich Mintzer

Published on February 20, 2013

If a writer writes and nobody reads it is he or she still a writer? On behalf of those who have written some remarkable diaries, stories or screenplays that have been neatly tucked away in drawers or saved in password protected files, writing can certainly be a self-fulfilling undertaking. But for many writers the next step is to invite others into their world, to read their work, explore their thoughts and possibly open the door to the wide range of responses, reactions and opinions that we collectively call feedback. It is from such feedback that we can re-think, re-shape and re-rewrite our work, unless of course we choose to simply reject it. Yes, as writers, we do have the power over feedback to accept it, question it, utilize some of it or simply ignore it... …

Is That “Intern” Position Really Seeking a PROFESSIONAL Writer? – Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Published on February 13, 2013

If you've looked at online ads for writing jobs or gigs lately, you've likely read headlines such as "Writing freelancer/intern..." The body of the ad stresses how much skill, talent and experience they seek, even "rock star" quality (which makes me muse why they want someone who dresses bizarrely and plays electric guitar). But back to the headline. Do they mean freelancers are equivalent to interns, people who have little to no experience, working for free while they complete their education? Yet the ads usually demand top-quality, experienced writers... …

Fear is Why You Fail By Johnny Kilhefner

Published on February 6, 2013

Fear is everywhere for the freelance writer. The moment we put words on a blank page, we dread what others might think. Querying an editor stirs this fear: "What if she rejects me? I really need the money this month..." That fear may cause you to play it safe and write what you think others expect you to write. It may even keep you from writing your novel, or from pitching The New Yorker because you're scared you're not good enough. If you're not getting the kind of work you want, and consistently, then fear is why you fail. The goal, however, isn't to be fearless, as a person without fear is not courageous, but reckless. The goal is to leverage your fear so as to propel your spirit to write in its authentic voice... …

BEFORE YOU PAY TO PLAY: Ethical Book Promotion – Rachel Rueben

Published on January 30, 2013

BEFORE YOU PAY TO PLAY: Ethical Book Promotion – Rachel Rueben

Today, authors can buy reviews and social media followers with the hopes of fooling a publisher or agent into believing they're a hot commodity when, really, they're not. In the online world it's known as black hat SEO. It's the process of artificially inflating web visibility either for social media accounts, websites, or blogs using unethical techniques. Now granted, places like Amazon or Facebook won't throw you in the slammer. They will, however, ban your account... …

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