How to Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer
by: Jenna Glatzer
Review by: Jessica Butler  

The majority of writers dream of spending a comfortable life writing. But as Ms. Glatzer states in How to Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer, "According to a National Writers' Union survey in 1995, the median income for freelance writers was only $4,000 a year." Not only did this statistic pop my optimistic
bubble, it also made me realize how difficult the lifestyle can be. Especially when you're first starting off, without a writing credit to your name or a semi-professional writer to take you under her wing and give you some basic guidelines.


The majority of freelance writers start out on their own with only a dream to make a living as a writer. Sadly, it's a cold, hard world. It takes something special to lift you out of the slush pile of papers editors and agents receive by the thousands. But what is that something special?

In How to Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer, Ms. Glatzer speaks candidly about the writing lifestyle. This book holds something for almost all writers, but especially for those who haven't struck it rich yet. She starts off explaining the basics of freelance writing with how to get started, what you
need and how to present a professional appearance. Her instructions take you through the entire publishing process, including dealing with cantankerous editors and non paying clients and marketing your work so that editors are coming to you. But unlike other writing books, she doesn't just give pat
answers and simple guidelines. Ms. Glatzer takes great care to explain in detail what to do. For instance, in her section on writing excellent query letters, she gives sample winning query letters and things not to say to an editor.

Other bonuses include a wide variety of websites to visit for: writing leads, interviewing experts, and getting accurate research. Not to mention a way to locate your favorite celebrities. There are also guidelines on how to create a
positive relationship with your editors even though you may never meet them face to face. You can also learn how to figure out the writing guidelines by just studying a couple issues of the magazine. Along with this, she explains the pros and cons to the writing lifestyle and gives some suggestions on how to make it a
little less lonely. 

All in all, How to Make a Living as a Freelance Writer is an enjoyable book with a wealth of information for aspiring writers. The format is easy to understand and broken into short sections to make referencing quick and rereading enjoyable. Definitely informative and entertaining.
 

How to Make a Living as a Freelance Writer earns  * * * * * stars.  

Publisher: Nomad Press www.nomadpress.net

ISBN 0-9722026-5-x


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Jessica Butler works as a freelance writer as well as the
Assistant Editor to Teen Light magazine www.teenlight.org and a
contributing editor to News from the Hood www.redwritinghood.com

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Rating Scale:
* * * * * = Un-put-downable, excellent reading!
* * * * = Good value, interesting reading.
* * * = Had potential, but could have been better.
* * = Slow, difficult to read, could have been improved.
* = Imminently forgettable.