Writers on Freelancing: Roundtables, Tips, and More

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The life of a freelancer can be flexible and spontaneous, allowing you to choose your own projects, set your own schedule, and be your own boss. But freelancing requires more than simply a thirst to write — it takes hard work and discipline. Here are resources on the business of freelancing, with practical advice from seasoned pros.

“The Freelancers’ Roundtable”

Illustration by Kjell Reigstad
Illustration by Kjell Reigstad

“In Praise of Pitching,” also at Longreads, discusses pitching stories publicly.

At Longreads, freelancers Eva Holland, Josh Dean, Jason Fagone, and May Jeong chat about pitching stories, negotiating contracts, and breaking into a tough industry:

Do the work. There’s confidently sending off a pitch you’ve done your homework on, and then there’s just throwing shit at the wall to see what sticks. I think when young writers aren’t talking themselves out of things, too often they’re rushing things out half-baked instead.

— Eva Holland

 

“Beyond Your Blog: Freelancing, Getting Paid to Write, and Writing for Free”

woman-writing-keyboard

Deborah Lee Luskin is part of the New Hampshire Writers’ Network. On its blog, Live to Write — Write to Live, you’ll find resources under the freelancing tag.

In this Daily Post roundtable, Julie Schwietert Collazo, Caitlin Kelly, Kristen Hansen Brakeman, and Deborah Lee Luskin offer their perspectives on getting paid to write, and the flip side of this — writing for free and exposure:

The write-for-free model establishes a precedent that isn’t encouraging for those of us who want to write and get paid (namely, that both publishers and readers start getting accustomed to not having to pay for work). It ultimately devalues words — literally.

— Julie Schwietert Collazo

Julie Schwietert Collazo and Caitlin Kelly also comment on the business of writing on their personal blogs. Explore Julie’s “freelancing” tag at Cuaderno Inédito, her site on writing and editing, and Caitlin’s writing on Broadside Blog, from “The writer’s life: MIA sources, LOIs, the quest for ideas” to “Cotton years, cashmere years: what full-time freelance is really like.”

 

“On Picking My Brain”

Image by 10ch (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Image (cropped) by 10ch (CC BY-SA 2.0)

In a post from last summer, author Chloe Caldwell writes about receiving many unsolicited emails from new writers looking for advice or asking how she “got” where she is today:

It is insulting to ask writers how they GOT on VICE, or The Rumpus, because it implies they knew someone there, not because their work is good. I got in The Rumpus and Salon because I went to their websites and followed the submitting directions. The secret to writing and publishing, it turns out, is writing and publishing. Mostly writing.

 

“10 Non-Fatalistic, Real-Life Tips for Freelance Writers”

woman-typing-writing-windows

In a 2012 post on her personal blog, Alaina Mabaso compiles a list of tips for finding and keeping freelance projects across a number of writing fields:

Be willing to tackle a variety of fields and topics. A big reason I am able to pay the bills by writing is that I don’t let new arenas intimidate me. Arts, science, medicine, aviation, farming, business, architecture: whatever it is, I track down some experts to tell me all about it, and write that piece.

 

“The Business of Freelancing, Blogging, and Books, According to Author Jennifer Armstrong”

Image by Magic Madzik (CC BY 2.0)
Image by Magic Madzik (CC BY 2.0)

At love.life.eat, Felicia Sullivan also explores the freelance life — especially the financial aspect — in her freelance-life-careers category.

In this WordPress.com Blog interview with Jennifer Armstrong, author of the forthcoming book Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything, we asked her about the hard truths of freelancing, and how she makes time for her blog:

No matter how many times people tell you how hard it is to be a freelance writer, you never truly understand until you do it. I guess we all like to believe we’ll be the exception.

Explore more posts in our Writing, Work, and Authors topic archives.

28 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for putting all of this in one place! I posted my first blog here yesterday and though I feel really good about it I know it’s pretty rough. I feel like this piece will help tremendously! Thank you again!

    Liked by 13 people

  4. This is really good content. I recently started freelancing and this was definitely a nice read-through for someone that is working towards doing this long-term.

    Liked by 14 people

  6. I think this is really good content. I’ve been trying to determine how I could start getting into freelancing as writing is my career of choice but I just don’t know how to get into it. I think this article had a lot of insight and advice that myself and a lot of other beginning authors could benefit from.

    Liked by 14 people

  9. Thank you for writing this post. I’ve been frightened to submit due to not rejection, but due to being imperfect and not as gifted as the next writer. Your post is encouraging.

    Liked by 13 people

    1. Alright, see I had this problem. I would have hundreds of stories in my head and no idea of where to start or even how.
      Then, one day, I put my son down for his nap, fired up my then computer and typed. I know it sounds easy but to be honest, sometimes I fear really stupid things such as making a phone call to someone I don’t know.
      It’s all about that first step. The only blessing is that if you rush in, you can delete, you can edit and hack and smash your way through until you have something down. And then you can redo it all over again!

      Liked by 6 people

  13. When you write from what is in your HEART from a place of LOVE, without anticipated results or even expectations, it will always be favorable, because the writing/sharing itself is THE REWARD!

    Liked by 13 people

  14. Thank You for putting this information together. I liked the frank attitude in the article. It helps to get diverse perspective. Writing for pleasure and professional writing is so different. Have been learning so many things about writing, I hope I get there too, soon!

    Liked by 7 people

  16. Thank you for the insight. I have just begun writing my blog, since I did not know where to start. Although I would love to be paid to write, I am on route where I thought I would try here first, if I can get paid for it later at least I may have found my voice by then.

    Liked by 8 people

  17. I wanted to vent out my thoughts and thus started my blog last month. Since then I have been keenly following the tips on writing. This one was indeed helpful. Thank you so much.

    Liked by 9 people

  21. I hear that freelance writing is both a blessing and a curse from those who have significant experience with the career. But at the same time, I’m glad that there are some professionals who have kept with their guns and have found success through their words. I plan on tackling my blog with the same attitude, and hopefully with the same success that I see amongst everyone here.

    Liked by 9 people

  22. This is a really good post, especially for people who are just starting out like myself and wondering how it all works. I especially like the fact that it was pointed out that a writer doesn’t get anywhere unless they actually write!
    Lots of inspiration!

    Liked by 5 people

  23. My first novel is getting closer to being published.
    I too have just begun blogging, and am most grateful to anyone who honestly shares their lessons learned and wisdom, as you have.
    Thank you so much.

    Liked by 8 people

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