The Freelance Life: Publish or Perish
Published March 11, 2006
Then followed a long struggle to get more pieces in print. I read all the books I could find, and kept sending out queries. For some, I received personal responses, but nothing seemed to click. Then I heard of a continuing ed course taught by Susan Shapiro, a terrific writing teacher who was also a prolific freelancer with many NYC pub credits to her name.
I took several courses with Susan, and they were indeed the beginning of a very successful freelance run. For one of her courses, she invited an editor from a different publication each week, who gave us the inside scoop on what they were looking for, and how to approach the publication with queries and manuscripts. Sue urged us to send a follow-up thank you note to editors we were interested in writing for, and also enclose any clips we had, a formal query, and maybe a new writing sample.
I did this for two editors from major NYC papers, including the New York Times, and established a long fruitful freelance relationship with both. I had over 90 pieces publlshed in about 18 months for these two papers and another local rag that let me write on just about any idea I could come up with. I did music and book reviews and features, as well as a few humorous essays. I had arrived — a real published writer at last, paid for her efforts!
I finally abandoned the freelance gig in exhaustion since I was also still doing my 9 to 5 writing, and along with a brand new relationship, it just became too much. However, about ten months ago I started a blog under a pseudonym so I could write about anything that came into my hypomanic little mind, without an editor or client looking over my shoulder and advising me on style, length, tone, subject matter, or intended audience. I've discovered that the joy I get from this unfettered self-expression is something that no money can buy.
Free at last, free at last, great Editor almighty, I'm free at last!
- The Freelance Life: Publish or Perish
- Published: March 11, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Books: The Writing Life, Culture: Arts, Culture: Media
- Writer: Elvira Black
- Elvira Black's BC Writer page
- Elvira Black's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Matthew:
Yes, it's really exciting to know that you CAN do it the other way around--and sometimes both ways!
I didn't really give up once I got established, since I was doing pretty well--I just finally quit in part so I could try to have some sort of a life. Deadlines at my nine to five job, then more deadlines with my freelance stuff--but I did have a load of fun, and I'm sure I can always go back to it (gulp) if I ever felt the overwhelming need to do so.
Congrats on your success--it is great to have a niche! Tres cool.
I have a "success" story similar to Matt's -- I got freelanced after an editor found my blog, here on BC, actually. I think the road to success is different for everyone. Some people take route like you, Elvira, others go the route Sussman took, and others, like me, just kind of stumble into it. But hey, whatever works, right?
Chelsea, that is awesome! I think BC is a great place for writers to showcase their work. That must have been so wonderful to just have an editor approach you rather than vice versa, which is much more humbling and stress inducing--lol...
At first you think you get the e-mail by mistake.
Yeah, I ignored the e-mail from my editor at first (sorry Lori!) just because based on the subject line I figured it was just another mass email sent to all the journalism students! Glad I finally got bored and opened all my email!
Matthew:
I can just imagine how it must have felt--when I had my first piece published I was walking on air for days, if not months...better than the best high...lol...
Chelsea:
That is so ironic but in the best way. I did something similar but for totally different reasons. I was so eager to get published and so tired of rejection letters that sometimes I'd get a response in the mail and wait a day or two to open the letter because I hoped it would be good news and I didn't want to be disappointed too soon. Sad but true...
I'm still in high school, but the one freelance type thing that I've done resulted in a successful story for the now-defunct New York publication The Black Table. I should see about getting into the fray again, it's a lot of fun.
Good article, Ms. Black!
Sam:
That was a great, funny story! Any state that originated something as incredible as White Castle is ok by me...lol...
Anyone still in high school who's getting their articles published in journals and writing for BC seems virtually destined for some pretty successful times ahead. Congrats!
This post is right on time for me. Another one in the hole for you!
Hey Berry:
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it...I tried to click on your link but couldn't connect...
Thanks so much for mentioning your good luck in my class! (It came up on a google search.) Check out my new book ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR WORD: WRITING LESSONS FROM MY FAVORITE LITERARY GURUS (Seal Press.) I have upcoming events 9/19, 9/26, 9/28, 10/2 all listed on my website susanshapiro.net
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Good to see you found your niche. But I'm living proof that it works the other way around, too: blogging can lead to freelance opportunities. I was actually approached by an editor to write sports columns for a weekly tabloid. It was a direct result of Futon Report -- he liked it enough to give me a shot.
It also helped that there's not a big market for Toledo sports blogs. (There may not be another active one out there).
So Elvira, you were sure lost in the pond when trying to make it as a freelancer in the NYC market. Yeesh. I would have given up sooner than you.