Freelance Job of the Day

Editor for online advertising newsletter: Searching for an editor for the ADBUMb newsletter, an online newsletter covering the online advertising industry. We are changing our look, name and looking for someone to edit the newsletter, write stories, cover the industry and generally have a good time. The position includes both editorial responsibilities and responsibilities in growing the readership base – and throwing parties for our readers! Additional income is available in getting more sponsorships and advertising placed in the newsletter. Send resume in the body of letter. pace@adspyre.biz
(Posted 9/29/04)

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Quote for Thursday

I write the first sentence and trust in God for the next.

- Laurence Sterne

Freelance Job of the Day

Humor editor: Seeking a witty, experienced humorist who knows how to make dialogue crisp, funny and short. This position involves editing a new 4-panel comic strip to improve readibility, humor and character consistency. The first phase will involve about 30 strips, with more to follow.
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/wri/43833104.html
(Posted 9/28/04)

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Quote for Wednesday

The thing I tell writers is: If you’re going to take a job to live on, make sure it’s a job that is impossible for you, just really unpleasant. That way, you won’t ever get seduced into thinking, Gee, I really want to park cars all my life. That helps you keep on track. If you hate what you’re doing every day, it reminds you of what you want to do.

- Lawrence Kasdan

Freelance Job of the Day

Travel writer, planner/trip consultant: As the world’s #1 active travel company, Backroads offers more bicycling, walking and multisport trips around the world than any other company. We are a service-oriented organization composed of high-energy individuals with varied backgrounds who enjoy people, travel and the outdoors. We are currently seeking a seasonal employee for a split Sales/Marketing position. For approximately half of this person’s time, s/he reports to the Marketing Department and writes compelling and informative copy for Travel Planners that accurately presents the trip’s daily activities, logistics and other region-specific details. S/he also performs a variety of other editorial tasks, including fact-checking, editing and proofreading. For the other half of the year, s/he reports to the Sales Department as a Trip Consultant, responsible for selling Backroads trips via incoming phone calls and providing the highest quality service to ensure that every guest has the best experience on trip. Excellent copywriting, editing and proofreading skills required (familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style desirable). Incredible attention to detail a must. Outstanding organization and time management skills important. Exceptional listening and customer service skills needed. PC proficiency required (Microsoft Office). Travel industry experience desirable. To apply, please send your resume, a cover letter and salary requirements by email to staffing@backroads.com or by fax to (510) 527-1444, Attn: Trip Lit/TC. Visit us at www.backroads.com.
(Posted 9/27/04)


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Quote for Tuesday

If you wish to be a writer, write.

- Epictetus

Market Monday -- Focus on Inflight Magazines

Market Monday is a weekly feature that looks at markets for you to pitch your work. The idea being that, while the daily job leads we send are good for paying the bills, these markets will give you an opportunity to work on projects that truly interest you. Each week we’ll be focusing on two to five high-quality markets. We’re looking to showcase lesser known markets that still offer rates of 50 cents a word or more and have immediate needs for freelancers’ work.

Continental
Target audience: Business travellers
Frequency: Monthly
Circulation: 400,000
Rates: $1.00/word and up
Kill Fee: 25 percent
Terms: On acceptance (within 45 days of invoice)
Rights: First North American Serial Rights
Address article queries to: Articles: Michael Buller, Editor, michaelb@pohlypartners.com; Departments: John Patrick Pullen, Associate Editor, johnp@pohlypartners.com
Mailing address: 27 Melcher St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 617.457.3904
Fax: 617.338.7767
Web site: http://www.blogger.com/app/2004%20Back%20issues/www.pohlypartners.com
Full guidelines: http://www.pohlypartners.com/work_for_us/continental.html
Market notes: The magazine was redesigned last year to shorten articles, which may present new opportunities for freelancers. The magazine has a strict editorial calendar, and the best bet for freelancers looking to break in is to familiarize yourself with the magazine and pitch according to the calendar. Best bet for first time writers is departments, including:

