A friend recently emailed a link to an essay that he had published in Motherwell, an online parenting magazine. The essay was about an old dish and how it got passed down through the family and repurposed over the years. I could write something like that, I thought, but shoot, Motherwell is for parents, and I am not […]
Repurposing Content
/ 2021-07-02I’m talking fiction, nonfiction, copy, blog material….all of it. When it comes to fiction, it’s called the backlist. When it comes to commercial copywriting, it’s called repetition or repurposing. Whatever you write, because you released it once does not mean that others saw it or shouldn’t be used again. ClearVoice.com is a savvy site about writing […]
How to Pitch a Magazine or Freelance Gig
/ 2021-05-28Sounds easy enough, but editors will tell you that very few writers pitch well. As a result, the few who do pitch well receive most of the work. That’s how repeat business is created . . . by following the guidelines, writing well, and treating the editor like gold. First, I am a firm believer […]
How to Find and Pitch Websites that Actually Pay
/ 2021-05-10Freelance writers know to pitch articles regularly to get their name out into the ether and gain recognition. But when many publications pay little or nothing for your work, where do you start? Which publications are worth the time and effort? Here’s how to find and pitch high-paying websites. Narrow Your Focus Find the right […]
The Niche of Paying Parenting Markets
/ 2021-04-09Being a parent, grandparent and now great-grandparent, has honed my niche as a writer. My children, grandchildren, and great grandson have been awesome food-for-story fodder which has also increased my earning power. The parenting market booms with magazines, both digital and print, blogs, and parenting anthologies. Parenthood, in all its myriad forms, single parents, same […]
Writing Listicles for Fun and Profit
/ 2021-04-02Listicles are not only great staples for seasoned freelancers, but are also a good way for new writers to break into print. I have been writing these bite-sized, easily digestible articles for years. Listicles used to be called refrigerator articles, because folks would cut these short informational pieces out of the newspaper and hang them […]
Is There Something Else You Can Write About?
/ 2021-02-12We often hear write what we know. There is some merit in those sage words, but is there a market for what we know? Absolutely. The first thing you need to do is make a list of what you know. What are your passions? As a writer of historical fiction, fantasy, creative nonfiction and memoirs, […]
Earning Money Writing Book Reviews
/ 2020-10-17A popular Stephen King quote is: “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.” While I wholeheartedly agree, I also recognize the difficulty in sitting down to read when you need funds for food and rent. Reading improves your writing, yet, too often, feels like a […]
Five Reasons Your Magazine Pitches Get Rejected
/ 2020-09-11So you’ve written your hundredth magazine pitch only to be rejected again. This is where most writers quit, but smart authors know that a successful pitch goes beyond a clean essay and a flashy idea. You need content that not only compels the editor to inquire for more but also provides a definitive point of […]
How to Deal with a Bad Payer Without Giving In to Anger
/ 2020-08-28Some months ago, I finally, finally received a modest payment for a couple of articles I’d written for a well-known outlet. It took me almost a year from submitting the first piece to getting paid, and the whole process involved endless emails, chasing different people, lots of silence, and false dawns – a great deal […]
How to Get Two (or More) Assignments Out of One
/ 2020-08-01Building a career as a freelance writer takes more than talent and tenacity. While editors seek superbly written articles and essays, it’s what you do after publication that can make the most impression, leading additional assignments or acceptances. I have a strategy that has worked for me for the past year. These five easy steps […]
When You Talk to People…
/ 2020-08-01When you open a discussion with someone, do you lead with “Once upon a time I lived in Michigan. I was twenty-four. I was working at the mall and was trying to figure out my life.” No. BIG YAWN. You don’t start with the backstory. Frankly, I’d bet you’d be embarrassed to start with the […]