Does Freelance Writing Pay Well?

If you like to write and like the idea of working for yourself, you may well have thought about making a living as a freelance writer at some point. However, before quitting your day job and taking the plunge, you may have been wondering does freelance writing pay well?

Of course, it is possible to make a decent living from freelance writing if you are lucky enough o be a contributor to such periodicals as National Geographic, or the major newspapers. For most of us though, the reality can be very different and if you like the idea of making a living from writing, your first step should be to realistically determine what you might be able to earn. A survey hosted by the 2012 Freelance Industry Report found that about 33 percent of those surveyed earned over $70 per hour writing. If you fancy being a copywriter, one of the best places to get an idea of what you can earn is a survey by successful copywriter Chris Marlow, and if you aren’t sure what to charge for your writing services, the guide in Writer’s Market can be helpful.

As you can see from the above figures, it is possible to make a good living from freelance writing, although it can be a hard life. As well as finding the high paying markets, you also have to come to terms with working to a deadline and often writing about subjects that just don’t interest you at all. Mastering new technology, such as WordPress, is something that many of us just aren’t comfortable with, and then of course, there are those difficult and demanding editors. Marketing yourself and making a name for yourself takes hard work, perseverance and a firm commitment.

However, assuming you are prepared to put in the hard work, you literally have unlimited earning potential as a freelance writer, and earning a six figure income may not be easy, but it is certainly realistic. So the answer to the question does freelance writing pay well? is yes it certainly can; and for e answers to more questions like this, follow us.

Why Norway Is The Best Country For Writers

Are you struggling with that one book that doesn’t want to sell? Maybe it’s about time you shipped sales over to Norway. They say Norway is a country where every writer has a chance to earn a Neurosurgeon’s salary, and here are some pretty good reasons why.

Norway’s oil boom raised per capita income which in layman means everyone has great purchasing power. Coincidentally, the standards of living in the country are higher than Manhattan’s with a can of soda costing as much as $6 in a local store. All public universities in the country are free to attend and adult literacy level is a whopping 100%. It’s quite evident Norwegians are avid readers; it’s possible to meet a truck driver holding a copy of Oliver Twist.

The Norwegian government has invested heavily in local culture, part of these move geared towards promoting a reading culture in the country. Every book published by a Norwegian author is required by government to appear in the National Library provided it passes the standard quality control measures. To be specific, the Norwegian Government purchases 1000 copies from the author and stock them to the national library. National libraries are also undergoing a process of digitization meaning every book in the country will be available for reading to the public. The books will not be downloadable and any request for a hard copy title means purchasing it straight from a book store.

Norwegian publishing companies control all the book stores in the country and the Government does not allow discounting of book prices so as to protect local authors from subsidizing websites like Amazon. Every Norwegian author has direct support from the government and has a stipend that sustains them till retirement age.

So, if these are the odds local Norwegian authors have in their own country, what chances would you have entering the market as an International Publishing author? Provided it’s quality literature that the country will enjoy, the government is fully behind you. Once you get over the translation hurdle, you have a good market price for your books, guaranteed purchase of first 1000 copies, and a stable income till you age.

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Tips For Successful Book Cover Design

Authors pour their hearts and souls into their books. They’ve spent countless hours over a keyboard whipping characters and plots into shape. Once the story is done, authors want people to read their story. The book cover design entices people to buy and read the book. Without a great cover design the book will languish on the shelf. No one will click on it online.

When starting the design process begin with a vague concept. Don’t be too stringent in the beginning. For instance, your idea should be a couple sitting on a park bench rather than an old gray haired couple sitting on a park bench eating ice cream. Review available stock photos before limiting the concept.

Don’t show too much of your character. Studies have shown that readers like to build their own character image. One of the problems with converting books to movies is the actor doesn’t match the visual image of the reader, and the movie will bomb. Let your reader build her own mental image of the protagonist.

Keep the cover image strong, simple and symbolic. People scan a web page or walk past a bookshelf. They don’t stop and work out the details. The cover needs to jump off the shelf, and grab the buyer’s attention. Romance novels use scantily clad men and women on the cover. They possess flat stomachs and big chests. The consumer won’t notice high cheekbones and blue eyes.

Do research. Look at other published books in your genre. Pay attention to the covers being used by the top sellers in your genre. Walk the aisles in bookstores or look at covers online. Notice which ones grab your attention. Model your concept around what works.

A few technical concepts to consider when using pictures for the book cover. Determine the copyright of the picture before you send it to the printer. Look for common market pictures. Make sure the objects in the picture have crisp edges, and the photo is in focus.

The book cover grabs the buyer’s attention. Keep the book cover design simple, but attractive.

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How Writing Erotic Fiction Can Make You Money

Despite the glamorous and artistic image that comes to mind with a career as an author, writing fiction for pay is serious work. This is also the case when writing for the adult industry. The process can certainly engage writers creatively, but it can also be a strain on the eyes and the mind. Dispelling a few misconceptions is helpful in learning how to make money writing erotic fiction. It also helps writers learn to develop realistic expectations.

One major misconception is that anything of high quality will sell. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Publications will only buy a piece if it is what they want. If a publisher wants a lesbian story, for example, a fabulous piece starring gay male characters or a heterosexual couple will land in the rejection pile. This means it is often necessary for writers to shelve their current ideas for the demands of the publishers.

Another mistaken belief is that flexibility and freedom are granted to writers who have impressed a publisher. The truth is that these writers are still expected to meet the demands and specifications set by the publishers. Publications requesting specific elements will want to see those in all submissions, and that includes fiction from authors who have previously pleased them. Writers who try to submit only what they want will alienate the publishing houses. Adherence to deadlines is also critical for all writers despite previous successes and accolades.

Authors might also want to address any false assumptions about the earnings that are likely with writing erotic fiction. Lavish payouts are more fantasy than reality for most authors. While successful writers can get respectable pay for eBooks, shorter pieces are faster to produce and will often yield a better pay rate per word.

The key to realistic expectations is to understand the role that money plays within the publishing houses. Publishers have determined what will sell, and they set their demands accordingly. Creative authors can, however, find ways to apply individuality and imagination within the parameters of their assignments. This is the best way to achieve financial and artistic rewards.

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