ABOUT THE BOOK

So, you want to become a professional writer?It might seem to be a daunting task, but luckily, it's more attainable than you think. Many publications, websites, and companies, from niche magazines to large corporations, hire professional writers. Much of the writing you read on the web, in fact, is done by professionalrs. If you have a flair for words, a responsible attitude, and persistence, this is a great way to develop your career or earn extra money on the side. If you're a skilled writer, getting professional writing work is not difficult; it's just a matter of knowing where to look for assignments, understanding how to get them, and delivering what you promise.

MEET THE AUTHOR

professional writer Vivian Wagner has wide-ranging interests, from technology and business to music and motorcycles. She writes features regularly for ECT News Network, and her work has also appeared in American Profile, Entrepreneur, Bluegrass Unlimited, and many other publications. She is also the author of Fiddle: One Woman, Four Strings, and 8,000 Miles of Music (Citadel 2010). For more about her, visit her website at vivianwagner.net.

EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK

professional writers just starting out are likely to make a few common mistakes. Here are a few you'll want to avoid:Expecting too much too soonIt will take time to develop your professional career, just as it takes time to develop any career. For a while, you'll just be establishing your professional identity, and then you might get a little work here and there. It won't be enough to pay the bills, at least at first, but that's to be expected. Stay committed and be persistent, and your professional writing will eventually pay dividends.Lacking confidenceYou might be afraid to start because you don't think you're qualified. You'll need to conquer that fear, however, and develop confidence in yourself and your abilities. As professionalr Anne Wayman argues in "6 professional Writing Careers and How to Overcome Them," on her site About professional Writing, "the bottom line is if you want to be a successful writer you've got to quit giving into your fears. You've got to write and submit or market and write. It simply won't get done any other way."Buy a copy to keep reading!