Newspapers maybe on the way out, but news isn’t. The shape news takes, not only the way it’s delivered but what actually constitutes news, is changing. Those were two of the major takeaways from the first day of the the Online News Association 2009 conference going on in San Francisco. A sold-out crowd of more […]
The reckoning
How bad are times for freelance writers? After calculating my expected earnings for the first half of 2009, my conclusion is: bad, but not as bad as it could be.
Why freelancers should 'Shut up and innovate'
Frustrated because the magazine you were counting on for a big chunk of income this year folded? Sick of nick picky editors tearing your work apart? Find yourself complaining to anyone who’ll listen about how miserable freelancing has become? Shut up and innovate. That wake up call is brought to you courtesy of Tac Anderson, […]
Freelance 101: Getting started as an independent writer
Congratulations new freelancer. While this might not be the best time to join the ranks of independently employed writers, we realize you may not have had much of a choice. But when it comes to how you conduct your freelance business, you do have lots of choices. Well, OK, maybe not as many choices as […]
Top 13 warning signs a magazine is in trouble
Magazines have folded by the dozen since the economy started its now infamous nose dive last fall. But most didn’t disappear overnight. Over the months, observant freelancers learned to read between the lines for signs a particular publication might be cutting back or, alas, shutting down completely. Here are some indicators that all may not […]
When freelancing isn't enough – it's OK to have another job too
Freelance writers are nervous by nature. There’s so much that has to go right for us to make money. Editors have to like our pitches and manuscripts. Articles have to run. Accounting departments have to issue us checks and checks have to clear. When the economy goes south, we worry even more than usual, especially […]