Writing for Dollars, Part 2

Last week, I took a look at specialized market suggestions in Writing for Dollars. Author John McCollister gives a brief survey of alternative outlets for your creativity. And, while none is discussed in great depth, enough detail is provided to get you started.

But that's only the beginning, or rather, the end of the book. Before discussing specialized markets, McCollister offers up a handy primer for the beginning freelance writer. He'll lead you through the process of discovering what kind of writer you are, give you glimpses into the writing life, and tell you how to market your work.

Section and chapter headings include:

• Section One: The Writing Life
  • You Are in Demand
  • Write Every Day
  • You Can Cure "Writer's Block"
  • Music Can Soothe the Savage Writer
• Section Two: Moments of Truth
  • Marketing Beats Selling
  • Read with the "Writer's Eye"
  • Write for the Editor
  • Push the Right "Hot Button"
• Section Three: Preparing Your Manuscript
  • Dress your Manuscript for Success
  • Interesting Photos Can Increase Sales
  • Model Releases Save You Problems
• Section Four: Selling Your Magazine Article
  • Always Send Query Letters
  • Know Your Rights
  • Mastheads are "Mustheads"
  • Sell Your Article Again and Again
• Section Five: Seeing Your Book in Print
  • Proposals Sell Nonfiction Books
  • Submit Multiple Book Proposals
  • Subsidy Publishers are Often Called "Vanity Publishers"
  • Royalties Make the Contract
• Section Six: How to Hire and Use an Agent
  • You May Not Need an Agent
  • Hire an Approved Agent
  • Test an Agent Before Hiring
• Section Seven: Researching Your Material
  • Do Your Homework Before Conducting Interviews
  • Invest in a Tape Recorder
  • Look In Your Own Backyard

Believe it or not, that's only the tip of the iceberg. I've listed fewer than half the entries, and each of these sections is well-developed, some longer than others. In all, the first seven sections contain essential tips for beginning writers. The last three sections including "Specialized Areas," which I reviewed last week, "Income Tax Savings for Writers," and "Expand Your Horizons" will benefit writers of all experience levels who haven't yet broken into that elite four percent I mentioned last week: The favored four percent who are published regularly, leaving the other 96 percent of aspiring writers in the dust.

Asd I mentioned last time, the original 1995 edition of Writing for Dollars is available from Amazon.com. That version and a proprietary re-release (apparently not a new edition) can be found at Barnes and Noble.com. Because it's an older book, you may also find it in used book stores and bargain bins.

So, until next week, you might want to take a look at this book, either borrowing it from the library or buying a copy if you're just getting started. Keep marketing, and keep writing!

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