The Practical Freelance Writer's Guide to Author Websites Review

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(More customer reviews)Angela Atkinson delivers important and practical information with great regard for the reader. She conducts a thorough tour of the process of setting up an author website, from hosting and optimizing to promoting and maintaining it, with pros and cons to consider along the way. Each recommended Web page element is covered in detail, with examples and reminders for the beginner and experienced writer alike.
I appreciated Atkinson's straightforward delivery of this wealth of information and the encouraging tone throughout. The book showcases her own writing abilities as well as her experience with the subject matter. It was a help to me as I developed my website and I highly recommend it.

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The Practical Freelance Writer's Guide to Author Websites is a complete guide to building, managing and promoting author websites, specifically geared toward offering freelance writers real, workable solutions for the unique challenges they face in this venue. Learn why freelance writers need author sites to succeed in today's market, and find out what types of pages and content can help to catch the attention of their potential clients. You'll find tried and true tips on webhosting options, SEO for author websites and writing author bios. Plus, learn new ways to market and promote author websites, including advice on social networking and social media marketing and much more-all from a freelance writer and website designer who knows what works.

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

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(More customer reviews)One glance at a bookstore will confirm there's a plethora of how-to books relating to every aspect of writing, but there's only a handful of authoritative books which address the critical issues of writing as a business.
The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing: A Professional Guide to the Business, for Nonfiction Writers of All Experience Levels is one of them. Produced by the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the book features 26 chapters from 26 ASJA members ~ all seasoned, working writers and experts in their fields.
 
The guide presents a great variety of opinions on a wide range of topics of value to freelance writers, including establishing a freelance business, self promotion, research tools, writing for the Web, contracts, taxes and deductions, and working with editors and agents.
Each chapter contains the latest information, relevant anecdotes from the contributor's life and straight-forward advice on how to succeed in business as a writer. The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing comprises the following chapters:
* Freelance Writing Today ~ and Tomorrow by Jim Morrison
* Planning a Writing Business by Erik Sherman
* The Writer's Office and Tools by Samuel Greengard
* The Mystery of Ideas by Jack El-Hai
* Seven Secrets of a Successful Magazine Query by Lisa Collier Cool
* How to Sell a Book by Sherry Suib Cohen
* Writing for the Web by Lisa Iannucci
* Why Literary Agents Need You More Than Ever ~ And How to Get the Agent You Need by Michael Larsen, AAR
* Research: Finding the Right Stuff by Minda Zetlin and Steve Weinberg
* How to Find Experts by Estelle Sobell
* Writer-Editor Relations by Megan McMorris
* Collaborations: The Pleasures and Perils of Shared Bylines by Sarah Wernick
* The Serendipity of Specialization by Claire Walter
* Self Publishing: Alternatives for Getting Books into Print by Marilyn and Tom Ross
* Networking by Sandra E. Lamb
* This Pen for Hire: Leveraging Your Skills by Anita Bartholomew
* Op-Eds and Essays: Leveraging Your Knowledge by Larry Atkins
* Reprints, Re-Slants, and Other Ways to Resell Your Work by Kelly James-Enger
* Making Pictures by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
* Employing a Writing Assistant by Lester A. Picker
* Contracts: Protecting Your Writers' Rights by Richard A. Marini
* Creating Brand You : Promoting Yourself and Your Work by Jennifer Pirtle
* Writers and the Law by Sallie Randolph and Timothy Perrin
* Taxes and Deductions by Julian Block
* Forays and Fiction by Kathryn Lance
* Moving to Full-Time Freelancing: It's Not a Leap by Robert Bittner
* Appendix: Tips from the Pros
 
As you can see, this anthology turned reference book covers a lot of territory and addresses all of the major business issues facing professional writers today. Most notable are chapters, 'Research: Finding the Right Stuff' and 'How to Find Experts' which offer helpful hints and online links for researching and tracking down experts. I also particularly enjoyed the chapters on contracts, working with agents and self-promotion as a 'brand'.
That's the wonderful thing about The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing ~ it addresses such a wide range of specialist areas that there's something in it for every writer working in any genre. And one of the surprise sections is the Appendix which features a variety of quick but insightful comments from other professional writers. They share their trade secrets, everything from techniques for improving their craft to increasing productivity and profitability.
While the bulk of the material is aimed at journalists and non-fiction writers (since these writers make up the bulk of ASJA's membership), much of the information and advice can be applied by all writers to improve their skills and their business. If you're serious about writing, read this book and have a pen handy.
 
-- Michael Meanwell, author of the critically-acclaimed 'The Enterprising Writer' and 'Writers on Writing'. For more book reviews and prescriptive articles for writers, visit www.enterprisingwriter.com

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The Brief Thomson Handbook Review

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(More customer reviews)I ordered the book at the last minute and had it a full week before class started!

