Comments on: New segment: SpecialtyBuzz!

By: Jenn Escalona

Jenn Escalona — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:14:23 +0000

Naomimimi – I’m glad you are interested in textbook writing, because John Soares will be one of the first featured interviewees on SpecialtyBuzz. Stay tuned!

Bumbles – You guys have an excellent general interest blog right now, so I’m betting that you could easily turn your hand to any specialty you might like to try. I hope the various upcoming SpecialtyBuzz authors will intrigue you.

By: Bumbles

Bumbles — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:25:48 +0000

This is something I have been thinking about. I’m not sure what exactly I could specialize in – but just know that I love to write. I guess what would be most important to me would be to find a segment that I really enjoyed that would allow for lots of learning so I wouldn’t become bored, but that would provide me a niche in which to become proficient. Looking forward to your future commentary!

By: Naomimimi

Naomimimi — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:12:31 +0000

I would love tips for breaking into college textbook writing like John Soares was talking about. How to start, where to find jobs, getting your foot in the door, etc.

As a 28 year old with a driving love for writing and education, it seems like I keep returning to that as a career that would fit my passions.

By: John Soares

John Soares — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:42:50 +0000

Jenn, let me know how you would like to proceed. Feel free to e-mail me.

By: Just Another Manic Tuesday Link Post » The Life and Times of a Freelance Writer

Tue, 19 May 2009 14:34:38 +0000

[...] New segment: SpecialtyBuzz! [...]

By: Jenn Escalona

Jenn Escalona — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:29:43 +0000

Thanks for stopping by, John. As a perennial college student, your area of expertise is very interesting to me. I would love to learn more about how you got started and hear any tips you have for prospective textbook supplement authors. I imagine you get to work in many fields, which would spice things up a bit. Thank you for volunteering for SpecialtyBuzz!

Jennifer, I completely agree that almost nothing recommends a freelancer like long and varied experience. I wonder if you have anymore advice for aspiring health care writers and if so, would you be interested in an interview with SpecialtyBuzz? For example, I wonder if health care freelancers generally work or have worked in the health care field or if that isn’t necessary.Thanks for your comment!

By: Jennifer L

Jennifer L — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:10:33 +0000

I have written about a wide variety of topics during my career as a writer. I’ve covered business topics like transportation and logistics, marketing and advertising, and home sales, but I’ve also covered education. But the one area that I’ve covered the longest and for the most clients is health care, so I consider myself to be a specialist in that arena. It helps to have a long background in one area, too, because it gives you some gravitas when you’re trying to convince a new client to take you on.

By: John Soares

John Soares — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:41:58 +0000

Hello Jenn. I’m definitely a specialist. I’ve focused on writing college textbook supplements — instructor’s manuals, test questions, study guide, lecture outlines, Internet exercises — for the last 15 years.

I strongly advise freelance writers to specialize. It’s best to pick a field where clients need a lot of freelancers and also have the budgets to pay them. (The major college textbook publishers are all in the billion-dollar-plus company worth range.)

Writers can also do other projects that correspond to their interests. For example, I’ve done some travel and outdoors writing, and I have two hiking guides in print. I have a friend who is a successful copywriter but also has a very successful fly fishing blog.

And I’m definitely open to being interviewed.