What Comes First - Writing or Finding a Market?
After many years I have finally made the decision to pursue my freelance writing ambition. I am however overwhelmed in where to start finally writing and sending queries. Do I pick the publication first and write to its sub. guide. or write first and then find pub. that fits. I have taken the last several months focusing on what genre’ my creativity works best with.
Thank you so much,
Amanda H.
Amanda, congratulations on your determination to get back to writing!
You can do it either way. If you’ve got an idea, it may make sense to do at least a little bit of research on where that idea might sell. This way you can shape the article for a specific publication. If you don’t have many credits yet, it may be best to write the whole article and submit it to your target publication on spec.
Once you have some credits, it’s easier to get queries accepted.
As a general rule, fiction will have to be completely written to sell it. Non-fiction can be done by query letter.
On the other hand, there are just times when you want to get the writing done, and market after that.
Think about where you are in your career and the best use of your time. Assuming your goal is to earn your living freelancing, managing your time becomes critical.
Write well and often,
Do you have a question about freelance writing? Ask it in a comment or via email to: anne@aboutfreelancewriting.com and put Q&A in the subject line.
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2 opinions for What Comes First - Writing or Finding a Market?
Brad Shorr
Dec 4, 2006 at 7:36 am
Here is some strategic advice on queries I stumbled on recently–wonder what you think of this!
http://tinyurl.com/ycpaua
Anne Wayman
Dec 4, 2006 at 9:29 am
I like it!
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