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The Freelancer's Survival Guide
Most people become freelancers without any idea of how to run a business. They learn in the school of hard knocks. Kristine Kathryn Rusch has taken the school of hard knocks and made it into one of the most useful business books written in years. Included are these indispensable topics:
•How To Negotiate Anything: Freelancers must negotiate everything from the rent they pay to the contracts they sign. Here’s how to negotiate on your own—and when to hire someone to negotiate for you.
•Online Networking: In addition to tricks and strategies for online networking from Rusch herself, this Guide also includes advice from such online networking experts as Neil Gaiman, Michael A. Stackpole, and Mitch Wagner.
•The Importance of—and the Difference between—Goals And Dreams: Freelancers often confuse their goals with their dreams. Rusch offers practical advice on how to meet your goals, and the importance of dreaming big
•How To Survive Failure—and Success: Success, more than failure, derails many freelancers. Rusch explains how to turn your failures into successes—and how to optimize the success when it finally happens.
...and so much more...
“For anyone who has been cast adrift by the recent financial crisis, this book is your life raft. Rusch takes you step-by-step through the process of owning and running your own business. A great guide for new and long-time freelancers alike.”
—Pati Nagle,
owner of Mandala Graphic Design
“The Freelancer’s Survival Guide is packed with all the practical info they don’t teach in business school. I’m recommending this guide to all my small business clients.”
—Tonya Price,
Internet consultant, Cornell MBA
"I wish this guide had been around when I started freelancing 13 years ago! Kris has a way of boiling down complicated issues and serving them up like simple treats."
—Cindie Geddes,
owner, Flying Hand Writing Services
"Rusch does an excellent job of breaking down and summing up all of the pitfalls and pleasures of freelancing. If you’re thinking about freelancing, invest in this book and save yourself a bundle."
—Matt Forbeck, freelance author and game designer
"People often ask me for tips on how to make it as a freelancer. Now there’s a book I believe in that I can recommend."
—Kelly Cairo, owner, Cairo Communications
"The bible for the self-employed."
—John Ottinger III,
teacher and editor of Grasping for the Wind
"A soup-to-nuts guide for business. Don’t be without it."
—Virginia Baker,
President, Indigo Ink Communications
•How To Negotiate Anything: Freelancers must negotiate everything from the rent they pay to the contracts they sign. Here’s how to negotiate on your own—and when to hire someone to negotiate for you.
•Online Networking: In addition to tricks and strategies for online networking from Rusch herself, this Guide also includes advice from such online networking experts as Neil Gaiman, Michael A. Stackpole, and Mitch Wagner.
•The Importance of—and the Difference between—Goals And Dreams: Freelancers often confuse their goals with their dreams. Rusch offers practical advice on how to meet your goals, and the importance of dreaming big
•How To Survive Failure—and Success: Success, more than failure, derails many freelancers. Rusch explains how to turn your failures into successes—and how to optimize the success when it finally happens.
...and so much more...
“For anyone who has been cast adrift by the recent financial crisis, this book is your life raft. Rusch takes you step-by-step through the process of owning and running your own business. A great guide for new and long-time freelancers alike.”
—Pati Nagle,
owner of Mandala Graphic Design
“The Freelancer’s Survival Guide is packed with all the practical info they don’t teach in business school. I’m recommending this guide to all my small business clients.”
—Tonya Price,
Internet consultant, Cornell MBA
"I wish this guide had been around when I started freelancing 13 years ago! Kris has a way of boiling down complicated issues and serving them up like simple treats."
—Cindie Geddes,
owner, Flying Hand Writing Services
"Rusch does an excellent job of breaking down and summing up all of the pitfalls and pleasures of freelancing. If you’re thinking about freelancing, invest in this book and save yourself a bundle."
—Matt Forbeck, freelance author and game designer
"People often ask me for tips on how to make it as a freelancer. Now there’s a book I believe in that I can recommend."
—Kelly Cairo, owner, Cairo Communications
"The bible for the self-employed."
—John Ottinger III,
teacher and editor of Grasping for the Wind
"A soup-to-nuts guide for business. Don’t be without it."
