Review of
Writing for Profit:
Break Into Magazines

Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson © (All Rights Reserved)
Author: Cheryl Wright
61  Pages

 Do Your Homework: A Career Is in the Making

Yes, You Can Support Yourself with Your Writing

Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, MyShelf.com  columnist and author of THIS IS THE PLACE, HARKENING: A COLLECTION OF STORIES REMEMBERED, TRACINGS and THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T with THE FRUGAL EDITOR: PUT YOUR BEST BOOK FORWARD TO AVOID HUMILIATION AND ENSURE SUCCESS to be released summer of 2007.

Madonna may think all girls wanna do is have a little fun, but writers know that all they wanna do is write.

And to do that, most of us need to write for profit. Veteran writer and editor Cheryl Wright to the rescue. Writing For Profit: Break into Magazines is a book firmly niched for writers who are tired of writing fiction by screen-glow at midnight and then trouncing off to the office for more, less creative screen duty early the next morning. It is a book that will be welcomed by the writing student who is taught writing technique but finds courses on the business of writing nonexistent or lacking.

It is also a book for people who are homebound -- stay at home mothers or fathers of young children, those who are physically challenged or ill, perhaps those with personality disorders who are looking for something productive and creative to build a career on. It is for people looking for a career that works from home.

The introduction -- sort of a mini-memoir by the author -- makes it very clear that writing is waiting to fill the bill. It also makes it clear that Wright is the person to tell these want to be writers how to do it. And that want to be is not said derogatorily. Bless all those who want to be writers. It is a glorious profession and Wright shows even naysayers that it can be done.

That makes Writing for Profit both a book of inspiration and a handy, basic, easy-to-follow handbook.

Especially good is Wright's extensive explanation of how query letters work -- a craft all its own and one that is essential for all writers who want to publish but especially those who will need to make a living at it. It is complete with basic suggestions for tracking queries. Wright includes some ideas that may even surprise seasoned freelancers. She even includes a sample release for models.

In other words, this is a small book full of the nitty-gritty information a writer needs with just enough encouragement (by example) to keep someone at it long enough to make a career in writing work.

Readers should know that Wright also offers Magazine Markets for Freelance Writers at no cost to those who purchase Writing for Profit. That is certainly a welcome and essential addition, a perfect package.

In the meantime, celebrate that Wright has written this book that can be read in an afternoon (well, OK, an afternoon and evening if you're underlining as I did!). Lacking a full course, it should be required reading for any student taking a course in nonfiction, magazine or freelance writing.

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson also writes the "Back to Literature" column for MyShelf.com , movie reviews for the Glendale News-Press and was formerly with Good Housekeeping Magazine and the Salt Lake Tribune. THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T won USA Book News’ "Best Professional Book 2004." and the Irwin Award; her new book, THE FRUGAL EDITOR: PUT YOUR BEST BOOK FORWARD TO AVOID HUMILIATION AND ENSURE SUCCESS, would make a fine, practical companion to Writing for Profit.

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