Everything You Wanted to know about Freelance Journalism

by Kavitha Rao, Charukesi Ramadurai

Freelance journalism demystified! Do you want to be a freelance journalist, but have no idea where to begin? Or are you already a writer of sorts but want to see your name in the biggies? In Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Freelance Journalism, you will learn how to: 1. Prep yourself for this career 2. Come up with fresh and original story ideas 3.Find markets for your stories 4.Approach editors with confidence 5.Write a winning pitch 6.Research and write a feature 7. Negotiate pay and rights 8. Cope with rejection 9.Write for the foreign media 10.Market yourselves through social media and more...Everything You Always Wanted to Know... is filled with practical advice and real life examples from two journalists who have written for the biggest and the best. Editors from some of your dream publications, including The New York Times, The Guardian, National Geographic Traveller and Forbes, tell you how to succeed in the business. Top freelance writers reveal their secrets to getting published and making more money. And we hold your hand through the whole process.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

245 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Kavitha Rao is a writer and a journalist, who writes on current affairs, arts, culture, people, and places. Her writings have been published in several national as well as international papers, including The National Time, The Guardian, New York Times, Elle India, Vogue India, and many more. For The Guardian, she writes a popular column titled Terra India, for which she won Asian Environmental Journalism Award. She is also a representative of a media training company that provides training for speaking in media.

Reviews

[Sagar Godbole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly helpful book for anyone who wants to start freelancing for websites or newspapers. I learnt a lot from this.

[Geetanjalidauthor]

Amidst coronavirus scare, shutdown, and self-isolation, let’s do something we forget so often. Let’s listen to our inner voice. Is your writing confined to your dear diary? Love your day job, but you itch to write? A freelance writer is what you need to be…

We all have stories to tell. With digitization, sharing our stories, opinions, views, and perspectives have become easier. Everyone has become opinionated, but writing is not just posting Facebook status. Freelance writing is a serious business and it requires lots of sweat, blood, and patience.

For a beginner, it can be overwhelming. So, here is the answer to your prayers. Read this well-researched book, based on years of experience by Kavitha Rao and Charukesi Ramadurai.
The book is divided into small chapters and is a step by step guide to being a good freelancer. Be it how to write a pitch, or how to conduct an interview that is interesting, or how to build a relationship with editors, or how to write for foreign media, and so on. The language is simple, and chapters are well-connected.

There are practical tips and useful links, which are easy to use and explore. There are how-to guides and examples to make your writing interesting. In the end, there are interviews of writers who have learned the trick and made their names. This book certainly is a must-have for every aspiring writer. Read it and start your journey of a freelance writer.

Do share your favorite tip and how you applied it.

Till then, stay safe and make the best use of your time.

[Aishwariya Laxmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must- read book for all those who want to be freelance journalists. The book offers a treasure trove of information on everything to do with the subject, which would take a newbie ages to source. Terms such as lede and nutgraf are explained. There are links, sample pitches, a survey of the market open to freelance writers based in India, the dos and don'ts of interacting with an editor, and so much more. The appendix features profiles of a few journalists in a q and a format. Just buy the book!

[Rayaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely informative for those who wish to break into journalism.
Covers all vital aspects from finding story ideas to working along with editors.
The book also teaches how to write articles, take interviews, pitch your ideas to editors and how to get your work published on international markets.
With dozens of examples, tips from renowned editors and key-points in the end of each chapters, this book is an incredible self learning guide you can't afford to miss.

[Hamsini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid guide with a lot of clarity, on freelance journalism. A book like has the danger of becoming very dry and monotonous, not so for this book. Tremendously useful tips on pitching, finding your feet (and specialisation) and market in the ocean that is freelance journalism.

[Sonia Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful book for beginners in freelance writing. What makes it informative is that it's filled with practical and real life examples from experiences of freelance writers including both authors. A must read for every new freelancer.

[Ila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book on freelance writing! Full of practical tips and useful insights, this is a perfect guide for freelance writers who are just starting out.

[Saritha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive book that tries to make sense of the world of freelance writing. There are detailed chapters that explain the basics, tips, advice from experienced freelance writers as well as useful resources.

The critical aspect of this book is that it rightly places emphasis on the business aspect of freelance writing assuming one has the writing skills. It emphasis that freelance writing is a profession and not a hobby.

As useful to the freelance writer starting out in the field as it is to experienced writers who could pick up a trick or two or just be secure in the knowledge that editors aren't bad people, just frightfully busy.

[Tarang Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually 4.5 stars!
I wanted to know two more things but didn't find them. But, yes authors have (fairly) managed (Of course, they are freelance journalists of international level) to catch almost every thought/doubt that creeps into the minds of new freelance writers. Useful for those who want to write for foreign markets.
Must have for aspiring/newbie freelance writers!

[Ramesh Prabhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Indian freelance writers who want to succeed not only in the Indian market but also in the international market, this is the BEST book on the subject.

I fully endorse the five-star reviews on Amazon: http://bit.ly/FreelanceJournos.

Also on my Reading Room blog: http://bit.ly/OnlyRs154.

[Readerbug]

250

[Kaiser]

This book covers pretty much all the aspects of freelance journalism . Writer will take you through the journey from scratch to the very end. Though the book specifically talk about Indian freelance market, in general it also gives an insight to international freelance market. Book is a must read for newbies out their and even people already working could benefit from it. Book has answered nearly all the questions, which could probably pop up into the minds of new freelance writers.