—Virginia Baker,
President, Indigo Ink Communications
154 pages, Nook
First published October 30, 2010
17 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
1,365 books721 followersKristine Kathryn Rusch is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer. She has written many novels under various names, including Kristine Grayson for romance, and Kris Nelscott for mystery. Her novels have made the bestseller lists –even in London– and have been published in 14 countries and 13 different languages.
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 20, 2020
Someone blurbed that this is the "Bible for freelancers". Amen to that.
January 7, 2015
Lots of great tips and advice on being a full-time creative entrepreneur. A little bit dated now but still lots of fantastic info - on things you would expect, like finances, and other more personal tips eg. about health, sorting out your estate, negotiation and more. Recommended for authors who are serious about a future as a writer.
January 14, 2013
A must-read for anyone wanting to run their own business. I don't care if it's writing, selling beanie babies, or freelance accounting--this is worth your time.
September 14, 2017
Great advice here. Not just for writers but for all freelancers and business owners.
Part of a story bundle: Write Stuff Bundle 2017
This book is a collated (and sometimes updated) series of posts that KKR posted on her blog. It’s much easier to read like this, but if you are interested in the comments section, go to the blog.
http://www.kristinekathrynrusch.com/
KKR and her husband Dean Wesley Smith are a formidable pair. They have edited and published hundreds of works under various pseudonyms and won several awards. They now run a monthly story publication and sell workshops. They do very well with most of their endeavours.
At least, that’s what it looks like now. Here, KKR is brutally honest as she tells of all the disasters, the failed business, the disastrous staff employed, the bad agents, the bad plans, the things that can and will go wrong when you are solely responsible for your own income. As she says, when 9/11 happened half the publishing district was hit. They went without payment from NY publishers for more than six months. Her poker pro husband thought several steps down the track and sold a pile of valuable collectible items the day of the attack to give them cash to survive.
She deals with everything from mindset to estate planning, and all the steps in-between. Read your contracts. [as a lawyer I say this]
Hmmm… this is kind of me. [looks back at last GR review about anxious brain rewiring.]
Egad, the story about a book store owner having to throw an author out of their own signing after they were rude and abusive to their own fans? Jesus. What a dick.
Bloody hell. She has dyslexia and aphasia? And chronic pain from a severe facial injury when she was a child? I feel inadequate. *points to chapter about comparing yourself with others*
She talks of her own kind of panic over the digital revolution.
Oh god, that’s me.
[ ‘no, you can’t all have puppies,’ shouts kid1 quoting from Flushed Away]
4 stars
Part of a story bundle: Write Stuff Bundle 2017
This book is a collated (and sometimes updated) series of posts that KKR posted on her blog. It’s much easier to read like this, but if you are interested in the comments section, go to the blog.
http://www.kristinekathrynrusch.com/
KKR and her husband Dean Wesley Smith are a formidable pair. They have edited and published hundreds of works under various pseudonyms and won several awards. They now run a monthly story publication and sell workshops. They do very well with most of their endeavours.
At least, that’s what it looks like now. Here, KKR is brutally honest as she tells of all the disasters, the failed business, the disastrous staff employed, the bad agents, the bad plans, the things that can and will go wrong when you are solely responsible for your own income. As she says, when 9/11 happened half the publishing district was hit. They went without payment from NY publishers for more than six months. Her poker pro husband thought several steps down the track and sold a pile of valuable collectible items the day of the attack to give them cash to survive.
Play whatever mind games it takes to make your schedule work. And write it all down. (Kindle Locations 1495-1496)
She deals with everything from mindset to estate planning, and all the steps in-between. Read your contracts. [as a lawyer I say this]
Being seriously risk averse is as harmful as having too much risk tolerance. If you’re seriously risk averse, you’ll never try anything. You see risk everywhere. (Kindle Locations 8110-8112).
Hmmm… this is kind of me. [looks back at last GR review about anxious brain rewiring.]
Egad, the story about a book store owner having to throw an author out of their own signing after they were rude and abusive to their own fans? Jesus. What a dick.
Then you will notice, because my aphasia will kick in, and while I’ll have perfectly spelled words in this piece, they won’t be the right ones in the right order. (Kindle Locations 1559-1561).
