Ready, Aim, Specialize! Create your own Writing Specialty and Make More Money

by Kelly James-Enger

Want to break into freelance writing? Then think about what you already know about, and use those subjects to open the door to your first assignments.

If you're already an established writer, creating a writing specialty can help you set yourself apart from other writers, command higher rates, work more efficiently, crack better-paying markets, and branch into lucrative freelance areas like content marketing and ghostwriting.

In Ready, Aim, Specialize, you'll learn why you should consider specializing as a writer, and which specialties are most in demand. You'll hear from more than 50 successful, established freelancers and learn how to write better queries, research stories, find sources, and write compelling articles. You'll also find more than 100 online resources to help you work more efficiently and to take your freelance career from so-so to stellar.

Ready, Aim, Specialize isn't for every writer. It's for the writer who wants to write nonfiction articles and get paid, and well, for them. If that sounds like you, this book will help you do that, whether you've been published already or still want to break into print. You will expand your writing career by narrowing your focus.

Genres: Writing

253 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

I “escaped from the law” on January 1, 1997, leaving behind a legal career to become a fulltime freelance journalist. Since then I’ve published more than 700 articles in 50+ national magazines including Family Circle, Health, Parents, Redbook, Self, Runner’s World, Continental, and Woman’s Day. I’ve authored, coauthored, and ghostwritten twelve books, and specialize in health, wellness, nutrition, and fitness subjects. I’m an ACE-certified personal trainer and motivational speaker, and balance a busy work schedule with my most rewarding job of being a mom to two--as well as a wife to one and a dog-walker and treat-provider to one more.

Reviews

[Raegan Fredrickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read worth skimming. Not much to sink your teeth into... Despite being about specializing in fields, the lessons were general. Research well, contact experts, pay attention to market trends.

There were some good addresses to send queries to, but the book is 15 years old.

.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many writers wonder if they should specialize in one specific area of writing expertise or if they should spread their work between several different genres. They wonder if writing in only one genre will allow them to create a niche of authority or simply limit the amount of writing opportunities. Conversely, writers also worry that if they work in several genres their writing will be seen as unfocused and difficult to market. Ready, Aim, Specialize: Creating Your Own Writing Speciality and Make More Money looks at this quandary and looks at the benefits and limitations of specialization. This book also includes resources to determine what your area or areas of speciality would include and tips to begin specializing as well as detailed reference lists and potential markets for the most popular writing specialities.

Ready, Aim, Specialize: Creating Your Own Writing Speciality and Make More Money is a good beginner resource for writers questioning whether they should specialize their writing. Though the title suggests that the writer supports specialization, the author gives a nice balance of information on both the pros and cons of specialization. This allows the reader to determine if specialization would be beneficial for his or her particular situation. Moreover, the author includes detailed reference lists so that the reader has somewhere to begin his or her specialization efforts.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a detailed, practical, motivating book for freelancers. I found the sample queries very helpful. This is a great resource for freelancers and it may just entice you to specialize. If you do, it will provide support along the way.

[Sally]

2 copies?

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this book, i wanted to be a freelancer!