Freelance Writer

Writing is my passion. I have been a university lecturer for the past few years, and am considering the acquisition of a qualification as a journalist over the coming years, hoping to make it my livelihood eventually.
I realize it will be wise to do this gradually, and only let go of my current profession as the new one catches on.
I am only wondering whether a journalist’s earnings would actually be enough to live on eventually.
Are there any journalists here who could give me insight?
Thank you.

First off, get a copy of Writer’s Market. It’ll be an invaluable resource.

http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Market-2008/dp/1582974969/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199912440&sr=8-1

If you can get yourself a unique niche or find a publication that wants to use you as a regular freelancers, it’ll be a lot easier to make a living freelancing. Magazines and journals will be the best source of income, though they can be tough to break into – once you have a reputation, though, it’s possible to find publications that will pay in the thousands of dollars per article for larger pieces.

Newspapers may pay less in general, but can be a steady source of income while you’re establishing yourself.

I am a Politics undergraduate hoping to break into journalism. I already have some experience working for papers, but want to start writting freelance. Is there anyway to get started without joining up to a costly website?
Also are there any good free resources for freelancers?
Again thank you for your "interesting" words Wolf H. I see you failed to understand my other posting. Everything I said was completely legitimate. If you do not wish to discuss things seriously don’t answer my questions. If you feel I am wrong in anything I have said please feel free to correct me using your powers of reasoning. If you merely wish to insult me, don’t bother as you obviously don’t have the mental capacity to sustain a logical or coherent argument.

Have a word with these people, the National Union of Journalists.

http://www.nuj.org.uk/

journalism.co.uk

that’s a well known journalism website and I believe there is something that freelancers can sign up to. They also have a links page which may well be useful to you too.

What is minimum requirements to join. Thanks.

try looking up freelance journalist groups on the internet

sourcewire.com/journalist

www.responsesource.com/journalist

www.freelancejournalist.co.uk

hope these help

work but I am looking for more internship type possibilities to add to my resume. I am an English major in college and the local papers have already filled their spots for their summer programs

I found an internship for a Marketing/Public Relations Position for the local Opera company. Should I apply? I know I want to write or be an editor for a magazine so would this position be way too off base from Cosmo, Seventeen, etc?

You should certainly apply… internships fill up fast. Even if it’s not exactly what you want to be doing professionally, it will help you make connections. Everything is about networking these days.

Do they work through agencies that deal with it or is it done independently?

http://www.freelanceuk.com/find-a-freelancer/journalists

Right its a combination, the above link is just one of the ways its done.

journalist should be haviing good command over english and tamil languages. And should have done some projects in this field. Shooting location is in india( chennai).
urgently needed . drop mails.
golemale@yahoo.co.in

You can find many high caliber professional journlists from the site www.freelanceindia.com.It has journlists in english and tamil based in chennai

Yeah, because I’m only 12 and have decided to be a Freelance writer, but can I do another job too, because Freelance doesn’t give you a steady pay.

You can do anything you want. Being a doctor and a freelance writter would be good because you could write in your spare time…. you never know how much pay you will recieve, it could pay good, especially since you are setting your heart to it now.

Also, how hard for a freelance journalist?

thankssss!

Thousands want to and therefore the only way is to start local or in smaller magazines and work your way up!!

I am an established freelance and as such am recognized and sell easily to some publications but still have to work hard to break into others!!

Hi, I’m interested in starting freelance journalism as a side job. I understand the process of submitting stories and such, but how do you go about getting the story? Do you guys get it yourselves or from news feeds or both? I’m looking more towards international news. Thanks. People with experience in this should answer this question.

I think that you have gotten some really good answers so far. I’d just like to add a few thoughts of my own. I got my start freelancing video for the local tv stations. They can’t be everywhere and sometimes they just don’t have people on duty to catch breaking news. I lived on the edge of the viewing area and was easily able to get to stories sometimes before the stations even knew about them.
Over time I got a reputation for being able to identify good spots news and bad spots news and started to sell a lot of video. It wasn’t long before they started calling me when they were shorthanded or knew I could make it to a scene before they could.
If that’s the route you want to take get a scanner, basic camera or video gear, a map and a cell phone and you’re ready to go.
Here are just a couple of basic rules.
1. Don’t oversell the story. If there is nothing to it, say there is nothing too and wait for the next one. It will help you build credibility.
2. Don’t consider information on the scanner to be accurate. Calls have a nasty habit of starting big and then scaling back.
Get accurate info from someone in authority at a scene, police, fire or medic.
3. When dealing with authorities at a scene you will always catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. This is for getting scene access and information. (Work with them and they will work with you……most of the time)
4. Don’t sweat it when you miss a story. You don’t catch every fish when you go fishing. Stories are like buses, there will be another one along in about 20 minutes.
5. Always be ready to cover a story. Remember that the spot news business is not a matter of if but when.
Good luck and more importantly have fun.