The Asja Guide to Freelance Writing: A Professional Guide to the Business, for Nonfiction Writers of All Experience Levels

by Samuel G. Freedman

Book Overview

Whether you're just starting out, considering going full-time, or are already a successful freelance writer, you'll find the information and insights needed to take your work to the next level in this smart, thorough guide. Compiled by the prestigious American Society of Journalists and Authors, the book's twenty-six chapters cover the business from every angle, tackling the topics every freelancer needs to master in order to make it today. Chapters...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312318529
• ISBN13: 9780312318529
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Learn from Expert Nonfiction Writers

If you take the information in this book and study each chapter, it's like going to a high quality professional writers conference. You can learn about a variety of areas of nonfiction writing from veteran much-published writers. If you can only get one how-to book on nonfiction writing, get this one.

Informative, Thorough and a Must Read for Aspiring Freelancers

This book has exceeded my expectations. Usually when purchasing an anthology you get crumbs of information, but rarely enough to actually develop and execute a plan. I'm grateful for this guide! Not only does it break down 26 crucial areas of a freelance business in only 360 pages, it is written by those who've tasted many years of success. The experts don't sugarcoat, or offer false hope ... they are very realistic in their approach. The book also provides countless resources to help one research articles, locate experts and writing markets, make contacts, contracts, submit photos and so much more. After reading this book, I am well on my way to building an at-home business that works!

Invaluable

I purchased two books, one of them was full of generic non-specific advice, the other thorough and informative, crammed with detailed pointers covering every aspect of a freelance career: The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing. 26 Chapters written by 26 top freelancers - the value of their personal insight and knowledge cannot be downplayed. I read this book front to back in days, and refer back to it constantly. Unlike other gimmicky efforts, this book is truly an invaluable resource for beginners and professionals alike.

Excellent Essays about the Business of Writing

Twenty-six individual essays -- from the tools and comforts you need in your writing office to marketing yourself to editors and clients -- are woven together to provide newbie writers and experienced journalists with ideas, tools and thoughts about the business of writing. The Appendix was my favorite chapter with plenty of tips and tricks from ASJA members and their personal anecdotes. It's one of those books you'll pull down from the shelf to re-read every couple of years. Enjoyed it immensely!

Great information, and highly recommended...

If you do freelance writing, you'll like this book... The ASJA Guide To Freelance Writing, edited by Timothy Harper. This book is a compilation of subject chapters written by a number of successful freelancers. Each chapter is around seven to twelve pages, and condenses down a wealth of information into a quick reference for amateurs and professionals alike. The chapters include the following (not a complete list): Planning A Writing Business; The Writer's Office And Tools; Seven Secrets Of A Successful Magazine Query; Research: Finding The Right Stuff; Writer-Editor Relations; This Pen For Hire: Leveraging Your Skills; and Writers And The Law.This is one of those unusual books where the subject matter has to be practiced during the writing of the book. Each of these chapters could easily be viewed as a freelance writing assignment for each author. Because of the experts that have been chosen for each chapter, you get top-level advice that is an example of how freelance writing should be done. I highly recommend this book...