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Why I Still Post Freelance Writing Job Leads and Why I Know You Know Best

Deb — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:20:57 +0000

Yesterday my friend Anne Wayman sent a link to her post “Job Postings Here are the Tip of the Ice Berg.” Anne’s thoughtful post was inspired by another freelance writing blogger’s decision not to post freelance writing job leads. I know Anne wanted me to go to her blog and comment (and you should by all means do so, as Anne’s blog is a good one) but I had so many thoughts about this I felt it worthy of its own post.

Anne feels maybe her readers feel her blog is the only source for job leads and they don’t go looking elsewhere for jobs as they should.Not to other blogs and job boards, but to the markets that aren’t always advertised.

With respect to Anne, I’m not sure I agree with this. I don’t think Anne or I are enabling you by posting an assortment of job leads each day. I feel the majority of the FWJ (and AFW) community appreciates the convenience, but I also feel you know your options.

I harbor no illusions.

I know many of you come for the freelance writing jobs, and that’s OK. However, I also know most of you know there are other places to look. Not only job boards, but other markets and venues. Whether or not you choose to look in any those places is up to you, which is why I’ve never stopped posting leads. We’ve been about freedom of choice here since day one, and I’m not going to change a formula that works. I don’t think you feel there are only lower paying opportunities available to you though. I think the majority of this community, and maybe even Anne’s community, know your options and you’re comfortable with your choices. I can’t find fault with this.

Variety is the spice of life

Other than aesthetic changes and a few bells and whistles here and there, this blog’s mission and goal hasn’t changed. It’s about presenting you with all opportunities, discussing where to find all levels of opportunities and sharing tips and tricks for success. Again, it’s a formula that works for all of us, so I’m not about to change. From time to time I offer to elminate opportunities paying below $20, or bring in the really low paying stuff and you raise your voices loud and clear. You know what works for you and you know not to go too low. I respect that and it’s why I don’t cater to only high paying or only low paying jobs. Do I try to look for the best opportunities? Of course. Do I think you know the best opportunities aren’t always advertised? Yes, I do because we discuss it here often, and also, because you tell me. I also know many of you aren’t into querying and cold calling. I also feel you don’t have to be married to one form of writing over another. You can pitch to the $1 per worders and supplement that with a $20 blog post, there’s no right or wrong.

Freedom of Choice

Every day we discuss tips for finding markets, rocking the customer service, networking and the different types of writing available, and I’m sure you find that useful. My stats tell me the majority of this community come here looking for work and I’m going to offer a wide variety of choices. Some of you love the choices and some of you aren’t happy with some of the offerings but you will always have choices.

I know FWJ isn’t the only job board or blog you visit. I know many of you have a long laundry list of places to search each day or week because you know I don’t find all the opportunities, and that’s fine. I would never say that you should only come to this blog, or that it’s the only blog with good leads as that’s silly. I’ll continuously present you with a variety of options and let you take it from there.

This blog is also getting a silly reputation for being a harbor for low paying jobs. That’s kind of silly because we’ve always posted a variety of leads. Moreover, we have discussions every day about the ways to find high paying opportunities and how to advance your career.

In the past we’ve discussed:

I know you know…

I know you know where to look for work and I know why you come here. I also know that every single writing blog brings something dfferent to the table. I may not always agree with your choices, but I’m not going to make you feel bad about your choices. Do I think maybe you feel the jobs posted here are the only jobs out there? No. I don’t think that at all.

Thanks, Anne

I want to thank Anne Wayman for giving me something to think about. I often wonder if I’m doing the right thing or if I should change the way we do things around here. After reading Anne’s post I know we’re both doing the right thing. We’re presenting you with the tools you need to succeed, no matter what type of job you wish to pursue. You send your success stories, so I know it’s working.

Tell us what you think…

Are the daily leads enabling? Do you feel that what’s presented here is all there is? Do you feel there should be only high, or only low or do you prefer the combination platter?

In Which Deb Shares Some of Her More Interesting Email

Deb — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:29:23 +0000

Dear Miss Deb,

I help you blog. I blog good to you. Yes?