Bloody hell. She has dyslexia and aphasia? And chronic pain from a severe facial injury when she was a child? I feel inadequate. *points to chapter about comparing yourself with others*
She talks of her own kind of panic over the digital revolution.
I had already come to terms with the fact that I have more story ideas than I can write. Somewhere in the past, I figured that the marketplace would take care of some of them— meaning that the marketplace would deny me the opportunity to publish some of those ideas.
All of those story ideas on the back burner? They’re crowding the forefront of my brain, boiling over, and causing a mess in my writing kitchen. (Or to stretch the metaphor in another direction: they’re children who used to sit quietly in the back of the room and are now crowding the front screaming, “Me first! Me! Me!”) (Kindle Locations 4508-4509).
Oh god, that’s me.
[ ‘no, you can’t all have puppies,’ shouts kid1 quoting from Flushed Away]
4 stars
June 22, 2019
Reading is a subjective experience. One person may like a book you recommend to them. But, the next person you recommend the book may hate it and never take your book recommendations again. That is the risk you always take when to come to recommending books. However, what if you have a book recommendation where you believe all people from a certain profession should read? Well, this is the case for my latest review and recommendation, The Freelancer’s Survival Guide by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
Rusch has been a published multi-genre writer (science-fiction, fantasy, romance, and mystery) for nearly four decades, an editor, and business owner during that time. She has lived the freelancer’s life and took her popular blog posts about this subject and turned it into a book. I have the third edition of The Freelancer’s Survival Guide which was published in 2013. Some material she covers in the guide has become dated. However, the real reason that all freelancers should read this book is for her wisdom on subjects like success, professional jealousy, and setting up your estate for your heirs. Those sections in The Freelancer’s Survival Guide were worth the price of the book ($25 on Amazon).
Freelancers if you are looking for a guide that covers everything about the difficulties of this career path, then I highly recommend you get The Freelancer’s Survival Guide. This is a book I will re-read regularly and absorb the wisdom that Kris Rusch provides from those pages. Here is something from the book that I will always keep in mind:
Realize that some people will never understand your definition of success.
Make sure that you know how the people closest to you define success.
Remember that the world really doesn’t care about your success.
Success is wonderful, but it can be a minefield. When you achieve a certain level of success, you will lose friends—some of whom can’t deal with the fact that you achieved your dream before they achieved theirs. You will gain family members who believe that you owe them something, even though you had no idea that your Aunt Millie’s second cousin third wife had grown children. And you will run into some fascinating expectations, often from unexpected quarters.
Those paragraphs came from the book’s section on success. I wanted to share those quotes because I believe the fear of success is much greater than the fear of failure. Plus, I believe we talk too much about failure as a culture and it has become its own industry. Rusch provides much needed wisdom throughout The Freelancer’s Survival Guide and if you are considering a freelancing career in any capacity, then get this book. You can learn the lessons from a veteran freelancer and keep them in the back of your mind as you pursue your own freelancing career.
Rusch has been a published multi-genre writer (science-fiction, fantasy, romance, and mystery) for nearly four decades, an editor, and business owner during that time. She has lived the freelancer’s life and took her popular blog posts about this subject and turned it into a book. I have the third edition of The Freelancer’s Survival Guide which was published in 2013. Some material she covers in the guide has become dated. However, the real reason that all freelancers should read this book is for her wisdom on subjects like success, professional jealousy, and setting up your estate for your heirs. Those sections in The Freelancer’s Survival Guide were worth the price of the book ($25 on Amazon).
Freelancers if you are looking for a guide that covers everything about the difficulties of this career path, then I highly recommend you get The Freelancer’s Survival Guide. This is a book I will re-read regularly and absorb the wisdom that Kris Rusch provides from those pages. Here is something from the book that I will always keep in mind:
Realize that some people will never understand your definition of success.
Make sure that you know how the people closest to you define success.
Remember that the world really doesn’t care about your success.
