Several years ago one of the spiritual teachers I’ve been blessed with, Rev. Guy Williams, challenged a class I was in to daily list 100 things we were grateful for. We all gasped!. Each one of us was familiar with Oprah or someone else suggesting writing out three things or five things we were grateful for, but 100?

The next morning I struggled but managed to list 100 things. I was amazed. It actually only took about 20 or 30 minutes and during that day I kept finding other things I was grateful for.

I did it again the next day. Sure there was quite a bit of duplication, but there were new things as well.

After awhile I switched to just saying what I was grateful for rather than writing them down, but I kept losing track. Finally I realized I had a set of mala beads – roughly the Buddhist rosary. Mine has 108 beads and I found I could count off my gratitude list that way, one bead at a time.

The practice of 108 has worked so well for me over the years I want to share it with you and challenge you to list 108 things you’re grateful for.

It’s really wonderful what happens to my attitude when I do this practice.

1. Sunshine
2. MzTiz, my tabby cat
3. The remembrance ceremony on Alcatrez Island by Native Americans on behalf of Mother Earth and Social Justice
4. KPFA.org, part of Pacifica Radio, that broadcasts things like the ceremony on Alcatraz and Democracy Now.
5. The internet, no matter who invented it.
6. My broadband connection.
7. Electricity that comes right to my home to do so many things.
8. The natural gas which also comes right to my home for cooking and heating.
9. Wooden floors.
10. Energy efficient windows – I had no idea how well they worked.
11. Running water, again right to my house even though I live in a mostly desert.
12. Hot water – one of the world’s best inventions imo.
13. My computer.
14. My ability to write
15. My ability to write for a living as a freelancer
16. Various 12 step programs
17. Learning to meditate.
18. Meditating almost every day.
19. That I can read.
20. Libraries.
21. Books.
22. Paper.
23. Printing.
24. Book binding.
25. Email
26. The web.
27. Web editors.
28. Blogging software.
29. Readers of my blog
30. Greer
31. Gary
32. Cait
33. Linda
34. Mike
35. Steve
36. Gloria
37. Stacey
38. Chris
39. Chris S.
40. Cole
41. Valerie
42. Emily
43. Ben
44. My mom
45. My dad
46. Gail
47. The rugs I bought from Craigslist – love all three of em.
48. M;y small corner desk.
49. The study of Buddhism I’m involved in.
50. Atasha
51. Deshe
52. Tom
53. Keven
54. Dr. K.
55. My other doctor with her unpronounceable name.
56. The vets who take such good care of MzTiz.
57. The artichoke plant in my yard that is so generous.
58. The rosemary that thanks me with fragrance every time I water it.
59. The ants that are teaching me impeccable housekeeping.
60. The clothes line that I use.
61. That the air here is clean enough to use a clothes line.
62. Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night.
63. Living Compassion
64. My car
65. The fact my car is paid for
66. The garage
67. The washer and dryer
68. The stove
69. The refrigerator.
70. The composter that was here when I got here.
71. The roses outside my office window.
72. The bush/tree with pansy-like purple flowers.
73. The ocean – a short drive away.
74. Kayaking
75. My mastermind group
76. Vajrarupini Buddhist Center
77. Sweetwater Zen Center
78. Gasoline
79. Car repair folks
80. Trader Joes
81. Henry’s
82. Vons
83. North Park Farmers Market
84. North Park – my neighborhood
85. Mission Bay
86. Amtrak
87. The streets, alleys, freeways and other infrastructure that serves me so well.
88. My clients
89. My gym
90. NPR
91. Office supply stores
92. Amazon
93. My computer guy
94. BN.com
95. Craigslist
96. Peets Coffee
97. My printer
98. My telephone
99. My books
100. My book cases
101. Flushing toilets
102. The irrigation system on the property I live on.
103. Quiet neighbors
104. The police
105. The fire department
106. The local hospitals
107. Medicare
108. Recyling

There you go. Took about 45 minutes, mostly because of the links I added.