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One of the best ways to excel in your writing course is by using THE BRIEF THOMSON HANDBOOK. Whatever your writing assignment, THE BRIEF THOMSON HANDBOOK gives you the answers and help you need to succeed. And best of all, this information is right at your fingertips thanks to the handbook's easy-to-access format, which you'll find as visually interesting and easy to navigate as your favorite website! Whether you need grammar help, or information on drafting and shaping content, developing paragraphs, researching online, citing sources, using visuals, writing on the Web, and so much more, this is the handbook that will get you there!

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Self-Publishing in Stilettos: A Woman's Guide to Publishing With Confidence Review

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(More customer reviews)Often in self-help books utility and inspiration are mismatched. You either leave the read full of inspiration with no clear next steps or you have too much information with no hope of achievement. Well not in this case, the title and theme alone allow you to honor and revel in your femininity and feel powerful. The author was creative and provided an easy read with tangible how-to examples and moments. The whimsical picture was set from beginning to end while highlighting her steps and struggles though the process. The author does not mislead you but rather her honesty helps you to visualize and embrace the true obstacles that lie ahead. While the struggles are clear, the rewards appear realistic and achievable..."Success in self-publishing will take you out of the ranks of undesirable and unknown." Finally, a real strength of humor and helpfulness makes this a great self-help book. As someone who has never had a real interest in self-publishing the insights left me with a genuine sense of something that I too can and may do one day.


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Put your publishing career into high gear! Self-Publishing in Stilettos: A Woman's Guide to Self-Publishing with Confidence is the powerful first edition of the trademarked Stiletto Series.Written with aspiring female authors in mind, this book is overflowing with highly useful advice, proven ideas and self-publishing techniques that are sure to help you publish your dream novel or manuscript.From the novice to the published author, this energetic and dynamic book covers every facet of the self-publishing industry; using techniques that are sure to jumpstart and increase sales of a self-published book. Even if you're a veteran novelist, you'll uncover key information and strategies that take the complexity out of self-publishing. This step-by-step guide covers the major "how-tos" like: how to safeguard your concepts, how to get your book into the major bookstores, how to effectively market your book using FREE or low-cost online resources, and how to use hot industry trends like print-on-demand and digital publishing.For those who have tried to obtain a publishing contract the old fashioned way, through an agent or publishing house, this book provides an alternative while putting the power to self-publish in your hands. So step into your stilettos, create the book of your dreams, and use Self-Publishing in Stilettos: A Woman's Guide to Self-Publishing with Confidence to supercharge your writing career and launch your book today!

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Getting Started as a Freelance Writer (Culture Tools) Review

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(More customer reviews)Many people want to know how to begin the journey of a freelance writer. To learn a new skill like freelancing, you are wise to follow someone who has "been there." Bob Bly writes with authority and wisdom about the details of a freelance writing career.
Whether you are just starting out or have been in the writing business for a long time, you can gain vast insight from this book. The book covers the details of so many issues which concern writers like how to get properly compensated, how to concentrate on the main thing you want to do (write), how to run your writing career as a business (and all of the details), what are the range of possibilities for your writing and how do you grow your business.
In the introduction, Bob points out a key distinction of this book: "One thing that makes this book different from other "how to become a freelance writer" books on the market is the experience and financial success of the author." (page 2)
The information in Chapter 13: Maximizing Your Personal Productivity" is worth the cost of this entire book. Bob gives six keys (and the explanation in the book): Don't do everything yourself, don't shy away from the Internet, don't become addicted to Internet chat, don't get up, don't go out, and don't undervalue your time." (page 170-171)
GETTING STARTED AS A FREELANCE WRITER is packed with useful information for every writer--beginning or professional. I highly recommend you get this title and study every chapter.

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This expanded edition goes beyond advice on making a living as a business writer to include the more creative forms of writing. There are new chapters on writing and selling poems, short stories, novels, and essays, plus a new section on cartooning. Existing chapters have been brought up to date. You learn to start, run, and build a freelance writing business doing whatever type of writing you prefer.

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The Thomson Handbook, Comprehensive Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)Good info for a writing course, but the formatting is awful. First off, the book is a weird shape (for a book, that is). It's difficult to find a place for it on the shelf, and it's awkward to carry around in a backpack.
The format is definitely creative, but it's a pain in the rear for anybody who likes a clean, logical flow. Your eyes have to randomly wander all over the pages to pickup all the details.

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One of the best ways to excel in your writing course is by using THE THOMSON HANDBOOK. Whatever your writing assignment-personal essay, persuasive essay, critical review, photographic essay, technology autobiography, blog, website, or more than twenty other different kinds of writing projects-THE THOMSON HANDBOOK gives you the answers and help you need to succeed. And best of all, this information is right at your fingertips thanks to the handbook's easy-to-access format, which you'll find as visually interesting and easy to navigate as your favorite website! Whether you need grammar help, or information on drafting and shaping content, developing paragraphs, researching online, citing sources, using visuals, writing on the Web, and so much more, this is the handbook that will get you there!

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