Advice

From FOBs to Features

August 30, 2010
By Linda Formichelli
From FOBs to Features

I hear it a lot from writers: They’ve finally broken into the national magazines, but no matter what they pitch, the editors ask them to write it up in 250 words — or less. These writers are stuck in the FOB (Front of Book) section and are looking for ways to break into the...
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Posted in Advice, Query letters, Writing | 4 Comments »

What Should I Put on My Website if I Have No Clips?

August 16, 2010
By Linda Formichelli
What Should I Put on My Website if I Have No Clips?

I offer to answer freelance writers’ burning questions on the blog. (By the way, if you have a question you’d like me to answer, you can send it to lindaformichelli@gmail.com.) Have a lot of questions? I’m offering a 10% discount off my phone mentoring services through August 20. Here’s Shaundra’s question: “Is it worth...
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Posted in Advice, Marketing, You Ask, We Answer | 9 Comments »

You Ask, We Answer: How Do I Find News Before It’s News?

August 11, 2010
By Linda Formichelli
You Ask, We Answer: How Do I Find News Before It’s News?

I offer to answer freelance writers’ burning questions on the blog. (By the way, if you have a question you’d like me to answer, you can send it to lindaformichelli@gmail.com.) Have a lot of questions? I’m offering a 10% discount off my phone mentoring services through August 20. Here’s Mark’s question: Here’s what happened....
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Posted in Advice, Ideas, Marketing, News, You Ask, We Answer | 7 Comments »

The Dark Side of Diversifying

August 9, 2010
By Linda Formichelli
The Dark Side of Diversifying

Last month, Jennifer Lawler wrote an excellent general copywriting copywriting and editing for universities adoption profile/”dear birthmom” letter writing (I’m starting up the website in a week or so) two e-courses Renegade Writer e-courses (taught by outside instructors) phone mentoring for writers query letter critiquing free query letter packet Review Copy Helper (a list...
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Posted in Advice, Marketing, Observations, Personal yammerings, Rants, productivity | 4 Comments »

Check Out My Post on FreelanceSwitch!

August 5, 2010
By Linda Formichelli

I have a guest post on the FreelanceSwitch blog today: When NOT to Invest in Your Freelance Career. Please read and leave comments…I hope you enjoy the post!
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Posted in Advice, Observations | No Comments »

Bust My Excuse: Everyone Else Writes Better Than Me!

July 26, 2010
By Linda Formichelli
Bust My Excuse: Everyone Else Writes Better Than Me!

I offer to bust readers’ excuses for not pitching magazines — or, if they’re pitching, for approaching only low/no-pay pubs. If you have an excuse you’d like me to bust, you can send it to lindaformichelli@gmail.com. Here’s Diane’s excuse: I always feel that I’m not good enough. I don’t have an MFA, I haven’t...
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Posted in Advice, Bust My Excuse, Motivation, Query letters, Writing | 9 Comments »

Gear Up for Fall — by Investing in Your Professional Development

July 20, 2010
By Linda Formichelli
Gear Up for Fall — by Investing in Your Professional Development

Summer is a lazy time, but if you invest in your professional development now, you’ll be all set for the fall rush — when vacations are over, the kids are back in school, and you’re ready to rack up some new magazine assignments (or maybe your first!). I find that when I invest in...
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Posted in Advice, Cool products, Marketing, Motivation, Query letters, Writing, productivity | 1 Comment »

You Ask, We Answer: Can I Quote from a Book?

July 19, 2010
By Linda Formichelli
You Ask, We Answer: Can I Quote from a Book?

Jennifer asks: My question has to do with an expert who I spoke to on the phone. She basically said, “Read my book and it will tell you everything you need to know.” Do you know if a magazine like “Parenting” would be okay with me using quotes from the book and citing the...
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Posted in Advice, Sources, Writing, You Ask, We Answer | 3 Comments »

Bust My Excuse: I’m Not Sure How Long a Query Should Be!

July 15, 2010
By Linda Formichelli
Bust My Excuse: I’m Not Sure How Long a Query Should Be!

I offer to bust readers’ excuses for not pitching magazines — or, if they’re pitching, for approaching only low/no-pay pubs. If you have an excuse you’d like me to bust, you can send it to lindaformichelli@gmail.com. Here’s Stacy’s excuse: I just sold my first query-ever! And while I’m excited to get paid for my...
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Posted in Advice, Query letters | 5 Comments »

How to Develop Multiple Streams of Income

July 8, 2010
By Linda Formichelli
How to Develop Multiple Streams of Income

This is a guest post by Jennifer Lawler. Jennifer is the author of more than 30 books, inlcuding Dojo Wisdom for Writers, and has written for magazines ranging from Family Circle to Cooking Light. She teaches a copyediting class at the University of California, San Diego and was formerly a freelance editor for ATA...
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Posted in Advice, Classes, Marketing, Money | 10 Comments »