Have a great holiday full of gratitude wherever you are.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Writers and others might want to express their thanks in any of these ways:

1. List 108 things you’re grateful for. I’ll post my list tomorrow.
2. If you blog, make a list of the bloggers and webmasters you’re truly grateful did like Deb Ng did in 25 Bloggers, Blogs and Websites for Which this Freelance Writer is Truly Thankful.
3. Write 8 articles for Demand Studios and a book will be donated to First Book to promote literacy.
4. If you blog donate a specific amount for every retweet like one of our favorite writing bloggers does. She donates to a local food bank.
5. Fund micro-loans through Kiva. You’ll get reports about how your loan is working and you can roll it over when it’s paid back if you like.
6. Give a goat, or part of a goat, or a flock of chickens or a whole arc or just a bit to help others become truly self-sufficient through Heifer International. You can get a gift card if you want to donate on behalf of someone who has enough stuff.
7. Click once a day to donate free food and buy nifty t-shirts and other sustainable stuff where profits promote wellbeing around the planet at TheHungerSite.com. I’ve actually made this my home page so I can remember to click every morning when I open my browser, and I love their t-shirts and other things.
8. Subscribe to Ode Magazine – it offers real solutions and optimism. Then write for them.
9. You can even get a free subscription to Ode Magazine by shopping at worldofgood.com/ode. WorldofGood.com offers socially-conscious products. Do your shopping here and do good as well. And if you meet their criteria you can sell there as well.
10. Read and give Soul of Money; it will help you get grateful if you’re not.  (Yeah, I know I say this a lot – I’m still re-reading and moved every time I open the book.
11. Oh my goodness! I almost forgot to express thanks to each and everyone of my readers. THANKS!

What’s your favorite way to give thanks?

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

We’ve got 55 freelance writing jobs , blogging jobs, editing jobs, translation jobs and creative gigs today.

Job Postings Here Are The Tip Of A Great Big Iceberg! A must-read if you’re new to freelance writing, editing, blogging or translating or new to looking for gigs online.

How to get freelance writing jobs is a category listing articles about how to get freelance writing jobs and the article, How to land a writing job is aimed at helping you when you apply to one of the freelance writing jobs listed here.

If you land one of these gigs, let us know. OTOH, if you find one is a problem, let us know that too. Posting a warning in comments helps your fellow freelancers avoid problems.

1. Blue Mountain Arts is interested in reviewing writings for publication on greeting cards
2. Associate Editor, Insurance Journal
3. Online Editors Wanted
4. Technical Sales Web Content Writer
5. Seeking Brand Ambassador and Community Manager Candidates
6. Travelogger Writer
   
   
   
7. JV Partner
8. Personal bloggers wanted
9. Writers/Photographers – Freelance
10. Student for Social Site Writing And Back Linking Job
11. Statistics/Data Analyzing Writing
12. Nutrition research – Chicagoland Restaurants
13. Seek Writer For Travel Article
14. Audio interview transcription needed
15. Freelance Writers – 10 to 20 Articles Per Week
16. Web Content Writers
17. Social Media Freelance Writing Project
18. Web Writers Wanted
19. Insurance Journalist
20. Health & Fitness Writers Wanted
21. Seeking Smart Freelance Editors
22. Graphic Layout of Book
23. Translation – Greek; all languages
24. Copywriter for health and raw food products / services
25. Copy Editor
26. Seek Pharma/Biotech Publicist
27. Professional Journalists wanted
28. Entertainment News Writers
29. Upscale holiday food and entertaining editor