Haito K.

Dear Haito,

No.

- Miss Deb

Dear Deb,

I think you’re only pretending to write so you can have traffic.

- Name withheld by request even though it was probably anonymous.

Dear Anonymous,

You got me. I’m faking it. Am I pulling it off?

- Deb

Dear Deb,

How much would could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck would?

- Kevin S.

Dear Kevin,

It’s “wood,” Kevin, not “would.” How much WOOD could a woodchuck chuck…see that’s what woodchucks do, they chuck wood. Except where I come from that means toss, so are woodchucks tossing wood? In any event, would or wood, I don’t know how much they’re chucking or really what chucking entails. Do keep me posted if you find out the answer.

Chuckingly yours,

Deb

Dear DebNg,

Someone said on Twitter you have too much email. This is your lucky day. My daughter is looking for an afterschool job an she can be your virtial assistant. We’re not sure how much virtial assitants make but realy assistants make $30 an hour. Since my daughter is only virtial you can pay her $25. I will only charge a $50 finder fee if you hire her. If you don’t like her I can be your virtial assistant and you don’t have to pay a finder fee.

- Name withheld by Deb

Dear Name,

Thanks but at the moment I’m not in need of an assitant, virtial or otherwise.

Good luck to your daughter!

- Deb

Dear Deb,

…I’m moving to New Jersey in the spring. My wife and I are born and bred East Coasters and know nothing of the area. Can you recommend a housekeeper?

- Name withheld

Dear Withheld,

Sure thing. While I’m at it, would you also like the names of my personal chef and limo driver?

Ta…

Deb

A Few Black Friday Deals for Freelance Writers

Deb — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:13:14 +0000

I am NOT a Black Friday shopper. There is in way in Hades you’ll get me out of bed before 7:30 on the day after Thanksgiving, especially if it’s to battle crowds and fight over big screen televisions and Barbie Dolls. I worked in a mall. I know what goes on there. It’s not pretty.

However, I do know there are some bargains to be found on Black Friday, many of them of interest to freelance writers. Here are few of the items I’ve come across that may appeal to you. Is it worth it to wake up at 3:00 a.m. and stand in a crowd to purchase one of these items?

I’ll let you decide.

Black Friday Deals for Freelance Writers

True Value

Paper Shredder – $9.99. When it’s time to get rid of old invoices, contracs, W-9’s and other personal business, you’ll want to run it through a paper shredder first.

Best Buy

Linksys Wireless Router – $20 off at $59.95
Logitech Cordless Mouse – $24.99 – A discount of over $17.00
A variety of discounted netbooks and notebooks – some with heavy discounts.

Radio Shack

Wireless Mouse at $12.99 (normally $19.99)
Blackberry Curve – free with two year T-Mobile contract
Gigaware Notebook Cooling pad for $14.99 (from $19.99( – If you have a large laptop this is will help to keep it from overheating.

Staples

HP Laptop at $299.98 (After rebate)
Dell Studio 15.6″ Core 2 Duo Laptop w/ 4GB, 500GB – $599.98
HP Core 2 Duo 17.3″ Laptop w/ 4GB, 320GB – $599.98 MIR
HP DeskJet F4280 All-in-One Printer – $39.99

Half Price Books

Offering a variety of options including discounts and gift cards.

Office Depot

D-Link Basic N Wireless Router – $19.99
D-Link Basic N Wireless USB Adapter – $19.99
Entire Stock of Cross Pens – 50% off
Compaq Presario Desktop w/ 2GB, 250GB, DVD+R – $229.99
Compaq Presario Desktop w/ 2GB, 250GB, DVD+R, 19″ LCD – $329.99

Dell

A variety of goodies

If you come across any deals you feel will benefit the writers in this community (and no fair spamming) please post them in the comments.

How (and Why) I’ve Changed My Thinking Over a Decade of Freelance Writing

Deb — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:14:15 +0000

Pardon me while I reflect a bit…

2010 will mark my tenth year as a freelance writer. Though it’s a dream come true, it’s all rather surreal. I honestly thought freelancing would be a way to supplement my husband’s income until our son was in school full time. I didn’t expect I’d continue to do this full time a decade later , and I certainly didn’t think I’d have a popular, lucrative blog and booming social media business.

