December 2007

Thinking about creating an ebook but don’t want to make a big financial investment? Not tech-savvy? Try CutePDF. They offer a free version that is very easy to use, even for a novice. Unlike many software programs for ebook creation, theirs is very user-friendly. Best of all, the CutePDF Writer version is completely free. If you want to invest in a more professional version, they offer a free trial for that, but the Writer version is freeware (not just a trial).

If you plan to earn your living selling ebooks, it’s probably a good idea to invest in their Professional version. For creating a give-away ebook, or to just try your hand at creating an ebook for the first time, the free version of CutePDF is an excellent (and easy to use) choice.

I made the investment in the paid version, because in addition to creating ebooks, it’s a good way to turn regular documents into PDF docs for sending invoices or samples of articles to clients. Makes it easy to put a watermark on a document, too. But I do recommend trying out the free version before you decide to invest in a paid version of anything. You may be perfectly happy with the free version and feel no need to upgrade.

On spec (writing a piece with no guarantee of publication or payment) used to just apply to print magazines. Now that many of us are working online, the whole on spec concept is leaking into the online writing job pool. You’ve seen the requests: “Write an article about ______ and if we like it we’ll buy it.” Every time I see one of these types of ads, I cringe. Here’s why:

We’re giving them something for nothing.

Based on the number of responses (usually a few hundred) I get every time I post a freelance writing job online, I’m guessing at least 50 people write articles and send them into these job posters only to never hear back.

We’re opening up the door for scams.

The online medium makes it easy for anybody to place an ad and post these types of requests with the intent of stealing content.

They’re preying on the inexperience of new writers.

Many freelancers desperate for work fall for these offers because they feel a chance at a job is better than no job at all. As a freelancer your time is valuable, and you should be paid for the work you do just as you would in any other profession.

They’re insulting us.

You wouldn’t ask 5 architects to draw up a choice of floor plans and then only pay for the one you like. Why should you spend hours writing articles for a client so he can only pay you for the one he wants? If he doesn’t like any of them, you might not get paid at all.

So, should we ever?

I won’t do it, but I’m not saying no freelancer ever should. I’m simply saying know what you’re getting into. If you decide to work on spec, don’t just blindly send your work into an anonymous address on craigslist. Find out all you can about the publication. Send a query first (if possible) to determine whether your idea is even something the publication would want. If they tell you to go ahead on an on spec basis, and you want to take a shot at it, at least you know you’re taking a risk that your work might not be used or paid for.

Question for all of you:

Do you work on spec? I’d love to know your opinions and experiences.

This isn’t exactly writing related, but it’s for a good cause to support one of my pro bono writing clients, so please indulge me in this non-writing-related post.

Frames for a Future: an auction to benefit children with AIDS
RIGHT NOW through December 7
Click here for the auction.

The American Foundation for Children with AIDS put a call out for artists to decorate one-of-a-kind frames to raise money for their efforts in helping children with AIDS, and the frames are now being auctioned off on ebay. All proceeds from the auction will go directly to the children, to buy lifesaving medicine for these children with HIV and AIDS, many of whom are orphans. The AFCA is a non-profit charity whose work I personally admire, and I hope this auction will provide them with the extra funds they need to continue the awesome work they do.

Not only will the money raised from the auction support a good cause, but the frames will make great holiday gifts. Some of the frames are absolutely gorgeous. They’re all hand-designed, unique and completely original. Artists around the world put a lot of love and talent into these frames, all for a great cause this holiday season. Click here to check out the frames. They’ll make you smile, even if you can’t afford to make a bid.

For all of you who have your own blogs, if you want to do a good turn for someone else this week, consider linking to this auction and encouraging your readers to do the same. These poor kids can use any help they can get.