Success is wonderful, but it can be a minefield. When you achieve a certain level of success, you will lose friends—some of whom can’t deal with the fact that you achieved your dream before they achieved theirs. You will gain family members who believe that you owe them something, even though you had no idea that your Aunt Millie’s second cousin third wife had grown children. And you will run into some fascinating expectations, often from unexpected quarters.
Those paragraphs came from the book’s section on success. I wanted to share those quotes because I believe the fear of success is much greater than the fear of failure. Plus, I believe we talk too much about failure as a culture and it has become its own industry. Rusch provides much needed wisdom throughout The Freelancer’s Survival Guide and if you are considering a freelancing career in any capacity, then get this book. You can learn the lessons from a veteran freelancer and keep them in the back of your mind as you pursue your own freelancing career.
September 10, 2018
This is an exhaustive tome on the ins and outs and ups and downs of freelancing. Kristine Kathryn Rusch has years of experience in a variety of businesses, including writing, to draw from and for those things she doesn’t know as well she has done her research. She is the kind of person I wish I had as a friend.
She impresses me both for her knowledge and her no-nonsense approach. She doesn’t suffer fools gladly but at the same time she is committed to giving back to the world. You could pick this book up and read any chapter you wanted or had a need for at the time and it would work for you. I read the book front to back but I will go back to it many times in the future.
She covers pretty much every aspect of the life cycle of being a freelancer from how to start your business to how to deal with success and failure. She talks about how to know when to shutter your business and how to expand and when that is the right thing to do. She talks about how to deal with employees. She covers the nitty gritty issues like insurance and estate planning.
One of the most valuable parts of the book (in reality it is woven through the book) is how to think of yourself as a freelancer. My father owned his own business as an accountant dedicated to small businesses and many of the lessons he told me, Rusch reiterates here. I miss him and his advice terribly but I’m grateful that this book exists as another source I can go to for advice now.
Kristine Kathryn Rusch is an amazing science fiction writer (as well as a writer of other genres) so for fellow writers there is additional value in this book and I highly recommend it.
She impresses me both for her knowledge and her no-nonsense approach. She doesn’t suffer fools gladly but at the same time she is committed to giving back to the world. You could pick this book up and read any chapter you wanted or had a need for at the time and it would work for you. I read the book front to back but I will go back to it many times in the future.
She covers pretty much every aspect of the life cycle of being a freelancer from how to start your business to how to deal with success and failure. She talks about how to know when to shutter your business and how to expand and when that is the right thing to do. She talks about how to deal with employees. She covers the nitty gritty issues like insurance and estate planning.
One of the most valuable parts of the book (in reality it is woven through the book) is how to think of yourself as a freelancer. My father owned his own business as an accountant dedicated to small businesses and many of the lessons he told me, Rusch reiterates here. I miss him and his advice terribly but I’m grateful that this book exists as another source I can go to for advice now.
Kristine Kathryn Rusch is an amazing science fiction writer (as well as a writer of other genres) so for fellow writers there is additional value in this book and I highly recommend it.
November 9, 2025
This book contains several topics relevant to freelance writers and freelancers in general, such as managing money and defining success.
I admit, when I see the word "guide" in the title, I expect something more tutorial. This book falls more into the "here are some thoughts I've been mulling over and also some anecdotes." I'm not saying this is wrong, it' just not what I was expecting, and it didn't really help me much as a freelancer deciding whether or not to make changes to my business. This is further compounded by the fact that much of the actual advice is vague. Yes, there's some specific advice, like "pay yourself a salary," which is actionable and specific. But there's also "learn to manage money well," which ... thanks? I found several thought-provoking sections and a few helpful tips, but I would have much preferred something that got more specific and felt a bit less like musings that haven't been edited from their original blog post format.
I admit, when I see the word "guide" in the title, I expect something more tutorial. This book falls more into the "here are some thoughts I've been mulling over and also some anecdotes." I'm not saying this is wrong, it' just not what I was expecting, and it didn't really help me much as a freelancer deciding whether or not to make changes to my business. This is further compounded by the fact that much of the actual advice is vague. Yes, there's some specific advice, like "pay yourself a salary," which is actionable and specific. But there's also "learn to manage money well," which ... thanks? I found several thought-provoking sections and a few helpful tips, but I would have much preferred something that got more specific and felt a bit less like musings that haven't been edited from their original blog post format.
