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Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids
Children change your life, but they don't necessarily have to end your career! As a mom, you want to spend as much time with your children as possible. But you'd also like to make some money doing something you enjoy. How do you get the best of both worlds? Writer Mama by experienced freelancer Christina Katz tells you how. You can start a stay-at-home freelance writing career tailored to fit your family and lifestyle. Writer Mama will answer all your questions about how to get started, in realistic, easy-to-follow steps. While conversational and easy-to-read, this book also does a lot of hard work for you. It gives you practical advice and exercises that help you get started in a matter of weeks. You'll get tips on how
296 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
18 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Christina Katz
8 books104 followersChristina Katz is the author of three books from Writer’s Digest: The Writer’s Workout, Get Known Before the Book Deal, and Writer Mama. Her writing career tips and parenting advice appear regularly in national, regional, and online publications. A “gentle taskmaster” over the past decade to hundreds of writers, Christina’s students go from unpublished to published, build professional writing career skills, and increase their creative confidence over time. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Columbia College Chicago and a BA in English from Dartmouth College. A popular speaker on creative career growth, Christina presents for writing conferences, literary events, MFA writing programs, and libraries. She is the creator and host of the Northwest Author Series in Wilsonville, Oregon, where she lives with her husband, her daughter, and far too many pets. Learn more at ChristinaKatz.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 28, 2013
As a write-at-home mom, Christina Katz's book practically jumped off the shelf at me. "Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing career Alongside Your Kids"? That's exactly what I was trying to do. Flipping through it, I felt it might provide some useful info, so I purchased it, making sure to save the receipt to file with my taxes as a business expense.
The purchase was well worth it. While at least half of the information was already familiar to me -- as someone who's been writing for publication in some capacity for more than 25 years -- the book was sprinkled with helpful information that was new to me. In particular, I loved the tips on how to determine your audience, identify possible markets, and write queries.
Katz's love for lists and keeping things in folders seemed a little antiquated, although I know plenty of mothers would find such a system useful. In an effort to reduce clutter, I've gone increasingly paperless, moving most of my planning documents onto cloud-driven storage sites such as Google Drive and Dropbox, so they can be accessed from any computer or mobile device. It's relatively easy to adapt her recommended tracking systems into digital form, but perhaps if she does a revised edition, she could do some research into some of the most useful online tools for writers to track their ideas, work progress and submissions.
Overall, the book gave me insights on how to take simple, actionable steps in order to grow my freelance business. I recommend it for moms at any stage in their writing careers.
The purchase was well worth it. While at least half of the information was already familiar to me -- as someone who's been writing for publication in some capacity for more than 25 years -- the book was sprinkled with helpful information that was new to me. In particular, I loved the tips on how to determine your audience, identify possible markets, and write queries.
Katz's love for lists and keeping things in folders seemed a little antiquated, although I know plenty of mothers would find such a system useful. In an effort to reduce clutter, I've gone increasingly paperless, moving most of my planning documents onto cloud-driven storage sites such as Google Drive and Dropbox, so they can be accessed from any computer or mobile device. It's relatively easy to adapt her recommended tracking systems into digital form, but perhaps if she does a revised edition, she could do some research into some of the most useful online tools for writers to track their ideas, work progress and submissions.
Overall, the book gave me insights on how to take simple, actionable steps in order to grow my freelance business. I recommend it for moms at any stage in their writing careers.
March 1, 2013
I read Writer Mama by Christine Katz as part of a month-long writing course this February. Before reading it, I knew practically nothing about what it would take to be a freelance writer.
After reading it:
- I know what I want to write about and how to find audiences for what I have to say.
- I can write a query or cover letter
- I know how to write several different kinds of articles (how-to, list, personal essay, etc.)
- I have a good idea what I need to do do market myself
- I know how to keep track of my expenses for tax purposes
- I can in general can see how freelance writing could be a plausible source of income.
Katz provides clear instructions and examples in addition to immensely helpful exercises. If you're a mom (or dad) that is looking to bring in some extra cash through writing, this book is a fantastic place to start.
After reading it:
- I know what I want to write about and how to find audiences for what I have to say.
- I can write a query or cover letter
- I know how to write several different kinds of articles (how-to, list, personal essay, etc.)
- I have a good idea what I need to do do market myself
- I know how to keep track of my expenses for tax purposes
- I can in general can see how freelance writing could be a plausible source of income.
Katz provides clear instructions and examples in addition to immensely helpful exercises. If you're a mom (or dad) that is looking to bring in some extra cash through writing, this book is a fantastic place to start.
July 21, 2014
This book is a wonderful resource, especially for those new to freelance writing. It gives you tips, websites, etc. on how to get the most bang for your buck. Personally, I'm more interested in fiction writing than freelance and it didn't fit my needs. Still, I would recommend this to others.
