Writing Credits When You Don’t Have Any – Ask Anne, The Pro Writer

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)

Hello Anne,

How do I go about doing that all-important resume when I am brand-new to free-lance writing?

thanks,
V.

Dear V.

Having a writing resume or credit list isn’t the only way to break into freelance writing (and there’s no dash in the word, and brand new shouldn’t be hyphenated… I’m assuming you’re in the US – if not, I apologize.)

You need to do what we used to do and many still do and that’s do some work on spec. Usually this is writing for magazines. You query a magazine editor with an idea and if it’s accepted it will probably be on spec. That means there’s no guarantee they will accept it. But you do have the editor’s ear and attention. When you send the article in you simply say in your cover letter something like “here’s the article you asked me to do on spec.”

Be sure to enclose an SASE and keep your fingers crossed.

Once you have several articles accepted you’ve got enough for your credit list.

Writing on spec isn’t limited to magazine articles. Although Peter Bowerman might not agree, you can do a short corporate writing gig or two on spec too.

Does this make sense?

Do you have a question about freelance writing? Ask Anne, The Writing Pro – that’s me ;) Ask in the comments or send an email and put Q&A in the subject line so I can sort it out from spam and I’ll do my best. Meanwhile, you’ll find some Q&A’s here:

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Write well and often,

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