In the previous tip, I suggested that freelance writers have a recording device and a notebook at every interview. These are basic tools for any writer. Recording devices are relatively easy. In the old days you used a tape recorder. Now you can choose from a range of devices, including minidisk recorders, mp3 recorders and digital [...] [...more]
As a freelance writer, if you want to be published in a magazine or newspaper, sooner or later you’ll have to talk to someone. Sorry, but journalism is not about sitting in a dark room and making up stories in your head. If that’s what you want to do, write novels or short stories and [...] [...more]
Copyright protected works (see the previous tip for a definition) are known as intellectual property. Intellectual property is a bit like real estate - it can be bought, sold, transferred and inherited, though only with your written permission. The key thing to remember as a freelance writer is that ideas themselves are not protected but [...] [...more]
As a freelance writer, you’ll need to be aware of the legal protection your work enjoys so you don’t sign away rights that you should retain. Here are some some key aspects of UK copyright law you should be aware of. In the UK, copyright is an automatic and unregistered right. That means there’s no need [...] [...more]
When an editor agrees to hire you to write an article, try to get the details of the commission in writing. If the editor won’t send you a letter confirming the details of the writing assignment, then you send one confirming the agreement you’ve made. That way, you’ll have some comeback if there’s a query [...] [...more]
You’re a freelance writer and you think you’ve got a killer idea for a magazine or newspaper article. You’ve identifed the person to address your query to. How do you nail that writing commission? By writing the perfect query letter. It’s the first chance an editor has to appreciate your writing skill - and if [...] [...more]
As a new freelance writer, how do you get an editor to give you a try? Once you’ve decided which magazine or newspaper you want to write for, you’ll need to do some research. Read the magazine or paper to see what kinds of articles they publish so you can suggest articles that you think [...] [...more]
It sounds ideal, doesn’t it? Freelance writing lets you work from home, set your own schedule and still have lots of time to see the bight match. Sorry, but freelancing is not an excuse to have lots of snack breaks or sit in the garden. Treat it like a job. Set some time aside each [...] [...more]
As a freelance writer, ideas are your bread and butter: keep having them. Have you got any interests, hobbies or obsessions? Has anything unusual happened to your friends or members of your family? These are all good starting points for writing articles. Look for work in new magazines that don’t have established links with freelancers. [...] [...more]
Making it as a freelance writer is not easy, especially if you haven’t been published before. However, with a bit of persistence you can be successful. Here’s a tip to get you started. As a minimum, you should know how to structure a news story or feature article. With news writing, you’ll need to include the [...] [...more]