I read somewhere that someone attributed my success to luck and not skill. I disagree. It was a mixture of many things, but mostly hard work and the ability to adapt with my community. Though I consider myself fortunate, I wouldn’t write this all off as luck.

When I first began blogging it was only to provide job leads each day. The growing FWJ community clamored for more, and I began sharing my successes and failures as a freelance writers. My community at that time was mostly work at home moms and I felt some of them were making bad choices about their writing and I spoke up about it. Many members of the community called me on my negativity. Over the years I learned that writers take on projects for a variety of reasons. Some of them work at content sites for a hobby, some take a non-paying newspaper column because the enjoyment of sharing far outweighs the need for money, and some are having problems finding higher paying work and use lower paying opportunities as a way to supplement their income.There are also plenty of writers who are more than happy to do what they do and have no intention of seeking out other opportunities. To all of them I say, “rock on.”

I began to change my tune about the available freelance writing opportunities and the writers who accepted them. Though I never insulted writers for the choices they made there were times I was vocal about my disapproval.

So why am I telling you this?

Yesterday, I participated in a very upsetting comment thread at About Freelance Writing . In this thread, one commenter called writers for a certain content site “hacks.” After I called her on it, she took back the “hacks” comment and instead said they were demoralized and desperate. This isn’t the first time I saw someone who claims to want to help writers insult them in the process. In the past couple of months I read posts by bloggers who insist those who write for web content sites are “lazy,” a “laughingstock,” “sweatshop laborers,” and “untalented”…and those are the kind remarks. Though I did my best to be civil, I reacted emotionally and even wrote to Anne Wayman to apologize and said I wouldn’t be upset if she removed my comments. She opted to keep them.

I promise, I have a point…

Is this what it’s coming too? All of this “I’m so much better than you and if you don’t write what I tell you to write and earn what I tell you to earn you’re desperate and lazy” is upsetting. Why can’t we just live and let live? So you don’t approve of a writer’s choice, move on. All this pettiness and name calling among adults is, well, silly. I don’t know of any other career choice where supposed colleagues pick each other apart and belittle each other for their choices.

I have news for you. No one is right. None of these freelance writing gurus are experts. None of them can tell you the best thing for YOU to do because they’re not you. You’re you. We can all share what works best for us , but YOU make the ultimate decision. So for me to talk down to writers and say, “well you’re just wrong becasue you’re not doing it my way” isn’t only arrogant and unkind, it’s untrue.

Now, I don’t believe I’ve ever been what I call a “my way or the highway” blogger, but I think there are times I’ve been passionate in expressing my disagreement. Not insulting, but passionate. In ten years of writing I learned that we all make the choices that work best for our situations and not one of us is wrong. I will pass on the opportunities I don’t feel to be a good fit for me, and I will always present the best opportunities to you here. If you take on an opportunity I don’t feel is the right choice for me, I still respect your decision.

Does that mean I changed my tune about low paying opportunities?

Not quite, though I changed my tune about the way I look at each opportunity, especially since I’ve been meeting with or talking with the people behind many of these opportunities. I’ll always speak up about scams and unsavory types, but I’ll never, ever, look down on a writer for his or her choice.

Writers, if I ever made you feel bad about a decision you made, or if I ever talked down to you about a decision you made or if you ever felt insulted by anything I’ve written regarding your choice, I apologize. I’m here to share and learn from you, not talk down to you.I removed a couple of threads I felt to be insulting and I’ll be more mindful about what I publish here in the future.

How have you changed your thinking about freelance writing and freelance writers since you started?

Getting Past the Pajama Mentality

Deb — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:21:32 +0000

Freelancers are subject to many stereotypes. For example, most non-freelancing people feel that we have all the time in the world or that we spend a lot of time at Starbucks.

Ok, well, maybe that second one is true.

