Thursday, May 27, 2010

Book Review: The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Commercial Freelancer in Six Months or Less by Peter Bowerman

Book Review: The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Commercial Freelancer in Six Months or Less by Peter Bowerman:

"Whenever anyone asks me where to go for advice on how to become a freelance commercial writer, I send them directly to Peter Bowerman's website. He’s the guru on this topic. His book The Well-Fed Writer was the best guide I’ve read to setting up a lucrative (that’s the well-fed part) copywriting business. It was so well-written, easy to understand and down to earth, that even if you didn’t want a career in commercial freelancing, by the end of the book, you were contemplating it."

I haven't read this book but supported myself as a freelancer for years several decades ago, and I don't wish that kind of hard work and stress on anyone. The stressful part is keeping ahead with assignments and dealing with late paying editors. There's wonderful freedom of time management and other benefits, but you don't have insurance, you likely are not getting rich, and you discover the price of "freedom." I'm glad I did it and all things being equal, probably would make the same choices -- but it's not as rosy as it first sounds.

No comments: