Among the mystical practices of modern life, the sacred art of freelance writing occupies its own occult conundrum. We can see into it sometimes. Seminars spread its lore, support groups uphold its practitioners, writing groups drive its practice.
And, if we’re lucky, experienced writers like Estelle Erasmus stand ready to throw open the doors of this most oblique and infuriating occupation and invite others to partake of it in her book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published. Maybe we shouldn’t call this lucky if Erasmus’s book indeed inspires new writers and turns more souls toward the frustrations of such a career. But the instructions are there, the road is open, the rewards present themselves for the taking to those with nerve.
Not that Erasmus herself objects to the mission. Far from it. More than once, her book speaks of the heady feeling of writing well, the happiness of being recognized for her skill, and the satisfaction of working hard to beat a deadline. In other words, she extols the delights of craftsmanship, which many hope would take precedence over all other rewards.
But mostly her book brims with advice on how to become a freelance writer of newspaper and magazine pieces, something in which Erasmus has abundant experience. She has written for more than 150 publications and been editor in chief of five national women’s magazines, with a combined reach of more than ten million readers. She has also written memoirs and many personal essays.
So she is prepared to insert know-how into chapters not only about writing appealing pitches and query letters. She can also be relied upon for sound advice on how to address editors, how to handle rejection, how to manage rights, and how to get paid.
Erasmus’s instruction advises no less on the fundamentals of writing than on the soft skills of managing relationships—something only experience like hers can teach. In other words, you get answers to questions you wouldn’t even think to ask during the first months of freelancing.
It contains lists of professional organizations and lists of where to find sources. It contains a glossary of publishing terms and an index.
Essentially you get a full-scale course on becoming a freelance writer.
New writers, especially women, will find this book helpful, as women make up the majority of the subjects and sources in it. Erasmus’s long history in women’s publications may explain this. Or it’s a reflection of women’s greater numbers in the freelance racket. This may be the only cavil of a male reviewer.
But anyone with the gumption to freelance and a backspace key will find Estelle Erasmus’ Writing That Gets Noticed invaluable.