Archive for September, 2009

First Free Teleclass for Writers Scheduled

September 29, 2009
By Linda Formichelli

Okay, I just set up my first free monthly teleclass! Here are the details: Date: Tuesday, October 13 at 8:30-9:30 pm ET. Topic: Querying with Confidence. Do you have trouble coming up with a pitch that a magazine editor will love — or do you have the know-how, but you’re afraid of rejection? In...
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Posted in Writing | 3 Comments »

You Ask, We Answer: Can I quote from books?

September 27, 2009
By Linda Formichelli
You Ask, We Answer: Can I quote from books?

Nancy asked: I’ve been scouring the internet for someone who can answer a basic freelancing question for me. Are all these writers who quote “experts” for their stories actually quoting their own interviews with the experts/authors or are they quoting the experts’ books, which are always named. I see so many stories where three...
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Posted in Writing | 2 Comments »

You Ask, We Answer: Should I Write for Free Now for Possible Pay Later?

September 24, 2009
By Linda Formichelli

I got this question in the Comments section but thought it would be good to answer it on the blog. Sarah wrote: Hi Linda, I have a question and didn’t know who else to ask. I am an accomplished magazine freelancer who has been approached by a semi-public figure to co write a book....
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Posted in Advice, Book authoring, You Ask, We Answer | 8 Comments »

Lightening Up Your Writerly “Shoulds”

September 22, 2009
By Linda Formichelli
Lightening Up Your Writerly “Shoulds”

According to the post How to Do The Hard Thing: Part 5 of 5 on the Play It Forward blog, “shoulds” weigh one to two tons more than “want-tos.” The author goes on to explain how to lighten up those shoulds (I should make that difficult call to my editor, I should prepare for...
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Posted in Writing | 6 Comments »

Free Teleclasses for Writers from Linda Formichelli

September 17, 2009
By Linda Formichelli

I’m now offering free teleclasses for writers on topics ranging from how to write a killer query to how to organize your assignment workflow, all based on my 12 years as a successful freelancer. The teleclasses will take place in the evening during the business week, and will last from 45 minutes to one...
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Posted in Writing | 10 Comments »

How to Know When to Walk Away from an Assignment

September 14, 2009
By Linda Formichelli
How to Know When to Walk Away from an Assignment

Saying No is something I have trouble with; if someone approaches me with an assignment, I’m (1) flattered, even though after 12 years of freelancing this is not a rare occurrence, and (2) excited at the prospect of moolah. So even if an assignment is not ideal, in the past I’ve typically said Yes....
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Posted in Advice, Personal yammerings | 7 Comments »

Monday Is a Special Day…

September 12, 2009
By Linda Formichelli

…it’s the day four of our e-course sessions are starting! We have: Travel Writing Workshop with Alison Stein Wellner Writing for Trade Magazines with Pat Curry Magazine Writing Basics with Elaine Grant Get Unstuck! for Freelancers with Linda Formichelli If you’re looking to boost your freelance career to the next level, this courses will...
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Posted in Classes, News you can use | 3 Comments »

Two Lucky Winners of the Free E-Course Contest

September 9, 2009
By Linda Formichelli

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest to win free entry into the Basic versions of my e-course Get Unstuck! for Freelancers and Elaine Grant’s e-course Magazine Writing Basics. The lucky winners are: Magazine Writing Basics: Jan Adamson Get Unstuck! for Freelancers: Denise Reynolds Congratulations, Jan and Denise! If you didn’t win, please do...
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Posted in Classes, Contests | 3 Comments »

It’s a Freelancing Miracle!

September 7, 2009
By Linda Formichelli
It’s a Freelancing Miracle!

In my post Extreme Productivity in early August, I talked about how I had my husband change my password to a time-suck writer’s forum and I downloaded a free Firefox extension called BlockSite to block other distracting sites. For a couple of days my fingers itched to type in those web addresses, but then...
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Posted in Advice, Ass, Observations, Personal yammerings, productivity | 12 Comments »

Last Chance to Enter the Contests for Free E-Course Entry

September 6, 2009
By Linda Formichelli

The contests for free entry into the Basic versions of my Get Unstuck! for Freelancers course and Elaine Grant’s Magazine Writing Basics course ends at 12 am on Tuesday, September 8. Details on how to enter are here. Read about the e-courses we’re giving away. Good luck!
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Posted in Classes, Contests | No Comments »