30. Writers Needed For Exciting Teen Site
31. Hindi linguist Other foreign languages needed as well
32. Twitter Writer/Marketer Needed
33. Seeking Writer for Press Release
34. Print Journal Seeks Dark Literary Fiction – Send Your Stories
35. Debonair seeks tech/gadget/stuff writer
36. Need Internet Report Writers
37. ISO writers and artists
38. Online Content Editor/Writer/Blogger
39. Writer needed
40. Blogging/Marketing/WordPress Blogger Wanted
41. Web-page Reviewer/Writer
42. Bonds/Insurance Blogger
43. NY Life – NY Blog – Long Term
44. Sports Writers – golflink.com
45. Freelance Writers Wanted
46. Blog Editor
47. Blogger (Various Topics Available)
48. American Craft – 72 Spring St., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10012. P(212)274-0630. F(212)274-0650. Email: jkoplos-at-craftcouncil.org. Website: http://www.americancraftmag.org. Janet Koplos, Guest Editor. “American Craft celebrates the modern makers who shape the world around us. Presenting unknown innovators and artistic stalwarts, the magazine connects craft to art, industry, fashion, architecture and design and considers the rich history of the field.” 75% freelance. Welcomes new writers. Circ. 45K. Bi-monthly. Pays on acceptance. Publishes ms approx. 6 weeks after acceptance. Buys one time (print and web) rights. No reprints. Responds 1-4 weeks. Sample at newsstands. Subscription ($40) includes 1-year membership in the American Craft Council. Guidelines not available. CURRENT NEEDS: “We look to freelancers for new ideas, for introducing extraordinary work from underrepresented parts of the U.S. and for uncovering unusual materials use. Fees are based on story type, to a maximum of $1/word for 500 to 1,500 words.” Submit query by email. PHOTOS/ART: No.
    HINTS: “Pitches should be concise (two paragraphs) and should include sufficient visual and contextual information to explain the story. Include c.v. & clips.”
49. Threads – 63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470. P(800)926-8776. F(203)364-1240. Email: th-at-taunton.com. Website: http://www.threadsmagazine.com. April Mohr, Administrative Assistant. 75% of writers are experts on sewing. “Threads is a garment sewing (including technique, product, inspiration and creative articles) publication for intermediate and advanced sewers.” Welcomes new writers, but mostly experts on sewing. Bi-monthly. “Proposals are done in outline form. Payment is made when the layouts are complete and the issue is finalized” Period between acceptance and publication varies. Buys all rights. No reprints. Responds within six months. Sample copy for email request. Subscription $32.95; $38.95 in Canada. Guidelines online at http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/th_authorguidelines.asp. CURRENT NEEDS: See guidelines. Pays $150 per page. Length is given with assignment. Submit per guidelines. PHOTOS/ART: “Only to support proposed idea. Photos/illustrations do not have to be professional–but may be needed for clarity.”
    HINTS: “We want authors who are experts in an area of sewing that intermediate/ advanced sewers might want to know about. We do not use freelance writers–unless they also happen to be expert sewers.”
50. Writer Needed for Press Releases

Low Paying Gigs:

1. Internet Researcher
2. Beauty Bloggers Needed for New Beauty Site
3. Article Writing
4. Soccer Writers Needed $2.50-3.00/piece
5. Bloggers Wanted for Online Male Lifestyle Magazine

Canadian writing job seekers may find what they want at the Canadian Freelance Writing Jobs Blog.  Deb Ng publishes jobs at  FreelanceWritingGigs. Problogger also posts blogging jobs. Jennifer Mattern at All Freelance Writing is now posting jobs only on Tuesday’s and is working to find gigs that pay well.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

In an article I called How I’d Search for a Freelance Writing Job I gave some hints about the kinds of searches I’d run on the ‘net if I were actually looking for a freelance writing job. Here are some searches I ran as an experiment. I think I might have spent as much as 15 minutes at this. Of course, I did no writing down or printing of possible leads, which I’d do if I were actually searching.

• guidelines for magazines about money – if I wanted to write about money I’d put together queries for some of these magazines. You can find other topics the same way.
• ghostwriting agencies – I’ve worked for ghostwriting agencies and it doesn’t really pay well, but it can build some credits.
• ghostwriting agencies in san diego – not sure how productive this one is. But adding your locality to any search might be productive.
• book packagers - book packagers put together books and market them to agents and/or publishers. They sometimes hire writers. It’s worth asking if you’ve got the credits or a great idea.
• copywriting & copywriting in san diego – here I’d be calling asking for overflow work.
• san diego companies – generally lists of companies, any one of which may need you as a writer. But you have to ask.
• green book publishers – some of these listings offer guidelines.

