The Renegade Writer Blog

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Rebecca asks: I’m a writer who is just starting out, and also a stay at home mom. Thus far, I have queried 2 nationals with different story ideas. The first responded and asked for clips. I sent them, and then when I followed up, the editor replied saying she liked the idea but wouldn’t be […]

This fall I burned out — in a major way. I had tons of assignments due in August and September, and was psyched that I was going to spend all of October in Munich not working.
Well, after a month of café hopping, traveling around Germany, and meeting new people, I got home…and was still so […]

Elaine Grant worked as a magazine editor for several years, first for Ziff-Davis Publishing and then for Inc. Magazine, and she’s also a successful freelance writer for magazines like Inc., The Boston Globe, the Christian Science Monitor, Business Week, Audubon, New Age Journal, Natural Health, and more than 50 other trade and consumer magazines.
Elaine […]

Imagine you had a half-hour to ask Linda and Diana whatever you wanted about freelancing:

“I’m getting a lot of positive feedback from editors at women’s magazines, but no assignments. Is there anything else I can do to help my cause?”
“I’m bored writing about health and want to try my hand at travel writing. How can […]

Go ahead, I dare you: This week, ask at least one editor for a raise.
If you’ve been working with a magazine for a while, it may be time to ask for more money. I usually say something like, “I’ve written articles for your last six issues, and you and your readers seem to like my […]

We all have lists of things that bug us: The dog keeps jumping on the couch. My nails are a wreck. The coffeemaker is on the blink. I hate the “boing” noise my computer makes when an e-mail comes in. While they aren’t emergencies (except for the coffee maker), these little annoyances — called “tolerations” […]

My husband Eric, owner and editor of BoardgameNews.com, is holding his second annual Games for Soldiers drive. Until November 28, Eric is accepting donations of money and boardgames to be sent to units in Iraq and Afghanistan that he located through AnySoldier.com. Donated money will be used to buy games from a local store that […]

When an editor gives you a deadline of December 1, when do you need to actually turn the article in? Does it need to be in the editor’s inbox when he walks in with his cappuccino first thing in the morning? Is noon the best time? Is 5 pm too late? Or can you get […]

Denise Schipani has worked on the editorial staff at Child, American Baby, Bridal Guide, Zest (an English health and fitness magazine), and All Woman, and now, as a freelancer, she writes for Redbook, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Family Circle, and more. We’re so excited that Denise has agreed to teach Writing for the Women’s Markets […]