• Go Explore - off-the-beaten path travel piece about destination designated in the edit calendar. 300-400 words. Query Associate Editor John Patrick Pullen.
• Go Eat & Drink - spotlight on a local chef in the specified city who picks 10 of his/her favorite restaurants, plus two wines. 300-400 words. Query Buller.
• Idea Makers: 500- to 700-word profiles. The calendar mentions the company or the type of idea maker. You suggest the name. A connection to a Continental helps. Query Buller.
• Idea of the Moment: consumer business within such broad categories as education, health, finance and real estate. 400 words. Again, anything that connects the story to a Continental destination has an advantage. Query Buller.
• The List: eight great destinations tied together by a common theme specified in the calendar. A recent issue described eight fun bars in New York, London, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Brussels, Houston, San Juan and Tampa. Query Pullen. Don't bother to include the whole list - just write up a fat paragraph about one city.
• Fit to Travel: advice on how to stay healthy while traveling. The editorial calendar specifies a Continental city. You find three or four local fitness experts to quote. Query Pullen.
• Been There: 1,500- to 1,800-word, first-person, travel narrative. The calendar specifies the destination. Query Buller, but Buller says don't bother if you've never written for Continental or any of the other Pohly & Partners pubs.

(via Freelance Success)

Freelance Job of the Day

Teen book ghostwriter, editor: Writer/Editor. Leading Publisher is looking for a writer/editor to ghost write a teen weight control/nutrition book. The writer/editor must have written and published teen books (please don’t respond if you haven’t published or edited books in the teen market), worked with a leading publisher in the past, be available immediately, and have a serious interest in the topic. We are looking for a conversational writing style, someone extremely creative with formatting and presentation of material (e.g. creating quizzes, and exciting ways of presenting material). Please DO NOT send resumes OR writing samples, if you do your application will be discarded. We are interested in seeing a VERY brief email with your specific related experience, and your most recent projects. The individual we choose must be available full time for the next 30-45 days.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/wri/43451684.html
(Posted 9/24/04)


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Quote for Monday

The fewer writers you know the better, and if you’re working on anything, don’t tell them.

- Maeve Brennan

Freelance Job of the Day

New York travel guide writer: If you write with a keen eye, sharp attitude and insightful wit, if you can name ten great New York bars without taking a breath, if you know those uniquely New York activities the current travel guidebooks fail to mention, then here’s your opportunity to share that talent and knowledge with the world. Greenline Publications, a small publisher based in San Francisco, is seeking a writer for its New York City Fun Seeker’s guidebook. The Fun Seeker’s Guides are a new series of travel guidebooks created for discerning travelers who want to experience the best, the latest, the most fun things a city has to offer. The target reader is late-twenty-to-fortysomething, hip, sophisticated, and financially comfortable. Nightlife and cool restaurants are as important as daytime activities. In other words, this guidebook will not be another Rough Guide, Fodor’s or Lonely Planet. The author we are looking for must be based in the New York City area and must have the ability to efficiently write lively, fun and clean copy. Previous guidebook writing experience is a plus, but if sport teaches us anything it is that enthusiasm and effort can triumph over experience. Work on the book kicks off in late October or early November. From start to finish the project should take roughly four months - a tight schedule. So you are looking at a full time, roll up your sleeves, write-late-into-the-night sort of gig. Compensation offered is above-average for a guidebook company, which is to say the author will be working more for love than money. To apply, please submit the following to nybook@greenline.com by October 6th at the very latest: A brief resume, A list of your published writing titles (if any) with a few word description of each (If you have numerous articles a list of the ten most recent or relevant is fine), Up to 300 words describing a one day New York itinerary you might suggest to a Fun Seeker’s target reader (Your itinerary must include a hotel, breakfast cafe, morning activity, lunch restaurant, afternoon activity, dinner restaurant and after-dinner venue), Your choice for the best nightclub, the best see-and-be-seen bar and/or the best late-night eat in New York City with a 60 to 120 word description for each (The ideal description will paint a vivid picture of your chosen venue showing the reader why it is your choice without saying why in so many words), Up to three writing samples (optional). Files in PDF format are best but we can also accept RTF, Microsoft Word, JPEG (for scanned writing samples) and text embedded in emails. Electronic applications are far preferred but for samples that must be mailed – and that you don’t expect to be mailed back to you: New York Editor, Greenline Publications, PO Box 590780, San Francisco, CA 94159-0780.
(Posted 9/23/04)

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Quote for Friday

If you are a writer you locate yourself behind a wall of silence and, no matter what you are doing, driving a car or walking or doing housework…you can still be writing, because you have that space.