My favorite stereotype is the one about pajamas. I’m sure you see it all the time too. Ads that are focused towards folks who work at home inevitably mention jammies. Our friends and neighbors direct envy in our direction because they think we don’t have to get out of our plaid flannels every day. I don’t know how this slovenly image of unshowered, be-jammied writers got started, but I absolutely don’t work in my pajamas each day.

I get that this whole “work in your pajamas” thing is supposed to portray some comfortable lifestyle, but to me it conveys unwashed and lazy. I mean, if you saw one of your neighbors in her pajamas day in and day out, you wouldn’t think “brilliant writer,” you’d be calling out “take a bath, lazybones” from across the fence.

Being in my pajamas is very comfortable but I don’t want to be that comfortable when I’m workng. For me to get in the proper frame of mind I have to be cleaned, clothed and ready to face the day. Pajamas = lounging in front of the TV while brushing the chip crumbs from your chest. Dressed = right frame of mind for work.

All joking aside, working at home does allow us a certain amount of comfort. For example, we can work in sweats or jeans rather than the requisite business casual. I like to separate work from relaxation, though. When you’re home all day, it can be difficult to get into that business frame of mind. It’s not easy for that to happen if I’m wearing a Snuggy and fuzzy bunny slippers.

I want to be taken seriously as a writer and blogger. That’s not going to happen if I don’t take my own business seriously. Getting changed everyday makes me feel like a professional, and that’s half the battle.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to make a Starbucks run.

Are There No GOOD Freelance Writing Jobs Anymore?

Deb — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:50:19 +0000

I keep coming back to Jodee Redmond’s post “Will Taking a Low Paying Freelance Writing Job Hurt Your Career?” I already wrote about my thoughts on this topic and I don’t wish to bring it up again, however one of the comments is sticking in my mind. In fact, I’ve been mulling it over for days.

Content Sites Aren’t Keeping You From Higher Paying Freelance Writing Opportunities

In the comments for that blog post, I mentioned how there have always been low paying gigs, whether they’re with literary journals or as the resident freelancer for a graphic design studio. In fact, I remember freelance writers clamoring for a gig paying minimum wage when I worked in publishing in the 80’s and 90’s. My point was that these jobs didn’t keep anyone from aspiring to do better or finding higher paying work back in the day, and the entry level opportunities we see today shouldn’t keep us from it either, if that’s our choice.

I said:

There have always been low paying opportunities for writers, for example, the literary magazine paying five dollars or the newspaper column paying $15.

None of these jobs lowered the rates or drove away the high paying jobs (though, in all honesty, there was a time I thought this would be the case). There have been a handful of freelancers visiting the FWJ community over the years who continuously speak out against he entry level gigs and their rates of pay, but has it really affected their situations? These writers set a standard and won’t go below that standard, yet still complain about the rates and the “content mill jobs” as if they’re affecting their livelihood. They’re not. Writers who won’t settle below a certain amount are still finding work, otherwise they would have thrown in the towel a long time ago.

The commentator posted this in response:

Check out the Indeed listings and others-dominated by the content mills. The literary journals never occupied position one.

No, because literary journals didn’t advertise on traditional classified advertising sites. We didn’t have all these Internet jobs back then so you can’t compare. Literary journals only advertised in the back of Writer’s Digest or other writing newsletters. I agree it’s annoying to see hundreds of ads for the same company occupying the hundreds of slots on the job search engines, but that doesn’t mean there are no good freelance writing jobs, it simply means you may have to dig a little deeper.

Stop Looking for Excuses and You’ll Find the Good Freelance Writing Jobs

For some reason, I have a reputation for “only” posting low paying gigs, which is kind of funny. At FWJ we post between 40 and 100 new gigs each and every day and very few of them are from “content mills.” Many of them are lucrative opportunities. Web content is just a small portion of the jobs posted here on a regular basis. I understand there are some people who don’t approve of entry level opportunities, but to say they’re the reason you’re not finding work is just an excuse. There is plenty of freelance writing work, even in this economy.

There have always been low paying jobs. We see them more now because of the Internet, but there have always been places that paid writers less than $10 – or nothing at all. We found high paying work “back in the day,” and we’ll continue to find high paying work now. The “content mills” (and I) are a convenient scapegoat, but they’re not the reason you’re not finding better work.

On Making an Honest Living

Deb — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:55:58 +0000

I’ve been thinking a lot about choices lately. Those of you who have been following this blog for a while, know that there are times when I don’t agree with some writers’ choices. However, I’ve always respected these choices. If I see something I feel is unfair I’ll call attention to it, but I still respect a writer’s choice to make his own decision. It has nothing to do with “empowering” you to do better because we present you with the tools to achieve whatever level of writing and pay you wish to achieve every single day. It’s not about tough love or slapping you into reality, because we’re all adults and I don’t believe in talking down to adults…or children for that matter.

There’s something more to it though.

I grew up the fourth of six children. My mother was an assistant English professor and my father was a librarian. Both of these were very low paying careers and we had very little money growing up. But you know what? We were all happy. We had a good childhood. We didn’t have riches and we didn’t have the fancy toys and electronics our friends had, but we had a good life. Many people looked down at my parents for not dropping the jobs they loved to make a better life for us, but they were happy. We were happy. They were making an honest living and they taught us a thing or two about the important things in life.

I don’t knock an honest living. In this economy people do what they have to in order to put food on the table. If that means taking an entry level writing job instead of robbing banks and stealing from neighbors, I respect that choice. It’s not lazy to take an entry level writing job, not when you’re putting in eight good hours of work and have a tidy pay check to show for it. Your choice may not be my choice but I will always respect your decision. Sometimes if there’s something I don’t agree with, I’ll speak up about it, but I hope I never make anyone feel bad about their choices and if I ever did this in the past I’m very sorry. Though I’ve tried it (and failed miserably) in the past, the tough love approach isn’t me. However, if it’s your thing, I can recommend plenty of writing experts who would like to tell you how wrong you are for making an honest living or not making the choices they feel you should make.

I’m not for low pay. I’m not for no pay. I know writers can earn thousands of dollars for one article if they hit the right niche and market. I will always encourage you to reach for the stars. However, I also know writers make the decision that will pay the bills, or they will work at jobs they enjoy, even if those jobs don’t pay thousands of dollars for a piece of writing. It’s your choice. You’re making an honest living. I have nothing but respect for you and your choice.

Writing Through Chaos: The REAL Truth About Working from Home

Deb — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:27:58 +0000

Last week New Jersey schools closed in order for teachers and other educators to attend the NJEA convention. Mind you, this conference is only two days, but because parents usually take their kids out of school for the entire week anyway, the schools shut down for the entire week this year. Clearly, we have our priorities in order. My son is one of the handful of kids who usually attends school if it’s open during this time. He sits forlornly on the near-empty school bus and the sound of his footsteps echo as he walks down the quiet hallway to join the other classmates whose parents can’t afford a trip to Cozumel. By the way, they call the first week of November “New Jersey week” at Disney for this very reason. Now, I don’t understand why the teachers can’t have their convention in the summer when it won’t interrupt a child’s education, but that’s neither here nor there. There was no school last week and all of my son’s friends had traveling plans. I was prepared for a week of art projects and Phineas and Ferb marathons so I could get stuff done.

I needn’t have worried because …

…my son caught a virus compounded by a horrible cough and sinus infection and that kept both of us well occupied. Well, that is until halfway through the illness when boredom set in for The Boy who was bouncing off the walls. And the couch. And the Dog.

You might be thinking how fortunate I am to be a work at home mom so I can care for my family during their time of need.

The truth is, when a seven year old realizes a little whining will get him ginger ale and jello, Mom isn’t getting anything done. I spent most of last week fetching buckets, dispensing antibiotics and reading the entire collective works of Frog and Toad, over and over and over again.

You must be thinking I’m happy last week is over so I can get back to working in peace.

Did I mention Mr. Ng’s unemployment? My husband was laid off at the end of July. This means he’s been home every day since August 1st. That’s every day, people. Every. Day. Now I love my husband, but the 24/7 thing can wear thin. Whoever made up all that “til death do us part” stuff, never spent all day, every day with a spouse. He has decided to use this time wisely and renovate. During the day. Every day. When I’m home trying to work. Power tools, hammers, and cursing are now the soundtrack of my life.

