Let’s start at the beginning. Three years ago when Freelance Writing Jobs was just starting out. I didn’t know much about blogging, though I did know something about writing and finding jobs. I could throw out a question and get so many helpful answers. As the readership grew, audience participation grew. FWJ began earning a reputation as a helpful writing community, catering to writers of all levels.
Somewhere in recent months we lost our way. Now we snipe about high pay and low pay and who is driving down rates and whether or not we should offer quotes. While I do throw these issues out to stimulate discussion, we sort of get caught up in the drama, don’t we? That’s not always good. I was thinking it might be because we’ve grown so much and don’t know each other as well as we used to. Let’s start all over again. Introduce yourself in the comments and tell us a few things about yourself and your writing.
I’ll start.
Hi, I’m Deb. I’ve been freelancing since 2000. I’m also a former newspaper columnist and Group Editor for a major online information portal. While I do have some print work under my belt, most of my writing has been for the web. Now all of my work is through blogging jobs. I love what I do and can’t see myself doing anything else. Even more, I love this particular blog and interacting with my community.
So tell me about you. Offer as many or as few details as you like. Let’s be friends again.
Hi all, it’s been great to read about you and your writing.
I’m Amy, a fairly new freelance writer (just started in October). I’ve had a lot of luck applying for projects, however, and recently came on board at CareerSearch, where I use my full-time HR background to write about job hunting tips. In addition, I’ve been doing larger online content pieces for a soon-to-be released paying project, am writing two encyclopedia articles (using my law school education), and have two anonymous blogs of my own that I work on for love, comments, and the venting possibilities.
I’m hoping that in a year or two I’ll be able to transition to full-time freelancing, but in the meantime, I still have my day job.
In other exciting news, I signed a contract with a local publisher last week who’s picked up a collection of my short literary fiction.
Thanks to Deb and Jodee! This site has been a great resource along the way to get me up and running.
Hi, I’m Devon. I publish under a half a dozen names in both fiction and non-fiction, and I also do freelance business writing, copywriting, speechwriting, articles, etc. on a variety of topics. I also teach workshops, review, and provide manuscript critiques. I cover horse racing, ice hockey, and various other sports regularly for FEMMEFAN, have a column called “The Literary Athlete” in THE SCRUFFY DOG REVIEW, and my plays are produced in NY, Los Angeles, London, Edinburgh, and Australia.
I spent most of my career working backstage in theatre, film, and television; for about ten years I ran dual careers in that and writing (makes for too many hours), and, last year, switched to writing full time.
I’m currently located outside of NYC, but will relocate in the next few months into MA, but I have clients all over the world.
Hi there!
I have been writing forever…since I knew how to hold a crayon. I have a degree in journalism and have worked for a couple of media outlets. Had a nasty editor a year ago who made me question my writing and I haven’t taken a serious project since. I am trying to empower myself again and have just started a blog, which is really fun. A friend turned me on to this website and it’s awesome. Thanks for being here!
Cheers,
Katie
@ Opal
I agree with feeling pretty good about getting the job with competion! It was nice to just “have” a little work because I said I could, but good to know my abilities stood up against others vying for the same spot.
I haven’t used and reused my resume so much since I got back into counseling 3 yrs ago! At least I don’t have to dress up for these “interviews.”
I do have to dress up some for my counseling work, but just for a few hours at a time. I can take that.
@ Scribette
That’s wonderful you are able to work with such diverse topics. In time, I hope to be more multi-faceted as well.
Hey, I’m Jennifer. I’ve been freelancing for about eight or nine years and blogging for over three. I used to do stuff like magazines and business copy, now I make almost all my money from blogging. I love blogging much more than other types of freelance writing – although, I don’t mind other freelance work.
I’ve been visiting this blog for about a year now. Maybe longer. Hmmm, also, I spend a lot of time unschooling my son Cedar. I’m not very exciting I’m afraid. Pretty much I blog and hang with my boy.
I’m Candi. Last year I quit my job, sold my house, and bought an RV to travel around the country while I pursued my long-time goal of getting my Masters in Library and Information Sciences. I discovered I’m not a gypsy or a camper, and not suited to online-delivered coursework, so I settled in on the Northern California coast and now seek gainful employment…on my own terms, of course.