July 3, 2020
This is an excellent resource for anyone who is thinking about going into business for themselves. Rusch doesn't hold any punches on how hard it can get, but she gives you enough information to plan for the bad times, and know when it's bad enough to quit. For me, the most useful sections included planning, and managing your time and money.
It will take a while to read through, but you will go backwards and forwards to the chapters that are more useful at particular times.
It will take a while to read through, but you will go backwards and forwards to the chapters that are more useful at particular times.
August 23, 2018
Great resource
I've been working for myself for 17 years, and I still learned a ton of info from this. While some of the information is a little dated, most of it is not. I probably found extra value in it because Ms. Rusch and I share the profession of writing, which is a somewhat recent career change for me. Recommended.
I've been working for myself for 17 years, and I still learned a ton of info from this. While some of the information is a little dated, most of it is not. I probably found extra value in it because Ms. Rusch and I share the profession of writing, which is a somewhat recent career change for me. Recommended.
November 26, 2019
Gets down to business!
Very informative. Discusses what to do in any business. Talks about behind business details. Contracts. Licenses. IP. It's all here.
Very informative. Discusses what to do in any business. Talks about behind business details. Contracts. Licenses. IP. It's all here.
Read
April 4, 2020DNF. A great resource and will come back when necessary
December 7, 2015
This book is excellent. I picked it up from a NaNoWriMo story bundle about a year ago. It has all sorts of helpful information and advice. While not everything mentioned will work for everyone, The Freelancer's Survival Guide is well worth the read if you plan on starting your own business.
There's decent practical advice in here, not just for writers. One of the tips the author gives is getting health insurance... more than you expect to need, but only what you can reasonably afford. I had been debating whether or not to pick up dental insurance for myself when my husband got dental insurance, and I finally chose to go for a plan in the middle ground based on the advice in this book.
Good thing I did, because a month later, a filling chipped off on one of my teeth that apparently needed a root canal. The cost of that root canal was much, much more managable than if I hadn't gone for the insurance that was still affordable... but a little more than I initially expected to use.
I also like the author's definitions of failure/success, and the many points she brings up that may not be expected when starting and continuing a business. With experience in her field, she offers really valuable insights.
If you aren't sure yet about picking up the book, she has a lot of the chapters available for free on her blog (a few of which I had read before reading the book). But the ebook edition brings everything together in an easy to browse format.
Overall, I'm really pleased with this book, and recommend it to anyone interested in getting started in freelancing (especially writing/publishing).
There's decent practical advice in here, not just for writers. One of the tips the author gives is getting health insurance... more than you expect to need, but only what you can reasonably afford. I had been debating whether or not to pick up dental insurance for myself when my husband got dental insurance, and I finally chose to go for a plan in the middle ground based on the advice in this book.
Good thing I did, because a month later, a filling chipped off on one of my teeth that apparently needed a root canal. The cost of that root canal was much, much more managable than if I hadn't gone for the insurance that was still affordable... but a little more than I initially expected to use.
I also like the author's definitions of failure/success, and the many points she brings up that may not be expected when starting and continuing a business. With experience in her field, she offers really valuable insights.
If you aren't sure yet about picking up the book, she has a lot of the chapters available for free on her blog (a few of which I had read before reading the book). But the ebook edition brings everything together in an easy to browse format.
Overall, I'm really pleased with this book, and recommend it to anyone interested in getting started in freelancing (especially writing/publishing).
