Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13171 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 206 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Keep query letters to one page. Never call an editor. Face-to-face interviews take up too much time. According to sassy authors Formichelli and Burrell, such standard rules about freelance writing ought to be tossed in the wastebasket with last year's self-addressed-stamped-envelopes. So why do so many writers stick to the rules? "Bugaboos abound because freelance writers work largely on their own," the authors explain, and such isolation makes it hard to learn about better procedures and ideas. Their own guide aims to set freelance writers straight. Full of great tips and common sense, the book demystifies all the stages of getting a piece published, from "Cranking up the Idea Factory" to "Getting the Green." Their overall advice: "Timely ideas and professional attitude...will take you further than the so-called 'connections' lesser writers gnash their teeth over." Upbeat and exceptionally informative, this book is an excellent choice for both working and would-be writers.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Linda Formichelli writes for Family Circle, Men's Fitness, Psychology Today, Woman's Day, The Writer, Writer's Digest, and many other publications. She lives in Blackstone, Massachusetts. Diana Burrell freelances for Contract Professional, Parenting, Psychology Today, The Writer, and Walking, among many other magazines and newspapers. She formerly worked in advertising, marketing, and technical writing. She lives in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Confidence for Beginning Freelancers
These ladies cut through the bull to tell new freelancers what works and what doesn't work. In some situations it is all based on the comfort level of the beginning freelance writer on which "rules" to break but the authors offer their own experiences.

The tone of the book is conversational like you're having lunch or a cup of coffee with them. For beginning freelancers who have very few mentors this is an excellent book to give them a peek into successful freelancing.

Great beginner book - with a caveat
Yes, this book is full of facts that seasoned freelancers already know. But for a beginner, this is a great book. One thing to keep in mind, though: you need to KNOW the rules before you break them. The authors do a good job of explaining why certain rules are in place and when they should or shouldn't be broken, but new writers need to use their common sense as far as what they are comfortable with.

The chatty tone makes this an easy to read, un-intimidating intro to the craft of selling yourself as a freelance writer. I highly recommend it for newbies.

best freelancing book yet
I have read just about every book I've come across on freelance writing and I find this by far to be the best. Most of the others re-hash all the same old outdated information time and again. This one takes a fresh approach and gives you something to think about. I even break their rules! If you are interesting in freelancing this book is one worth reading.