Do you see how easy it is to actually locate potential markets? Locating them is, of course, just the first step. You’ve got to develop a plan to contact them to offer your services. Phone often works best.

Give it a try and let us know how it works.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

If I were looking for a freelance writing gig today this is how I’d go about it:

1. I’d decide exactly what kind of writing job I wanted. For me that’s always freelance. In addition to that I’d clarify what I was after – copy writer, corporate writer, magazine article (and what topic I wanted to pitch), ghostwriting a book, speech writing, marketing communications, technical writing, etc. etc. etc.
2. Next I’d do some online searches for key words in the area I wanted to write.  In general I wouldn’t be looking for a specific gig at this point. Instead, I’d be working to get a feel for what’s going on in that writing area.
3. If I found a particularly productive search term I’d add my locality to it and see what comes up.
4. When I found a productive search term I’d create a list with phone numbers and addresses.
5. Once I had a list of 10 or 20 places or companies, I’d pick up the phone and call each one. When the phone is answered I’d say something like:

Hi, my name is Anne Wayman. Who would I talk to about (writing copy, doing an article about xxx, ghostwriting, etc. etc. etc.)? Then I’d shut up.

The person who answers is likely to be a receptionist who won’t know exactly what to do with me. As I wait I increase my chances she’ll either tell me who I need to talk with or put me through to that person. When I reach that person I make my pitch in as few words as possible, maybe something like:

Hi, my name is Anne Wayman and I write good copy. Are you the one I should be talking with about doing some freelance work for your firm? Then I’d shut up.

The rule is to be brief and ask a question that can’t be answered with a yes or no.

When someone said no, I’d tell them I was sending my business card which has my website on it for their reference, thank them and get off the phone. Then I’d snail mail two or three of my cards with a nice note, thanking them for their time. I’d do this even if I never got past the receptionist – sending a receptionist a nice note and some cards can result in business.

If someone sounded like they might be interested I’d ask them what the next step should be, then I’d follow up as they indicated I should. I might push just a bit for an appointment if it’s a local company, but mostly I’d let them guide me.

It’s actually pretty simple. Not easy; I know calling strangers isn’t fun, at least not until you get started. If you call five or 10 a day you’ll probably land something in a week or two.

If calling isn’t practical, snail mail a note with some business cards. Snail mail is unusual enough to stand out these days.

Keep up this sort of campaign and you’re likely to end up with more business than you can handle.

I’ve created some sample market searches for you.

How do you find markets for your writing?

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Hi Anne,

I am writing because I need some advice.  As a freelance writer with her own business (set up very recently), I am always applying and bidding for work.  At the moment, I am not getting responses back despite applying and for many of them.  Furthermore, I have been checking and rechecking my applications for spelling mistakes and checking to make sure I am qualified for the job, I am still at a relative impasse.

I know the recession has made things difficult but this is getting a bit annoying now.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Many thanks

Miss Ngozi Nwabineli
www.assuredangelwriting.com

Hi Ngozi,

The first thing to know is that people looking for writers online usually reply only to those they think they might hire. Not polite, but certainly the way it is.

Although spelling etc. are important, it’s more important that you demonstrate you can solve their problem. They need a particular kind of writer. If you can show you’re that kind of writer you’re much more likely to get a response.

Addressing their problem is more of an art than a science and lots of ads don’t give you a clue. You just have to do the best you can.

I see from your phone number and website that you’re in the UK. You don’t say if most of your applications for writing gigs are going there or if you’re also applying ’round the world. If you’re using my job postings most of those are in the U.S.

U.S. employers tend to be quite provincial. You’ll have to make it super easy for them to hire you and pay you – a paypal account is probably the best known method.

