Achieving Financial Independence as a Freelance Writer

by Ray Dreyfack

Reviewed by Tina L. Miller

If you've ever considered making a living as a freelance writer, Ray Dreyfack's book is a must-read. I wish his book had been available when I was starting out. Dreyfack takes readers all the way from simply considering a career as a freelance writer to developing the skills, experience, and marketing savvy required for success. Along the way, Dreyfack identifies the personal attributes most successful freelancers share-like a burning desire to write, persistence in the face of rejection, and the ability to view problems as opportunities. He focuses on factors to consider before beginning a freelance career-including the minimum income you really need and whether your family supports your writing-and provides insight into the freelancer's lifestyle to help you decide if it's right for you before you make the leap.

In addition to maintaining a successful career as a freelance writer, Dreyfack has written and published four non-fiction books and one novel. In "Achieving Financial Independence…" he offers the wisdom of his years and experience in the writing business in an easy-to-read, conversational tone-and he's got a lot to share, such as what the novice freelancer needs to get started, how to locate sources and research topics, how to get first clips, how to develop a pricing strategy, how to cut costs and save money, and all the hats that writers need to wear-in addition to "writer." Dreyfack offers his opinion on issues such as whether you need an agent, the pros and cons of writing a book (like the special status it gives you, and how to develop good relationships with editors) by contacting the editor with a query specifically targeted to his readers before writing the story, for example. He also presents information on topics many new free! lancers may never have considered: Should you have your own website? Should you consider ghostwriting? How can you maximize your experience for your financial benefit as a writer?

For anyone even thinking of becoming a freelance writer, Dreyfack's book is a must-read.

*****

(c) 2002 by Tina L. Miller (tina@tinalmiller.com)