July 13, 2008
This book was okay. Maybe it was better than okay, but it just wasn't very applicable to me. For one thing, it was oriented toward magazine non-fiction writing, which isn't my main interest. And many of the suggestions for finding time would perhaps be more relevant if my daughter was old enough to entertain herself...although I hope that even when she's older, I can generally resist the book's oft-repeated advice to plunk her down in front of the TV while I work. That said, there were a few pieces of good advice and some writing exercises that I plan to try. I don't regret reading it.
June 26, 2014
I love this book. It's practical, encouraging and the next best thing to working with Christina Katz herself. Even after several years as a professional journalist, I still refer back to this book to refresh my approach and tackle new types of writing. A must have for any mom who wants to become a writer.
December 31, 2012
I really loved this book.... it was hugely inspiring... and jam packed full of really practical tips and how-to's...
December 29, 2022
It’s Cosmo meets Business Insider…for writers…just starting out…who are moms…and write nonfiction for magazines, periodicals, and newspapers. Talk about niche market.
Unfortunately, I realized too late that it wasn’t my niche. Neither are Cosmo or Business Insider, though, but they’re still nice go flip through once in awhile. This is nice for what it is.
Unfortunately, I realized too late that it wasn’t my niche. Neither are Cosmo or Business Insider, though, but they’re still nice go flip through once in awhile. This is nice for what it is.
November 27, 2022
I found this book at a thrift store today , and I didn’t intend to read it all at once. Some of the information is outdated, but there are several helpful illustrations and activities to complete. It was a good find.
May 14, 2019
This was a great book for writer moms with lots of tips on how to write around the children.
January 9, 2020
Outdated advice.
October 20, 2024
Great ideas.
May 7, 2011
My sister sent me this book for my birthday last fall, and I was appropriately grateful. Such a cool-sounding book. And such a thoughtful gift! In fact, it's exactly the kind of book I want to have but never get around to reading.
Indeed, this was the case. For four months, the book gathered dust on my bedside table. It was on top, right near the front, impossible to miss. I reached over it to select a new novel from the stack behind.
Then I decided to take the plunge. I'll review it! I thought. I have a deadline! Now I have to read it, and fast.
In this, too, I failed. I could not read the book quickly. But that's because I'm learning so much on every page. I've always wanted to be a writer. I've struggled to build a professional identity in the in-between spaces I can scrounge together with very young children at home. I've wanted to do so much more. But I didn't know what exactly, and I didn't know how. Until now.
I was concerned at the beginning of the book, when the author explained how to use a search engine to find things on the internet. But the pace immediately picked up and soon I knew the difference between "fillers" and "articles," when to query with an idea and when to submit a completed piece, how to take manageable little steps right now to meet long term goals later.
And the truth is that basic stuff is important. Sure, most people know how to use Google. And I already know how to read and follow submission guidelines. But it wasn't so long ago that I didn't know anything about submission guidelines (that they existed, where to find them, what certain code phrases indicate). Writer Mama makes the industry accessible to a newbie without spending too much time on the basics for the more experienced writer.
The author does a good job addressing moms of kids of all ages, not just napping infants or older, independent players. And her advice is realistic. She doesn't recommend plopping kids in front of the TV all morning, but she does acknowledge that a video can be a special treat for a child when her work-at-home mama faces a tight deadline. She acknowledges - and suggests coping strategies for - the inevitability that some people won't see a writing mama's job as being a "real" job requiring disicpline, professionalism, and regular hours. And she points out that we're often hardest on ourselves in this regard.
I had a hard time starting this book. I had a hard time reading as quickly as I wanted to read. And I had a hard time finishing in time. (I like to finish a book a few days before I review it to allow time for the sediment to settle in my brain.) In fact, I didn't finish at all. But I'm almost done; I'll finish tomorrow. With this book, I can't skim quickly over the surface of the text; I'm learning something new on almost every page. I'm highlighting; I'm making notes.
And it's taking a lot of will power to keep reading and learning at a steady pace. Writer Mama is broken up into 23 chapters, each of which ends with an "Exercise." Every time I come to an Exercise, I want to stop and do it immediately. Not yet! I remind myself, sticking a flag on the page and pushing on, knowing that the minute I read the last page I'll be starting over at the beginning with the first exercise.
And once I've completed the exercises - each of which seems totally manageable, non-overwhelming, fun and exciting, actually - I'll have several pieces written and queries sent off to editors. I'll be well on my way from wanting to be a professional writer to actually being a professional writer.
This book is teaching me how to do something I've always wanted to do, but never knew if I could do, let alone how to get started, how to build a business, how to make it work.
Motivational. Educational. Interesting. Useful. And, did I mention, motivational?
Indeed, this was the case. For four months, the book gathered dust on my bedside table. It was on top, right near the front, impossible to miss. I reached over it to select a new novel from the stack behind.
Then I decided to take the plunge. I'll review it! I thought. I have a deadline! Now I have to read it, and fast.
In this, too, I failed. I could not read the book quickly. But that's because I'm learning so much on every page. I've always wanted to be a writer. I've struggled to build a professional identity in the in-between spaces I can scrounge together with very young children at home. I've wanted to do so much more. But I didn't know what exactly, and I didn't know how. Until now.
I was concerned at the beginning of the book, when the author explained how to use a search engine to find things on the internet. But the pace immediately picked up and soon I knew the difference between "fillers" and "articles," when to query with an idea and when to submit a completed piece, how to take manageable little steps right now to meet long term goals later.
And the truth is that basic stuff is important. Sure, most people know how to use Google. And I already know how to read and follow submission guidelines. But it wasn't so long ago that I didn't know anything about submission guidelines (that they existed, where to find them, what certain code phrases indicate). Writer Mama makes the industry accessible to a newbie without spending too much time on the basics for the more experienced writer.
The author does a good job addressing moms of kids of all ages, not just napping infants or older, independent players. And her advice is realistic. She doesn't recommend plopping kids in front of the TV all morning, but she does acknowledge that a video can be a special treat for a child when her work-at-home mama faces a tight deadline. She acknowledges - and suggests coping strategies for - the inevitability that some people won't see a writing mama's job as being a "real" job requiring disicpline, professionalism, and regular hours. And she points out that we're often hardest on ourselves in this regard.
I had a hard time starting this book. I had a hard time reading as quickly as I wanted to read. And I had a hard time finishing in time. (I like to finish a book a few days before I review it to allow time for the sediment to settle in my brain.) In fact, I didn't finish at all. But I'm almost done; I'll finish tomorrow. With this book, I can't skim quickly over the surface of the text; I'm learning something new on almost every page. I'm highlighting; I'm making notes.
And it's taking a lot of will power to keep reading and learning at a steady pace. Writer Mama is broken up into 23 chapters, each of which ends with an "Exercise." Every time I come to an Exercise, I want to stop and do it immediately. Not yet! I remind myself, sticking a flag on the page and pushing on, knowing that the minute I read the last page I'll be starting over at the beginning with the first exercise.
And once I've completed the exercises - each of which seems totally manageable, non-overwhelming, fun and exciting, actually - I'll have several pieces written and queries sent off to editors. I'll be well on my way from wanting to be a professional writer to actually being a professional writer.
This book is teaching me how to do something I've always wanted to do, but never knew if I could do, let alone how to get started, how to build a business, how to make it work.
Motivational. Educational. Interesting. Useful. And, did I mention, motivational?
March 3, 2017
The information is given in a conversational way. Christina Katz makes it clear that she wants you to succeed as a writer and mama. I would recommend this book to other writer mommies who need a little guidance and inspiration.
June 4, 2010
I tripped across this book at my favorite independent bookstore - Front Street Book Shop - in Scituate Harbor - and it snagged my attention right away. I bought it 2 years ago but I refuse to lend it out - if you are interested, I will buy you your own copy. :) It really is that good.
I bought this book as I was transitioning from a full-time job as a classroom teacher to a work-at-home mom writing curriculum. I love writing, but not necessarily curriculum, so this book gave me some very practical advice about writing for mass market media publications. This writer mama, Christina Katz, got her start with an unsolicited blurb for Parents' Magazine. Following her lead, I tried the same approach and it worked. Parents mag has now published me 4 times! I need to refer back to some later chapters and branch out...
I highly recommend this book. It offers practical advice and hands on writing activities in every chapter to help focus your own personal goals and writing style. All you writer mamas out there - buy this book!
I bought this book as I was transitioning from a full-time job as a classroom teacher to a work-at-home mom writing curriculum. I love writing, but not necessarily curriculum, so this book gave me some very practical advice about writing for mass market media publications. This writer mama, Christina Katz, got her start with an unsolicited blurb for Parents' Magazine. Following her lead, I tried the same approach and it worked. Parents mag has now published me 4 times! I need to refer back to some later chapters and branch out...
I highly recommend this book. It offers practical advice and hands on writing activities in every chapter to help focus your own personal goals and writing style. All you writer mamas out there - buy this book!
Read
October 12, 2016Trying to make a living from your writing? Check out Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids by Christina Katz. With upbeat, you-go-girl prose, Katz focuses on practical advice for building a portfolio of clips in order to write for magazines or other nonfiction markets. Many of her tips and tricks apply to fiction and poetry writers too: Identify Your Audiences, Draft Your Query, Develop Multiple Income Streams, and Seventeen Ways to Avoid Writer Mama Burnout.
