Showing posts with label freelance writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freelance writing. Show all posts
Getting Started in 2014
I don’t make resolutions anymore, but with the New Year upon us I thought it was as good a time as any to START something. Something new, something neglected, something fun, something challenging … you get the idea.

In 2013, I was grateful that my work went in a lot of different directions. This of course meant that some projects got sidelined in order to meet new deadlines. But I learned to juggle and diversify. Regular and repeat business is wonderful for a freelancer, and I’m happy to be settled into a groove now.

So my goal for 2014 is to go back and finish those things that were important enough to make it to my to-do list in the first place. Things like blogging (for me versus guest and ghost blogging for others), putting my phone aside when friends and family need me, and querying markets that would be a labor of love to write. I’ll likely add to this list as time goes on, but I find it more attainable to tackle a few things at a time.

First things first: during this short week I’m cleaning my office so as to be better organized when school, work, and the madness of everyday life start up again. Something tells me this will be an ongoing effort, but at least I will have started.

 What kinds of things will you START this year? We can be accountable to each other; just follow me and comment from time to time to let me know how you’re doing. My best to all of you for a productive and prosperous New Year! Now go start something …

            
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A Day in the Life of a Freelance Journalist—2013
Reblogged from Nate Thayer:

 A Day in the Life of a Freelance Journalist—2013

 Here is an exchange between the Global Editor of the Atlantic Magazine and myself this afternoon attempting to solicit my professional services for an article they sought to publish after reading my story “25 Years of Slam Dunk Diplomacy: Rodman trip comes after 25 years of basketball diplomacy between U.S. and North Korea” here http://www.nknews.org/2013/03/slam-dunk-diplomacy/ at NKNews.org
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Resolutions and Milestones
Happy 2012 everyone! Can you believe it’s January already? I have fallen off the blogging bandwagon as deadlines and bigger projects shifted my focus – and truth be told, time just got away from me. But it’s my New Year’s resolution to post regularly, sharing useful information about writing and writing-related industries. Here’s the link to Katie’s story that I promised.

Since my last visit, I spent time with my family while the boys were out of school, hubby started a new job, and I took on some new commercial clients (click the “Corporate” tab on this page for more). I am also happy to report that my professional website has been revamped to better serve the editors and clients I work with. Please take a look and let me know what you think!

I’ve established a stronger social media presence and have incorporated Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn into my every day schedule. I’ve generated client web content, done some guest blogging, and am open to suggestions of things you’d like to see here as well as the occasional guest post from some of you! I’ll also be telling you more about the Triangle Area Freelancers’ 5th annual nonfiction writers’ conference coming up on April 21. We’ve been busy putting together a great panel of presenters – details are coming soon and registration opens Feb. 1.
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My First National Clip!
I recently had my first Rapid Fire article published in Military Officer magazine. Interviewing veteran/actor JR Martinez who currently stars on daytime's All My Children, I was humbled by his story. At just 300 words or less, however, Rapid Fire pieces are quite short ... so I thought I would post my full submission before it was edited. (My editor did a great job, but I think more of JR's story needs to be heard as his ability to overcome is an inspiration.)

Here is a link to the printed piece.

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Calling All Writers...
It's that time of year again -- the TAF Conference is coming up next weekend!

Triangle Area Freelancers (TAF) presents WRITE NOW! 2011, its annual nonfiction symposium hosted by Wake Tech Community College's Northern Campus, Building D, on Saturday, April 2, from 8:00-4:00 in Raleigh, NC.

Philip Gerard, chair of the Department of Creative Writing at UNCW, will deliver the keynote address: "Cultivating the Successful Writer Within." New York literary agent Rita Rosenkranz will also discuss The Author/Agent Relationship. Conference classes, taught by nationally published writers and journalists, are presented in two concurrent tracks for both beginning and experienced writers. Online registration (which includes breakfast and lunch) is available through March 31: www.triangleareafreelancers.org/WriteNow.html.
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Proofreading: Always a Good Idea
Everyone knows to proofread their own work. After all, spellcheck won't catch everything. But here's another reason it's important to read things back to yourself: when you receive a proof of your work, carefully re-reading may help you reword something to provide clearer understanding.

For example, I recently received an article proof from a magazine designer. My part of the job was done -- I had researched, interviewed, written and submitted the article. Now I was proofing for typos and adding photo captions. But when I saw the finished product and re-read it aloud, I suddenly found a better way to say something I had already said. A cleaner, more succinct sentence never hurt anyone. And this was my chance to change it and make the article better.
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Today is National Writing Day
Washington DC -- As good writing touches all spheres of our lives, the US Senate has declared Oct. 20, 2009 as the inaugural National Day on Writing.
This day was created to recognize how important writing is to our lives -- drawing attention to the remarkable varieties of writing, and acknowledging professional and freelance writers alike.

The National Day on Writing will:
  • Celebrate the foundation of writing in personal, professional, and civic lives;
  • Point to the importance of writing instruction and practice at every grade level, for every student, and in every subject area from preschool through college;
  • Emphasize the lifelong process of learning in composing for different audiences, purposes, and occasions;
  • Recognize and honor the scope and range of writing done; and
  • Encourage Americans to enjoy writing and to learn from the writing of others.
(From Thaindian News)
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New Articles, Projects...
Hello friends and fellow writers,

I feel like I’ve been so preoccupied with the LOST blog that I have neglected this one and promise to get back on track.

I have two new articles in print right now … Your Fall Style: Wardrobe Essentials for the Season (in Triangle Style) and Going Green: Organic Community Gardening is Good for the Soul, the Environment, & You! (in Pinehurst Magazine). Check them out. Can’t believe I missed the Good Housekeeping contest … did any of you enter? I have two other irons in the fire and am querying new work all the time. If you are a writer, how often do you query vs. accept assigned work?

