If you'd like to pre-order my new book, here it is:
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Feedback for The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World was great to see.
This book has now been expanded for publication under the new title with a new publisher.
Here's a selection of comments and reviews of the original:
"Newcomers to the trade of professional writing would be wise to invest in this book if only to avoid some of the more common pitfalls that can happen to the inexperienced. But even the most seasoned hacks should find enough in here to inspire them, remind them or encourage them." Louise Bolotin, Society for Editors and Proofreaders.
The series of Greatest Tips in the World already includes books offering the greatest tips for golf, cookery, yoga, and some twenty other subjects. Now comes The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World. Linda Jones has been a reporter and a news editor on major regional papers, and is now a widely published freelance writer. She is well qualified to suggest the greatest tips. Her book is not about writing skills; she assumes that her readers are already competent writers but need more advice on getting published and improving their writing income. She therefore places emphasis on how to come up with ideas for saleable material and how to market it once you have written it. Researching your markets, finding ideas that meet their needs, and selling those ideas (‘ideas are currency,’ as Linda Jones puts it); these are what The Greatest Tips is all about. The author has tips not just on magazine and newspaper markets, but also on Internet and commercial opportunities, and even has advice on the gentle art of getting paid. She says that her book aims to ‘offer realistic advice to those at the start of a freelance writing career’. It certainly does that. Richard Bell, Writing magazine
"Very, very good in cutting the fat from the bone and providing excellent advice not only to the aspiring freelance writer but also for those who are beyond the beginner’s stage.... The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World adequately fulfills its obligation as offering down-to-earth practical advice and not the gibberish that we are often accustomed to reading." Bookpleasures.
"The only book a writer will ever need." Diary of a Wordsmith.
"Linda Jones has recently published The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World ... and the book certainly lives up to its name! Whether you've just started out as a writer or are firmly established into literary life, you'll find some really useful suggestions and insights that can make your freelance writing career easier and successful. Linda draws upon valuable experience and packs alot of sound advice into this little book, which is well worth the small investment of 6.99! Congratulations, Linda on writing such a useful publication!" Writethismoment.net
"...Beautifully designed and produced...Exceptionally well written....Advice is based on years of experience, and it shows.... Of course, in a 160-page book not every aspect of freelance writing can be covered in depth....Offers essential guidance for a very modest price. It would also make a nice Christmas present for any would-be writer!" Nick Daws, Mywritingblog.com
"An excellent, must read book for any freelancer writer, whether novice or more established...At last, a book on freelance writing that actually gives proper, relevant advice that you can really run with. Linda Jones quite obviously knows her stuff and thankfully for us, isn't too precious to share it...I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to kick start their freelance career, whether a complete novice, or a more established writer who wants a fresh perspective on the business of freelancing. This book isn't going to tell you that you can make millions, but by following Linda Jones' excellent advice, you'll certainly be in with a fighting chance of making it as a jobbing freelance writer. Highly recommended. ."Kelly Rose Bradford.
"Freelance tips that actually work."(Five-star) Amazon review
"A healthy dose of good advice and realism." (Five star) Amazon review
"This is a fantastic book which is really down to earth. It pulls no punches and lets you know just how much hard work being a freelance writer is. I will recommend it to anybody who wants to know the truth about the work I do. Thanks Linda for sharing your knowledge." Sarah Cruickshank "Linda is generous with her advice, but at the same time she doesn't mollycoddle and that's what I liked the most about this book. Yes, it's encouraging and enlightening, but it's also realistic about your chances of making it as a freelancer, which, as I know from experience, will be vastly increased by learning from Linda." Keris Stainton, Trashionista "The chapter on Writing for the Internet is one of the best, and probably worth buying the book for by itself," PR Basics Blog.
Writers' News, December 2007:
"I've been freelancing for a decade and if I'd had Linda's book at my elbow when I started out then I can guarantee that I'd have made a lot more money, especially in the early years! "Maria McCarthy
"It's not called The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World for nothing. Excellent. I highly recommend it." Flaming Nora.
"Stuffed full of no-nonsense practical tips on how to earn a living in the challenging world of newspapers and magazines." Janet Lee, The Chase Post.
"Bookshops have shelves filled with guides on this particular subject, yet with just this one purchase, the reader can feel confident that they are in the hands of an expert who has put together an accessible book crammed with proper, realistic advice." Pem Charnley
"Linda Jones cuts to the chase with this amazing little tome." Hazel Davis
Having been made redundant from my PR role I decided to take the plunge and go freelance. I wasn't really sure where to start but this book put it all into perspective and allowed me to start up my business in a rational and realistic way. I've not got any huge clients yet, but have already picked up a couple of smaller ones and I've only been going for a week! A great book, thank you. Karen Mortimer
"I love your freelancing tips book - I recommend it to everybody and I also teach and highly recommend it there too! Thank you for offering your pearls of wisdom." Charmaine Yabsley
"...Written in an accessible, chatty style the book is easy to read cover to cover or to dip in and out of. Quick tips and pages devoted to ‘Six of the best’ offer interesting advice about where to go for more information, such as useful websites, markets for beginners and myths about freelancing. Nuggets of information about the history of writing and inspirational quotes from famous scribes offer interesting trivia alongside the essentials. If you thought freelancing was going to be a doddle this book may make you think twice before giving up the day job. But if you’re prepared for the pitfalls, hard work and resolve required to succeed in this competitive business, Jones’ advice may be just what you need to further your writing career. "Shelley Flanagan, Recommended non-fiction, Suite 101.
"..I’ve never seen students take as many notes as they did tonight. Linda’s approach was to provide more a guest seminar rather than guest lecture — but it was a format that worked extremely well...Linda’s talk gave everyone what they wanted. The Q+A session was the most active we’ve had this year. And tips were flying all over the place. I was so impressed, in fact, that I bought her book. Which contains many great tips...Most handy, I think, is the blog checklist found at the back of the book. Each tip is as valid and useful as the next. "Journalism student Dave Lee, University of Lincoln.
"My only criticism of this book is that it could stand being an awful lot longer. All of the tips are neccessarily short, and there were times when I could have done with fuller explanations. I guess that will have to wait. Roll on volume 2." Joanne Mallon.
"A diamond in a sea of gems...My copy already occupies its space alongside the other volumes on my desk I consider to be the lifeblood of any self-respecting writer. I recommend everyone does the same." Carola Huttman, Views n Reviews.
"I think it's fantastic and have been glued to it. I have already recommended it to two people and it's perfect as a response to all those people who say, "You're a journalist? Ooh, I fancy doing a bit of writing. How did you get into that, then?" Patricia Carswell.
"A must-read" Express & Star Chronicle series.
"Really accessible writing, no nonsense and tells it like it is. Lots of tips that'll help you improve as a journalist whether you're a beginner or already established." Camilla Chaffer.
"...Draws on Linda’s own front line experiences and will help the new and not so new writer establish a lucrative and successful freelance career." Writelink
The Sports Journalists' Association asks if TGFWTITW is 'stating the bleeding obvious?' while suggesting it also manages to be a "comprehensive overview for the emerging generation of students who take media studies as a qualification and wonder how to use what they have learned."
Blooking Central piece here.
Upstage magazine reports on feedback so far.
Clarissa Satchell's advance warning.
