Writers' Guide to Making Money
Kelly James-Enger's Six Figure Freelancing Book
In her guide to earning more money as a freelance writer, Enger discusses mind-set, efficiency, and connections
Six Figure Freelancing – The Writer’s Guide to Making More Money (by Kelly James-Enger, Random House, 2005) is filled with tips and guidance to go from a writing career where you’re not making much money to one where you’re making a very decent income indeed.
Clear, Concise, No-nonsense Writing Style
Six Figure Freelancing is written in a clear, concise and no-nonsense style. The author, who was a lawyer before she quit to become a full-time freelance writer, counsels other writers to think of themselves as business people who write. This is a mind-set that some writers might find difficult to achieve, but one that is necessary if you intend to make a better income writing.
Two Categories of Writers
James-Enger begins her book with “I believe all writers fall into two categories: writers who simply want to write and those who want to make money doing it.”
If you fall into the first category, there are other books for you, but if you fall into the latter category (or want to fall into the latter category) read Six Figure Freelancing. It’s filled with helpful, practical information.
No Background in Journalism or Publishing Connections
James-Enger had no background in journalism or publishing connections when she left her job as a lawyer to become a writer. Nevertheless, she was making the salary she had made as a lawyer within three years of leaving that profession, and was making twice that salary within six years. It’s an encouraging confession for struggling writers, but is such a growth in salary really possible? The author believes that it is if you follow the suggestions and tips she offers.
Writing Tips
When she writes about beginning her freelance career, the author confesses that she had only two published articles. Despite that, she offers this tip: “When querying magazines during that time, I would always include the phrase “I have included two recent clips.” Were they recent clips? Sure. Were they also my only clips? That’s right – but why advertise that fact to an editor? … Sometimes the way you word something makes a big difference in the way it’s perceived.”
Section One – Think Business
Section One, ‘Mind-set’, is broken down into chapters such as ‘You’re in Business Now, Baby: Getting Your Head Straight’, and ‘Think Business, Not Hobby: The Armchair Accountant’.
Sections Two and Three – Think Efficiency and Make Editors Love You
Section Two looks at efficiency in chapters like ‘No Need to Re-create the Wheel: Designing Effective Writing Templates’, and Section Three, ‘Connections’, looks at such topics as ‘The Low-Maintenance Writer’.
For more great advice read Write Travel Articles, A Writing Guide for Every Desk, and Writers’ Markets and Guidelines .
