Ready, Aim, Specialize!: Create Your Own Writing Specialty and Make More Money!

by Kelly James-Enger

Offering established and novice freelancers suggestions on specializing, this handbook guides writers towards more successful careers. As this analysis demonstrates, when freelancers concentrate on one type of writing rather than being a general freelancer, they discover a lucrative niche in the writing market. Using the advice supplied in this reference, writers will be able to make more money, focus their careers, and learn a more effective way of freelancing. The book lays out the basics of 10 key markets—including health, parenting, and home and garden—and provides a series of interactive exercises to help discover which is the writer's best fit. Published writers and unpublished hopefuls alike will benefit from this valuable and informed guidebook.

Genres: Writing

256 pages, Paperback

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.

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[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!