As we mentioned Friday, Freelance Writing Jobs is looking for a regular twice weekly columnist. We’re doing so with an American Idol-like contest. Please refer to the original post for full details as the ability to follow directions will be taken into account. Here is the ad:
Freelance Writing Jobs is looking for an experienced freelance writer to blog two days per week on a specific topic pertaining to freelance writers. Candidate must have several years of experience and be able to offer advice to others with confidence.
Payment is $100 per month. Please list experience and links to past work in your pitch, as well as your freelance writing areas of expertise. Pitch should include details of the specific freelance writing niche you’d like to blog about two days per week.
Post your job pitch here. In answer to some questions, all experienced freelance writers are eligible, and payment will be made via PayPal. Yes, you may use a pen name, but if this is the case, please email Jodee and I your real name at freelancewritinggigs(at)gmail(dot)com. We will need it in order to pay you and to make sure you’re not entering more than once.
A couple of other things:
- You’re applying for a job. Please post your pitch and experience in the comments. This is a real job, so do take care with your pitches. Links to writing samples are also appreciated. Please do not put personal details such as name, address and phone number as we don’t want any of the loonies out there following you around.
- Only pitches are allowed in the comments for this post. This is to keep it fair. On Friday at noon (Deb time - EDT), we’re closing the comments to applicants. Jodee and I will be monitoring the progress throughout the week and a poll will be posted on Friday so the FWJ community can vote for favorites. Keep in mind Jodee and I will be judging too.
- On Monday the top twelve will be announced, along with the week’s topic, and we’ll open the comments to this post to anyone who wishes to discuss the applicants or application.
One more thing we’d like to stress, This isn’t a popularity contest, it’s a application. Do vote for the person who you feel is best qualified to offer tips and advice to freelance writers.
Let the games begin!!
This post is now open to comments.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:29 am
For more than eight years I’ve worked as a professional writer, putting out news, feature stories, sports, columns, blogs and even a ghost-written column for an Air Force brigadier general. I currently freelance for a Flint-area weekly conglomeration of newspapers, an Illinois-based recreation magazine and write a “Richard’s Ramblings” column for my hometown newspaper as well as an inspirational one for an online Christian website.
Based on my experiences (good and bad), I think I’d have something good to offer to those looking to work as freelancers. I’ve learned many do’s and dont’s along the way.
Here are links to recent work of mine:
http://www.recmanagement.com/200802su04.php
http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/05/clio_dda_director_vote_postpon.html
http://www.saworship.com/article-page.php?ID=3316&Page=men.php
And here are links to places where I blog:
http://www.richardzowie.blogspot.com
http://www.mytwoshekels.blogspot.com
http://www.ponderingsfrompluto.blogspot.com (a satirical news blog)
http://americasteam.info/category/richard_zowie
http://www.nflfootballonline.com/richardzowie/weblog/
June 9th, 2008 at 11:54 am
My name is Asha Brodie and I am desirous of becoming a team player with your website as a freelance writer.
I have been fortunate enough to have accumulated mass experience in the media and have accomplished skills as a writer, editor and proof-reader.
I currently provide articles as a ghostwriter for various websites and write on a myriad of topics that run the gamut of features, entertainment, music, travel and food. I am also a regular writer for http://www.jazzreview.com, an online jazz magazine and http://www.barnonedrinks.com
My 19 years in print media has also been responsible for my ability to meet deadlines, my professionalism and deportment in the working environment and my calm resolve in the face of pressure.
I think that these are attributes that any company will welcome in an employee and I look forward to being seen as someone you can readily hire.
Please view samples of my work at:
http://ashabrodiejazz.blogspot.com
http://www.freewebs.com/ashabrodiewrites
I also served as one of the ghostwriters for the following blogs:
http://www.kosherific.com
http://www.customnitro.com
http://www.itsridiculous.com
At a time convenient to you I would love to further discuss ways in which I can assist freelancewritinggigs.com and its readers.
Warmest regards,
Asha
June 9th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
At the age of 6, I declared that I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. At the age of 11, I promised my best friends that they’d be mentioned someday in my novels. At the age of 18 I declared a communications major and at 19, changed it to Literature and Creative Writing. And after what seems like an eon, I am finally a full-time professional writer with over a decade of web writing and several years of advertising/marketing copywriting under my belt.
While carving out my place in the writing world, I also learned something very important: how to create a real writing life. I’ve learned the importance of building a network of writers and other creative individuals, of scheduling “fun writing” into my schedule, of continually looking for new opportunities to expand my writing skills and samples.
How did I get here? I made up my mind that writing is what I really wanted from life. Now, I’m currently working as a full-time freelance writer, specializing in digital and integrated copywriting. I’m also currently working on my second novel. With my balance of writing as a passion and writing as my meal ticket, I believe I have good insight to lend individuals who really want to build a supportive, interesting and inspired writing life.
You can check out my work at the following:
http://www.nevadascheffler.com
http://gypsynev.gather.com/
http://www.hercircleezine.com/archives/spring06/NevadaScheffler.html
http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=7990
June 9th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Freelance Writing Journal is having a contest which will determine their next twice-a-week staff blogger.
Dear Freelance Writing Jobs:
Please consider this note as my application for the job of “regular twice-weekly columnist” and my entry into your FWJ Idol contest.
You could say I’ve been a professional writer since August, 1980, when I stepped into a classroom as a high school Social Studies teacher. The materials included in a US History book’s “teacher’s guide” rarely resemble anything that can be used to prepare lessons for 11th-graders who aren’t on a college-prep track. One of the biggest challenges teaching kids at that level was to boost their reading level. Textbook writers had not yet figured out that teachers were not only teaching content, but reading skills as well. This challenge meant a good bit of re-tooling of the course material was required.
I got paid for that writing, in the sense that I was paid as a teacher, but my first “official” paid writing gig (as in I got a check specifically for the piece) came in 1993, when the journal American Programmer published my article “Hackers vs. Crackers.” Emboldened by that article’s publication, I continued to aggressively query professional journals. I sold a couple of articles to The Cobb Group’s publication, Inside Microsoft Excel, and Inside Windows 3.1, which they re-packaged/re-printed for a one of their newsletters targeted at the education market.