March 25, 2016
I give this 4 and a 1/2. I really enjoyed this book and read it quite fast. I stumbled upon it on some blog. This book is the setting the base for all freelancers. It gives you an quite accurate picture of what it is. The writer is American so some of the details, e.g. insurances vary from country to country. If I never had freelanced in my life, I would definitely read this. It describes what is required of you, and what you gain by freelancing. Based on the blog, there are at times references to other peoples blogs, it's OK by me. One learns(or gets reminded )of things as handling the finances, the taxes, the marketing, the insurances, all the stuff other than your 'job'. The insurance part was overwhelming for me. Firstly I was shocked by the amount it costs in USA! Then all the rest of it- I started to feel a bit, well, she writes 'prepare for the worst', but who can afford that? Also, I think at times however one prepares in life, life gets to you. It's supposed to, and we just have to improvise and grow. A part from that the next big subject of course is self-publishing, about which the author has already commented several times in her blog. The publishing industry is in a change - not only the change from paperbacks to e-books, but the tablets, programs etc. There is indeed a lot to learn and do research about for all. I found it great she underlined her love of writing. You work for yourself, because you love what you do. It's the essence of it all. The author covers a wide range of subjects one will have to deal with, from negotiating to success to professional jealousy. There are good anecdotes, and the book is very pleasantly written.
January 13, 2011
This book is a treasure. If you're in business for yourself, have ever dreamed of freelancing or working for yourself, this should be on your bookself. Right now.
Kris Rusch, who's been a freelancer and writer for over twenty years, tells it like it is. Everyone makes mistakes in life, especially when it comes to business, and Rusch doesn't beat around the bushes. She gives advice on what she's learned, through success and many failures, how to avoid those mistakes and perhaps more importantly, how to survive them. Rusch covers all the important topics from knowing how and when to quit your day job, money management, negotiations, and emotional setbacks. What's just as valuable is this book isn't geared one type of freelancer. Rusch covers a wide-range of freelancing careers, keeping the chapters broad and basic enough that they can be applied to anybody. She keeps all those careers in mind, especially with her different examples.
Terrific read. I will recommend this one to anyone who ever says to me, "I'd like to start my own...(you fill in the blank)."
As a writer still new to the business world, I found this book invaluable. I'm sure it'll be there as a guide to get me through both the rough and easy times.
Kris Rusch, who's been a freelancer and writer for over twenty years, tells it like it is. Everyone makes mistakes in life, especially when it comes to business, and Rusch doesn't beat around the bushes. She gives advice on what she's learned, through success and many failures, how to avoid those mistakes and perhaps more importantly, how to survive them. Rusch covers all the important topics from knowing how and when to quit your day job, money management, negotiations, and emotional setbacks. What's just as valuable is this book isn't geared one type of freelancer. Rusch covers a wide-range of freelancing careers, keeping the chapters broad and basic enough that they can be applied to anybody. She keeps all those careers in mind, especially with her different examples.
Terrific read. I will recommend this one to anyone who ever says to me, "I'd like to start my own...(you fill in the blank)."
As a writer still new to the business world, I found this book invaluable. I'm sure it'll be there as a guide to get me through both the rough and easy times.
April 12, 2013
A collection of chapters first published and still available on the author's website, and about as comprehensive as you could want. Although the book talks generally and is intended for any and all prospective freelancers, the author draws continually from her own experience as a freelance writer of many years standing, and so this book is of even more value to writers. The first half of the book is invaluable, and should be mandatory reading for anybody looking to step out on their own. It's sensible, thorough, blunt, and inspiring. It won't guarantee you success, but it lays out the things that you should be thinking about even before you start. There are a few bits specific to self-employment in the USA, around tax and health insurance particularly, but the principles and ideas Rusch spends most of her time on are universal. The second half of the book is difficult to assess from where I am now, as it deals a lot with how to handle things you can't experience until you've reached a certain point. It's hard to think about the negative aspects of success before you've really got started at what you hope to be successful at, for example, but the book is in hand for when those questions arise.
July 16, 2017
This is an excellent book for anyone who works for themself, or is thinking of working for themself. Ms. Rusch is a writer, which is definitely a freelance position, but she brings experience from other jobs as well as the experiences of friends, co-workers, employees and employers, peers in her field and commenters on her blog. And at the heart of it all are the basics of business, which are largely the same no matter how you're earning your freelance living.
From managing your money and your time, your employees and your family, when to quit your day job and when to go back to your day job, how to recognize both failure and success, and now not to let either destroy your business or your life, the author goes over everything I'd ever wanted to know about managing my own business and plenty of things I'd never have thought to ask. Highly recommended.
If you're feeling the pinch, you can read the whole book, a chapter at a time, on Ms. Rusch's blog. I did that as she wrote it and still bought the paperback.