Link to the auction: http://stores.ebay.com/Support-a-Charity_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ0QQftidZ2QQtZkm
Link to the American Foundation for Children with AIDS website:
http://helpchildrenwithaids.org/
Link to their blog:
http://helpchildrenwithaids.blogspot.com/2007/12/frames-for-future-auction-at-ebay-to.html

Make sure to stop by http://write-from-home.com to catch this month’s ezine edition, which contains four fabulous articles, 20 paying markets and 5 writing contests.

Rejection: One Step Away From Success
By Julie Bloss Kelsey

Every writer endures rejection. The unprofessional writer rages at the editor. The insecure writer hangs her head in shame. The successful writer dusts off her ego and reworks her material. Click here to read more.

Freelance Writing Scams - Don’t Become Another Victim
By Jessica Mousseau

Ultimately, much like anything else in life, you can never be “too” careful. At the height of the Laray Carr/Write Media scam, the need for heightened precautions by freelance professionals (writers, editors and graphic designers), is apparent. Click here for the full article.

8 Reasons Why POD Worked For Me
By John Lister

The repeated warnings about print-on-demand publishing are perfectly valid. Those hoping to make a comfortable living, achieve credibility in the literary world, or prove conventional publishing agents wrong are likely to be sorely disappointed. But in very specific circumstances, POD publishing can work. Click here to read the rest of this article.

Failure-Tolerant Leadership for Writers and Others
By Jeanne Dininni

As writers, we all share one ultimate goal: Whether we freelance, provide copy for our employers, donate our writing services to churches or other non- profits, share our hearts and/or insights through our blogs, or simply write for our own enjoyment, our dream is to be successful in our chosen area of endeavor. For the full article, click here.

Compiled by Jodee Redmond

Precision Manufacturing
Distributed to more than 7,000 manufacturing job shops in Minnesota and area. Standard rate is $100 per page; paid on publication.
Visit mpma.com or e-mail beth (at) mpma.com to learn more.

The Traders’ Magazine
Current needs: How-to techniques on trading the markets. We always need basic articles on indicators. Payment based on a flat rate per published page exclusive of ad space, but including supplied art, tables, programs. $3 per column inch (2-column format) or $2 per column inch (3-column format), with a $50 minimum for 1,500-3,000 words. Query or submit complete manuscript, either by email or on disk. Please include cover letter giving an overview of the article and a four-line personal bio to be included at the end of the article. If querying first, you will be sent a copyright form to sign and send back when you send the article itself.
Visit traders.com or e-mail editor (at) traders.com for more information.

Ag Journal
Current needs: “Stories on prominent people in agriculture, their farms or ranches, their families and their ideas for the future. We need relevant (dollars and cents) articles about agriculture.” Pays $1.50 per column inch. 250 word min and 2000 word max. Submit query by email to ag-edit (at) centurytel.net.
Visit agjournalonline.com for more information.

For the full list of paying markets for December, click here.

Compiled by Jodee Redmond

Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival
Poetry (any style) and short fiction (1,500 words or less) may be entered in the contest. First prize is $350; second prize is $250 for each category.
Guidelines at: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/2007festival/experience/writingcontest

Red Bubble Writing and Art Competition
Poems and very short stores (under 500 words) may be submitted for consideration. Photographs, digital images, painting, and illustrations can also be entered. The theme of the contest is “In The Moment.”
Guidelines at: http://www.redbubble.com/publication/competition/writing/Writing%20and%20Art%20Competition? gclid=CNeZp82Q6Y8CFTyKOAodEz4bMg

Dame Lisbet Throckmorton Fiction Writing Contest
Short fiction entries must be postmarked by January 31, 2008. Prizes range from $500.00-$50.00.
Guidelines at: http://coffeehousefiction.com/submission.php

Visit write-from-home.com for the full ezine edition for December, as well as for back issues from the past 12 months. That’s right folks, the write-from-home.com ezine is one year old this month. Yahoo! (Not as in, “do you yahoo?” but as in a less country version of yeehaw or a less cheerleader version of hip-hip-hooray.) A huge thank you to all of you who read the ezine, as well as this blog.