This was the time just before our modern, Microsoft-dominated world. Microsoft Word was just another competitor in the word processing market (WordPerfect was the leader), and Lotus 1-2-3 was the spreadsheet of choice. Networking PCs was an involved process, and Novell’s product was the popular way to share files. My consulting practice at this time involved a lot of work installing and supporting Novell Netware systems, integrating the maturing Windows product with those networks.
I continued to write on these topics, leveraging the last-published article to get the next one. I landed a regular column in 1994 on Novell Netware for PC Systems and Support magazine. The magazine already had a Windows columnist, so I answered a call for queries from a local publication (local being New Orleans), Gulf Coast Computing. This tabloid-sized, ad-driven monthly did not pay for submissions, but I wanted published clips on Windows technical issues, so I wrote half a dozen articles for them before that incarnation of the publication went out of business.
As Windows NT began to mature, my consulting work turned away from Novell to Windows networking. My writing naturally reflected that shift, and I sold an article titled “Make Your NT System a Web Server” to another Cobb Group publication, Inside Windows NT. An acquisitions editor for Que caught that article and hired me as a co-author for the book, Choosing Windows NT 3.51.
As the World Wide Web increased in popularity in the mid-late 1990s, I began to query print publications less and less, opting to write for my own websites. By 1998, I was doing a lot of training for Compaq Computer, teaching classes on Digital UNIX (later Tru64 UNIX), and the TruCluster system for Compaq’s 64-bit AlphaServer product line. I continued to write for my websites, using those articles as “loss leaders” to showcase my skills to computer companies and training providers as a courseware developer. I authored and co-authored several classes for Compaq/HP on UNIX and StorageWorks. I queried New Riders in 2001 about doing a book on TruCluster Server systems, which was accepted, but the HP-Compaq merger got New Riders skittish, and the project fell through.
All through this period, I struggled with trying to “break out” of computer writing. I was writing a lot about New Orleans for my websites, but the competition in travel/leisure writing was tough. Refusing to be discouraged, I continued to write about my home town. In 2003, I noticed that there were only three books in Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series about New Orleans. I queried Arcadia about doing an “Images” book on one of the streetcar lines in New Orleans. They bought the idea, and New Orleans: The Canal Streetcar Line was released to coincide with the re-opening of the Canal line in 2004, after being torn up in 1964.
New Orleans: The Canal Streetcar Line was an unqualified success, quickly going into second printing. Because it’s a history book, it is easy to continue to promote and sell, so I’ve done a number of book signings, keeping the streetcars and the book in the public eye as much as possible. This marketing effort landed me a profile by the Times-Picayune newspaper last month, written by columnist Angus Lind. That article got me noticed by Pelican Publishing, who have offered me a contract to re-write a tourist guidebook on New Orleans that was originally published in the late 1980s.
I’ve continued computer writing as well as the New Orleans/streetcar writing. I currently teach classes for Hitachi Data Systems, and do a bit of course development work for them.
To sum this up, I’ve got fifteen years’ experience querying editors, promoting myself as a writer, and actually producing work for pay. I’m first and foremost a teacher, and that’s what you need for this column–someone who can offer practical advice, encouragement, and assistance to folks trying to break into the market.
Links to my work:
Personal Continuity: http://www.seashell-software.com/archives/2007/08/personal-contin.html
In Praise of the Sno-Ball: http://www.ebranley.com/2008/06/in-praise-of-the-snoball.html
On Being Creole: http://www.ebranley.com/2008/06/on-being-creole.html
All About Po-Boys: http://www.ebranley.com/2008/06/all-about-poboys.html
New Orleans: The Canal Streetcar Line (Arcadia, 2004, ISBN 0738516058): http://www.amazon.com/New-Orleans-Streetcar-Images-America/dp/0738516058/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213032203&sr=8-1
Thanks for this opportunity!
Sincerely,
Edward Branley, edward@ebranley.com
http://www.ebranley.com
http://www.yatpundit.com
June 9th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Hi Deb,
Please consider my application for the position of experienced freelance writer and blogger for the Freelance Writing Jobs site. This is a great match for my skills and experience.
I’m a successful freelance writer, a member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada, and I have over a decade in business management and customer service.
I own and maintain Men with Pens, a popular freelance writing and web business blog with over 1,500 readers, and we’re well known for our community spirit.
I am also a regular feature blogger for Copyblogger and Small Fuel Marketing and guest post on numerous other popular blogs. I also have a number of clients who can provide feedback and references on request.
I truly enjoy topics related to the business of freelance writing, such as marketing, customer service, how to have a good profile, dealing with difficult clients, etc. I’m comfortable with instructional topics and am certainly happy writing on any topic you find your community enjoys the most.
It would be great to hear back from you on this project. . Please visit my About Us page to learn more about me. If you have questions or wish to discuss your project further, feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
James Chartrand
Men with Pens
June 9th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Erika-Marie S. Geiss
Freelance Writer, Editor, Blogger
http://www.erikageiss.com
June 9, 2008
Deborah Ng
Freelance Writing Jobs
http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com
Dear Ms. Ng,
Platforms—they’re not just for non-fiction authors anymore. Between social networking and blogs, it has become essential for freelance writers to have a platform in order to stay competitive. Freelance writing is not just about pitches and gigs, there is much more to it — from landing and keeping clients, to negotiating the freelance life with family needs and responsibilities. The profession has evolved over the years, and now, more than ever, a writer’s platform can be what helps to distinguish him or her from the thousands of other freelance writers.
As a regular blogger-columnist for Freelance Writing Gigs, among the topic I would discuss are:
•The writer’s platform, what it is, how to get (and maintain) one, and how to use it to leverage one’s freelance writing career.
•What editors and prospective employers think when they see a free Web site, what not to write, what not to do or say, and what not to assume when approaching editors and others who may be hiring writing professionals.
•Approaching the freelance writing career as a business—including having a business plan.
•Educating readers about digital editions, where they are going and why they are yet another avenue for freelancers to become published.
