Today both Gawker and GalleyCat have links to a YouTube video of disgraced memoir writer Margaret Seltzer talking about her childhood spent running with (cough) LA’s most brutal gangs. Obviously this was taped before her real-life sister blew the whistle on her. It’s fascinating to watch: the accent, the stories, the emotion — the chutzpah! …
Apr 30, 2008 Book authoring, Hooks & Crooks, Writers
There was a good post on health insurance options for freelancers posted yesterday at FreelanceSwitch. Some information that wasn’t included: if you’re in the U.S., check with your state’s insurance commission on programs for insuring a small business/sole proprietorship . Don’t just assume because you’re an independent contractor you can’t buy a group plan on …
Apr 30, 2008 Advice, News you can use
When I get an article assignment, I typically call potential sources, ask if they’d be available for interviews between X and Y dates, have a back-and-forth via e-mail about good dates and times, and then call at the appointed time.
Lately my husband Eric has been taking on rush assignments — articles with deadlines of a …
Apr 30, 2008 Advice, Interviewing, Reporting, Sources
Over at the Freelance Writing Jobs blog, Deborah Ng wrote about the importance of keeping good records. Apropos for me this month as I continue to recover from the frenzied weeks leading up to April 15, spent analyzing parking receipts and checking deposits. Every year I promise myself I’ll balance my checking statement the day …
Apr 29, 2008 Advice, News you can use, Organization
I just started teaching the spring session of my class yesterday, and I decided I wanted students to be able to communicate with each other and also to share their work, if they choose to. I thought I’d try out Ning, a service that I’d been hearing about. It lets you create social networks (sort …
Apr 29, 2008 Query letters, Writing