I spent 20 years writing and editing technical reports and information products for academia, non-profits, and all levels of government. I was an information architect for about two-dozen Web sites, and developed a ton of Web content.
I have a lot of marketing experience as well, from conceptualizing marketing strategies to preparing print and online marketing materials.
I haven’t done any paid freelance work though, and here’s why–I can’t bring myself to market myself. I can sell the heck out of anyone else, but I can’t squeak a peep out for my own benefit.
I visit this site daily, and will, by all that is holy, step up one day and actually apply for one of these tasty offerings!
Thanks for this site.
Hi everyone! My name is Lisa and I’m new to the freelance world. Though I have a full time job, I like to think of my part time freelancing as my “real work”, I love it so much. I am a contributing writer for the website Suite101.com and I LOVE to blog. As a matter of fact, I am addicted. I’m hoping one day (soon!) I’ll be able to land a paying blog gig.
Hi, I’m Kori. I live in San Antonio with my husband and two dogs. I grew up in Phoenix, lived in Los Angeles for 17 years, and have lived here in Texas since I got married five year ago.
I’m a freelance writer and reporter, covering NBA basketball for several newspapers, websites and magazines.
I have freelance writing for nine years, but full-time for the last five. In addition to sports, I write about fashion, beauty, careers, shopping, travel and wedding planning.
In the last year or so, I’ve gotten into blogging. I’m the Sports Channel Editor at b5media, plus write a variety of other blogs.
I love reading Deb’s site and Jodee’s job leads.
–Kori
Heya,
I’m Amanda, and I’m originally a creative writer (plays, stories, poems, etc.) but I turned to freelancing online last year as a way to actually make a living off of writing–and work in my pj’s. I’m now at home full-time, and love the thrill of new prospects every day when I tune in to great lead lists like this one!
I’m currently in About.com’s prep program, so wish me luck!
Hi, I’m Charlie and I just recently stumbled upon your blog. I check it daily in trying to find freelance gigs. I’m a complete newbie in this game. After three editorial internships and still no job, I’m trying to find an editorial job as well as find freelance writing gigs (prefer print).
It’s proving quite difficult because of 1) the lack of male editorial assistants in the industry, as well as 2) the lack of diversity in the industry. There was an article published recently about the lack of Hispanic Americans and African Americans in editorial positions. Don’t believe me? Grab five of your favorite magazines and scan the masthead to see how many Latino last names you find.
Still, I’m not complaining. I try harder and harder each day and try not to get discouraged. I have amassed quite a few clips for my portfolio that I’m extremely proud of.
Onward I march!
Charlie
Good luck, Amanda!
Hi,
I’m Robin and I’ve been freelancing for a little over three years now. My first paid gig was at Write For Cash, and when it ended, I followed a bunch of the writers over to the Writers Row board that Deb and some others began. I’ve been reading this blog since it started, and have made it no secret that I give Deb and the others over at Writers Row the credit for keeping me focused at the beginning of my career.
When I first started I would write about almost any topic that I thought was worth the pay, but as I’ve gotten more experience, I’ve been able to focus on the what I want to write about the most – Christian living and Green Living. I got my first print job last year – a column in Primal Parenting magazine and I also blog for the magazine’s site.
It’s good to meet everyone here. This is a great place whether you’ve been freelancing for years or just started yesterday.
Thanks, Deb!
Scribbette,
We work in some of the same arenas, I do a lot with tech and business as well, hence some of my “general business principles” posts.
Greetings from Bainbridge Is., Wash.! I’m Carol and I’ve been a freelance writer for just over 2 years, after 12 years working full time for a local business journal, and before that a home-improvement industry trade pub.
My main freelance gigs now include Entrepreneur magazine, Seattle Magazine, the Seattle Times and a few other local Seattle pubs, as well as spirituality musings on Aish.com. I also write Web copy for a large insurance consulting firm, and do corporate espionage — looking into CEOs’ backgrounds for investment firms. I’m enjoying learning more about blogs and the variety of jobs that are out there…though most seem to pay waaaay less than I’m already making! My goals for this year are to get my own Web site together (using my ZoomInfo profile right now), and put up two ebooks — I’ve taught classes on how to break into freelancing, and on how to get your business or nonprofit into the media. So want to turn those into downloadable ebooks and create some passive income!