After reading this you will probably suggest I take my show on the road.

Let me tell you about the quiet WiFi hotspots in my area…

Starbucks and the library are becoming a way of life. Except there are people around …always. So my option is to to work at home amid the sound of Dremels and drills or to go to the local Starbucks where five small tables are squeezed in between the counter and the wall to make a very narrow aisle where folks push by, knocking my elbows off the table on their way to ordering double triple mocha soy lattes with a twist. Since most of my neighbors stop by the coffee shop on their way to work or home from the supermarket, they all have to stop by my table to say hello. And they won’t leave.

Then there’s the library…

This isn’t your father’s library. There are no shushing librarians or quiet signs reminding us people are trying to read, work or study. This is the new library where patrons are encouraged to talk and share ideas. There’s a quiet section but there aren’t any power cords or tables, only bean bag chairs and these stuffed cube things that are suppose to pass for chairs. I’m 45. The last time I sunk myself into a bean bag chair, three people had to pull me out for fear I’d never be heard from again.

So I sit at the table with the plug for my power cord, which, by the way, is just outside of the room where “Mommy and Me” or “Music to Move By” classes are being held. “Hi Mrs. Ng!” My neighbors kids call out as they enter and leave the room. I wave back. “Oh good, you’re here. Now I have some one to talk to while I wait for story hour to end,” their moms tell me as they sit down next to me and fill me in on the day’s gossip.

Power tools and fetching the bucket for an influenza afflicted seven year old look mighty attractive after a day of silence at the coffee shop or library.

Oh yes, I’m so fortunate to be living the dream and working at home where I can spend all this quality time with my family. After all, that’s what it’s all about.

Sign Up for the Freelance Writing Jobs Newsletter

Deb — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:02:54 +0000

I’m excited to tell you about a newsletter we’re launching for the Freelance Writing Jobs network. It’s something I’ve been toying with for a while, but wanted to make sure the FWJ community will receive value – even a free newsletter. I’ve never been a fan of blog newsletters that only feature the same exact things that are posted to the blog each week. Well, we will have that, but much more.

Coming soon, the FWJ newsletter will feature:

* Blog posts, news and gigs from around the FWJ network.
* Past gems from the FWJ archives.
* Columns and advice by veteran freelancers not found at FWJ
* Fun stuff.
* Q & A/Mentoring- We’ll answer your questions about freelance writing and freelance writing jobs.
* Essays about freelance writing from the FWJ community.

Subscription to the FWJ newsletter is absolutely free and we hope for it to be another way to help advance your freelance writing career. The first issue will launch within the next week or two.

This is your idea, FWJ community, I hope to continue to do you all proud.

Holiday Gifts for Freelance Writers: 10 Book Recommendations for the Writers in Your Life

Deb — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:08:23 +0000

Every year I put out a call for recommendations for gifts for freelance writers and every year a flurry of representatives send me recommendations for gifts having nothing to do with writers or writing at all. So this year, I’m taking matters into my own hands by recommending my favorite books for writers. Mind you, not every book here is a book about writing, but all of them benefit freelance writers.

Full disclosure: A couple of the books on this list were sent to me to review, and I give my honest review here. However, most of the books on this list come from my own library and the recommendations are unsolicited.

10 Book Recommendations for the Writers in Your Life

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
by Lynne Truss

The most entertaining book ever written about punctuation, Truss discusses punctuation with humor so the reader is never bored. If you or someone is apostrophetically challenged and uses”your” in place of “you’re, or itses when she should be it’s’ing, do put a copy of this book under the tree.

On Writing
by Stephen King

I’ve read “On Writing” at least a half dozen times and it never fails to inspire me. Stephen King takes us through his early beginnings and writing career, and includes some dark periods of his life such as his struggles with addiction and the car crash that almost took his life. However, this is no mere autobiography. King only brings up these instances to discuss how they shaped him as a writer and made him who he is today. Though geared more towards fiction writers, writers of non-fiction will also appreciate giving “On Writing” a read.

