by Kimberly Ripley
Issue #17
Greetings, Gather writers, and welcome to this issue of Freelancing for Pleasure and Profit. Whether you're a published author or merely working to see your very first article in print, promoting your writing is a vital part of your success. In addition to validating your abilities, promoting is advertising both your work and your personality.
Why promote your personality? Simple. Would you want to work with someone lacking style, charm, and charisma? I don't mean to say that writers need the latest wardrobe from 5th Avenue in order to become successful. As a matter of fact I can dress in a downright dowdy fashion some days. But a certain amount of personality is needed to navigate the road from publication to presentation, book signings, radio interviews, and the like. Personality traits like graciousness, a lively sense of humor, a fun laugh and pleasant demeanor can help carry a writer smoothly down that road.
So how does one go about promoting both the work and the personality? Two viable options are a web site and a blog. Opportunities for free or inexpensive web sites are everywhere online. A professionally created site isn't necessary when you're starting out. Just be sure not to litter your site with unnecessary graphics or anything that flashes, beeps, buzzes or dings. Blogs are a dime a dozen. By creating casual dialogues with like-minded writers, researchers, bookstore owners/employees, and bookclub members you can get the word out that you're a writer. This lets poeple know you have a service to provide and you can talk (in a fun, humorous, pleasant or at the very least pretty darn interesting manner!) about that service. Clubs and organizations love to have authors/writers come in and give short talks. Bookclubs love nothing more than to have a real live writer visit their group. And bookstores are often looking for freelancers as well as prospective authors to facilitate classes, small writing groups, and community programs.
Contact your local school department and offer your services. What teacher wouldn't love to have a real writer/author visit her classroom and read to the class or talk about writing? Word will get out. Local newspapers will pick up on events like school projects and book groups. You'll build a name for yourself and your writing.
"It feels so vain!"
I've heard this a lot and I do know exactly how it feels! Yes, it always feels a little presumptuous in the beginning of your writing career. But it is truly a necessary part of becoming successful in the writing field. Shake off the embarrassment, step out there, and learn to let yourself be known.
Don't forget to use Gather as a decent tool for promoting yourself. I try to add a byline at the end of all my articles, and I make an attempt at varying what I say. Some mention one or more of my books. Others tout my column I write bi-weekly for Gather. Still others mention my interests like homeschooling and humor writing. Try to put your name and what you do in as many places as possible. It can never hurt, and in all likelihood will work to your advantage.
I'll leave you now with a few writer's markets. Yes, in order to become that successful writer with that amazing personality you do, in fact, have to write! Now get going!
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I Love Cats
16 Meadow Hill Lane
Armonk, NY 10504
E-Mail Queries: Yes
Gudielines Online: Yes
This publication is a general interest cat magazine read by people of all ages. Articles inlcude fiction, nonfiction, humor, how-to, personal experience and health. Length averages 500-1000 words. Query via standard mail or e-mail or send complete manuscript on spec.
Buys: First Rights
Pays: On publication--up to $100
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PN
2111 E. Highland Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
E-Mail Queries: Yes
Guidelines Online: No
Published by and for the Paralyzed Veterans of America, this magazine covers news and information for wheelchair users. Articles include how-to, interviews, profiles, opinion pieces and new product reviews. Length runs 1500-2500 words. Query via standard mail or e-mail, with or without published clips, or send manuscript on spec.
Buys: First Rights
Pays: On publication--up to $250.
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Times of the Islands
P.O Box 1227
Sanibel, FL 33957
E-Mail Queries: Yes
Guidelines Online: Yes
Times of the Islands publishes articles pertaining to the essence of island life. While the main focus is on the islands of Sanibel, Captiva and SOuthwest Florida's barrier islands, its articles pertain to vacationers and those on the mainland as well. Articles include general interest, humor, photo features, travel, interviews, profiles, cuisine, local art, and the outdoors. Length is 1000-2000 words. Query via e-mail. Published clips are helpful, but not mandatory. State availability of good quality photos.
Buys: Electronic Rights
Pays: On publication--up to $400.
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Fifty Plus
5511 Staples Mill Rd.
Richmond, VA. 23228
E-MAil Queries: Yes
Guidelines Online: Yes
ww.richmondpublishing.com
Reflecting and enhancing the lifestyles of those aged 50 and up is the main focus of this magazine. ARticles include general interest, history, nostalgia, interviews, profiles, personal experiences, travel, senior issues, and health. Length is up to 1700 words. No religious or humor pieces. Query via standard mail or e-mail.
Buys: First Rights
Pays: On publication--up to $350.
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Kimberly Ripley is a freelance writer and published author from New Hampshire. Freelancing for Pleasure and Profit appeats twice monthly at Gather.com.
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Comments: 30
First Chapters Romance Contest Your Gift To Me" Chapter Two
Great points. Asd an editor and publisher, I must say that I always prefer to work with writers who are pleasant and enjoyable to talk to. For some reason, I have found that this usually results in relationships where deadlines are not too torturous and ideas for unique, fresh projects pop up. As a freelance writer, I have found that the editors who give me assignments over and over again are the ones that are most likely to share my views and who can share their thoughts with me easily.
Marketing your personality is a great tip, adn I think I will use it in the book that I am writing, Blitzquery, about how to write adn well magazine articles. I will certainly credit you with the idea.
Thanks,
David Rozansky
Publisher
Flying Pen Press
It's easy to have a professional looking website these days. Google Page Creator makes it possible. It's easy, fun and free. Just "google" it.
Never underestimate the power of volunteerism. I volunteered but am now paid to attend our local school board meetings and write up the school board reports for the local newspaper. My editor often invites me to write features and has recommended my work to various specialty magazines in the area. Oral history projects often need volunteers to record the stories and tales of older citizens. This is an excellent way to become part of a large writing project and will provide you with many writing samples for your portfolio.
have to even get a new word program ! put yr article on my desktop though so I will think of it when I open this back up...after probably spending 4 hours trying to get ready to be able to work on here.So glad I got it running but very frustrating to have to reload everything.