Freelancewritingtips.com

Can you support a family as a freelance writer?

Thanks to Huw for this question.

Here's my answer.

Yes you can. I'm basing that on my experience as someone who has built up writing work over several years and the experience of other parents who work as freelance writers. But, guess what, it's not easy. (Already I feel like I'm stating the obvious - sorry.) Rates have hit a downward spiral for one thing and publications or sections that used to welcome freelance contributions are no longer so accommodating. More seem to be springing up, asking you to write for free. Many freelance journalists and writers, whether they are parents or not, will tell you how much of a struggle they are finding things.

My own situation is that at times I have been the sole earner due to my husband being made redundant and at present he can't work. We have twins aged 13.

Welcome back: Book, blog and events news

Hello there, thanks for dropping by. I'm now back here in the run-up to my new book, Freelance Writing, coming out in April.

I'm also due to speak at the Chipping Norton literary festival in April and at the Cybher conference on May 12. 

Upcoming posts requested so far are:

• Can you make a living (enough to support a family) from freelance writing?
• Focus on pitching a literary agent or publisher
• How to invoice and keep track of income/expenditure

My writing day

IT'S ten past eight and my daughter informs me there's a pair of socks down the toilet.

I'm at the computer, dealing with emails in connection with my role as editor of the parenting website, Ready for Ten. Most days I receive pitches from writers who would like to contribute. I try my best to respond to everyone. Some of the ideas -- and the writers behind them -- are fabulous. They may be commissioned and join our team with a first post, or depending on circumstances beyond my control, told there are no current opportunities.

Case study request: Getting into difficulties abroad with no insurance

I'M looking for the following to help with some reports in the media designed to help readers avoid a similar experience. I need two British case studies which fit the following criteria. There is a fee of £100 for each.

The more recent the experience, the better.

Details: British nationals who have got into difficulty abroad while staying with a friend or family member. Very often people travelling to stay with a friend/family abroad don’t prepare in the same way they would if they were staying in a hotel. Often the mind-set is that “it’s a different type of holiday” and they consider steps like taking out a travel insurance policy or researching the destination not to be necessary, especially if the traveller is really familiar with their destination (i.e. if they travel to Spain a couple of times a year to visit their parents). The ideal case study here would be someone who has been handed a large medical bill because they got ill/were injured abroad and were not covered by a travel insurance policy.

 

Please email me linda[at]passionatemedia.co.uk if you can help as it applies to you.

In your email, please:

• Tell me your full name and confirm you are happy to be named and pictured

• Tell me your age, where you live and provide a contact email address and phone number, plus an indication of when's best to get in touch

• Give me a brief outline of why you feel your story fits - the aim of these pieces will be to help others avoid similar difficulties

 

Thanks very much to anyone who can help, should more people than are needed get in touch, forgive me but I can only use two and please bear with me in getting back to you.

Place on Kick start your freelance writing career workshop in Authors for Japan auction

I'M offering a place on an upcoming workshop for new and aspiring freelance writers in the Authors for Japan auction.

It's being held in Birmingham city centre and is on Saturday, July 2. I hope this information is useful for anyone considering bidding. 


This workshop is for you if:

* You are considering launching a freelance journalism career

Freelance journalism mentoring included in Authors for Japan auction

THIS is a cross-post from Authors for Japan. The sessions mentioned below also include exercises set between phone calls and tailored feedback. These are included in an auction and the hope is that people will bid and raise money to help relief efforts in Japan.

Please see the Authors for Japan website for more information, plus some amazing offers from high profile authors.

ITEM: One place on four-week telephone mentoring sessions for aspiring freelance journalists (usual price £250 plus VAT) plus signed copies of The Greatest Guide to Freelance Writing, publication late 2011; Love to Write: A School Run guide to helping your child in literacy (provisional title), publication due 2011.

Ten writing howlers to spoil (this) editor's first impression

I'VE edited various publications over the years.

These include an English-language newspaper in Russia, charity and business magazines, women's sections, culture guides and now, the parenting website Ready for Ten.

My work has also seen me enjoy stints as a news editor on regional newspapers and my former employer, the Wolverhampton Express & Star, kept me on as a part-time sub after I had my children, before I left to go freelance.

In my personal life, I am quite happy-go-lucky but I know that on a professional level, when new writers have approached me with their ideas or copy, for some reason they may have felt intimidated.

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.

My book news: They're a bit like buses...

I'VE always considered myself lucky when it comes to my working life as I can honestly say I enjoy what I do. Writing for a living allows you to meet loads of different, sometimes interesting and inspirational people, gain a sense of satisfaction from published work and ocassionally make a difference to others' lives.

Of course there are dreadful days too, days when you have to deal with someone who has people skills akin to those of Cruella de Vil with no sleep or when things (especially financial ones) just don't go according to plan. But still, compared with people who come where I come from, who do stuff I'd hate to do for a living, I appreciate how privileged I am to be doing something I love.