- Joyce Carol Oates

Freelance Job of the Day

Study guide writer: SparkNotes, an educational publishing company, seeks writers to prepare study guides on major philosophers and poets. SparkNotes guides provide concise, easy-to-read, in-depth information for high school and college students. We are looking for freelance writers with substantial knowledge of philosophy or poetry, excellent writing and analytical skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and the utmost professionalism. Successful completion of an assignment could lead to additional work.If interested, please email a letter describing your interest and qualifications, a resume, and two writing samples that demonstrate your ability to write analytically about the humanities (ideally philosophy or poetry, as applicable) to jobs@sparknotes.com. Each writing sample should be approximately 3 pages—please include the beginning of the work. Important: You must have “Philosophy Writer” or “Poetry Writer” in the subject line of your message.
(Posted 9/22/04)

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Quote for Thursday

One of your first jobs, as you write for money, will be to get rid of your vocabulary.

- Jack Woodford

Freelance Job of the Day

Freelance business journalist (Chicago and Atlanta): Cano Newsroom http://www.canonewsroom.com is seeking experienced freelance business writers for its online journal. Freelance writers will interview small and midsize business owners and entrepreneurs in their area for magazine-style feature stories (approx. 750-1250 words). Cano Newsroom is looking for articles that tell the true-life tales behind building and running a successful business. The articles on Cano Newsroom will help other owners run their businesses more effectively and efficiently. Please send current resume and writing sample for consideration.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wri/43067786.html
(Posted 9/20/04)

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Quote for Wednesday

My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip.

- Elmore Leonard

Freelance Job of the Day

Editor and Assistant Editor (New York City and Carlsbad, Calif.): A leading sports media company is in search of an editor with experience in both the Internet and sports journalism. Editors are responsible for maintaining sport pages on a daily basis, exercising editorial judgment in packaging editorial content, photography and multimedia elements to create a compelling product. Candidates should have 3-5 years experience in sports journalism (online or off) and show a demonstrated ability to develop story ideas, manage staff and maximize resources. They should show creative ability and strong news judgment skills. Strong editing and writing skills are essential, as well as a high comfort level with computers. The job will include web updating, writing, editing, as well as interacting with other departments. The candidate will also play a key role in strategic editorial planning in defining our editorial operations. Night and weekend should be expected on a regular basis. Please send resumes to: Jobs1@cstv.com
(Posted 9/20/04)

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Quote for Tuesday

If your writing attracts your reader’s attention, your style probably needs editing. Suspect all your favorite sentences. Each sentence must serve the whole.

- Kenneth Atchity

Market Monday

Market Monday is a weekly feature that looks at markets for you to pitch your work. The idea being that, while the daily job leads we send are good for paying the bills, these markets will give you an opportunity to work on projects that truly interest you. Each week we’ll be focusing on two to five high-quality markets. We’re looking to showcase lesser known markets that still offer rates of 50 cents a word or more and have immediate needs for freelancers’ work.