I’m glad you’ve got a website. That’s the first step. But it’s more about you than about how you can solve a problem for a prospective client. As you say there, first impressions do count, so put your willingness and ability to help right up front.

It’s not clear if there’s just one of you or more than one – either is fine, but make it clear. If you can write in French as well as English say so clearly – and if you offer translation, spell that out.

A degree in Law may mean you have the ability to make the law understandable to the lay person, or that you have the ability to make sure lawyers get the kind of writing they need. Or both – show us. Same thing for Business Administration. Use your writing skills to demonstrate why that should make me want to hire you.

Contact info should be on every page.

Look at your website as if you wanted to hire you as a writer – what would you want to see.

Look for writing work beyond the postings. Job Postings Here Are The Tip Of A Great Big Iceberg!

Hope this helps!

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: Ask Anne, The Pro Writer

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Writing markets, on the other hand, are something else. I suppose my definition is any writing gig that might get listed in Writer’s Market. Generally that’s publications that serve a vertical market – that is magazines devoted to the medical industry, or theater, or horses, etc. etc. etc.  Book publishers are also often listed as markets since book publishers usually have a specialty.

With that in mind here are some blogs that list markets:

• Writers Markets for Speculative Fiction: SF/F/H’s Journal – appears to add a new market weekly.
• Writers Weekly regularly posts magazine and other markets.
• Write About Second Life – and often get paid. Who knew!
• The Market List appears to have all sorts of markets for free – plus other good info.
• Bella Online has markets for non-fiction writers.

The real take away from this short list is that there are all sorts of markets out there. I found these via google, most of them using blogs about markets for writers. Not exactly rocket science.

What are your favorite markets?

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

T.W. Anderson said something about freelance writing professionals and it got me to thinking. What, I nattered to myself making a cappuccino, makes a writer a professional writer?

I know that the first time I felt like a professional writer was way back when I got paid the very first time for something I wrote. I’d been calling myself a writer before then, but with that small check in my hand I felt like I wasn’t faking anymore.

But professional means more than just earning money at a job, or it should I think.

One of the definitions of professional I found at Dictionary.com that I like is: A skilled practitioner; an expert. (professional. Dictionary.com. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/professional (accessed: November 23, 2009). Of course, I wasn’t very expert when I got that first check, and I wasn’t nearly as skilled as I’ve become. But I was no longer a rank amateur either.

It certainly isn’t about how the writer dresses, although the truly professional writers I know clean up really well as I do. We may write in our pajamas but we can dress well and comfortably for the board room too.

I realized I make a distinction between folks who are writing full time or trying to and those who just seem to dabble at writing now and again. Those who have full-time writing jobs obviously qualify in my view and so do those who are freelancing full time. It’s a bit more iffy with those who are working at it, but there you have it.

Somehow, however, I don’t think that’s what T.W. was talking about. Professionals in any field have a certain confidence and tend to be respectful and thoughtful. The respond promptly to clients and tend to share information with other professionals.

By and large I think the real professional is open to new ideas. Of course, writers have to be open to new ideas if they are to keep their writing current. But the truly good ones are also alert and open to new ways of doing business.

Maybe it’s more a matter of I know one when I see one.

Do you have a definition of what makes a writer a professional? Does it matter?

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

We’ve got 53 freelance writing jobs , blogging jobs, editing jobs, translation jobs and creative gigs today.

Job Postings Here Are The Tip Of A Great Big Iceberg! A must-read if you’re new to freelance writing, editing, blogging or translating or new to looking for gigs online.

How to get freelance writing jobs is a category listing articles about how to get freelance writing jobs and the article, How to land a writing job is aimed at helping you when you apply to one of the freelance writing jobs listed here.

If you land one of these gigs, let us know. OTOH, if you find one is a problem, let us know that too. Posting a warning in comments helps your fellow freelancers avoid problems.