As a veteran in the publications industry with over a decade of experience, those are just a few of the topics that I could reliably and consistently provide material for at Freelance Writing Jobs. My freelance experience is wide and varied and includes national and international work in several genres, writing and editing non-fiction books, blogging, and writing articles in print and online. My blogging credits include guest blogging at Family Resource, a regular contributing blogger for Babiesonline and most recently, a guest blogger at Metro Mode Media. I am also the publisher and editor-in-chief of theWAHMmagazine (a digital magazine for work-at-home parents) that has subscribers in six countries across four continents.
I have worked on both the editorial and writing sides of the desk, and believe that my knowledge and expertise will lend itself to being an apt voice for and good representative of the quality that Freelance Writing Jobs is known for. As part of the Freelance Writing Jobs team, as much as I would be informing and educating readers, I also anticipate learning from those who comment in order to best address the needs of the Freelance Writing Jobs community.
As per your submission guidelines, here is a list of links to clips that show a range of my work:
Blogs:
•“So What Do You Do?” Metro Mode Media Guest Blogger post ( Jun. 9, 2008)
http://www.metromodemedia.com/blogs/posts/ErikaMarieGeiss3071.aspx
•“Educational Market Trips,” Family Resource Guest Blogger post (Apr. 18, 2008) http://www.familyresource.com/blog/2008/04/18/educational-market-trips/
•“Catastrophe: Lowest Graduation Rates in U.S. Urban Schools” at the Babiesonline blog (Apr. 5, 2008) http://blogs.babiesonline.com/2008/04/05/catastrophe-lowest-graduation-rates-in-us-urban-schools/ (All of my clips from babiesonline are available at: http://blogs.babiesonline.com/author/mama2bean/)
Magazine articles (print/Web):
•“Mountaintop Removal Mining Under Scrutiny” in World Energy Monthly Review (Mar. 2008)
http://www.erikageiss.com/clips/WEMR4.2.MTMR%20Minin.pdf
•What Congressman Dingell Did on his Summer Vacation, in World Energy Monthly Review, (Oct. 2007) http://www.erikageiss.com/clips/FieldReport_OctWEMR.pdf)
•What Your Publisher Won’t Tell You, Inkwell Newswatch (IN), a three-part series (Oct.-Dec. 2007) Part 1: ”A Solid Platform” (Oct. 2007) (Parts two and three are available at my Web site.)
http://www.fwointl.com/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=23&num=1062
Newspaper Articles:
•“Finding Family” in The News Herald (Nov. 4, 2007) (Feature in the Living Arts section) http://www.erikageiss.com/clips/TNHNov42007FindingFamily.pdf
•“Just Say ‘No Plastic Please!’,” in The News Herald (Sept. 12, 2007) (Web edition of article that appeared both in print and online) http://www.thenewsherald.com/stories/091207/loc_20070912009.shtml
Additional clips and my résumé can be viewed at http://www.erikageiss.com/writing.html, and references can be provided upon request.
With many thanks in advance for your time and consideration of my application, I am,
Very sincerely yours,
Erika-Marie S. Geiss
Freelance Writer, Editor, Blogger
June 9th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
There are two things in life that consume me; writing and TV. As a kid, I dreamed about spending my days on the set of my favorite TV show and I turned that into a passion for fan fiction. For years I wrote only for myself and my friends but I kept wondering what it would be like to interview my favorite actors, watch them work, immerse myself in the process of how movies and TV shows are made.
Then one day I decided to change my life and pursue a career as an entertainment journalist. I had no background, no experience - but I had passion and I found out that was half the battle. Quivering like a jelly fish, I talked my way into my first interview with an actor from the old TV show Land of the Giants (a true favorite of mine) and thanks to him saying yes, I was on my way.
Within a couple of years, my dream came true. I was on the set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a show I lived and breathed, as a reporter for the Official Buffy Magazine. I was given a set tour by one of the stars, fed cookies by another and given access that quite honestly, was more than I ever dreamed of back in the day.
Little by little I made the transition, using vacation days to do set visits, while working full-time admin jobs and finally it happened — I made enough in-roads to put “writer” in that box marked Occupation on my taxes.
These days, celebrity and entertainment blogs are bigger than ever and you don’t have to be a Hollywood gossip columnist or work for TV Guide to make your mark. And that’s where my pitch comes in. I want to teach freelancers how to break in and survive in the world of entertainment journalism. Sources, photos, marketing — I can’t promise you’ll end up working for Entertainment Weekly, but if you’ve got the passion you could end up reviewing cool new DVDs (that you got for free), interviewing stars and maybe even standing on that red carpet at the next big premiere.
It may sound fluffy (or possibly even shallow! Gasp!) but the truth is, we all need a reality break and if that comes in the form of fawning over your favorite celeb hotty in Armani, then I say, go for it.
Over the past 17 years (yikes!) I’ve published entertainment-related interviews and articles in magazines such as Inside Kung Fu (stunt men!), Young Rider, Star Trek Magazine, Cult Times, Nurseweek (yes, really), and The Official Buffy the Vampire Slayer Magazine.
Online I write the daily TV news for SheKnows.com. I cover scifi for SFUniverse, and I have my own little piece of the world at TVoftheAbsurd.com.
Let me link you to some of my favorite stories:
Speed Racer’s Christian Oliver Chats With Me
http://www.craveonline.com/articles/filmtv/04650345/speed_racers_christian_oliver.html
Review of the new TV series The Middleman
http://www.sfuniverse.com/2008/06/04/the-middleman-fighting-evil-so-you-dont-have-to/
The Matriarchs of Friday Night Lights for Sheknows.com
http://www.sheknows.com/articles/802757.htm
So there you have it. I want to bring something new to the table, a chance to zero in on a popular niche that is rarely discussed. So You Want to Be an Entertainment Journalist? Let me teach you how.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Dear Deb, Jodee, and Freelance Writing Jobs Community,
As a freelance writer/editor with years of experience and a consistent fan of this blog throughout its development, I wish to apply for the position of weekly columnist at FWJ.