Powder
Target audience: skiing for expert skiiers
Frequency: 6 times/year
Circulation: 110,000
Publisher: PRIMEDIA
Rates: $0.50-$1.00/word
Terms: Pays on publication
Rights: First North American Serial Rights
Address article queries to: Steve Metcalf, Editor
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1028, Dana Point, CA 92629
Phone: 949.496.5922
Fax: 949.496.7849
E-mail: powdermag@emapUSA.com
In the editor’s words: "Departments – especially Fall line – are a great place for new writers to start out with our magazine."
Market notes: About 40 percent of the magazine’s articles are written by freelancers, and payments are negotiated individually. Editorial lead time is three months.
(via Writer’s Market)

Freelance Job of the Day

Non-fiction book editor: I am writing a book on the topic of character. This is my second book; the first, on the same topic, was for teens and received great reviews. This one is adults - with a unique twist: I am writing as I follow the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball season, commenting on each game which tenn becomes a segway for a specific topic. I have the support of key people in the Dodger organization and I am a pretty decent writer. But I want help so I can turn this book out by the end of the season. I'd like to submit portions of the manuscript for feedback on content, organization and overall readability. I need a published, competent, sane, non-fiction writer for this. OKAY? If that's you, please contact me. Please note this is not an apprentice position and I'm not looking for someone who would "like to be a writer some day." I am looking for a skilled, efficient, well focused writer with a track record who will work with me for a reasonable fee to be mutually determined. Many thanks.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wri/42714243.html
(Posted 9/17/04)

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Quote for Monday

My advice to young journalists is: Be a nuisance. Annoy the hell out of the city desk. You might get away with it.

- I.F. Stone

Freelance Job of the Day

Writers for government secrets book project: GOVERNMENT SECRETS will be a 192-page, 5x7, consumer's guide to little-known government benefits, programs, freebies, and unexpected perks. Chapters will include, but are not limited to: Medicare, Tax Loopholes, Hidden medical information, travel, prescription drugs, etc. We anticipate there being 9-12 chapters. 45,000-48,000 words total. (May be assigned to one writer or split up. The manuscript is due November 3, 2004, with prior feed dates. Total compensation for the entire manuscript will be $7,000. If the assignment is broken up, it will be approximately $500-$750 per chapter, depending on the total number of chapters. SEEKING a writer(s) with similar experience and consumer writing background, previous magazine and/or book publishing experience necessary. Please submit a resume and 5 writing samples to Vicki Smith, Publications International, Fax: 847-583-4404. You may also email your materials to me at vsmith@pubint.com.
(Posted 9/16/04)

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Quote for Friday

The only reward to be expected from the cultivation of literature is contempt if one fails and hatred if one succeeds.

- Voltaire

Freelance Job of the Day

Freelance medical writers and consumer health writers: Seeking Freelance Medical Writers and Consumer Health Writers for three types of diabetes newsletters with different target audiences (pharmacist, physician, consumer). Medical Diabetes Writers: Are you well-versed in the macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes? Do you understand the different roles and educational needs of pharmacists and physicians? Do you understand the challenges of being an independent pharmacist and what specific news would be relevant to one? Can you explain what the term 'absolute risk ratio` means? We are looking for quality medical writers (ie, who do not plagiarize, who use primary sources and provide references), who can easily digest clinical information and understand the educational needs of clinician audiences. We need you to write concise articles that speak to pharmacists and physicians, not about them. If you can answer 'yes' to two or more of the above questions, send me your resume. Consumer Health Writers: Do you have an understanding of the news needs of persons affected by diabetes? Can you effectively communicate clinical knowledge to a lay audience without making it too ‘cutesy’? Do you understand the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Can you write useful, compelling articles in 250 words or less? If you can answer 'yes' to two or more of the above questions, send me your resume. What we offer: Competitive pay on a per article basis; the flexibility to cover stories that are of interest to you; the opportunity to work on other custom publishing projects that pay very well.
http://journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=434143
(Posted 9/15/04)

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250 FREE color business cards! An $85 value!

Quote for Thursday

It took me 15 years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by that time I was too famous.

- Robert Benchley

Freelance Job of the Day

Writer for novel to screenplay: Seeking experienced and/or talented screenplay writer to contract to adapt an unpublished — but not unpolished — novel into a screenplay for pay and equity share. Essentially, the job is to create a well-structured first draft screenplay from the novel, then possibly collaborate on further draft refinement. You will be working throughout with a partner who has realistically accessed the novel's strengths and weaknesses and who understands the practical necessity to cut some things, expand others and possibly create new scenes to make the screenplay work. Communication will primarily be over the internet and phone, but you must be willing to meet at least a few times if necessary.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wri/42435019.html
(Posted 9/14/04)

Quote for Wednesday

Writing is the hardest way of earning a living, with the possible exception of wrestling alligators.