Other than that seeking more $1 a word national-magazine markets, ideally in the parenting area.
I find this whole world of $1 an article assignments weird, it’s like some kind of back-alley sweatshop of the virtual world. I say resist!
But with the Seattle Times freelance budget shrinking I am actively looking around for a few new interesting projects. Recently discovered this site and think it is great, and helps me learn about what’s been going on in the blogging space.
When I first started freelancing I ghosted a CEOs blog here in Seattle, and wouldn’t mind doing more of that kind of thing…
For those of you just starting — have no fear! I’m a college dropout, and now I’m making as much freelance as I used to make working fulltime, except I take 8 weeks off a year. There is SOOOO much work out there that pays great — so don’t settle for less!
Carol
@ Deb: You have made my day!
Let’s not let the fact that I’m willing to be “overworked and underpaid” get out, though.
Hi! I’m Mary Ellen and I have been reading this blog for almost a year. I have never commented before, but this seems like a good time to start.
For my day job I am a high school science teacher. I decided to take up freelance writing on the side about a year ago because I love to write. I have been fairly successful. In fact, recently, I have had to turn jobs down because I have no time. I have one steady writing job, my full time job, and I am finishing a masters degree in chemistry.
My favorite writing jobs have been about pets, mostly dogs and cats. I would like to get into educational writing, but have not found any opportunities yet.
Phil – that’s cool! I guess that why we have the same viewpoint when it comes to negotiations!
Carol – nice post … I am with ya!
@Charlie
Yes, I have noticed this too. As you can tell by my last name, I am hispanic and it saddens me that there aren’t many hispanic editors out there.
I am an English teacher by day and moonlighting writer/editor by night. By far, my favorite medium is blogs. I am a people person, and blogs are the next best thing to talking to people in person.
I have written for magazines, blogs and marketing agencies. I own my own blog which is currently up for a Fabbie award! http://www.debutanteclothing.com/news
I love your blog Deb and you are such a nice and inspirational person. Deb has always answered my questions.
Keep up the good work!
Hi,
I’m Venessa. I’m an aspiring author and have just recently started my own blog about the craft and business of writing at my website. I began it as a step toward blogging on a more professional basis, with the thinking that if I’ve got at least a few months of blogging under my belt, I’d make a more attractive candidate for companies looking for bloggers.
I haven’t really been looking much into print markets (except for short story fiction markets). Although it’s my belief that I can write about almost anything, I’ve never really written non-fiction articles for print before. So I suppose I’m somewhat …intimidated? Yes, probably.
Anyway, I’m a long-time lurker here, but thought I’d peek my head out and say hello, all official-like!
Thanks for the great blog!
Venessa
Hello!
I am Erik Hare, and I’ve been freelancing PT since 2003, FT since late 2006. (Sounds like Writers Anonymous when I put it that way.)
I live in Saint Paul, Minnesota, but I’ve been around quite a bit in my 42 years. I grew up in Miami and got my degree in Chemical Engineering at Carnegie-Mellon in Pittsburgh. I live with my partner in life, my kids part time, four cats and a dog.
I generally work more as a non-profit consultant, grant writing and the like. I am trying to diversify my income, and have done some blog writing for pay and a few strange projects.
My own blog / portfolio is at http://www.authorsden.com/erikhare You can see from it that I have a lot of strange interests.
Good to see the details on all the rest of ya!
Hi all,
I am little late joining the party, but here goes.
I am relatively new to blogging, but have been writing for a year now. I specialize in travel, health and parenting related subjects.
I’ve been following this blog for the past year, way back when it was just a list of leads that I waited eagerly every day for. (Thanks, deb!)
I used to be a preschool teacher in a former life, and it was a little depresing to have to quit work for family reasons. A sarcastic comment by my SIL one day about what a “waste” my Montessori training was forced me to take a look at blogging as a way of using my experience and knowledge. Nothing like a little familial love to get you off your butt.
