The Life of a Freelance Writer, Part Three

I woke up this morning to an offer of paid writing work. Could I rearrange my day to start immediately?  Yes, as a matter of fact I could!

The Life of a Freelance Writer, Part Two

I've having a much better week now.  One of my critique groups read a short story of mine, and all five women in the group felt that the protagonist (a woman) was believable.  Writing the opposite gender is always a challenge for me.

And I made some writing income this week!  I just got a check for US$ 22.50.

Now I can put a down payment on that villa in the South of France....

The Life of a Freelance Writer

So far this hasn't been a profitable week.  The closest I've come to income is a postcard from Starbucks entitling me to a free drink.

The Freelance Life

OK: the most recent book is done (although it won't be published until this fall). I finished my last paying writing job yesterday. I do have a deadline for some writing jobs I agreed to do for free. Other than that, everything else is on spec.

Ah, the life of a writer. (Was it really so bad, working swing shift at the styrofoam cup factory?)

Between Jobs

For the first time in more than a year, I'm not under a deadline. Even though I know it won't last long, it's a strange feeling.

What I've Learned About Freelance Writing

Last night I was on a panel about freelance writing for the Main Line Writers Group of King of Prussia, PA. The event drew 20 attendees - about twice the usual number. It seems that there was some interest in the topic, so I thought I'd write down the main points I covered.

1) Editors change jobs often: try to keep in touch with them. My co-author and I sold three books to three different publishers - all through the same editor, as he switched from one job to the next.

2) It is vitally important to deliver your work on time. Harlan Ellison used to complain about editors who complained "I don't care if it's good, I want it Tuesday!" Not all editors feel the same...most want your work good and on time. If you must deliver your work late, don't wait until the due date; let your editor know at least a week in advance.

3) You need a marketing plan to sell a book today. And social media is a big part of marketing. That's why I have 3,000 + friends on Facebook.

4) Finally, it's tough to make a living as a freelance writer. You can go months without collecting a check. It's good to have an additional source of income. Get married, get a part-time job, get an investment portfolio. Or move to a country where the cost of living is cheaper. Me, I'm considering doing all four.