- Olin Miller

Freelance Job of the Day

Stories wanted: Girls Gone Stupid: Have you done something that was dumb but really funny? We all have. And now Stephanie Marston, Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Empowered Woman’s Soul is seeking stories for Girls Gone Stupid: Dumb Things Smart women Do. Now you have an opportunity to contribute to this new series by sharing your humorous, true-life experiences. If you have a humorous life experience and would like to be included in Girls Gone Stupid: Dumb Things Smart Women Do please contact stephanie@stephaniemarston.com for guidelines. Stories must be received no later than December 15, 2004.
(Posted 9/13/04)

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Quote for Tuesday

The only end of writing is to enable the reader to better enjoy life, or to better endure it.

- Samuel Johnson

Freelance Job of the Day

Authors and writers with manuscripts and book ideas: Noble Literary Agency is calling for HUMOR and GIFT BOOKS: should be short, may utilize illustration or photography (we can supply). ADULT NON-FICTION: all ideas will be considered. REFERENCE BOOKS: take a complex subject and make it simple, almost any subject on which you’re the expert. YA NOVELS: prefer non-illustrated. Submit word.docs to mikenoble@nobleliteraryagency.com
(Posted 9/10/04)

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Market Monday

Today, Freelance Daily kicks off “Market Monday,” a new, weekly feature that will look at markets for you to pitch your work. The idea being that, while the daily job leads we send are good for paying the bills, these markets will give you an opportunity to work on projects that truly interest you. Each week we’ll be focusing on two to five high-quality markets. We’re looking to showcase lesser known markets that still offer rates of 50 cents a word or more and have immediate needs for freelancers’ work. The following is one of three markets featured in today's newsetter.

CMO
Target audience: marketing executives
Frequency: monthly
Circulation: 30,000
Publisher: IDG
Rates: $1.25-$2.50/word
Kill Fee: 25 percent
Terms: Pays on acceptance
Rights: all worldwide rights
Address article queries to: Elaine Cummings, Managing Editor
Mailing address: 492 Old Connecticut Path, P.O. Box 9208, Framingham, MA 01701
Phone: 508.935.4075
Fax: Queries not accepted by fax
E-mail: cummings@cxo.com
Web site: www.CMOresource.com
Editorial calendar: http://www.cmomagazine.com/marketing/editorial.html
In the editor’s words: "Our audience is smart people who read a lot. They have a pretty high standard for the kind of stories that they are looking for. We need writers who have a background in business story writing and who can understand our audience and write what they want to read."
Market notes: CMO is a new title from CXO Media, which is owned by IDG and also publishes CSO (Chief Systems Officers), CIO (Chief Information Officer) and Darwin for technology employees. While CXO's other publications require writers with technical know-how, Managing Editor Elaine Cummings says CMO writers simply must be good reporters and able to talk to practitioners in their own language. Cummings wants to test drive writers on short pieces, with the best place to break in being the magazine’s back page "What Is" column, a 600-word, single page marketing primer. The first issue's "What Is" explained MRM (Marketing Resource Management). “Buzz,” in the front of the book is also another place for freelancers to try their luck. Cummings wants short, cleverly-written stories that are timely, trendy and top-of-mind for marketers.
(via Freelance Success)

Quote for Monday

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.

- Mark Twain

New Feature For Freelance Daily Subscribers

On Monday, Freelance Daily will kick off “Market Monday,” a new, weekly feature that will look at markets for you to pitch your work. The idea being that, while the daily job leads we send are good for paying the bills, these markets will give you an opportunity to work on projects that truly interest you. Each week we’ll be focusing on two to five high-quality markets. We’re looking to showcase lesser known markets that still offer rates of 50 cents a word or more and have immediate needs for freelancers’ work.