My work has appeared in more than ten publications, including the nationally known Collegiate Magazine and Angels on Earth magazine. I have a multitude of experience in writing for the Web, blogging, ghostwriting, editing both fiction and nonfiction, and working with children’s literature. My blog entries appear daily on the popular site CollegeCandy.com, and my topics of expertise include writing/editing, travel, lifestyle, food, and creative nonfiction.
In addition to my writing and editorial skills, I have significant experience with copy editing and proofreading, so you can expect all posts I write to be not only fresh and informative but also polished and error-free. My past clients have praised my creativity and superior quality of work. I hope you will find the same.
The FWJ community is strong, helpful, articulate, and opinionated in the best ways possible. In my daily visits to this blog through the years, I have watched it grow into one of the most reliable places on the Web to turn for job leads and credible advice that is useful to all freelance writers.
Most recently, I have noticed that one topic seems to continuously ignite spirited conversation at FWJ: pay. I propose my twice-weekly column to focus on pay and how it relates to other aspects of freelance writing. Example titles of posts I plan to cover include:
• How to Calculate What You’re Worth
• Supplemental Sources of Pay for Freelancers
• Why Pay Is Such a Hot-Button Topic
I have the utmost respect for everyone involved with FWJ, and I hope that I can soon become an integral part of maintaining its unique character. Please find several links to examples of my work below. Thank you so much for your thoughtful consideration.
Best,
Carly
“Small Schools”:
http://www.collegetoolkit.com/Guides/College-Selection/resCollSmall.aspx
“Waited on Hand and Foot”:
http://www.onajunket.com/asia_stories/china/nanjing.html
“Trying His Hardest: An Amazing Journey Around the World”:
http://web.grinnell.edu/sandb/archives/volume_120/number_19/profiles/trymore.html
“How to Learn a Foreign Language”:
http://www.quickoverview.com/general/learn-a-language.html
“My Guilty Pleasure: Teen Reading”:
http://www.collegecandy.com/reality/8753
“How to Cook Rice”:
http://www.mahalo.com/How_to_Cook_Rice
June 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Dear Deb and Jodee-
I saw the advertisement about the Freelance Writing Job and I want to be a part of your great team! I am an experienced freelance writer/journalist
with a host of published clips. I have attached a link at the bottom of this e-mail for your review.
My area of freelance expertise is in newspaper, feature and magazine writing. I have worked for two years as a freelance journalist, published stories in books about
parenting multiple birth children and my writing has appeared in national magazines.
I would love the opportunity to help the Freelance Writing Gigs.com with the ideas, tips, etc. on newspaper, feature and magazine writing.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Cindy Ferraino
Link:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=1693&pag=628&dept_id=42459&search=1&ls=0&sortby=1&full=Ferraino&DateRange=2006&x=23&y=13
June 9th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Dear Deb and Jodee -
When fibromyalgia forced me to work out of my home - I didn’t know where to begin. I have been writing all of my life, and decided if I could not get paid right away, I could at least have some fun and gain some experience.
I started book reviewing for online sites like - Road to Romance, Romance Reviews Today. I gained confidence and emailed the editor at Romantic Times Book Club magazine and landed a reviewers position in an extremely popular print magazine. It didn’t pay - except in copies, but seeing my name in print was such a trill that I kept on writing.
I left Romantic Times Book Club magazine and decided to review for a site that let me choose the titles I wanted to read. This position at BookPleasures.com also gave me the opportunity to interview authors. I loved it!
In the meantime, I developed a course on book reviewing that I taught for awhile on Suite101 - they did not pay so I garnered more experience and moved on.
Content writing paid, not much, but I could once again choose what I would write about and found my niche in health related topics that I wrote for PageWise.
Okay, to make a long story short - I followed my heart and my dream and once again was published in Essential Herbal magazine. They did not pay except in copies and by now I was frustrated. I wanted to make money with my knowledge.
Well, I am proud to say that I now have three articles in succession in The Herb Quarterly magazine - Spring 08 - The Glories of … Ground Ivy? Summer 08 gave me the Cover Exclusive which was my interview with five esteemed herbalists - Words of the Wise and the Fall 08 issue will also feature another article by me. The pay is excellent and I now have the confidence and skill to find work.
I have my own personal blog that I need to spend more time with, but it shares the essence of who I am.
As a writer, other writers need to know that you cannot give up no matter what. You have to face rejection and guidance with a grain of salt - but most importantly, if you are a serious writer, you can never give up and never undersell yourself (once you have gained experience)!
You can find some of my writing on the following links. Be sure to take a look in Herb Quarterly magazine too! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to apply for this position!
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/18-FE4-GenaShowalter.html
http://www.bookpleasures.com/Lore2/search.php?query=turcotte&submit=Go&pt_sid=00464e7d613f48c1e5d043b5c10714fe
Enchanted Wood Musings
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
June 9th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Dear Deb and Jodee,
I saw your post requesting applications for the position of freelance writing blogger and I would like to offer my services and share with you a little about my experience.
I received my BFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University in 2003 and know how to craft language that moves an audience. Basically, I took the tools I learned from master dramatists and translated them into a successful freelance copywriting career. I’ve written for companies ranging from local small businesses to international charity organizations to major medical schools and have developed projects for clients all over the world.
Since FWJ is known for providing quality information for both new and established freelance writers, I would share practical tips in areas ranging from a beginners guide to creating a portfolio to more advanced tips like how to embed new media into personal promotional websites. If you’re looking for someone with an extensive background in writing for periodicals, I’ll be the first to admit I’m not an expert. I’ve published articles in several magazines and online, but if you want to help your readers make a good living with their writing, I’m your gal.
Here are a few links to web content I’ve written:
http://reliablereconstruction.com/
http://johnkellyforcongress.com
http://sacredandtheprofane.com
http://cigarvideopodcast.com
http://existdesigns.com
http://theologian.org/
http://www.googobits.com/writers/caleeforni.html
Thank you for your consideration,
Calee Lee
June 10th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Starting out as a freelancer can be hard and members of the Freelancewritinggigs.com community are sure to have many questions. How can I get published without tons of clips? How do I land my first paid assignment? How can I actually make a living off freelancing instead of just doing it as a hobby or weekend job?