From managing your money and your time, your employees and your family, when to quit your day job and when to go back to your day job, how to recognize both failure and success, and now not to let either destroy your business or your life, the author goes over everything I'd ever wanted to know about managing my own business and plenty of things I'd never have thought to ask. Highly recommended.
If you're feeling the pinch, you can read the whole book, a chapter at a time, on Ms. Rusch's blog. I did that as she wrote it and still bought the paperback.
February 26, 2014
This is an excellent overview of what you'll need to know when becoming a freelancer. If you read this book before getting starting a full freelancing career, you'll avoid unpleasant surprises. In addition to being a great guide, it will give you a sense of which topics you can research further based on your individual needs.
That being said, I wish she spoke a bit more about LLCs, Intellectual Property, and how to properly appraise your work (i.e. not to charge clients too much or too little). Even short of these topics, I highly recommend reading this book to anyone considering freelancing (or those in the first couple of years doing it so).
That being said, I wish she spoke a bit more about LLCs, Intellectual Property, and how to properly appraise your work (i.e. not to charge clients too much or too little). Even short of these topics, I highly recommend reading this book to anyone considering freelancing (or those in the first couple of years doing it so).
February 23, 2015
This was exactly the book I was looking for.
Rusch's Freelancer's Survival Guide is dense with information pertaining to all areas of freelancing. She discusses taking your job seriously, how to figure out your hourly rate, protecting your freelancing time, and basically everything else you really need to know. This book is also quite general and doesn't target writing specifically. I found it quite slow to get through, but that was only because it was packed with information. There were several useful ideas here that I'm going to integrate into my own business.
Rusch's Freelancer's Survival Guide is dense with information pertaining to all areas of freelancing. She discusses taking your job seriously, how to figure out your hourly rate, protecting your freelancing time, and basically everything else you really need to know. This book is also quite general and doesn't target writing specifically. I found it quite slow to get through, but that was only because it was packed with information. There were several useful ideas here that I'm going to integrate into my own business.
January 24, 2015
I read this in blog form when I first discovered Kristine Kathryn Rusch last year, and learned a fair amount from it then. Reading it in book form, with revised order (and some revisions to the sections), was far better--though that's also because I'm further along with my career shift to freelancing, so I can make more use of it. Lots of food for thought, and I'll be coming back to this one many times to come.
May 22, 2016
I'm a freelancer; this is my second pass through the book (once before I left my day job, once after).
Ah, seeing the mistakes and the warnings I had received before (or as) I made them was bittersweet, but I feel like rereading it is helping me get back on track again.
Ah, seeing the mistakes and the warnings I had received before (or as) I made them was bittersweet, but I feel like rereading it is helping me get back on track again.
June 4, 2012
A great book for anyone interested in working for themselves...full of sage advice from an experienced person who knows what she's talking about! If you're even contemplating "making the leap" to freelance, be sure to read this beforehand so you can make your decision with eyes wide open.
July 28, 2015
Very informative
I enjoyed this. It occasionally rambled but the information was good. I found the most value in the first half of the book, particularly the sections on money and networking.
I enjoyed this. It occasionally rambled but the information was good. I found the most value in the first half of the book, particularly the sections on money and networking.
July 15, 2016
This is a book I will be revisiting. It touches on the subjects not really discussed anywhere else, And it is great to hear different things discussed both business related and not. If you are considering it, give it a try, you might end up pleasantly surprised instead of disappointed!
November 24, 2013
I read the whole thing on Kris's site, for free, and bought the (hefty) book when it came out anyway. That should tell you something. Good stuff -- get it.
February 25, 2015
Couldn't finish all of this but it was good. Really good. I feel when I do become a freelancer, this will really become my bible.
March 26, 2015
Packed with wonderful insights and tips about how the life of a freelancer (& writer in my case) could realistically be. Great Book!
November 23, 2015
Insightful and incredibly thorough, I have read and re-read this book. Recommended highly for anyone who freelances, and especially for writers.
December 21, 2013
All freelancers need to read this, hands down. I read it online and, so far, it's still there.
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