Still not a subscriber? Sign up now our free newsletter by sending an email to freelancedaily-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and get new freelance writing leads, as well as features like "Market Monday," delivered to your email inbox by 9 a.m. every weekday.

Freelance Job of the Day

Content authors for high school biology and chemistry courses: Apex Learning, the leading provider of online high school courses and curricular material, is seeking contractors to provide instructional design expertise, write engaging, factually accurate online instructional content and create assessments for use in high school curricula. Apex Learning currently has Contractor positions available for Content Authors in the disciplines of Biology and Chemistry. Contractors will work off-site using their own computers. On occasion, authors must be able to meet with project team members by phone or email.
http://boston.craigslist.org/wri/41915580.html
(Posted 9/9/04)


250 FREE color business cards! An $85 value!

Quote for Friday

Writing is not hard. Just get paper and pencil, sit down, and write it as it occurs to you. The writing is easy—it’s the occurring that’s hard.

- Stephen Leacock

Freelance Job of the Day

Workshop writing instructor: We want to have an in-house writing workshop for our staff. We are a non-profit entity. The workshop should emphasize details of good writing, such as grammar, syntax, punctuation, intricate rules, etc. You can be creative and innovative. There will be about 8 adult students.
http://boston.craigslist.org/wri/41803240.html
(Posted 9/8/04)

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Quote for Thursday

The big motivation for me was the desire to be independent, to get up when you want, write what you want and work where you want.

- Irving Wallace

Freelance Job of the Day

Politically aware female writer for BLOG site: Desperately seeking twenty-something, politically aware, college educated, Liberal woman to write for a political debate blog. I am a 25 y/o male who is hip on current issues and pro Bush. I can't sleep without watching FOX news every night; You should be my opposite, anti-war, and liberal, willing to argue with me on points and decisions but know a good and well thought out opinion when you see one. Technical writing experience isn't required but well thought out opinions, and most importantly, proven and intelligent statements are a must. We will select political news, current events, election happenings and give opinionated responses on them together and post each of our views in a weblog with rebuttals and follow-ups to each issue. Throw in some guest writers opinions and maybe some roundtables with politically aware people. There are a lot of places to go with the idea in such a political time.
http://boston.craigslist.org/wri/41346177.html
(Posted 9/3/04)


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Quote for Wednesday

The secret of all good writing is sound judgment.

- Horace

Spread the Word

Tomorrow will mark our "official" launch, but we did a good job of getting Freelance Daily out to you every day last week. Remind your freelance friends that, if they haven't already, they can subscribe to our free, daily newsletter by sending an email to freelancedaily-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

People are still signing up, and I've already gotten some nice feedback. Thanks! I got a message on Friday from someone who wants to dip his toe into freelancing -- I figured I'd share the email and my response here:

I was poking around your weblog and was interested to find that you were starting out as a freelancer. I've been exploring the idea myself, and I'd like to get a sense of your experiences.

I'm a Ph.D. dropout (rhetoric...emphasis in religion, ethics, organizational theory) currently working in public relations. I would really like to get out there in the freelance world, but I don't know how the game works. When I ask people, the typical response is to tell me that it's incredibly difficult, something out of an Ayn Rand novel. So, how are you making it work? How do you eat?

My response:

Short answer: It is very hard, but not nearly as hard as I imagined. I half suspect most of those warnings are put out there by other freelancers who want to keep an already crowded market from getting even more crowded. I also suspect I'd be a miserable failure if I insisted only only pitching the New Yorker and other big print magazines.

Long answer: The fact of the matter is that I am now a writing whore. Need a press release done? I'm your man. I write ebooks in a day or two for people looking to make a quick buck selling them, I'm writing Web copy for a bath and body product store in Brooklyn and I'm writing so-called articles for people who want to get high paying google ads on their Web site.