As a freelancer for various national publications including Glamour, People, Woman’s World, Girls’ Life, Vibe Vixen, Carolina Parent and Web sites such as Glamour.com, Cosmogirl.com, Universitychic.com, and Collegeclub.com, I have proven my success as a freelance writer, reporter, and researcher. In addition to having a bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication with an outside concentration in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I was also named one of the nation’s top 100 journalism students while attending college. I was even awarded a certificate in career development after establishing a chapter of ED2010, a national magazine organization, in Chapel Hill, NC where I helped aspiring writers get into freelancing, interning, and entry-level magazine jobs. I also took various online courses through Woodhull Institute and Mediabistro to sharpen my skills, learning pointers that were not available in the traditional classroom. Prior to this, I was also an intern at Vanity Fair, Real Simple, Vogue, CosmoGIRL! and Cosmopolitan. My work, concentrating on health, dating and relationships, sex, wellness, finance, service, lifestyle, inspiring people, tragic events, and fashion, went from a dream to a reality in just three years.
Deb and Jodee, for every active community member posting and reading your comments everyday, there are at least three more who religiously read in silence without ever being involved in the community because they are still privately wondering if they can make their own freelance dreams a reality. For those people, I’ll let you in on a little secret: While I’ve only been working in the publishing business for three years, I’ve only been out of college for one month. If I could convince editors at top publications to hire a college student for an overnight turn-around or an in-depth writing assignment for top-notch fees, there’s no excuse why I can’t help the mother of teenage boys publish articles on parenting or the former businessman get his secret finance tips published. Below are some of the topics I would love to cover with your group as well as a few clips I have online. I hope to hear from you soon!
Topics:
Finding your first gig
How to keep editors coming back for more
Five ways to increase your freelance worth
When to say no to assignments
Expanding your portfolio…and your wallet
How to score meetings with editors
Online Clips (Hardcopies and files available for magazine tear-sheets not published online:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IBX/is_6_13/ai_n19376909
http://www.vibevixen.com/boutique/2007/06/11/sunny-delight/
http://www.vibevixen.com/boutique/2007/05/24/one-piece-on-earth/
http://www.collegeclub.com/article/view/1703
http://www.universitychic.com/blog/latoya-evans
Sincerely,
L. E.
June 11th, 2008 at 2:35 am
I would like to submit my application for twice-weekly columnist at FWJ.
We freelancers are a tenacious group. We work hard, sticking to a job we love during the busy times, and the lean ones. I admire the skill, the passion, the sheer determination of my fellow freelancers.
I have over 7 years of experience in a variety of writing: blogging, web content, marketing, software content, technical documents, training, and many other types of business writing. My B.A. in English is from San Diego State University.
I’m a professional - I work hard to provide excellent content and meet deadlines. I can work independently, providing my own column ideas, yet also work on assigned topics when needed. I’ve worked with editors and large content teams, and I’ve managed content scheduling, too.
The business side of being a successful freelancer is important. It’s so easy to concentrate on your writing and ignore all of that annoying paperwork. No one else is going to take care of our taxes, our checking accounts, or our retirement for us. I would love to talk to readers about ways they can manage their business better, telling them things that have helped me and other freelancers I know.
I could talk about problogging, too, but there are already a number of sites that talk about that. Since FWJ refers people to job openings, and has coached them on getting the jobs, why not coach them on what it takes to maintain their business?
I’m a flexible writer, a great researcher, and a fast learner. If you have another topic you’d like to address on occasion, I’d be happy to talk about it, too.
I love what I do. You’ll get a passionate writer who will work to help you continue to make FWJ an important resource for freelancers. I hope I will have the opportunity to show you what I can do.
Here are a couple of writing samples about being a freelancer:
http://tinyurl.com/695ut5
http://tinyurl.com/2bjoy2
And some others that show my writing style on other topics:
http://tinyurl.com/6mavno
http://tinyurl.com/69gsvq
http://tinyurl.com/39lv5z
http://tinyurl.com/4ml3p9
http://tinyurl.com/3l6wly
http://tinyurl.com/3ryckl
http://tinyurl.com/yrsmys (Following a strict style-guide and voice in this one.)
(Some of the urls are pretty long and I didn’t want to break your template.)
I also have some samples in my portfolio, which I’m happy to forward to you under separate cover.
Thank you for your time.
Cordially,
Becky Scott
June 11th, 2008 at 6:02 am
Dear Deb,
I read your call for a twice weekly columnist on FWJ, and I’m very interested in writing for you.
I ‘m a full-time freelance writer with more than eight years writing, marketing and research experience, as well as over two years blogging and social media experience. In addition, I’m editor of the Coffee Break for Writers e-zine.
If given the opportunity to write for FWJ, a few of my topics would include the following:
- A Writer’s Guide to Choosing the Right Editor;
- How to Host a Virtual Book Launch Party;
- A Writer’s Guide to Buying Health Insurance;
- Discover Writing Jobs in Your Local Community;
- … and much more.
Below you’ll find links to some of my articles to give you an idea of my voice and style. I’m more than willing to work on assignment and look forward to discussing the possibilities with you.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I wish you the best with all your endeavors and hope to work with you soon.
Clips:
“How 2 Keep Track of Your Research”
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/6-mistisandefur.php
“How to Rejuvenate the Writer Within”
http://www.ehow.com/how_2111164_rejuvenate-writer-within.html
“On the Road Website Promotion”
http://www.pureblogging.com/2007/12/12/on-the-road-website-promotion/
“The Organized Writer”
http://www.absolutewrite.com/freelance_writing/organized_writer.htm
Kind regards,
Misti Sandefur
My Life of a Writer blog:
http://mistisandefur.blogspot.com
June 12th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Dear Deb and Jodee:
My name is Christine Cristiano and I am very interested in becoming a blogger/columnist at Freelance Writing Jobs. I started my freelance writing journey over 16 years ago, but took a small hiatus when my boys were toddlers (now 13 and 16 years!). In 2000, equipped with a brand new computer and the burning desire to conquer the internet, I resumed by freelance writing career. I was shocked at how things had changed, no more SASE, IRC (International Reply Coupons) and tons of submission guidelines and editorial calendars readily available online to research and query to.