Undress for Success: The Naked Truth about Making Money at Home

by Kate Lister and Tom Harnish

Don’t quit your day job before reading “Undress for Success.” This practical guide to working at home gives you all the tools you need to succeed and many things to consider before taking the plunge. Lister and Harnish don’t sugarcoat the work from home lifestyle. They’ve been doing it for several decades and take you through the pros and cons. From office essentials to navigating the job boards, “Undress for Success” is a must read for anyone looking to leave corporate America behind.

Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion

by Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary Vaynerchuk uses his no nonsense style to discuss starting a business and rocking it to success. If there’s one thing that shines through in “Crush It!” it’s Vaynerchuk’s passion. The passion that took @garyvee from a being a simple video blogger and online wine merchant to a mega successful entrepreneur. He even offers some ideas he feel would be worthwhile to explore, but doesn’t have the time to do so himself. “Crush It!” isn’t a book about writing or becoming a successful writer, it’s about becoming a success with your own business, something all freelancers strive to do.

The New Writer’s Handbook: Volume 2: A Practical Anthology of Best Advice for Your Craft and Career (New Writer’s Handbook: A Practical Anthology of Best Advice for Your Craft & Career)

Friend of FWJ, Erik Hare, recommended I read both volumes of “The New Writer’s Handbook.” Though that review was lost in the Great Server Crash of 2009, I’m giving them another recommendation here because they’re that good. Both handbooks contain an essential collection of readings assembled to inspire and motivate. These aren’t mere essays, they’re required reading. With sections on querying, creativity and marketing, every single freelance writer can benefit from these useful guides.

Content Rich: Writing Your Way to Wealth on the Web

by Jon Wuebben

To be honest, I was hesitant to review “Content Rich” because I thought it would be another spammy “make money with SEO” book. The truth is, Jon Wuebben knows his stuff and offers excellent, practical advice for anyone wishing to succeed as a web writer. Whether you’re copywriting, writing content for a site or looking to create your own blogs and websites, you’ll find “Content Rich” useful.

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

by William Zinsser

An oldie but a goodie, by copy of “On Writing Well” was a Christmas gift from my mom over a decade ago. It’s dog eared, worn and still relevant today. Zinsser teaches without pontificating. His tone is informal and down to earth as he walks us through the non-fiction writing process. This isn’t a book about succeeding as a writer or finding work. It’s all about how to be a good writer. Every time I find myself slipping up and forgetting my rules, I turn bac to “On Writing Well.” There’s a reason this book sold millions of copies.

ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income

by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett

I wanted to read “ProBlogger” because the authors are friends of mine. I keep it around as a reference because it’s the best book I’ve read thus far about blogging for a living. If you want to earn a successful living as a professional blogger, this is the one book you should read. Written by a couple of the best in the business, “ProBlogger” takes you through all the steps; from building a blog, to bringing in traffic, to monetizing your blog and much more.

The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Commercial Freelancer in Six Months or Less

by Peter Bowerman

I like to refer to the “Well Fed Writer” as the freelance writer’s Bible. Now in its second edition, “Well Fed Writer” discusses Bowerman’s success as a writer and how you can follow the same path. The book promises “financial self-sufficiency as a commerical freelancer in six months or left” and it’s up to you whether or not you wish to take Bowerman up on his challenge. Want to earn $125 an hour? Put this book on the top of your Santa list and learn how.

The Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business as Usual 10th Anniversary Edition

by Ric Levine, Christopher Locke, Doc Searls & David Weinberger

I read somewhere that the ” ‘Cluetrain Manifesto’ is a business book for people who don’t like business books,” and I think that sums it up nicely. This isn’t a book about writing, but a book about doing business at this point in time. It discusses how the Internet is bringing relationships and conversation back into business and anyone wishing to succeed as a freelance writer should be interested in learning how. Though ten years old, “The Cluetrain Manifesto” is still an interesting read for anyone starting a business, and yes, that includes a freelance writing business.