I must say, there are some awesome writers here – I am almost shrinking in my chair reading some of your posts and qualifications. Very inspiring.
Hi I’m Christie, currently living in Texas where it appears I’ll stay having been here longer than anywhere else in the last 20 years. Like many on the board I’ve written forever, but have always undervalued my writing. Recently I discovered I could use it to create a freelance career! So out on my own I went August 1. I write for print and web, and corporate marketing materials. I also do layout and design which helps in marketing myself because I can offer the complete package (including web, I am a certified web designer as well). I’ve been so busy figuring out how to get clients that I’ve let my personal writing totally fall by the wayside – but I am interested in getting back into fiction soon! I am also gearing up to start my own blog on marketing for small business owners.
I appreciate this blog for the tips, community and thought-provoking content.
Hi!
I am new to the freelancing world–haven’t really gotten my foot in the door. I am a stay-at-home mom looking to become a work-at-home mom. I haven’t had any gigs yet, but I love to write and research, and I know that I would love this type of work. I must admit that I am a little overwhelmed trying to figure out how to really get started. What is a decent rate? I don’t want to bid too high, but honestly, with by two little ones at home, time is VERY precious.
Hi, I’m Wendy — I’ve been freelance writing for about two years now and got my first job from FWJ. I’ve been a faithful follower ever since.
Prior to freelancing, I worked at a company where I wrote for a variety of corporate websites. Most of my freelance gigs have been web writing and now I work primarily as group editor for the information portal Deb mentioned and as a problogger for a fabulous TV blog (love, love, love it!). I couldn’t be more thrilled with what I’m doing!
Hi Deb,
In February 2006, I came to terms with the stark realisation that my business had fallen apart, and taken with it my relationship and University degree. I was sat at the bottom of the pile with now way to dig myself out. Many days I stared at a computer screen with nothing happening, then I came here. Within a month I had landed a contract with a major US magazine (I am in London, England), as well as found enough smaller jobs to at least pay my bills.
Basically, an hour spent reading your blog gave me a lift, one I needed. I followed it for a month or two before I had enough leads. Now I am a different man. I have a number of great contracts, that have spun off of the first one I took through your page. I don’t do blogging gigs, not because I don’t think they are worthwhile, just because its not my bag, I’m old school and I like print, a bit like my collection of David Bowie Vinyl! Anyway, I do still pop back here occassional, as it pays to always be alert, and I just wanted to say a very big thank-you.
All the best
Oliver
Hello, my name is Sonya. I’ve been writing my whole life and was a writing minor in college. I did an internship in the PR department of my alma mater, and it was there that I learned that press releases and profiles and articles and things like that are just as “creative” as any other kind of writing, it’s just a different kind of creative, and I had a little epiphany that, wow, real human effort went into every little bit of text that I read: the copy on my bottle of juice or the filler columns in the newspaper or the press release that got sent out to my hometown newspaper when I made the honor roll — somebody sat down and wrote that and put actual thought and effort into word choice and sentence structure and everything else. And got paid for it.
Yet somehow it took me six years after that to look into freelancing. (I guess it didn’t click before then how little published writing is actually done “in house,” and that most of it is sent in by people camped out in their bedroom with a laptop.)
So I’ve been freelancing since October of last year. I wrote for Suite101 for a while, until I realized that I was basically writing for pennies and that it wasn’t really worth my time. But I can’t consider it a total loss, because I used my articles there to land a paying gig, writing articles and copy for a green living website. I’ve also published a few things in local, community papers, and I keep a green living blog at http://plainlivingandhighthinking.blogspot.com. I’m also working on my second novel. (The first one went unpublished; it was my “starter novel” I guess.) I’m still working a crappy day job (retail!) but I’m hoping to be able to freelance full time in a year or two.
Hi Deb,
I also just recently found your site. I am not a writer, but a blogger. I started blogging in 2000 and have been an on and off blogger since. I acquired my domain about a year ago and have begun to attempt writing more meaningful posts there. I would say I tend to journal more than blog.