For more recommendations on craft books, visit Literary Mama's Essential Reading List for September: http://www.literarymama.com/litreflec...
For more recommendations on craft books, visit Literary Mama's Essential Reading List for September: http://www.literarymama.com/litreflec...
March 13, 2009
Though I'm not quite done, I've enjoyed reading Ms. Katz's advice. In a couple of weeks I will start her class in conjunction with this book. I think this book is a great place to start if you are a momma (my spelling) and have a dream of writing.
I have finished reading Writer Mama and it's a good read for any momma wanting to get their writing career started. Though it is geared to start out writing for magazines, writing nonfiction, one who is focused on fiction may not find tips related to your needs.
I have finished reading Writer Mama and it's a good read for any momma wanting to get their writing career started. Though it is geared to start out writing for magazines, writing nonfiction, one who is focused on fiction may not find tips related to your needs.
December 22, 2019
The advice for starting a freelance writing career is straightforward and practical, especially how to start off small and work your way up to bigger publications. And by doing just the first few exercises in the book, I got a ton of ideas for articles I could write.
If you're interested in writing fiction, some of the advice will be helpful to you, but in general the focus was on nonfiction freelance writing for magazines, newspapers, and so on.
If you're interested in writing fiction, some of the advice will be helpful to you, but in general the focus was on nonfiction freelance writing for magazines, newspapers, and so on.
October 20, 2012
Writer Mama has provided me an avenue into an industry I had only dreamed of entering. Christina Katz has provided everything one needs to know to not only balance a family and writing, but how to identify audience, develop a platform, obtain guidelines and submit an article or query. I am becoming more prolific, goal oriented and confident in my writing. Ms. Katz has changed the trajectory of my career and I am forever grateful.
February 26, 2011
This book really made me see that it was possible for me to pursue my writing ambitions while also raising my two children. I felt motivated and enthusiastic after reading the book and after taking her Writing and Publishing the Short Stuff class and participating in Christina's dream teams I'm well on my way to achieving my writing goals.
August 11, 2016
This book focuses on starting a career as a freelance writer while also mothering/working. Katz's style is friendly and encouraging, and her focus is non-fiction (non-literary) writing for magazines/newspapers. There's a lot of solid, practical advice and references. I'm sure I'll be returning to it often.
May 5, 2013
This wasn't a horrible book. But I didn't feel it was as relevant to me as I thought it would be. I felt like the author spent all her time telling you to do things but not telling you HOW to do them. Nor did she provide decent references to find out for yourself. Her tips on when to fit writing into your day didn't feel very innovative to me either. Oh well. Onto the next book...
February 21, 2008
Some good factual advice on how to break into freelance magazine work. But it definitely focuses on mainstream moms living a typical in-this-society life. Good writing exercises, just not for radical mamas.
May 17, 2010
Practical advice for beginning writers raising a family at the same time; ideal for SAHM's; good information on how to maintain a writing practice and how to get it a paid writing career off the ground. Easy to read if you're short on time and reading while kids are napping, etc.
July 7, 2011
I bookmarked twelve items to return to for more study. If you are in her target market, young mothers who want to explore freelance markets which pay, you may find even more items of interest. I was especially interested in the difference between a book concept and a book proposal.
November 16, 2011
This was a really nice starting-from-the-absolute-beginning how-to book. I especially appreciated the section on how to get and use clips. I will probably go back and read sections of this book over and over again.
June 26, 2012
AS a stay at home mom this bok inspired me to seriously look at writing again as a way to make money and rediscover myself outside of motherhood. I enjoyed it so much I signed up for one of her on-line classes- which was awesome!
February 6, 2013
I credit this book with feeding my mommy brain and giving the encouraging motivation that I was seeking, but also for making the how-to start my freelance career digestible.
I've recommended this book over and over again to moms and non-moms alike.
I've recommended this book over and over again to moms and non-moms alike.
March 15, 2013
I may not be a mother and though this book is meant for Writer mamas, I enjoyed it--full of ideas, prompts, and tips as to how to be successful in the land of freelance writing. Plus, the book design and layout are just too cute!
June 25, 2014
A great resource that you can go back to again and again. This author, Christina Katz, give great advice, pertinent information and encouragement without being boring or pretentious. I was given this book in 2011 as a gift and I still enjoy flipping through some of the sections. Great job!
May 19, 2008
Practical, informative, helpful book on how to launch a writing career from home, part-time. Geared to would-be freelance journalists. You don't have to be a mama to learn a lot from this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews