Becoming a Freelance Writer

[Angela Moore]

So I love to write and I currently do a little bit, but I'm looking to freelance a bit. Where do I even start? Can you tell I have TONS of questions??

[Christie]

Ha! I love that you do! My very first paid freelance gig was in Hybrid Mom Magazine...believe it or not. They have a great staff...I would pitch them something...that is if you are planning to write something mom-ish. Craigslist is always a good place to start, local mags, etc. The trouble sometimes with freelancing, they want to see your other published work before they hire you...so what do you do when you have no published work, right?? I recently discovered a great place to write...not paid but it counts as published...Divine Caroline.com. I have called it the "end of endless rejections". The articles I have written for them were pieces that were rejected by print publications. You write something for them...voila...you have clips. There is also paid blogging...try this canadian site: http://www.dailypixel.ca. You will have to submit a writing sample. Oh and there is also HowCast.com which is a wiki site...I believe that is paid too.

I hope this helps a bit...I could go on and on (LOL)...Oh if you want to read my HM article, just go to the magazine site and type in "Queen of Convenience" in the Search Hybrid Mom Articles area.

[Angela Moore]

Awesome! Heading over there now to check it ou!

[AnnMarie]

I've published in several smaller magazines, they are usually pretty newbie friendly. Alas, they either don't pay or pay very little. But everyone has to start somewhere! My other suggestion is to enter writing contests. This helps in two ways: one you gain strength as a writer (writing to topic and/or word count) and two you get exposure. An added benefit is that some contest will give you feedback on your work (strength, weaknesses, etc.)

Hope this helps!

[Sugar and Sprouts]

I got a freelance gig that turned into a regular part-time thing (it eventually petered out as the owner decided she didn't want a web site after all). It lasted three months but since nothing was published (even online - does that count?) I will be looking into "DivineCaroline.com - thanks Christie!!