I came to find your site through google when it was suggested to me through a visitor of my blog that I have potential to be a writer. I have not yet tried to apply for any of the positions you’ve posted, but I am learning a lot about freelancing writing just by lurking on your website here. It has been very useful and informative. I will still be browsing for quite a while before diving into any applications, but I feel as if I will gain a lot of insight through the information and links you provide.
Thank you for that!
I would like to pose some questions for you if you’re willing to cover it some time in the future. As a blogger looking to break into freelancing, how should I attempt to build a portfolio of work? Will my own writing samples from my blog be sufficient? Also, where would I find information on how to charge my clients as well as what I need as a freelancer to cover my taxes every year? (forms, paper work, receipts, what’s covered…) I’ve tried to google this topic with no success.
Thanks again!
Alice
Hi Deb (and everyone)!
My name’s Angela. I’ve been toying with the idea of freelance writing for a few years now, but I only started to get serious about it a few months ago. I have a full-time job as an editor, and I’m slowly building up my freelance client base on the side. I now have two regular jobs that I found through your site—thank you for that!! I don’t know if I would have found them otherwise.
I love your site…beyond the jobs, there’s always interesting discussion going on, and I love learning from other, more experienced freelancers.
Hi. I’m Laura. Have been lurking on this site for over a year, but have just begun the dive into freelancing. I was a middle school English teacher for 11 years (and may still be – hard to shake). I needed a break and wanted to explore the real reason I chose an English degree, the publishing world. So now I’m a project editor at an educational publisher and have learned so very, very much.
My contract is coming to an end soon and I have to decide whether I’m going back into the classroom. I have actually put myself out in the freelance stream and have received a couple of tantalizing calls, but no assignments yet.
In order to keep myself focused, I’ve started a blog on writing for the education market http://educationwriting.blogspot.com. I research some element of the education market, then blog about it to share with others. It seems to be working well for me so far.
I do visit this site every day and appreciate all that I’ve learned from you, Deb.
Thanks,
Laura
Hi everyone. My name is Kim and I have been following Deb’s blog since I started freelancing full time back in August 2007. I got my first web writing gig right here!
I am a web/SEO writer, a copywriter for a couple of clients, and I write articles for the print mainstream and Muslim magazine market. I am happy to finally be doing what I love and earning a full-time income – life is good!
Hi Deb, Jodee and everyone else,
My name is Jenny, I’m from Ottawa, Ontario and I’ve been writing for years however more recently for the past 5 years. It has been primarily through this site and Jodee’s fabulous leads that I have obtained paying gigs, and some of them are now regular ones.
I love this site and although I may read the comments I’ve only commented a few times before today. I am a full time teacher and part time freelance writer. Someday, I hope to write full time.
I’m very pleased to “meet” everyone…and thank you again to Deb and Jodie. One last point, I think that I’ve been visiting this site for the past two years and I only check out one other site on occasion.
Wow, I was going to say hi and welcome to each one of you personally! But now I don’t think there’s enough time in the day. So hi and welcome and thank you for coming here and making us a part of your routine. Your kind words made my day.
@ Jenny: That is really cool that you are from Ottawa! I was born there and grew up about 20 minutes west of the city. Small (online) world, isn’t it?
WOW! What a community. I started taking notes about half way through about people I wanted to remember and sites I wanted to check out.
I’m Patricia, also a newbie freelancer who was thrilled to find this site last December. I’ve secured several jobs from those listed here (thank you Jodee). I thought I wanted to work in print, with aspirations about writing for national magazines, but I’m discovering a real interest in blogging. I recently got my first paid blogging position and I’ve applied to b5Media because their network really appeals to me.
I’m a retired college English teacher, grandmother of 13, self-publishing a book after 2 years of trying to get it published through more traditional markets.
Great idea Deb. I read every single comment before posting and I’m honored to be among your community of readers.
Hi
My name’s Kelly and I graduated from Berkeley a year ago. I’ve been trying to cut it, working as an Assistant Editor at a small-time magazine, writing local newspaper stories and building a portfolio. It’s hard to compete with all of you when I’m kind of new (apparently, the first 21 years don’t count). But I appreciate your site. Hello.
Kelly
Hi everyone. I’m knew to this site. My name is Debra, and I’ve been freelancing for about ten years. Some of my articles have appeared in newspapers and other print formats, but mostly I write for the web. I recently took a two-month leave of absence from writing because I was getting tired and burned out, but during my time off, I realized that writing really is what I want to do, so I’m back in the saddle. I look forward to exploring this site and getting to know all of you.
I’m dejah. I know Deb from a writing list and eventually found my way here. I have been writing since 1998 (coming up on 10 years next week!). I have been writing professionally since 2000. Before that, I was a software developer. I am primarily a technology journalist and technical writer, but I also love covering figure skating and motorcycles. I have written two best-selling (yes, really!) technical books. I am also a frustrated novelist.
Wow! Talk about a post that will get people engaged and posting! That’s one of the strengths of this blog that I enjoy. I’m a marketing writer and strategist in Seattle. I also contribute to a couple of blogs and run a website of resources for children with learning disabilities (www.developmentalweb.com) Keep up the good work.
Hi, I’m Kara. This is my first time commenting on this site. I’ve been visiting for about a month.
I’ve been teaching English for the past 4 years and decided to take a year off when my son was born in the fall. I quickly realized that the thought of putting him in daycare every morning before 7 a.m. made me queezy. I started thinking about what I could do and came across this site through wahm.com. I’ve always loved writing, but somehow I thought I needed to write creatively (meaning poetry and fiction). I’ve had some small successes with creative writing, but as we all know poems don’t pay bills.
So I’ve started realizing that I can write in other ways. And that I love it. Writing teachers don’t actually get to write very much, so it’s exciting to not be living vicariously anymore. I started a blog, Gluten-Free in the Greens, and have started submitting queries and applying to jobs I’ve found through this site and others. My big problem now? How to find writing time with a kiddo who’s about to start crawling…
Thanks for this blog–the leads are great, and I’ve found sections, like the cover letter clinic, especially helpful.
I’m Susan, and I’ve been freelancing part time for several years and planning/hoping to make the leap to full time freelancing early next year. I specialize in career and lifestyle articles for the twentysomething set, but I also dabble in arts writing, book reviews, and other fun stuff like blogging.
Deb, when I first got serious about freelancing, I landed several gigs from this blog, so I’m very grateful for all you do and the community you’ve created. Keep up the great work!
I’m a little late to the party, but happy to be here! While I’ve always journaled, I took the long road to my now budding writing career. I started college as a journalism major but changed tracks to nursing after an extended hiatus to tour with Disney on Ice as a professional figure skater left me feeling behind and itching to get done with college and on with life! I saw nursing as a quicker way out and off I went.
I got married to a wonderful man, had three spirited boys (ages 10, 8 & 4) and made my way back to writing thru much encouragement from my husband and family. I do still substitute teach at our local community college in the nursing department and I also teach child birth education classes because it’s fun!
I have found my first gigs here ~ I focus on health, parenting, fitness and pregnancy. I’ve written on those topics and more in print (regional magazines across the country)and just landed my first gig contributing to a blog on a continuing basis! I started a new blog – families4fitness.com – just a month ago. I also had a personal blog “Planet Boy” that was lost in cyberspace by a miscalculation in funds by the host about a month ago. I’ve been too sad about losing all of my musings on life with my three cool boys over the past year to start anew – maybe I’ll start again soon.
My goals for 2008 included income markers and starting Feb 1 I have nearly met that goal already. Thank you to youboth, Deb & Jodee. I look forward every morning to seeing what’s new both with the job listings, postings and comments. Thank you so much for providing me what I needed to get my career in writing started -albeit a little later than I first planned!
