The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Freelance Writer in Six Months or Less

Think about it. Over the past several thousand years, how many writers have been well-fed? Relatively few. That's the bad news. The good news is that in the so-called Age of Information, there are more and better opportunities for writers than at any prior time in history. Bowerman's primary objective is correctly indicated in the book's subtitle: He suggests how to achieve financial self-sufficiency as a freelance writer in six months or less. After a well-written Introduction (which we would logically expect from an expert on writing), Bowerman organizes his material within 15 chapters which range from "An Enviable Lifestyle" to "The Home Stretch." He then provides three appendices, any one of which is worth much more than the price of the book. Appendix A consists of sales letters, a sample contract, a sample brochure, and a sample direct mail piece; Appendix B offers various writing samples; Appendix C is "For Women Only" and includes interviews with "At-Home Moms" writers.Here in a single volume is about all the information and advice anyone would need who is thinking about or who has already embarked on freelance writing. Many years ago, a professional writer was asked about how he gets started: "I sit there and stare at a blank sheet of paper and wait until beads of blood begin to appear on my forehead." Today's writer probably stares at a computer screen. Point One: writing is easy but re-writing is VERY HARD WORK It requires great self-discipline. Point Two: Getting someone to pay for what has been written is also VERY HARD WORK. Self-promotional skills are at least as important as writing/re-writing skills. These are my two points of emphasis with which, presumably, Bowerman agrees. He fully understands the importance of both kinds of skills. His is not a writer's manual, per se. It's greatest value really is derived from his observations, strategies, and tactics with regard to achieving "financial self-sufficiency through freelance writing." Keep in mind, that may take more than six months. Hemingway once explained that he wrote "to get it out." Almost all of the great authors of fiction wrote because they had to and most of them struggled to pay their bills. Few became (and then remained) solvent and even fewer became wealthy. Let's get it straight right now. Do you feel compelled to write? Why? Or would you merely "like to write"? I have yet to meet anyone (including homeless people) opposed to financial self-sufficiency. Let's all assume that it is desirable. Let's also assume that you feel compelled to write and are willing (preferably determined) to make and then sustain a commitment to rigorous preparation. Finally, let's assume that (with talent as well as compulsion and commitment) you produce work worthy of compensation. Now what? Bowerman thoroughly answers that question. Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Strunk and White's Elements of Style, King's On Writing (yes, that King), Zinnser's On W

With more than 13 years experience as a Freelance Commercial Writer, I labored under the impression there was little I could learn about marketing my business. Shortly after starting Peter Bowerman's book I realized my mistake.Experience taught me the key to longevity was marketing. Yet, starting with Chapter 5 I discovered a bevy of clever marketing tips. Even those marketing ideas I employed -- praised by clients as never seen prior -- were not only described but embellished with unanticipated levels of sophistication. I found myself scribbling notes in the margins and on the back cover so each nugget would not be lost.Whether you are considering a freelance writing career or are a wizened veteran, this book details a system which can lead to freelance writing's motherlode.

Bowerman's "The Well-Fed Writer" is, in a word, indispensable. This fellow knows his stuff -- and knows that freelancers or would-be freelancers need to know the behind-the-scenes, niggling little details that DO make a difference. I truly wish I'd had the author's insights some 14 years ago, when I ventured out into the freelance sea. Bowerman takes a refreshingly practical, often humorous approach, to his subject. He provides specifics, not mere generalities. And he actually indicates HOW to do certain things -- from covers letters to thank you follow-ups to how to craft a brochure that sells, not tells. Amazing stuff! I found myself almost announcing out loud, "Wow! This guy is validating SO much of what I've thought, felt, experienced and anguished over in this often crazy world of freelancing." I'm a journalist as well as a commercial or business writer. So I'm used to being objective. To challenging conventional wisdom. Yet, honestly? I can't find a single thing about "The Well-Fed Writer" I found even marginally sub-standard. To not read this book, if you're serious about feelance writing, is like claiming you're well-versed in Christianity without ever having read the Bible. I hope that last line doesn't embarrass the book's author. But, darn, it just happens to be true.Paul Chimera Buffalo, New York

This book deserves more than five stars for its ability to handle the subject well from a variety of necessary perspectives . . . to entertain, to inform, and to shed light on how to be more successful with any at-home business. From how to get your first job, to handling all types of writing assignments and clients, to getting paid, you will find everything you need here to avoid the most dangerous traps of an at-home professional.I started my management consulting firm part-time at home in 1976, and it took me many years to learn all the lessons that are outlined in this excellent book. My only personal regret is that he did not write a book focused solely on being a well-fed business book author. In fairness to Mr. Bowerman, I should tell you that he does give good insights into how to get assignments writing business books as a ghost writer. With the title of the book, Mr. Bowerman shows why he is in the right profession. He writes punchy, compelling copy. That style accentuates the messages from his clear, well-organized mind about seeing freelance commercial writing as a business. He makes a good case for being able to earn $35-$85 an hour (depending on the type of work you do) for 20+ hours a week. If you want to earn more, you can. I found his claim of being able to get up to financial self-sufficiency in six months to be credible if you live in a reasonably large metropolitan area. Many people thinking about becoming professional writers are nervous about their skills. Mr. Bowerman does an excellent job of pointing out that clients don't write as well as you do now. He also directs you to the types of assignments that are easiest for a new freelancer to handle such as brief product brochures for small companies. If you are like me, you will be most impressed with the business system parts of the book. How do you get clients? How much do you charge? How do you get paid? How do you follow up to get repeat business? How do you handle dry spells? How do handle having too much work? In each case, he has found a simple system that anyone could comfortably follow. To make things even easier, he has included samples of his marketing materials, his samples that he shares with prospective clients, and provided sources of lists. Since he is a male, he also took the time to interview some women freelancers who work at home in Appendix C.The only limitation that I saw to his approach was that it will be easiest to pursue by someone living in or near a large city. He lives in Atlanta, for example. Many of the opportunities he describes will not exist in a small town with little local business. So the income opportunities will be much less. The book would have benefited from a section on how to do distance freelancing. The challenge there is in getting jobs, since the system described here depends a lot on face-to-face meetings.If you are seriously interested in freelance commercial writing, part time or full time, I encoura

Having been involved in freelancing and publishing for a number of years, I found Bowerman's book refreshingly different from the rest of the writer's "how-to" genre. Bowerman's book was easily the best book I have ever read on the subject of commmercial freelancing. The book is extremely practical; Bowerman does an outstanding job of leading the reader from the basics of the industry, to getting started, and finally to managing the daily routines of running the business. If I had to refer an aspiring commercial writer to one source only, The Well-Fed Writer would be that source. It is by far the most valuable book in the field I have ever seen.