Freelancers deal with rejection all the time and it doesn’t get any easier. The worst is when you’ve put your heart and soul into a query only to have an editor say “Thanks but no thanks,” or worse, not say anything at all. I got dumped recently for the first time in a while, and […]
Archives for May 2008
J-school grads are mastering digital news skills, freelancers should too
Nicholas Lemann, dean of the Columbia Journalism School gave the commencement address at the college’s 2008 graduation ceremony on May 21. It’s interesting reading for freelance writers contemplating where they fit into the increasingly digital world of news gathering and writing. As Lemann’s address makes clear, this year’s crop of journalism graduates is leaving school […]
What editors want from freelance writers
If you hang around freelance writers enough, you know one of the biggest topics of conversation is editors: how to find them, pitch to them, work with them, get them to return your emails and phone calls and love you so much they call you with assignments. Editors have the same kinds of discussions about […]
Jane Boursaw: mild-mannered freelancer turned entertainment writer maven
See Jane. See Jane write. See Jane turn an average freelance writing career into a full-blown entertainment journalism enterprise. Jane is Jane Boursaw, and she’s the creative force behind a package of entertainment industry writing ventures that includes weekly and monthly syndicated columns, blogs and her Website, Reel Life with Jane. She’s such a hit, […]
How to be a blog star – take a class or teach yourself
Want to start a blog but aren’t sure how to get started? One way is to take a class. Another is to teach yourself. Mediabistro.com is offering three new, short classes on starting a writing-related blog as part of its Crash Course series of mini-seminars. Classes are online and on demand, so you sign up […]
Picture this – Use an avatar or illustration to promote your freelance writing blog
They say a picture’s worth a thousand words, but what about an avatar? If you’re using a blog or Website to advertise your freelance writing business, including an avatar, illustration or cartoon version of yourself can say a whole lot more than a photograph about you, your business and your attitude about what you do. […]