1. Hiring Nonfiction Freelance Writers! Suite101 currently has openings for nonfiction freelance writers across all subject matters. With over 4,000 writers, 24 million monthly readers and lifelong advertising royalties, Suite101 offers a well-established platform for getting published, read and paid. Apply to write for us today!
2. Copy Writer + Proof Reader + Marketing Coordinator
3. Web Content Writer(s) Needed Immediately
4. Education Freelance Writer
5. Reporters (bloggers) wanted
6. Boston Web Marketing Firm Seeking Freelance Writers
7. Contract Copy Writer
   
8. I Need Press Releases Written
9. Blogger
10. Bloggers, researchers, virtual assistants
11. Content writers needed
12. Unique Opportunity Answering Questions – Part Time Work
13. Arts and Entertainment writers wanted
14. Writer needed for Press Releases
15. Paralegal background
16. Freelance Article Writing
17. Internet Marketing Report Writers
18. Writer Wanted for Our Blog
19. Talented writer: raw food, health, Arts, political web/marketing copy
20. Biting bacon wit
21. Freelance Writers Wanted for Online Magazine
22. Writers, Publisher, Project Management- Looking for all
23. Magazine Directors Needed
24. Blue Mountain Arts is interested in reviewing writings for publication on greeting cards.
25. Co- Author for business book
26. Scientific Nutrition Advisor
27. Consumer Electronics Bargain Hunter
28. Website Copywriters
29. Graphic Layout of Book
30. Reporter Needed, Newspaper/Investigative Experience Preferred
31. Writer who is an Eco-green fanatic
32. Bilingual Phone reps (Chinese, Spanish, Korean)
33. Microsoft Publishing Writer
34. Business plan writer
35. Need research on appraisal
36. Freelance Writer Wanted: $5000/Project
37. Writers Needed
38. Parenting Writers Wanted
39. Looking for Men’s Fashion Writer
40. Healthy Lifestyle Blog
41. Creative Twitterer needed
42. iPhone and Android Mobile Technology Bloggers @ IntoMobile
43. Writers Wanted
44. Writer / Blog Content Provider
45. Bloggers needed for video game site!
46. Hiring Writer to redraft phrases and sentences
47. Ghost Writer – Small Business Topics





48. Technology Blogger
49. Personal Finance / Banking Bloggers Wanted
50. Electric Spec – Email: editors-at-electricspec.com. Website: http://www.electricspec.com. David E. Hughes, Betsy Dornbusch, Lesley L. Smith (editors). “Electric Spec publishes short stories in the science fiction, fantasy, and macabre genres. It also features author interviews and a movie column.” 85% freelance. Welcomes new writers. Circ. “5,000 hits/month.” Published 3 times a year. Publishes ms 1 month after acceptance. Buys First world electronic rights. No reprints. Responds 1-3 months. Samples available at the website. Subscription free. Guidelines online athttp://www.electricspec.com/Submissions.html.
    CURRENT NEEDS: “Science fiction, fantasy, and macabre short stories between 250 and 7000 words. We are also looking for cover art.” Pays $20 flat fee for 250 to 7000 words. Prefer stories shorter than 5000 words. Submit cover letter with short bio and story attachment in rtf and doc.
    PHOTOS/ART: “Pays $20 per cover art piece.”
    HINTS: “Please see our blog for tips and suggestions.”
51. SEO – Content Writer – Backlink Builder
52. Descant Magazine – 50 Baldwin Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1L4, Canada. P(416)593-2557. F(416)593-9362. Email: info-at-descant.ca. Website: http://www.descant.ca. Karen Mulhallen, Editor in Chief. “Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Visual Art. Now in its third decade, *Descant* is a quarterly journal publishing new and established contemporary writers and visual artists from Canada and around the world. Begun in 1970 as a mimeograph, *Descant* has evolved into an exquisitely produced journal of international acclaim. Over the years many ground-breaking special editions of *Descant* have been published, including issues focusing on single artists such as Dennis Lee, Michael Ondaatje and R. Murray Schafer, theme issues such as Male Desire, Romantic Love, Anatomy and Music, and issues exploring the culture of countries such as India, Australia/New Zealand, China, the former Yugoslavia and Japan.” 100% freelance. Welcomes new writers. Circ. 4K annually. Quarterly. Pays on publication. Responds to submissions within 6-12 months. 1-year subscription $28 (CAN); US $38 (CAN); other $45 (CAN). Guidelines online at http://www.descant.ca/submit.html.
    CURRENT NEEDS: “Current themed issues: Ghosts and the Uncanny and Sicily. Any work relevant to these themes. Pays $100 honorarium. Submissions must be typed, double-spaced on one side of the page, with ample margins. Good quality photocopies or computer printouts are acceptable. The sender’s full name, type of submission and complete address should be printed on the envelope. There is no need to include an SASE unless the sender cannot communicate by email and/or would like their manuscript returned.”
    PHOTOS/ART: “Art submissions can be mailed to us, either on hard copy or on CD-R. If sending on CD-R, use low resolution jpgs or pdf, preferably Mac format, but PC is acceptable.” Pays $100 honorarium.
    HINTS: “It is a common error to pay insufficient attention to our submissions guidelines: we do not accept submissions via email. In addition, it should be noted that our editorial process is slow and it may take up to 12 months to receive a response from us. In addition, manuscripts and cover letters should be thoroughly checked for errors in spelling, grammar and syntax. It is advisable to read through our website thoroughly before contacting us with queries, as the responses to many of these can be found in its content. It is also advisable to be patient when waiting to hear back from us about the status of submissions as we receive more than 1500 submissions a year and aim to give all this work the attention it deserves. We aim to contact all writers as soon as possible after the editorial decisions have been made as we appreciate that it can be frustrating to experience long delays! We are currently looking for work for our upcoming themed issues Ghosts and the Uncanny and Sicily and we are always accepting general, un-themed submissions.”

