Reviews of Writing Books
The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing edited by Timothy Harper
St. Martin's Griffin, September, 2003Paperback, 314 pages
ISBN: 0312318529
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
This guide from the ASJA offers advice to
authors, freelance journalists and professionals looking
to profit from their hard work. The book provides
a collection of articles which offer tips about
writing, dealing with editors, paying taxes and
many other problems and situations freelance
professionals and authors will encounter in their
career and work. Edited by ASJA member Timothy
Harper, a former Associated Press national writer and
full-time freelance writer, the book contains
26 articles by different experts that offer
advice and tricks of the trade. Highly recommended.
The Freelance Success Book by David Taylor
Peak Writing Press, February, 2003Paperback, 336 pages
ISBN: 097173304X
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
The Freelance Success Book offers novice writers a unique and
valuable perspective,
because it is a written by publishing insider
David Taylor, a former executive editor
at Rodale Press (now Rodale, Inc.), a leading
publisher of such magazines as Prevention,
Outside and Men's Health. Taylor looks at every
aspect of the freelance writing business -- from
query letters to the headlines of magazine articles -- and
gives his opinion from an editor's viewpoint.
He helps writers learn what editors want to
see and how writers can have their work
taken seriously, even at the big magazines.
Examples of Taylor's unique advice include
how to use magazine ads to target
the publication for articles, advice for what to do
when you don't get paid and a handy chart showing
what editor job titles mean and how to know who is
the best person to submit your work to.
The book also includes samples for freelancer
invoices, copyright permission requests and
freelance contracts. This is a very helpful tool for
novice freelancers that can help them
target their work for the top markets. In addition to
practical guidance and
facts about the freelance business, this book will
also give freelancers confidence in approaching
editors and submitting manuscripts and queries.
Outwitting Writer's Block by Jenna Glatzer
The Lyons Press, October, 2003Paperback, 250 pages
ISBN: 1592281249
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
Jenna Glatzer, screenwriter, author and
editor/founder of absolutewrite.com,
has come to the rescue of blocked
creative minds everywhere. In her
book, Outwitting Writer's Block, Jenna
Glatzer offers so many ways to get unstuck
that one of them is bound to work for you.
She also helps writers determine what is
causing their writer's block and other writing
difficulties. Along the way Glatzer dispels
common myths about writing like "You must
isolate yourself to write," "You must outline
before you write" and "You
must write about what you know."
Jenna demonstrates how by using journals, effective time management,
relaxation, and removing negative thoughts and self-doubt,
writers can move toward and finish their
writing goals. Through advice, tips and
encouragement Jenna provides enough
inspiration and motivation to unstick any
writer. If you still can't think of a thing to write after
reading this book, perhaps you should consider a career
other than writing.
Return to the December 2003 issue of The IWJ.
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