Freelancewritingtips.com

Travel writing tips by author and journalist Catherine Cooper

LAST week when I rounded up some travel writing opportunities, I had in mind that it could also be useful to include some tips on what to write.

Here, journalist and author Catherine Cooper shares some guidance with us. Catherine has written about travel for newspapers, magazines and websites.

Catherine's book, Travelling With Children, a Parent's Guide, is out now and is packed with information for the family traveller -- however adventurous they are feeling.

It's available from all good book shops and through Amazon here:

Travelling With Children: A Parent's Guide (Need 2 Know)

Catherine also has her own fantastic blog at Travelling with children.

Taking the fear out of freelance journalism by Susan Grossman

YOU need a lot of courage to send off ideas to editors. Creative people aren’t naturally good at selling themselves, but it’s part of the job, writes Susan Grossman.

Here, Susan, a freelance writer of more than 30 years standing, now lecturing on the MA in journalism at a London university, explains how to ensure that your story idea is accepted.

Susan's now a writing mentor and career coach, running regular workshops for freelancers on Pitching to Editors.

Q: Why would an editor want a feature from me?

SG: Because, as a freelance you are a vital cog in the wheel. Without freelancers, newspapers and magazines would struggle to survive.

The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World: Book, blog and training

THE Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World was published in November 2007 and can be bought in bookshops and from Amazon here.

See a selection of reviews, plus feedback from readers, here.

Listen to a podcast about The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World.

This blog was set up to help publicise the book.

Here are some of the most popular posts:

Back to basics: Ten mistakes to avoid when writing a news story

The most important thing? Learn multi-media skills

The fine art of negotiating press trips, by Andrea Wren

Should you write for free?

Coping with rejection: Editors are people too!

Freelance journalism: Start low, aim high?

How networking can boost a freelance writing career

How journalists can survive a recession, by Sara Edlington

Making the most of Twitter

Going freelance after being made redundant by a regional paper? Hard-learned lessons to help you on your way

Can you send the same pitch to different editors?

How journalists can reap the rewards of blogging, by Craig Mcginty.

Six myths about freelance writing.

Depression, my story and how journalists should speak up when they are feeling down

Six characteristics of a successful freelance journalist

Real life, real profit? Selling features to women's weekly magazines

A small selection of pitches that worked

Freelance writers describe their writing day.

Ten blindingly obvious things I have learned in my first year as an author.

Think you know "mummybloggers"? Think again!

My work as a writer continues to be varied, interesting and fun. My latest project, a site reporting on holidays, short breaks, days out and activities, is called Havealovelytime.com

I'm the director of the Midlands agency, Passionate Media, and our blog chronicling news from our company and clients is here.

We also run training sessions for freelance journalists wanting to make more money. The following is feedback gained from a London session:

Great course. Up and at 'em now! Anne Marie Flanagan

Thanks again for yesterday, feel very motivated today!  Rachael Glazier

Thanks for a very enlightening day. I feel like a Jedi Knight to your Obe Wan Kenobi. Catherine Goddard

Thank you! It was a fantastic day! Emma McNeil

Thanks Carol and Linda for today and the kick up the bum, enjoyed course. Michael Cross

Had a great time on Saturday. Course was brilliant, thank you. Really useful. Siobhan O' Neill

Thanks so much for the fab seminar - it was sooo helpful and have come away full of ideas and plans. You and Carol were both brilliant. Olivia Gordon

Thanks to you and Carol for a really great training day today - definitely the best course I've been on for a while. You two should add life coaching to your list of talents. Olivia Holcombe

Just wanted to say thanks for the fab course, Linda and Carol - very informative, inspiring and good fun too. Judy Yorke

I'd like to add my grateful thanks for the well-delivered and extremely interesting course - it was great to meet such creative, positive and friendly people and I now feel inspired and ready to take the plunge into a new and different world.  Ruth Derrick

Brilliant, thank you both for a very informative and enjoyable day.  I think much of what we learned will be of huge benefit in all areas of our working life. Amanda Lees

I thought it was the best course I've been on - full of practical advice and illustrative examples. It has really got me motivated and excited about getting out there and chasing down the commercial work. Thanks. Emma Jayne Jones

Please get in touch with me via email Linda@passionatemedia.co.uk if you would like to know more. Our next training date is Saturday, June 27, in central London.

'How a gorilla got me a job' Sarah Cruickshank on winning work online

SARAH Cruickshank is a Lancashire-based freelance journalist, who previously worked as a supply teacher, Sure Start project worker and in other education, arts administration, retail and housing jobs before becoming a full-time writer last year.

She writes about parenting, childcare, education, play and she says "anything else that grabs her interest" for print and online publications.

Here, she tells us about how building an online presence through a number of sites, has allowed her to reap the benefits of direct contact from useful sources and increased awareness about her specialism.

Monica Shaw's tips on starting an online writing portfolio

THIS is a guest post from Monica Shaw, a freelance writer specialising in science, technology, food and fitness. Monica is the author of smarterfitter.com and co-creator of Writer's Residence, a tool that that lets writers create an online writing portfolio through a web browser.

MOST freelance writers agree that a portfolio website is a must-have for anyone serious about making writing her business.

Not only does it show editors that you're a professional, but it also makes you instantly accessible. I've heard from plenty of writers and editors who say they've used to Google to find a particular writer or to get more information about a writer they've heard good things about. If you're not easily findable on the Internet, paying work might pass you by.

Diane Shipley on new 'e-publishing portal' YUDU

THE following is a piece from Freelance Writing Tips contributor Diane Shipley, who's doing a stint as a PR consultant for YUDU.

IF you want to make an impression as a writer, it's imperative to have an internet presence. Should a prescient editor decide to Google you, you don't want them coming across nothing more than a few things other people have said about you in passing, or that one embarrassing tell-all feature you really regret not using a pseudonym for. A website is a must, and a blog is a great way to communicate with your audience (current or potential...)

Another great way to showcase your writing is to add it to your YUDU library and share it with the world. When YUDU asked me to help promote their product, I said yes, gladly. Not just because they were paying me -- although that's always good -- but because I looked around the new wesbite they were launching, and was very impressed.