Low Paying Gigs:

1. Personal Finance Publication seeking writers for  project

Canadian writing job seekers may find what they want at the Canadian Freelance Writing Jobs Blog.  Deb Ng publishes jobs at  FreelanceWritingGigs. Problogger also posts blogging jobs. Jennifer Mattern at All Freelance Writing is now posting jobs only on Tuesday’s and is working to find gigs that pay well.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Michelle Schusterman who blogs and writes from many places, tells us how she does it.

As the old saying goes, “write what you know.” With all the freelance writing jobs floating around in cyberspace – some that actually pay! – it’s easy to grasp at something, anything, that helps pay the bills. But there really is some wisdom to that adage, and writing what you know – finding your niche – can lead to much better gigs in the long run.

In the beginning, I wasn’t sure what to write about. I just knew I wanted to write. It started with a simple blog on my MySpace page about my life as an expat in Salvador, Brazil. From there, travel writing seemed like a natural fit, so I joined the Matador Travel community and started a travel blog there as well.

Writing for a living is a relatively new concept for me – I’m a musician first. When I ended up in Seoul, Korea last year, I was lucky enough to join several different bands – reggae, pop, and jazz. I decided to take my three passions and create my own blog incorporating each one, and what I ended up with was MusicTravelWrite.

While I still branch out and write about other topics I feel comfortable with when they come up, like gadgets or education, defining my niche as a traveling musician and basing my own website on those skills has really helped me develop my personal brand as a writer. After a few months of blogging for just a few hits a day, I’m starting to get requests for both writing and musical services through the contact form on my website. I also started an internship with Matador, which has since led to an Associate Editor position with Matador Goods.

Joining Suite101 has been a great way for me to work on those three areas, as most of my articles there are related to music, travel, and writing. In fact, I discovered that writing about writing was so much fun that I applied for the “Resources for Writers”  Feature Writer position as soon as I saw it was open!

Most freelance writers have a personal blog (and if not, they should!). My website is both personal, in that my blog posts are sometimes just about life in general, and professional, showcasing my writing and musical portfolios. I believe that every writer can benefit from using their blog to focus on their niche, their specialty, that knowledge or expertise they have that few others do.

Image from http://www.sxc.hu