And, in a sense, I have taken a slight pay cut. But here's the cool part: in just two months of doing this full time, I've lined up enough steady clients that I'm beginning to replace my lost income. I'm no longer dreading the "What if I don't make enough money scenario?" but starting to realize that it won't be too long before I'm making more money than I could working for the man, always worried if I'm going to get laid off or have time to pick up my dry cleaning before I go to the office pit.

Some advice:

1) I did this part time for 5+ years with varying degrees of enthusiasm before making the leap. Having worked for newspapers as well as Dow Jones is also a helpful thing to drop when introducing yourself to clients. In any case, make sure you have solid writing samples. The more experience you can get in different fields, the more opportunities you'll have.

2) This would be much easier if I were married, or at least cohabitating with someone. As it stands, I was able to get some halfway affordable health insurance, and I'm keeping my spending in check while still not entirely depriving myself of fun.

3) I had three months of savings to fall back on. I'd recommend six, although I'm going to be okay because I did this for a month, as if it were a second full time job, before giving my notice.

4) I'd love if everything I did was published in a nationally distributed magazine, but the reality is I'm not a trust fund kid and I don't want to go into debt over this. As long as I'm fairly compensated, and it doesn't brush my ethics the wrong way, I take the job.

5) Working at home, on my schedule is exactly what my personality is suited for. It's not for everyone, although any fears of a lack of motivation that I had are quickly pushed aside by the realities of what I need to do each month to get by.

6) It sounds stupid, but the hardest thing for me so far has been the lack of human contact. There are days where I don't see anyone, so I'm making more of an effort to get out than I would if I were still working in an office and interacting with people all day, every day.

Hope this helped.

Freelance Job of the Day

Hotel researcher (Chicago): Unofficial Guide to Chicago is part of the best-selling Unofficial Guide travel guidebook series published by John Wiley & Sons. In brief, the hotel researcher covers our prepared list of about 100 Chicago hotels. Researchers go to each hotel on the list and evaluate a room according to our rating system... Generally the best strategy is to have a couple people do this, so one person can drive while the other runs in to look at rooms (the driver can circle the block rather than one person having to constantly find parking). The work generally takes a solid 5-day week to accomplish, with some time on the front end for planning out one's route, marking maps, etc. The flat total fee is $1,000, with a possible (small) supplement to help with expenses.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wri/41276258.html
(Posted 9/2/04)

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Quote of the Day

Writing doesn’t require drive. It’s like saying a chicken has to have drive to lay an egg.

- John Updike

Freelance Job of the Day

Travel Writer: Avalon Travel Publishing seeks a contract author for Moon Handbooks Jamaica. Professional writers are preferred. Must be able to quickly and clearly identify the key attractions of Jamaica and provide strategic-planning advice; must have close ties to and strong knowledge of Jamaica; must enjoy research and be able to adhere to strict deadlines. ATP authors are compensated with an advance and royalty. Moon Handbooks authors update their books every 2-3 years. Visit http://www.travelmatters.com/acquisitions for more information. To be considered, e-mail a proposal (attachment is acceptable) with includes the following: topic and geography of your book and its title; reasons that you would be the best author; applicable experience, education, and other materials previously published; resume and contact information for at least 3 professional references; description of all other books currently available that would be competition for your proposed book, and how your book would be different; an outline, estimated length (we expect 400 pages), types of photographs and illustrations, and how they would be obtained; ways in which you think your book could be most effectively promoted; estimated time needed to complete your manuscript. E-mail acquisitions@avalonpub.com. Review process may take 2-4 months.

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Quote of the Day

Boozing does not necessarily have to go hand in hand with being a writer…I therefore solemnly declare to all young men trying to be writers that they do not actually have to become drunkards first.

- James Joyce

Freelance Job of the Day

The pen is mightier than the porn (Los Angeles): Leading adult media company (established in 1996) with offices located in Los Angeles (mid-Wilshire) is seeking a news writer for an established publication. Deadline-oriented writing assignments will be for both online and offline projects on trade news, technology, law and industry politics. Some rewriting of company press releases is required.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wri/41104833.html
(Posted 8/31/04)

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Quote of the Day

It is immoral not to tell.

- Albert Camus