Living the Writer's Life -- Freelance Style (research resource)

Living the Writer's Life--Freelance Style
Research Resource...
by
Sandra Chevalier-Batik

This is the eighth in a series of articles exploring on-line sources and search strategies for writers. This month, writer's resources for 'living the writer's life -freelance style' are featured.

All of us have had a "Beluchi at the back of the church" moment…you know the ray of light signaling divine inspiration - reveling our true purpose. My personal epiphany was 'Writers, write'. Followed closely by, writers also have mortgages and have to eat. With a firm belief that dichotomies exist to be resolved, I began my research into paying gigs for writers. You know, the ones that don't involve the wearing of pantyhose or driving in rush-hour traffic.

General Reference Sites

http://writerswrite.com - This site features 'The Write Jobs' - a job board which maintains listings of current employment opportunities for those with writing skills. Positions listed include journalism, editor, staff-writer, freelance writer, and technical writer. It also provides links to other writing-related job resources, direct links to company job pages and newsgroup job searches.

http://www.powerprose.com/ - is a web-based freelance content marketplace that matches the needs of both new and traditional media publishers to professional writers, graphic artists, photographers and illustrators. They have a significant number of distribution contracts with clients who need large volumes of high-quality content. These clients offer the potential for immediate and ongoing revenue, plus byline exposure. PowerProse markets your original and previously published material to its client base of web, print and specialty publications. The work will carry your byline whenever it is distributed to a client. Writers and other artists retain full copyright to all their works.

http://www.freelancers.com - this site contains free listings for freelance writers, editors, designers, illustrators, and photographers. The Talent Search area enables visitors to search by words and then review the page results.

http://www.ants.com - with over 70 categories of job descriptions, Ants.com is dedicated to creating a marketplace for worldwide freelance services. The sites unique 'Bid on a Project' might seem strange at first, but their FAQ section helps out site 'newbies'.

http://allfreelance.com/writers/index.html - 'All Write' is a new directory of freelance writing resources and jobs. The site provides you with access to a constantly updated variety of project proposals in your field - fiction, horror, magazines, mysteries, non-fiction and technical writing.

http://freelancewrite.miningco.com/careers/freelancewrite - This site covers the freelance-life essentials. It offers a Freelance Writers Forum that draws on collective wisdom of other freelancers; a Chat Room to stave off writer's isolation; and a Writer's Research Center for background information, article ideas and expert opinions. There are tips and tricks to determine a fair rate for your work as well as techniques for new freelancers looking to break into the business.

http://www.newsjobs.net - The sites tag line sold me - "Because you need to eat." This well organized site is easy to navigate. It features not only global freelance listings by country and type, but handy how-to tips from editors.

http://www.freelancewriting.com - bills it's self as the web site for today's working writers. The organization of the site is a bit chaotic. Once the visitor gets past the annoying animation and banners the actual job listings are worthwhile. The site pitches a freelancers newsletter delivered via e-mail that actually looks interesting.

http://www.worldwidefreelance.com - Worldwide Freelance Writer site is dedicated to informing writers about the international freelance writing market. The site is especially helpful for freelance writers trying to expand their opportunities outside North America.

http://www.sunoasis.com/freelance.html - Sunoasis Jobs offers listings for writers, editors and copywriters, which are sorted by region or type. The site is easy to navigate and offers timely information, with direct links to the specifics of each listing. There is even a site based search engine to help visitors save time.

http://www.themestream.com/gspd_browse/home.gsp - Themestream is building an on-line enthusiast resource. As a writer, are you passionate about something and want to share your knowledge with others? As a Themestream author, you can publish your articles; reach lots of readers; get paid for each article view, and get valuable feedback. Right now Themestream is offering a special bonus pay rate.

e-zines for professional writers

http://www.inscriptionsmagazine.com - Inscriptions, the weekly e-zine for professional writers, sent direct to your email in-box. Great source for industry news, contest, and numerous freelance-writing opportunities. To subscribe, send an e-mail to Inscriptions-subscribe@egroups.com.

http://www.inkspot.com/inklings/ Inklings is a free, biweekly electronic newsletter for writers and is part of Inkspot, a web resource for writers. Issue content includes up-to-date market news, writing-related resources, how-to tips, interviews, articles, and advice by industry professionals. To receive general info about Inklings including subscription information, a basic FAQ, etc., send any e-mail message to adminfaq@inkspot.com .

http://www.writersmarket.com - No listing of freelance writer resources would be complete without the venerable Writer's Market. In its printed form, it has been the freelance writer's "bible" since 1921, providing complete market contact information, query letter clinics, pay rates, submission guidelines, and more. Now it's available online, providing the latest market news and the most current submission information available. Additionally, site visitors are offered a free e-mail newsletter delivered straight to your e-mailbox every two weeks.

Retro Search

Sources you can touch, index with sticky tabs, and mark with highlighters.

Secrets of a Freelance Writer: How to Make $85,000 a Year by Robert W. Bly
Henry Holt (Paper); ISBN: 0805047603. This new, fully revised edition of Bob Bly's invaluable resource tells how to tap dozens of high-paying, commercial writing projects. These include ads, annual reports, brochures, catalogs, newsletters, direct-mail packages, audiovisual presentations, and other promotional pieces. The book has been called "a treasure chest of information for those who would desire to freelance." From the basic, 'to how to sell yourself', the book answers every question a beginning freelancer could ask.

Handbook for Freelance Writing by Michael Perry; Ntc Business Books; ISBN: 0844232564. This is a book about making a living as a writer ... a book about a fulfilling livelihood that allows its practitioners the luxury of practicing survival by indulging a passion. Perry's advice is straightforward and practical, telling you everything you need to know to build a thriving business as a freelance writer. You'll learn how to get assignments, get published, and get paid promptly. Throughout the book, you'll benefit from proven strategies and real-world advice on every aspect of a freelance writing career. My favorite quote in the book describes Perry's reaction to some writer's disdain for commercial writing. "Hack writing," he says, "is the writer's equivalent of playing weddings. In other words, commercial writing is a great way to support your magazine writing, at least until the New Yorker comes calling." Perry has managed a very successful freelance career and, he makes you believe so can you.

Writer's Digest Handbook of Making Money Freelance Writing by Writer's Digest Magazine (Editor), Amanda Boyd (Editor), Thomas Clark; Writers Digest Books; ISBN: 0898797772. This handbook, put together by the editors of Writer's Digest, covers soup-to-nuts terrain for anyone contemplating--or already a few steps down--the road to a part- or full-time living off freelance writing. Topics covered include breaking in (and cultivating editors once you
have), tax tips, and even time management so you can get that scribing done. This manual helps part- and full-time freelancers find income-producing opportunities and make the most of them.

Save yourself some typing. These, as well as other sources not listed here are located on my web site:
http://www.pleiadespublishing.com

Sandra Chevalier-Batik is senior researcher and technical writer for Pleiades Publishing Services. She develops content and information design for web sites and corporate communications.