Freelance Writing

When should writers write on spec? What does writing "on spec" even mean? And when should writers write on assignment? We dive into these questions here.

Do writers need to go to college to be writers? If so, should they major in English, communications, journalism, creative writing, or some other discipline? And if not, what kind of education should writers pursue? We dive into these questions here.

How much should writers charge per word or per project? How can they figure out the correct rates to charge clients? We look at these questions here.

When should writers use a pen name or pseudonym? If they decide to adopt one, how should writers use a pen name or pseudonym? We dive into these questions here.

Should writers work for free? This straightforward question feels like it should have a straightforward answer. But does it?

In this WD article from Nov/Dec 2016, Jeff Somers shares the best way to advance your freelance writing career: Just Say Yes. His advice still stands.

When and how should writers negotiate better terms? We look at when it's appropriate for writers to negotiate and how they should do it.

Here are 7 thoughts on conducting interviews from Terry Gross, host of NPR's "Fresh Air" show, from the February 2008 issue of Writer's Digest.

Writing to Make Money: Short Projects author Loriann Oberlin tells how putting your energy into short writing projects can surge freelance writing income.

By keeping a catalog of published pieces, freelancers can leverage future success when querying editors. Kimberly A. Edwards offers methods for organizing and structuring your list to get more freelance writing projects.

If you are looking to begin a freelance career (or build upon the one you've started), listen to our podcast with freelance expert Zachary Petit.

BY JIM DEMPSEY An explanation of the corrections an editor can make to a manuscript, and how editors and authors can work together to make a great novel even better.

What are editors' pet peeves? What can you do to get more and more assignments tossed your way by editors? Do editors expect you to know SEO? (Do you know what SEO means?) I was honored to be interviewed by Laura Pepper Wu, editor of The Write Life magazine, where we discussed many important topics that relate to freelance writers. It's a lot of great info packed into a relatively short conversation, so it's worth checking out (not to mention I look incredibly dashing in my bright blue headphones). Here's the clip.

BY ROGER MORRIS Use these 8 strategies to turn occasional assignments into steady paychecks.

The market for freelance copywriting is bigger than ever—and so is the potential to break in. Put your writing skills to work on the side, and you might just hit the jackpot. Athena Schultz shares how.

So you're thinking about a freelance career in writing? Consider this information before diving in and becoming a freelance writer.

Use a demand letter to save the day when you’re long overdue on being paid.

Getting assignments right the first time is key to a successful freelance career. Here are 10 ways to satisfy editors from the start.