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Careers: Writing/Is there a lot of competition in the writing profession?

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Expert: - 1/3/2010


Question
QUESTION: Hi,

Is there a lot of competition in the writing profession?

Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi, Matthew!

This is sort of a loaded question. What KIND of writing? There are fiction writers, magazine writers, online bloggers, technical manual writers, etc. Lots of different kinds and each has their own levels of competition. What are you interested in doing?

Cathy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,

I'm particularly interested in freelancing. I've also contemplated writing a book (non-fiction and fiction).

What is the level of competition in these both of these fields? Is there more competition in writing a fictional book than non-fictional?

Thanks a lot.

P.S. Forgive me for the lateness of my reply.

Answer
Well, they're pretty much all competitive, and yet they're not at all. That's the thing with books and stories. If a book is terrific, the competition doesn't matter at all. A publisher will FIND a place for the book in their line. Freelance writing (articles in magazines specifically) are more competitive, because there are only so many issues a year and only so many pages per issue. So an article has to be focused like a laser on the magazine's target market. You can't just write an article and TRY to sell it. You have to understand the target reader and tell them something new. Even a tidbit of new information can sell an otherwise rehash of known info. It's all in the presentation.

I gave a workshop a while back about beginning a freelance career. Would you like me to send it to you? If so, just send a private follow-up with your email address. You'll have to add spaces between the parts or AllExperts will remove it for confidentiality. Just put it like this:

yourname at yahoo dot com

Or such.

Then I'll email you the lectures. :)

Hope that helps!

Cathy

Careers: Writing

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Volunteer

Cathy Clamp

Expertise

I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of writing articles, short stories and novels, from the beginning kernel of an idea through completion. I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology and acronyms. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication. I can teach the rules of formatting a manuscript, creating viable plots, characterization and flow in the following genres: romance, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, suspense, horror, women's fiction, mainstream and mystery. I can also answer questions about writing for major print magazines in the outdoor genre (hunting/fishing/boating/travel.)

Experience

I'm a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance for Tor/Forge Books . Along with a co-author, I've published fifteen mass market novels since 2004, and have contracts for four more books through 2011. I've also published more than two dozen feature articles in leading outdoor magazines.

Organizations
Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America, National Association of Legal Assistants.

Publications
Magazines--Guns & Ammo, Fur-Fish-Game, Rocky Mountain Game & Fish, Deer & Deer Hunting. Many others. Novels/Anthologies--Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing, BenBella Books, Running Press, Wild Child Publishing. Many others.

Education/Credentials
Published Author. Published Freelance Writer. Certified Paralegal with specialities in intellectual property (copyright, trademark, patent) and real estate.

Awards and Honors
USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, 2009, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.

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