As some of you know, I started out in the writing/publishing business as a freelance article writer. But I didn’t just launch out into unknown territory without first charting my course.
I spent about 10 years thinking about it and studying the industry. While I recommend that you study your chosen field of writing or publishing before diving in, 10 years is a bit extreme. In my case, I was raising small children and playing Dolly Domestic in my home (cleaning, decorating, sewing and such). I was waiting for the opportune time to start my writing career. You, on the other hand, can pick up a few good books on the subject of your career interest, spend a lot of time at appropriate websites, subscribe to related newsletters and magazines, snoop and participate in forums and discussion groups with other writers and you’re good to go.
For article-writing, here are the resources I recommend:
• A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles by Patricia Fry http://www.matilijapress.com/writingpage.html
• Six Figure Freelance Writing by Kelly James-Enger.
• Take Patricia Fry’s online Article-Writing Workshop:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm
• Wooden Horse Publications site and newsletter:
http://www.woodenhorsepub.com
• Writer’s Weekly newsletter:
http://www.writersweekly.com
• World Wide Freelance Writer site and newsletter:
http://www.worldwidefreelance.com
• Working Writer site and newsletter:
http://www.workingwriter.com
• Writer’s Market: http://www.writersmarket.com.
• Freelance Writers Report:
http://www.writers-editors.com
• Join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) and read the incredibly meaty monthly SPAWN Market Update.
http://www.spawn.org
• Articles at my website and the SPAWN website on article-writing:
http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.spawn.org
Locate others by doing a Google search.
Once you determine your choice of topics, you’ll want to study the magazines you hope to write for. Get copies of each magazine’s Submission Guidelines. Study them and adhere to them when making your submission.
Tip: Choose topics with which you’re familiar or those that fascinate you. And be realistic when you select the publications you want to approach with your ideas. OR choose the magazines you want to write for, study several editions from cover to cover and carefully choose an appropriate article idea for them.
In order to succeed in this business, you must conform while also thinking outside the box. You need patience like you’ve never exhibited before. And you must be committed to the process and the goal and you, too, will succeed.