Home
>
Writing
>
Ferreting Out Work

Ferreting Out Work

FERRETING OUT WORK

You keep hearing that there's work out there, but so far you haven't found any. Well, where is it? That depends on what you're looking for. Are you looking for a freelance writing JOB? Or a MARKET? Or both?

First let's concentrate on JOBS.

Online Job Sites (in no particular order):

John Hewitt's Writing Center ? This site also has a lot to offer writers. For job information, see Freelance Forum.

http://www.poewar.com

News Jobs

http://www.poewar.com

Media Bistro ? This site offers daily media news and updates. You have to register with the site in order to see job information, but registration is free. Simply click on Find A Job. Media Bistro also offers insider's tips such as "How to Pitch to U.S. Weekly."

http://www.poewar.com

Sunoasis Jobs ? Offers regional, telecommuting and freelance job information.

http://www.poewar.com

Writers Write ? This is a mega site offering writers job information, market information, tools, articles and resources. To find a job, click on "Job Listings" and then choose your preference from there.

http://www.poewar.com

Telecommuting Jobs for Writers ? This site offers just what the title page says it does. Check frequently for updates.

http://www.poewar.com

Write Link ? This is a comprehensive UK site for writers. Write Link also offers a free newsletter including jobs and market information.

http://www.poewar.com

FreelanceWriting.com ? This site also offers both job information and a guidelines database. In addition, this site includes moderated writing discussion forums.

http://www.poewar.com

Writing-World.com ? Remember Inkspot? If you don't, Inkspot was a terrific site for writers that was shut down due to financial problems a year or so ago. Writing-World takes over where Inkspot left us. The site is owned by Moira Allen, one of the original writers for the Inkspot site. The site features a lot of valuable information and resources for writers, including publishers who are seeking submissions and market information.

http://www.poewar.com

Publisher's Weekly ? The Publisher's Weekly site is a must-bookmark for writers. Not only does it have a classifieds section, and sections for jobs in both the publishing and library fields, but it also keeps you in touch with what is going on in the world of publishing. From cookbooks to mysteries, children's books to sports titles, Publisher's Weekly knows what's selling and who's making the best deals.

http://www.poewar.com

Her Corner.com ? This site features job information, market information, quotes, how-to articles and other writer resources.

http://www.poewar.com

Writers Weekly ? One of the most valuable services this site offers, other than job and market information, is its warnings page. Updating the warnings weekly in their free newsletter, Angela and Richard Hoy make sure that writers have the information they need to avoid being scammed.

http://www.poewar.com

Other Sources of Job Information

Another source of writing jobs is the classified section of your local paper. What? You say your newspaper doesn't have an employment section titled "Writers Wanted"? Mine doesn't either.

Look for companies who a) have advertisements for several positions, b) are looking for engineers, c) are looking for marketing personnel. If a company is advertising for several positions, odds are it is understaffed and in need of help with brochures, report generation, and/or marketing. If a company is in need of an engineer, either the outgoing or incoming engineer might like some help with report generation in order to free his/her time for other tasks. If a company is looking for marketing personnel, call or send a letter offering to prepare a marketing plan for the company. As a writer, odds are you're proficient in self-promotion. Put this to work for you by showing this company how you can promote THEM.

Classified sections of major metropolitan papers might be helpful in your search for freelance work, too. Check them out online. Online sites such as Monster.com and Headhunter.com can cut down your search time a great deal. Enter keywords such as writer, copywriter, technical writer, freelance writer, and telecommute and see what a search yields.

Peter Bowerman in THE WELL-FED WRITER swears by cold-calling corporations in your area and offering your assistance with advertising, copywriting, etc. If this is something you're interested in, I suggest you check out Mr. Bowerman's book or his web site. Mr. Bowerman also offers a free newsletter filled with tips for making money freelancing.

Now, on to MARKETS:

Online Markets (again, in no particular order):

Wooden Horse Publishing ? This site offers a free newsletter and an extensive database of market information, including many editorial calendars. While the database isn't free, you can try it out for a day for only $1.95.

http://www.poewar.com

Writer's Market.com ? This one isn't free either and you might balk at paying for this information, especially if you have already bought the book. The site does offer some free tips and other information; and if you don't mind paying for the market information, the Writer's Market site claims that it has many updates per day.

http://www.poewar.com

The Market List, A Resource for Genre Fiction Writers ? If you write sci-fi, romance or mystery short stories, this is a good place to look for markets.

http://www.poewar.com

For Writers

http://www.poewar.com

Jacqui Bennett Writers Bureau

http://www.poewar.com

Colossal Directory of Children's Publishers Online ? This site offers tips and how-to articles as well as other resources, too.

http://www.poewar.com

Mystery and Writers Links

http://www.poewar.com

The Writer's Lounge ? This site includes "101 Paying Markets" as well as a lot of other writer resources.

http://www.poewar.com

News, Markets of Interest to Writers

http://www.poewar.com

Sell Writing Online

http://www.poewar.com

Our Creative Space ? Offers information about children's publishers. See "Publishing Links."

http://www.poewar.com

Markets for Writers ? Periodicals

http://www.poewar.com

Other Sources of Market Information:

The magazines/publishers themselves ? Write or call and ask for writers' guidelines or an editorial calendar. If the publisher has a web site, you can request the information via email.

Magatopia.com ? Free Online Magazines ? This site doesn't provide market information but is still a valuable resource. The magazines include JANE, COSMOPOLITAN, DISCOVER, FAMILY FUN, ATLANTIC MONTHLY and many more. You can click on the magazine of your choice and read a couple of online articles to give you more of a feel for the magazine.

Your Library ? If you don't want to buy a current copy of WRITER'S MARKET, NOVEL & SHORT STORY WRITER'S MARKET, ROMANCE WRITER'S MARKET, etc., check your local library's reference section to see if these titles are there. If they aren't you might be able to see them via an inter-library loan. While there, check out the magazines you're interested in writing for. Back issues can usually be checked out. If you have an idea for a children's book, check out some books with similar themes to see what has worked before. Also check out HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN, CRICKET, and/or some other children's magazines to get a feel for what children are reading and what children's publishers are buying.

I hope this helps!

Gayle Trent is the author of the e-book SELF-PROMOTION FOR THE EMERGING WRITER, available for $5 US at http://www.poewar.com. Gayle's most recent novel is a comedic mystery titled BETWEEN A CLUTCH AND A HARD PLACE, available from Grace Abraham Publishing.

no-contract cleaning service Glenview ..

In The News:

Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.

Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.

Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.