In 2004, I launched my first ebook for writers called Obsessed: Diary of a Freelance Writer, a collection of diary entries chronicling my journey to financial freedom through my freelance writing efforts. In 2007, my children’s picture book entitled, Church Mouse Poor made its debut in the Canadian book market.
My current undertakings include:
President – Proword Wizard Writing Service
http://www.webspawner.com/users/wordwizardry/index.html
Editor - The Obsessed Writers Group Newsletter
http://www.freewebs.com/obsessedwriters.com
Regular Columnist
The Contest Corner
http://www.inkspotter.com
Regular Contributor - Metroland Publications
Some of my past writing posts include:
Regular Columnist
A View from Here (Slice of Life)
Friends and Neighbors Newspaper
Regular Columnist
The Write Reviewer (writing website reviews)
Writers Vision (Defunct)
Regular Columnist
Writers on Tap (Interview columnist)
http://www.bradymagazine.com
Poetry/Fiction Contest Coordinator and Judge
http://www.bradymagazine.com
I have published over 200 articles and my work has appeared in numerous print and online publications across Canada and the US
including Reader’s Digest, Woman’s World, Employment Times (Maine), Careers
2004-2008 (Metroland Publications), The Career Connections (The Toronto Sun), SavvyMiss.com, Women’s Independent Press, The Dollar Stretcher, Junior Baseball and many more.
In addition, I have written on an array of topics of interest to writers for various writing related websites such as Writersweekly.com, Fundsforwriters.com, WritefromHome.com, Everywriter.com (defunct), Writesuccess.com, and Absolutewrite.com.
With my diverse background in newspaper, newsletter, magazine and web content writing, I am confident that my skills will prove to be beneficial to your website.
If I am granted the opportunity to work with Freelance Writing Jobs, I would call my blog, Late Night Writer because most freelance writer start their careers by writing in their down time which is usually at night after the work day is done and the kids are in bed.
My blog would be a diverse mixture of information for the new and seasoned writer including writing news, markets, contests, job ops, freebies, and general information pertinent to writers on all levels. It is my goal to support, inspire and bedazzle all Freelance Writing Jobs visitors with information that they can use to further their freelance writing aspirations whether it be fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.
Please feel free to visit my personal website at http://www.freewebs.com/christinecristiano for further information regarding my writing experience and to access to my published clips.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely
Christine Cristiano
Freelance Writer
June 13th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Deborah Ng
http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com
Dear Ms. Ng,
Any experienced freelancer would jump at the chance to blog for the most popular writing site on the net, however, it is the positive work environment, community and my desire to help and work with my fellow writer that compels me to submit my information for consideration. I have been a freelance writer since 1999 for a variety of magazines, newspapers, Web sites and blogs including Freelancewritingjobsandmore.Blogspot.Com – a blog dedicated to the freelance writing lifestyle. My strong, conversational and engaging writing style would be a great match with the fun and informative spirit of FWJ and my years of freelancing experience would continue to help FWJ bring new freelancers into the fold while providing a forum for veterans to discuss their issues and ideas.
Whether it’s writing about parenting/child issues for Columbus Parent, highlighting the best way to break up with a client at Freelancewritingjobsandmore.blogspot.com or offering the latest scholarship tips at Enotes.Com, I have the experience to capture an audience’s attention and keep them entertained.
FWJ is more than a pit stop for newbies on the way to establishing their careers. It is a community in which veterans and novices share and learn from one another. It is a community that continues to evolve as communication evolves. My commitment to researching the nature of communication and how technological trends affects writers of all genres would be an asset to FWJ as it goes forward.
Per your requirements, I have included links to several published clips:
http://freelancewritingjobsandmore.blogspot.com/2008/06/freelance-writing-commandment-3-know.html
http://www.enotes.com/blogs/scholarships-blog/2008-04/scholarship-tip-of-the-day-show-your-personality/
http://uweekly.com/newsmag/12-31-1969/2095
http://www.terreececlarke.com
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Terreece M. Clarke
June 13th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Renee Roberson, Freelance Writer
http://www.FinishedPages.com
Contact: Renee@FinishedPages.com
Dear Deb and Jodee,
I recently came across your need for a twice-weekly blogger for Freelance Writing Jobs and wanted to submit my credentials for your review. But first, I’d like to tell you a little bit about my history with your site.
While scanning the boards on AbsoluteWrite.com over a year ago, I heard about a great resource for writers called Freelance Writing Jobs. I visited your site and instantly became hooked. I was lucky at the time and had already landed a few well-paying, consistent clients, but I still decided to make visiting FWJ every day part of my routine. Why? I enjoy looking to see what kinds of jobs are out there. I’ve landed a few good gigs and received positive responses from others. The discussions here are always lively, sometimes even heated, but that’s part of what keeps me coming back. The issues the writers on this site face are the ones I struggle with each and every day, and it helps to realize I’m not alone in my search for the perfect balance of work.
I have a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where I interned at a daily newspaper nearby. After college I took a few jobs in media planning and public relations to pay the bills, but my heart was never truly in them. I began freelance writing about three years ago after the birth of my daughter and haven’t looked back.
My experience and clips are diverse, as I enjoy writing about many different things. I’ve worked as a stringer and columnist for The Charlotte Observer and am a contributing writer for iParenting.com, Charlotte Parent and Little Blue World, the official fan magazine for Tori Amos. I blog about the challenges of working from home at CharlotteParent.com and share tips and my experiences freelance writing at my writing blog, Renee’s Pages. I also ventured into corporate ghostwriting recently and have been having a blast.
As a regular blogger for Freelance Writing Jobs, I have a number of ideas on topics I could focus on writing about, such as resources for writers. I think it would be a great idea to highlight a great site or blog for writers to visit once a week and also regularly review books about freelance writing. Other ideas for posts include:
*Web Content Rights Versus Print Rights: Where Do You Draw the Line?
*How To Go the Extra Mile As A Freelance Writer Without Seeming Like a Pushover
*How To Start Your Own Marketing Platform As a Freelance Writer
*E-mail Interviews: The Best Way To Conduct Them and Avoid Trouble With a Potential Source
You can find clips of my work at my Web site, http://www.FinishedPages.com, under the “Portfolio” section. Here are my writing blogs:
http://charlotteparent.com/blogcolumns/index.php/?cat=12
http://www.reneespages.blogspot.com/
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you regarding this exciting opportunity.
Best Regards,
Renee Roberson
June 13th, 2008 at 10:15 am
The best part about Freelance Writing Jobs is its immediate appeal to get information out to writers who genuinely want to put their mark on the online community. FWJ provides an outlet to the inlet. When I first discovered FWJ, I perused the pages and applied for 3 jobs. Within 48 hours, I was on my way to my first freelance gig and still can’t quite tell you how I got there –but I am fully aware that it is all due to FWJ!
My personal blog The Sarcasm Café, has discussed varied topics from job searches, dealing with terrible bosses, crazy family members and how-to lists. In its beginning, the Café was simply anecdotal and became featured on Yahoo 360 with over 700,000 page views. My blogging style has always been to inform with a smidgen of humor (-primarily a la sarcasm).
Since then, I have migrated to Multiply and have had articles featured on Reuters and with the Chicago Sun Times. For a freelance writer, seeing my postings getting attention is payment in and of itself.
I’m the mother of two teenage daughters with a husband who is currently stationed overseas with the US Army. I know a thing or two job searching since we’ve moved over 14 times in 20 years of marriage. I’m also an online college professor at a major state university and have been telecommuting for over four years (I teach in the Arts and Humanities). I’m also a savvy Internet geek who wants to share her skills about:
• How to Spot a Scam in 15 Seconds or Less
• The Online Job Hunt: How Not to Be Basted and Burned
• Remember: There is an “I” in WrIting
Here are some clips that may be relevant and useful in assessing my posts and your requirements for FWJ:
Blogging Saved My Life http://sarcasmcafe.multiply.com/journal/item/73/Blogging_Saved_My_Life._._.
I’m Not a Writer, But I’d Like to Play One on TV….
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-pTmOo0QncqURh6Yhls3i?p=2443
Low Fare? Beware! (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/blogBurst/domestic?bbPostId=Cz6P0wSEsJpsmBAw4mLLID7MHB27OHLgir6ChB1ICEVCHB2vJ
Multiply Blog
http://sarcasmcafe.multiply.com (or cross-posts found here: http://thesarcasmcafe.blogspot.com/)
Thank you for the opportunity to apply to the FWJ Idol!
Best regards,
Victoria “V.V.” Lutz
June 13th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Dear Jodee and Deb,
Freelance magazine writers often complain of being at the mercy of editors who seem distant, moody, or just plain cruel. One minute, an editor is aggressively courting you and your work – then, without warning, no meaningful contact takes place for another six months. It can be daunting, to say the least.
As both an accomplished freelance writer and the managing editor of a medium-sized family magazine, I have learned to use my knowledge of what takes place behind the scenes of a typical magazine in order to boost my writing career. This is knowledge that visitors to FWJ can benefit from when reading my proposed bi-weekly column: “Ask Amel.”
Each week, I will cover issues of special interest to beginning and intermediate freelance writers, providing tips on how to query magazines, write better articles, and build long-lasting relationships with those elusive editors. I will also answer questions from blog readers and generally provide insight into the magazine production process, revealing why queries are sometimes ignored, how payments get delayed, and other tidbits that will help equip writers with the information, tools, and confidence needed to succeed at freelance writing.
I am a SAHM who understands the special challenges faced by moms who work from home. My column would thus also provide tips, support, and encouragement for one of FWJ’s key demographics.
My work has been appeared in publications such as Arab Health, Southern California InFocus, and Azizah Magazine, and has covered a wide range of topics, including health and science, social issues, culture, education, and history. On the editorial side, I have managed a team of 15-20 writers, read (and responded to) numerous queries, and dealt with all aspects of running a magazine.
I enjoy mentoring others and currently provide informal advice to aspiring and professional writers on my blog for Muslim writers (www.muslimwriters.blogspot.com), which (along with FWJ) was recently selected for inclusion on the Writer’s Digest Annual List of the 101 Best Websites for Writers in 2008. I am also responsible for the design and maintenance of the IWA website for Muslim writers, located at http://www.islamicwritersalliance.net.
Here are links demonstrating my ability to advise writers:
A Catastrophe Brewing under your By-line!
http://www.islamicwritersalliance.net/islamicink/april2008.html#The_Tip_Off
Your Questions about Writing Answered
http://muslimwriters.blogspot.com/2007/10/your-questions-about-writing-answered.html
Links to some of my recently published articles can be found in the right-hand column of my blog, located at: http://www.muslimwriters.blogspot.com
Thank you, and I look forward to the possibility of writing for FWJ.
Sincerely,
Amel S. Abdullah
June 13th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Hi there. My name’s Mary, and I’m a freelance writer.
Okay, well I don’t think anyone’s actually started a Writer’s Anonymous group yet, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.
You see, for many people, writing is an onerous task … just a notch above getting a root canal.
But for those of us with ‘the fever’, well … it’s a passion that borders on addiction.
Seeing the beauty of the written word unfold on a page as you clack away on your keyboard (or for old-schoolers, nudge the pen along the paper)is sheer joy for me — to be able to convey your thoughts to inform, persuade, influence and perhaps — if you’re really lucky — to touch a life in a way that a person will forever remember.
I’m Mary Davis, and I never set out to be a writer. In fact, I was a police dispatcher for over two decades in a large metropolitan police department.
How I came to be a writer merits another entire blog post, however, so I’ll move on to my credentials.
As a professional freelance writer, I’ve enjoyed being published in The Costco Connection, The Christian Science Monitor, Family Times, San Diego Family Magazine, and 9-1-1 Magazine (among others).