Speaking of writing, the Triangle Area Freelancers have already announced their 2010 Conference. Author Amanda Lamb (Smotherhood, Deadly Dose, and the forthcoming Evil Next Door) will be the keynote speaker. Yes, this is the same Amanda Lamb from WRAL-TV 5. Visit her website or this Event link on Facebook for more: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161446446958&ref=mf.

Our family has settled into the “back to school” routine and D is really enjoying being a middle-schooler. C is potty training (ugh) and getting ready to go back to playgroup. We were excited about the possibility of a half-day preschool – but, alas, need to master the potty first. More fodder for articles, right? (lol)

I have been expanding my photography portfolio and will share a brand new link soon! This is very exciting for me and I hope it is well received. As always, comments are welcome.
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LOST Blog Migrating To Examiner.com
For those of you who may also be following my LOST blog, please check out new LOST posts here: http://www.examiner.com/x-18971-LOST-Examiner (this is a link to my LOST Examiner homepage where you can then click-thru to individual articles).

I get paid by the click-thru, so subscribe to emails letting you know when I post new material and please tell your LOST friends where to find me.
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Back In The Saddle
I've got some new assignments coming to me now, instead of having to query every idea. Mama like!
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More Writing & Educational Opps
From Dewey:
Editor-in-Chief, Society for Public Health Education (SOPHEE),
see attached JPG.
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From Facebook:
Writing Gigs Community - Freelancers helping freelancers find jobs,
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Freelance Writers,
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Journalists and Facebook,
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The Official Facebook Public Relations Group,
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SparkCon Call For Talent
From Cal:

poetrySPARK is a series of events 9/18-20 in Downtown Raleigh - part of SparkCon. Please check out online page and let Cal Nordt know if you want to help organize, read at the events, get more info, or participate in any way!
www.sparkcon.com (and click on poetrySPARK's icon).
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Good Housekeeping Short Story Contest
Thanks to Nan for the heads-up:

Enter at http://goodhousekeeping.com/shortstory by submitting a short story no longer than 3,500 words, on a theme that focuses on the lives of women today.

Submission must be original, not previously published or
a finalist in another contest. Please include your full name, address,
daytime phone number and email address with the submission. Manuscripts will be accepted June 5, 2009 to September 15, 2009. Only one entry per person.

One grand prize winner will get $3,000 and published in the May 2010 issue. 2 runners up will get $750 and may be published. Winners will be notified by the judges in December.
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Call For Submissions
Attention writers:

The Southern Women's Review is an online literary journal which was inspired by the biennial Berry College Southern Women Writer's Conference - a conference whose theme we share: "showcasing the works of well known and emerging southern women writers, expanding the literary canon, and developing critical and theoretical understandings of traditions and innovations in southern women's writing."

Whether you are a born and bred Southerner, a Southern transplant, or merely a frequent visitor, we welcome you to submit your poetry/prose, fiction, creative nonfiction/memoirs, and photography. Submissions should be from women who were born in or grew up in the US South; currently live in the US South; or write about the US South. For editorial purposes, we consider the US South to be a region comprised of the following areas: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Maryland, Washington DC, and West Virginia.

Beginning August 1st, the Southern Women's Review will take submissions for our next issue to be posted on-line beginning January, 2010. Please submit your poetry/prose, fiction, creative nonfiction/memoirs, or photography along with contributor's notes beginning August 1st to southernwomensreview@gmail.com. Allow 4-6 weeks for response and please include type of submission in the subject line. Call for submissions will end October 31st.

Note: Your submission gives us permission to use your work extensively online. At this time, we do not pay upon publication.
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Attention Writers: N&O Seeks Community Columnists
From the Lifestyles section, Mon., May 25. It's a tight turnaround, but great opportunity!

JOIN THE OUR LIVES FAMILY

Do you want to see your words published on these pages?

We need more community writers for the Our Lives column to share stories about life around here.

Send a 50-word essay -- yes, 50 -- on a topic of your choice. It could be what you'd like to write about if chosen, it could be a little about yourself, it could be what's on your mind. Just make it good.

E-mail your essay to adrienne.johnson@newsobserver.com by 5 p.m. Friday. Late entries will not be accepted.

Sorry, but you will be contacted only if you are chosen to write a longer essay to be considered as one of the new writers.

Good luck and good writing!
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Freelancin' Blues
Freelance writers: your world is an up and down mixed bag of responses from pubs nationwide. There will be rejection, but as I’ve been told many, many times, “Don’t take it personally.” If you are producing quality work, have queried regularly, and followed all publication submission guidelines, your time WILL come. But editors, please do writers the courtesy of at least being upfront about things. I once queried an editor who was not interested in my story idea. He sent me a very nice email saying something to the effect of, “Thank you … not at this time … but please query again.”

And so for months, I continued to send story ideas his way. When one really great idea came across my desk, I immediately queried this editor, certain in my heart and soul that this story could not be turned down. His reply? “Thank you for the offer. Unfortunately, we don't have it in our budget to pay freelancers. That said, I'd welcome anything you'd like to submit but am unable to reimburse you for it.”

It was an unexpected speed bump. That’s the kind of information that should have been put forth upfront. And unfortunately, it’s not in my budget (or anyone else’s I know) to work for free.

But I didn’t take it personally. I pitched the same story idea to an online publication and they were thrilled. Being in the right place at the right time really does have its benefits. And in this business, perseverance is everything.

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