I was recently contacted by a literary agency who represent bestselling authors and are interested in representing a new author. A few weeks of working remotely and I had completed the first draft of a 50,000 word historical fiction romance. I was ecstatic about what I had accomplished in such a short amount of time, but also a little nervous about how I would manage to sell the book.
Let me tell you, it’s not as easy as it looks. Not all publishers are created equal, and getting your work into the hands of potential readers can be pretty challenging. Especially since I’m a first-time author with no connections or experience in the industry.
Before you start worrying about how to make money as a freelance writer, let me tell you about some of the things you might not have considered. Such as the fact that you’re competing with a lot of established writers for the attention of a relatively small market. And that not all publishers are open to submissions from freelancers.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
To begin with, the good. It’s always a good idea to get your work published. Even if you have to settle for a less prestigious house, at least you’ll have something to show for your efforts. And let’s be honest, being able to say you’ve been published is pretty cool. Believe it or not, some of the most prestigious literary agencies in existence have actually chosen to work with inexperienced writers who were eventually discovered through their social media platforms.
The bad. Getting your work published isn’t always as easy as it seems. As I mentioned above, not all publishers are created equal, and the fact that I’m not a well-known or established author doesn’t guarantee me that a publisher will even consider my submission. In the end, it was a matter of luck more than anything else that my submission was accepted and subsequently published by a reputable house. And even then, I had to compete with numerous other writers who also had their work published by that same house. Which leads me to my next point.
The Competition Is Stiff
If you’ve ever tried to sell anything on Ebay, then you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about when I say that the competition is stiff. Especially when it comes to finding customers who are willing to spend money on a book they’ve never heard of. Simply put, if you want to sell a book you’ve written, you’re going to have to do it yourself, via social media platforms or word of mouth. Which is a pain in the ass because it means you’re going to have to find readers who are interested in your work and aren’t afraid to purchase something that’s not well-known or established.
With all that said, it’s still possible to make money as a freelance writer if you’re determined enough and know how to navigate the system correctly. For example, here’s a good place to start if you’re interested in freelance writing:
Networking Is Everything
If you want to earn money as a freelance writer, it’s absolutely essential that you establish and maintain strong working relationships with other writers, editors, and literary agencies. Establishing these types of connections is relatively easy when you’re already working remotely. For example, I connected with a literary agent through Twitter, and have since had multiple conversations and exchanges about my work. Most importantly, I was able to get feedback on my manuscript and get suggestions for how to make it better.
The more connections you make, the better. Whether you’re establishing formal or informal relationships, make sure that you’re always looking for ways to improve your work and expand your potential audience. If you can.
Don’t Listen To Naysayers
There’s always going to be someone who doesn’t think that your work is good enough, or will tell you that you can’t make money writing. Ignore them. Seriously. Believe in yourself, and in your work. Even if you have to fight against the doubters, don’t let anyone stand in the way of you realizing your dreams.
The ugly. Money doesn’t always come easily or fast when you’re starting out, which is why it’s important to be prepared for the occasional lean period. Especially if you’re depending on freelance writing to support yourself. However, you should always have hope that your work will be recognized for its quality and will sell well enough to make up for any temporary financial hardships you might encounter. Remember, being a freelancer is a great way to build your portfolio as a writer and establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field. Which leads me to my last point.
It’s A Self-fulfilling Prophecy
If you want to become a successful freelance writer, it’s important to view your writing career as a stepping-stone to greater things. Many successful writers, including some of the most famous literary agents and authors, started out as unpaid interns until they were able to prove their worth to their employers. Even then, they often had to wait a long time before they were considered for a permanent position.
With enough hustle and dedication, you can absolutely become a successful freelance writer. Whether you decide to pursue traditional or digital publishing, just make sure that you’re always putting in the work to improve your craft and build your reputation. And don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. There’s a lot of support out there for new or would-be writers, as well as established and well-known ones. Which is why it’s important to establish as many relationships as possible within the industry. It’s also why it’s important to be confident in your abilities and work hard to prove to yourself and others that you can be successful at writing. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about you and what you believe in.