Hi. Long-time lurker, first-time poster. How do I properly introduce myself when all the labels are bottlenecking? Picture the Three Stooges in a doorway. Close enough. I have a BA & MA in English. I spent a year as an editor at a software company before wiling away the last 6-1/2 as a technical writer for Big Oil. Had a baby. Went back to school for a teaching certificate. Had another baby. So there I sit on maternity leave, where I tearfully convince my husband that maybe I can make this at-home thing work. I. Can. FREELANCE! Trouble is, I have no idea what I’m doing. Not a clue, in that born-yesterday sort of way. So I read sites like this and wear my fingers bony applying for work. I even pay to join sites like Guru, thinking it’ll give me an in. The problem, unfortunately, was that I checked out because I love to write and know that I do it well. But less than a penny a word? Less than five bucks an hour? And for what: material so dry it makes beef jerky look succulent. I quit to find my soul. So maybe I’m looking in the wrong places for it. Maybe expecting fulfillment is expecting too much. I should probably stuff my idealism and slink, defeated, back to the corporate machine. But not yet. I’m here, gleaning and wishing, apples for cheeks and the heavens in my eyes, appreciating all the hard work that goes into creating a nest for us here. Thank you.
Wow, it’s amazing to have such a diverse community of writers here! It’s nice to meet you all.
I’ve been writing since forever, but it took a move across the country and a bad job market in Georgia for me to get up the courage to start my freelance writing career.
I officially became a freelance writer in October, and I love it! I write in my jammies if I want to, and I write diverse and interesting things every day.
I’ve enjoyed Deb’s blog so much, both for the job leads and also for the great information. I haven’t yet landed a gig from this site, but I hope to soon.
Anyway, thanks Deb, for bringing us all together!
Holy Cow!
I’m Lela, part-time writer, full-time Mom, former CPA, recovering 9-5er. I started writing online a year ago and I currently write for these sites:
HubPages
Parenting Squad
Business School Journal
Wellsphere
PeopleJam
All thanks to leads I found here! I have learned a lot from Deb and am forever grateful. I also write the occasional short fiction, a humor column publised in a local magazine, and lots of personal essays and memoir. And the blog, of course, After the Bubbly.
For everybody new, this is a great place to be! Because making money is wonderful validation for a writer.
*published*
And I *heart* typos.
Hi, I’m Gina, and I’m a lurker and occasional (i.e., rare) poster. Currently I’m the managing editor of a national weekly newspaper. Before that, I was the copy editor for the same paper; and before that, I was a reporter for daily and weekly newspapers in New York.
I’ve been putting in some major overtime at work and have barely been able to keep up with all the posts, comments, and intros. But I make it a point to at least take a look at FWJ every day. I enjoy reading Deb’s posts and checking out the job roll and the link love.
There is so much collected wisdom and experience here. I learn something every day, it seems! Thanks to everyone for sharing what you know, even if horns get locked sometimes. And thanks @ Deb, and Jodee and anyone else who maintains this blog, for providing it!
Me? I come from the other fork of the blogging tree. I was posting on message boards back in the mid-80′s, when Compuserve was the big gorilla, AOL was the new *kewl* place, and dial-in BBS boards were all over the place.
Funny thing is, the “reboot” Deb describes was needed back then as well – although it was usually referred to as a purge. We were far more barbarian then.
Since then, I have been Editor-In-Chief of a national consumer electronics magazine, written a number of freelance articles for print, and had my own blogs on a number of topics – usually my rantings and ravings.
During a vacation a few weeks ago, my girlfriend and I were chatting away about this and that when the topic turned to what we really want to do. I don’t dislike the job I’m doing, but it’s not what I want to do with my life. There are lots of things. But one thing I had been missing was the creative outlet. This is what writing gives me. So on our return, I started investigating the world of freelancing again, and stumbled in here.
So far, the information has been great, and although I really haven’t gotten much more than a sniff when it comes to jobs, it’s a start.
So – keep up the good work! This blog is a valuable tool for those of us who are looking to take a dip, and perhaps a plunge, back into the writing pool.
I’m Niki in North Carolina. I’ve been freelance writing for seven years. I also work as a freelance researcher for a couple of companies. I love working at home
Deb,
I’ve been addicted to your website for a couple of months now. I’ve worked as a features editor for a small-to-medium-sized daily newspaper for 12 years now. I’m now dipping my feet into the freelancing pool and trying to learn as much as I can about possible markets, especially paid blogging jobs. This website has been invaluable. Not only have I found jobs that I am interested in, but I’ve found some that I thought were perfect for other writers I know and have passed them on.
I’m currently in training as the Specialty Channels editor for Bellaonline and hope to use that as a way to build up my “web” clips versus newspaper clips.