Ferreting Out Work

FERRETING OUT WORK

You keep hearing that there's work out there, but so far you haven't found any. Well, where is it? That depends on what you're looking for. Are you looking for a freelance writing JOB? Or a MARKET? Or both?

First let's concentrate on JOBS.

Online Job Sites (in no particular order):

John Hewitt's Writing Center ? This site also has a lot to offer writers. For job information, see Freelance Forum.

http://www.poewar.com

News Jobs

http://www.newsjobs.net

Media Bistro ? This site offers daily media news and updates. You have to register with the site in order to see job information, but registration is free. Simply click on Find A Job. Media Bistro also offers insider's tips such as "How to Pitch to U.S. Weekly."

http://www.mediabistro.com

Sunoasis Jobs ? Offers regional, telecommuting and freelance job information.

http://www.sunoasis.com

Writers Write ? This is a mega site offering writers job information, market information, tools, articles and resources. To find a job, click on "Job Listings" and then choose your preference from there.

http://www.writerswrite.com

Telecommuting Jobs for Writers ? This site offers just what the title page says it does. Check frequently for updates.

http://216.71.194.152/new/writers.shtml

Write Link ? This is a comprehensive UK site for writers. Write Link also offers a free newsletter including jobs and market information.

http://www.writelink.dabsol.co.uk

FreelanceWriting.com ? This site also offers both job information and a guidelines database. In addition, this site includes moderated writing discussion forums.

http://www.freelancewriting.com

Writing-World.com ? Remember Inkspot? If you don't, Inkspot was a terrific site for writers that was shut down due to financial problems a year or so ago. Writing-World takes over where Inkspot left us. The site is owned by Moira Allen, one of the original writers for the Inkspot site. The site features a lot of valuable information and resources for writers, including publishers who are seeking submissions and market information.

http://www.writing-world.com

Publisher's Weekly ? The Publisher's Weekly site is a must-bookmark for writers. Not only does it have a classifieds section, and sections for jobs in both the publishing and library fields, but it also keeps you in touch with what is going on in the world of publishing. From cookbooks to mysteries, children's books to sports titles, Publisher's Weekly knows what's selling and who's making the best deals.

http://publish ersweekly.reviewsnews.com/index.asp?publication=publishersweekly

Her Corner.com ? This site features job information, market information, quotes, how-to articles and other writer resources.

http://www.hercorner.com

Writers Weekly ? One of the most valuable services this site offers, other than job and market information, is its warnings page. Updating the warnings weekly in their free newsletter, Angela and Richard Hoy make sure that writers have the information they need to avoid being scammed.

http://www.writersweekly.com

Other Sources of Job Information

Another source of writing jobs is the classified section of your local paper. What? You say your newspaper doesn't have an employment section titled "Writers Wanted"? Mine doesn't either.

Look for companies who a) have advertisements for several positions, b) are looking for engineers, c) are looking for marketing personnel. If a company is advertising for several positions, odds are it is understaffed and in need of help with brochures, report generation, and/or marketing. If a company is in need of an engineer, either the outgoing or incoming engineer might like some help with report generation in order to free his/her time for other tasks. If a company is looking for marketing personnel, call or send a letter offering to prepare a marketing plan for the company. As a writer, odds are you're proficient in self-promotion. Put this to work for you by showing this company how you can promote THEM.

Classified sections of major metropolitan papers might be helpful in your search for freelance work, too. Check them out online. Online sites such as Monster.com and Headhunter.com can cut down your search time a great deal. Enter keywords such as writer, copywriter, technical writer, freelance writer, and telecommute and see what a search yields.

Peter Bowerman in THE WELL-FED WRITER swears by cold-calling corporations in your area and offering your assistance with advertising, copywriting, etc. If this is something you're interested in, I suggest you check out Mr. Bowerman's book or his web site. Mr. Bowerman also offers a free newsletter filled with tips for making money freelancing.

Now, on to MARKETS:

Online Markets (again, in no particular order):

Wooden Horse Publishing ? This site offers a free newsletter and an extensive database of market information, including many editorial calendars. While the database isn't free, you can try it out for a day for only $1.95.

http://www.woodenhorsepub.com

Writer's Market.com ? This one isn't free either and you might balk at paying for this information, especially if you have already bought the book. The site does offer some free tips and other information; and if you don't mind paying for the market information, the Writer's Market site claims that it has many updates per day.

http://www.writersmarket.com/index_ns.asp

The Market List, A Resource for Genre Fiction Writers ? If you write sci-fi, romance or mystery short stories, this is a good place to look for markets.

http://www.marketlist.com

For Writers

http://forwriters.com/markets.html

Jacqui Bennett Writers Bureau

http://www.jbwb.co.uk/markets.html

Colossal Directory of Children's Publishers Online ? This site offers tips and how-to articles as well as other resources, too.

http://www.signaleader.com/childrens-writers/

Mystery and Writers Links

http://www.orchardpressmysteries.com/links.ht ml

The Writer's Lounge ? This site includes "101 Paying Markets" as well as a lot of other writer resources.

http://www.writerslounge.com

News, Markets of Interest to Writers

http://www.writers-editors.c om/writers/News_Items/news_items.htm

Sell Writing Online

http://www.sellwritingonline.com

Our Creative Space ? Offers information about children's publishers. See "Publishing Links."

http://www.ourcreativespace.com

Markets for Writers ? Periodicals

http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Culture/WFN S/periodicals.html

Other Sources of Market Information:

The magazines/publishers themselves ? Write or call and ask for writers' guidelines or an editorial calendar. If the publisher has a web site, you can request the information via email.

