Freelancewritingtips.com

Authors' advice: Should you pitch to an agent or publisher?

I'VE seen lots of discussion of this, with contradictory opinions expressed. I've also attended writers' groups and events where the same question arises. It's hard sometimes to know who to believe. 

So when I asked for challenges to address here, it was no surprise that this  was one of the first raised, from blogger and former production director CoffeeCurls. 

Is it a better idea to pitch your book idea to an agent or a publisher?

My experience

My view has always been that for fiction you should pitch an agent, while with non-fiction you may want to talk directly to a publisher. Guidance I latched on to was if you are an unknown writer, there may not be enough money to be made in non-fiction by an agent working on your behalf -- the publisher could offer a tiny advance and/or royalties. This is definitely the case with small presses responsible for many non-fiction titles.

Had a lovely time in beautiful Britain? Family travel writing contest call for submissions

The Have a Lovely Time family travel and activities website is calling for submissions in a travel writing competition celebrating Beautiful Britain.

The family travel writing contest has a top prize of £200, a second prize of a weekend stay at the Park Inn in historic York and 10 English Heritage family passes for everyone finishing in the top ten, as well as a copy of Travelling with Children, by Catherine Cooper, one of the competition’s judges.

There’s also a mystery prize on offer for the entry voted readers’ favourite after the competition closes on October 1, 2011.

We want to celebrate all that’s great about family tourism in our stunning land. That might include breathtaking  adventures in the Lakes, laughing til your sides ache at a family-friendly Edinburgh festival, savouring the splendour of the West Wales coastline, a Devon cream tea or a knees up at a holiday park…or of course plenty more.

Women's fiction bloggers and moderator wanted

AUTHOR Kate Allan has posted the following on JournoBiz:

She says:

Looking 2-3 writers with an existing interest in romantic/women's fiction to blog about it as part of a new social media website, and also 1 forum moderator.

Please email me with an brief introduction, what kinds of topics you would blog about and your availability and rates.

Also looking for a forum moderator - passion about women's fiction more important than previous experience in moderating.

You can reach Kate on kate.allan[at]gmail.com

Digital agency Made by Many seeks copywriter

THE following opportunity comes from Sara Williams at Made by Many.

You can read Sara's original post here:

We're hiring:middleweight writer

Please direct any requests for more information to the email address included at the end of this post.

We’re on the hunt for a thoughtful, articulate copywriter to join us at the Wharf. 

Background-wise, we’re looking for someone who has been writing and editing for three to five years: this is a job for a professional writer, not an aspiring wordsmith. Digital copywriting experience is critical.

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.

Discounted places: Kick start your freelance writing career workshop, July 2, Birmingham

WITH the date of this workshop fast approaching, we have reduced the price to fill the last few places. Places are limited to ensure individual feedback and value for money.

Usual price was £154 inc VAT All remaining places are now discounted to £118.80 inc VAT .

We have some brilliant testimonials from journalists who have attended our training and can answer any questions you may have.

Please also note payments can be split into two parts, with 50 per cent paid on booking and 50 per cent two weeks before the workshop. We don't currently have any other dates planned.

Kick start your freelance writing career workshop Saturday, July 2, 2011

Friends House, Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6AF

Non-fiction book proposal critique in Authors for Japan auction

FOR more details, please see the link below:

Non-fiction book proposal critique and feedback, plus signed books from Linda Jones.

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.

Authors for Japan

AUTHORS are being asked to donate lots to be auctioned in aid of relief efforts in Japan.

You can find out more at Keris Stainton's blog, below:

Authors for Japan, can you help?

Please let Keris know in the comments or by email what you may be able to do to help.