What if you were asked to write about something going against your beliefs? What if your client does something you don’t agree with or feel is unethical? Most writers face these types of what if’s and deal with it in different ways. Would you write something you find is offensive or that others find offensive if the pay is good? What if you didn’t write it, but you contribute to a website or publication that published an article you find offensive? It’s quite the quandary, isn’t it?

I’m always complaining about the lack of work put into a lot of web content. Thanks to low-paying jobs and people who can’t really write or conduct research applying for these gigs, we’re faced with an overwhelming amount of poorly written, factually incorrect web content. When I suggested people stop Googling and rehashing content for their research I was met with a flood of angry "can you make a better suggestion?" type emails. Why yes, yes I can.

Welcome to this week’s writing markets. Please note, these aren’t places looking for freelance writers for ongoing gigs, like in Jodee’s links. These are publications and websites  accepting queries or submissions from freelance writers. I received an email from a magazine editor who doesn’t mind receiving queries from freelancers, but many people who saw her guidelines listed on our Monday Markets wrote in to apply for a job. Once again, these aren’t jobs, they’re markets.

Yay! The weekend’s here. Well…I suppose that makes a difference for some of you. When you work at home all day, sometimes the only difference is that people are home and you get less done. Otherwise…status quo. First a big of shameless self promotion: I was interviewed regarding my Celebrity Role Model blog for the Newark Star Ledger. Here’s the online version. Here’s what I’m reading this weekend: Some telecommuting jobs at About Home Business. 7 Ideas to Make Blogging Your Creative Habit at Blog Herald. Newspapers See More Online Users in’07 at SFGate.com. Is it possible to make a [Read more…]

~ By Jennifer Chait I recently received an email from another blogger. I had left a comment at her blog. Her e-mail to me said, “Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Please consider subscribing.” At first glance, I thought this e-mail idea was clever. I rarely get e-mails thanking me for visiting a blog, so it stood out. Plus, I’ll admit, it did make me feel cared for (sort of warm and fuzzy). Then, oddly enough, a blog client of mine, mentioned to some other bloggers and I, that we should try sending thank you notes by e-mail. So, I [Read more…]

We get complaints now and then regarding "on site" freelance writing jobs. Some of the regulars want to know why we include them when most freelancers work at home. Some even complain they’re not "true" freelance writing jobs. There are also those who think we shouldn’t include "local" gigs. That it’s not fair to single out one particular area. I thought I’d address it today. Especially after this comment regarding today’s leads: "At least seven of today’s listings are on-site or require local  residence. Are these accidentally getting slipped into the list, or  are they intentionally included in case someone [Read more…]

A couple of the regulars mentioned in the comments about applying for gigs advertise here only to find the client informing them they didn’t get the gig because other writers are bidding lower than the advertised offer in order to get the gig. What do we think of this? I’m having mixed feelings. Part of me wants to scream and lecture. How dare they underbid? Don’t they know they’re driving down the rates? If a client is offering $100, why would anyone bid $20? I don’t get that part. We’re always talking about making more money so why go so [Read more…]

Happy Monday! Here are some more markets for you to explore. Entrepreneurs.com – From the Website: Before pitching a story to us, be sure to read a variety of the articles on our site so you can tailor your pitches to meet our content needs. We reject many of the queries we receive because the subject matter in no way matches what we’re looking for.

  Here’s what I’m reading this weekend… Why blogging is not about technology at Blog Herald. A Day in the Life of a Blogger at Blogging Tips. Ass of the Week at the Craigslist Curmudgeon. Why Amy Derby no longer trusts PayPal at Write from Home. Don’t miss the Grant Writing series at Freelance Parent. The Chicken Soup people are looking for essays at the Renegade Writer. What’s Your Sign and Other Bad Ways to Pick Up a Client at Web Writing Info. What Bloggers Can Learn from Chris Garrett’s Favorite TV Shows. An Interview with John Phillips of Freelance [Read more…]

~ By Jennifer Chait Before publishing your next blog post consider two little words. Those two words are, “So what.” As a college sophomore, I was handing in a writing essay to one of my writing instructors. I gleefully said, “Here’s my essay.” She replied, “So what?” At the time, her comment made me really upset. I thought she was being extremely mean. Honestly though, it’s one of the best writing tips I ever got.

You are what you eat. Yeah it’s a cliche, but it’s a good one. We all know the importance of a balanced diet, eating a good meal, watching portions and all the other stuff that’s drilled into us at school or through the media. Of course whether or not we follow this advice is a whole other story. Some foods are great brain foods while others help to fuel the body. Which foods are best for writers? I decided to do a little research.