Magatopia.com ? Free Online Magazines ? This site doesn't provide market information but is still a valuable resource. The magazines include JANE, COSMOPOLITAN, DISCOVER, FAMILY FUN, ATLANTIC MONTHLY and many more. You can click on the magazine of your choice and read a couple of online articles to give you more of a feel for the magazine.

Your Library ? If you don't want to buy a current copy of WRITER'S MARKET, NOVEL & SHORT STORY WRITER'S MARKET, ROMANCE WRITER'S MARKET, etc., check your local library's reference section to see if these titles are there. If they aren't you might be able to see them via an inter-library loan. While there, check out the magazines you're interested in writing for. Back issues can usually be checked out. If you have an idea for a children's book, check out some books with similar themes to see what has worked before. Also check out HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN, CRICKET, and/or some other children's magazines to get a feel for what children are reading and what children's publishers are buying.

I hope this helps!

Gayle Trent is the author of the e-book SELF-PROMOTION FOR THE EMERGING WRITER, available for $5 US at http://www.graceabraham.com. Gayle's most recent novel is a comedic mystery titled BETWEEN A CLUTCH AND A HARD PLACE, available from Grace Abraham Publishing.

---

Tell the World About You

You have a new website, or a new business, or... Read More

Win More Clients, Projects and Freelance Jobs By Making Three Small Changes

Iâ??ve spoken to hundreds of editors, employers, and project managers... Read More

Ten Tips To Get Started Writing Your Book

You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More

Water to Swim In

Not long ago, I took stock of my unrealized desire... Read More

An Inside Look at Proofreading

This is the ideal topic for us all to think... Read More

Writing Internal Newsletters: How to Build Your Network and Your Reputation

To help build your profile and reputation within a large... Read More

Do You Plot With Your Character In Mind?

Creative Writing Tips ?You are plotting the story. You write... Read More

How to Write Your Op-Ed Piece

Op-ed articles, also known as opinion/editorial articles, are a great... Read More

Multiplying Sales As A Writer

Often, time is an enemy of writers. Sales seem slow... Read More

Mumblings

The self-indulgent writer listens only to the mumblings of sycophants,... Read More

Keeping a Love Journal

Do you love someone very deeply? A spouse, son, daughter,... Read More

A Mode of Transportation

Great writing transports one vicariously to realms that the reader... Read More

The Author Within

Just about every marketer on the Internet claims to be... Read More

Proof Positive: the importance of proofreading

Last week I was having a quick browse on eBay... Read More

Making Freelance Writing Niche Types Fit: A Few Niche Types by Definition and Description

Our Freelance Writing Needs DefinedWe must make freelance niche types... Read More

Friendly Critiques

When a writer is working on their next literary masterpiece... Read More

Does The Title Reflect The Story?

Short Story Writing Tips ?We all have different tastes in... Read More

Writing from Home: It Can Be Great and Not-So-Great for Mothers

I went to school to be a teacher. In fact,... Read More

Understanding Editorial Guidelines

Editorial guidelines, also known as writer's guidelines, are the rules... Read More

If You Want to Succeed As a Writer, Dont Just Think It, Do It

It never ceases to amaze me when a prospective writer... Read More

Suspense Novels Made Easy

Suspense novels are probably the easiest novels to write. Suspense... Read More

How to Get Free Publicity in In-flight Magazines

If you're targeting an educated, more affluent audience with your... Read More

How To Identify Your Own Style Of Writing

This article is to help identify which style, technique or... Read More

Formats for Writing Life Narratives

Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or... Read More

Writing - Copyrights and Trademarks Protect You

When most people consider writing a book, they don't think... Read More

Writers Block is No Longer a Problem

"If you're like me, than I'm sure you're pretty familiar... Read More

How to Write a Holiday Tale that Isn?t a Turkey

When we write stories, with the purpose of sharing them... Read More

The Write Habit: How to Strengthen Your Writing Muscle

Writing is a muscle that needs exercise to stay in... Read More

Writers Helping Writers - A Noble Legacy

It is satisfying to be a part of such a... Read More

Five Tips to Find More Time for Your Writing Life

When I asked new ezine subscribers, "What is your Number... Read More

Scenes and Structure

Beginning writers often tend to think of a book as... Read More

Dreading the Writing Assignment? Outlines to the Rescue

Writing technical articles is a challenge. There you sit, surrounded... Read More

Using Technology to Improve Your Final Draft

One Saturday afternoon, I sat in a packed conference room... Read More