Top-notch advice from veteran author and seasoned copywriter Bob Bly can be yours with his latest offering, Getting Started as a Freelance Writer. Bly, best known for his straight-shooting style and down-to-brass-tacks advice, is at his best here as he offers sage advice and wisdom accumulated during his long career at the top of the freelance business. He believes that a writer with average abilities and modest ambitions can get published and make up to $1,000 a week or more as a freelance writer. Sound good? Read on.

Getting Started as a Freelance Writer covers the gamut of freelance writing tasks, You can learn how to start, run, and build your freelance writing business doing whatever kind of writing you prefer-and you can avoid mistakes others make by reading this book. Contents cover:

• Things you need to know and do before you begin-upfront money, logos, letterhead, business cards, basics of online research, reference books you need to have, organizations worth joining, Websites for writers, and other basics.
• Entry-level assignments-how to get started, setting and negotiating fees, knowing your market, writing winning queries, choosing clips and more.
• Self-promotion-learn how to market to and network effectively with editors, prospective customers, and fellow writers, glean PR tips and discover new venues for promotion.
• Earn big bucks-deciding what to charge, writing copy that sells, beginner tips, creating a Web site, online promotion, blogging and more. Best of all, Bly tells it like it is-not only does he share the best tips and tricks, he'll also tell you how to handle dissatisfied clients, how to find affordable help, overcoming writer's block and some of the worst jobs beginning writers should avoid.