Here are links to some of my work:
Expository Essay - The Christian Science Monitor:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0716/p18s02-hfes.html?page=1
Expository/Persuasive Article - The Alpine Sun:
http://www.thealpinesun.com/archive%202006/August%2010/as%20inside%203.html
Copywriting — Web page for limousine company:
http://www.nlslimo.com/bay-area/moss-beach-limousines.html
A year ago, I got a bit weary of always checking my in-box or postal mailbox to see if an editor had granted me the privilige of publication, so I turned my attention to a writer’s best friend — the internet.
In addition to now focusing on copywriting and business communication, the internet is how I found Deb and Jodee, and this wonderful writing community.
Thank you all for taking the time to learn a bit about me and review my work. For those of you who share my addiction, I’ll leave you with this thought.
Far too many writers overly focus on “making it” as a writer, and lose touch with why they started writing in the frist place. They set various benchmarks for achievements (such as receiving an acceptance letter, or a big fat check), that always prove elusive like a Pot of Gold at the end of a rainbow. When they meet one objective, they often still do not feel validated as a writer, and set their sights on a still loftier goal.
But how I really knew I’d “made it” as a writer, was much more personal. One day, a coworker who had happened to read some of my work pulled me aside and told me, “Mary, I loved your article. It made me feel …”
Upon hearing those words, I completely lost focus on the rest of what she was saying, and was struck by the vast capacity we writers have to truly touch lives. To me, those are the most magical words any writer could ever hear … “You made me feel.”
Regardless of who is selected to move on to the top twelve, I hope I’ve given you pause for thought (and if I’m really lucky, perhaps stirred something inside of you and ‘made you feel.’)
Warm Regards,
Mary Davis
http://www.maryhaydavis.com
June 13th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I’d like to be considered for the freelance columnist you advertised. I’m an author, blogger, and web columnist with a 20-year background in marketing and business. I’ve been freelancing for about ten years.
Experience:
I’m a blogger for two fan sites with the b5media network as well as two dating and relationship blogs. I’m also a Feature Writer at Suite101, an online magazine with 4.5 million readers monthly.
In addition to the “regular” gigs listed above I also search, bid, and pitch for freelance work continually. I understand what the average freelancer experiences and the questions, frustrations, and joy they may have about the work.
Niche:
Every writer comes to freelancing for a different reason. Some for health reasons, others do it for family life, and still other writers enjoy the variety. The niche area I’d like to write about at FWJ is the ups and downs of being a freelancer with articles like these:
·Being a successful work at home mom or dad
·Finding work when new writing gigs are slow
·Pitching to blog networks
·Balancing health and work
·Ending client relationships
·Keeping communication open with clients
·Writing for the Web
I’ve included additional links with my experience and writing samples. Thanks for your time and consideration.
Blogs:
-J-Lo Gossip Stalker,(http://www.jlostalker.com/)
-Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, (http://www.jessandashlee.com)
-Dating Weblog,(http://dating-weblog.com/)
-The Difference Now, (http://thedifferencenow.blogspot.com/)
-Dating, Dating, All Things Dating,
(http://datingdatingallthingsdating.blogspot.com )
Writing History and Samples:
-Dating Feature Writer at Suite101, (http://dating.suite101.com)
-Contributing Marketing, TV, Travel, Literature, & Social Issues Writer, Suite101, (http://www.suite101.com/writer_articles.cfm/cherieburbach)
-“This I Believe Essay,” for NPR’s This I Believe site,
second out of over 31,000 on the site, May 2006 – present (http://thisibelieve.org/dsp_ShowEssay.php?topessays=25&&uid=12446&start=)
Samples:
-Ten Ways to Promote Your Writing (http://www.independentpublisher.com/newsletterarchive/IPNews-v7n3-subscriber.html)
-How Writers Get Readers(http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=11302)
-Downsides of Freelance Writing (http://thedifferencenow.blogspot.com/2008/02/downsides-of-freelance-writing.html)
-Benefits of Freelance Writing (http://thedifferencenow.blogspot.com/2008/02/benefits-of-freelance-writing.html)
-Freelance Writing and Curse of Email (http://thedifferencenow.blogspot.com/2008/02/freelance-writing-and-curse-of-email.html
-Fighting for Happiness (http://thedifferencenow.blogspot.com/2008/04/fighting-for-happiness.html))
-What Does Your Brand Say (http://corporate-marketing-randing.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_does_your_brand_say)
-How to Do a Virtual Book Tour
(http://www.ehow.com/how_2108825_do-virtual-book-tour.html)
June 13th, 2008 at 11:51 am
What motivates you as a freelance writer? Is it money, fame, love of writing? Is it the freedom to live where you choose, write about whatever you want, work a flexible schedule, or handpick the people with whom you’ll work? What do you do when your motivation fades and inspiration fails you?
My name is Christie Halmick. As FWJ’s new blogger I will be here two days a week to give you a healthy dose of motivation and inspiration. I want you to succeed and thrive as a freelancer whether you’re writing romances that steam up the Mojave, crafting copy to sell millions of widgets, or blogging about your life as a word wrangling parent.
Here’s a short list of some of the topics I’ll address:
• Money Motivation:
~5 books to inspire your six figure dreams
~Setting goals to boost your freelance income
• How Do They Do It?
~Interviews with successful freelance writers
~Reviews of freelance writing books
• Looking Good:
~Enviable writer’s sites
~Tips to makeover your freelance portfolio site
• Growing as a Writer:
~Defining what success means to you
~How to try out a new style of writing
My experience:
I write web copy, brochures, e-newsletters, and print newsletters for small companies and nonprofits, combining my writing skills with graphic design to create entire packages of web and print collateral. I have a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and an English minor and have been a freelancer for the past 8 years.
My writing can be seen here:
http://jumpstartfund.org/
http://www.go-missouri.net/St-Louis
My collateral pieces can be seen here:
http://www.jewelsbranch.com
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to inspiring others to keep on writing and living the freelance lifestyle.
Sincerely,
Christie Halmick
June 13th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
FWJ Idol is now closed. We’re not accepting any more applications. Thanks to all who applied. Check back in a couple of hours for voting.