Going Solo

If you are considering the freelance life, there are three areas you must master: (1) the strengths, skills, and characteristics that are necessary for success; (2) the choice between trying to “do it all” (writing about anything for anyone in any media) and becoming known for a particular area of expertise (subject matter, industry, type of communications, style, or genre); and (3) finding balance among your business life, your personal life, and your inner life. Going Solo: How to Survive & Thrive as a Freelance Writer will help you achieve all three.

Freelance writing is a creative, intensely personal profession. On one hand, it is far too complex to be captured by a simple formula for success; on the other, it does yield its secrets over time to those who practice it. As an artist, craftsman, and entrepreneur, there is no freelancer who wouldn’t benefit from the advice of a seasoned mentor. Going Solo has three sections: 1) GETTING STARTED: What It Takes to Make It as a Freelance Writer, explores “what it takes to make it”—the strengths, skills, and characteristics that are necessary for success. 2) FINDING FOCUS: How to Carve Out Your Niche as a Freelance Writer, looks at the choice between trying to “do it all” (writing about anything for anyone in any media) and becoming known for a particular area of expertise (subject matter, industry, type of communications, style, or genre). 3) BALANCING ACT: How to Play the Many Roles of a Freelance Writer examines the challenge every entrepreneur faces—how to assign equal time and energy to your business life, your personal life, and your inner life.

Bobbi Linkemer is a ghostwriter, editor, and writing coach, as well as the author of 17 books under her own name. Her passion is helping writers at all levels convey their messages through books. In her forty-five-year career, she has written on hundreds of topics for magazines, individuals, and organizations in both the private and public sectors. Her articles on all aspects of writing appear on leading article sites on the Web, including top-ranked EzineArticles.com. Bobbi has been a magazine editor and journalist, a corporate communicator, and a book-writing teacher. Her courses and coaching services are based on her book, How To Write A Nonfiction Book: From planning to promotion in 6 simple steps. Her clients range from Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurs and individuals who want to write nonfiction books in order to build their businesses or share their stories. Her other books include • How to Write a Nonfiction Book: From planning to promotion in 6 simple steps • Words To Live By: Reflections on the writing life by a 40-year veteran • Invisible Author: Confessions of a Ghostwriter • The Savvy Ghostwriter: Questions to ask about the Book, the Client, the Process, Payment Before You Sign the Contract • Shoptalk: 6 ways to get your message across at work • Pealing with Difficult people (Marshall Editions, London); Solving People Problems (Amacom Books) • Polish Your People Skills • Get Organized • How to Run a Meeting • Polishing Your Professional Image • How to Write an Effective Resume (Amacom, a division of American Management Association) • Let's Talk: People with Developmental Disabilities Speak Out (Life Skills Foundation • Change is Good! Stories of Success for Community Inclusion (Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities)