There’s no money in poetry, but then there’s no poetry in money either.
Robert Graves
A good friend of mine told me she doesn’t know why I try so hard to write poetry and short stories because there’s no money in either of those pursuits. And she’s right there are very few successful short story writers or poets. But since I love both of those forms I continue to try and make money at them. But there comes a time when reality in the form of bills, debts, and vacation plans throws water on my writing life. I am going to actively try the freelance magazine route for the rest of the year. That means sending out queries religiously and finding my writing niche. Now when I see a market that doesn’t pay or only in contributor copies I cross it off. A girls got to eat! My goal for the week is sending out five queries, now for the professional freelance writer that is probably a days work or a mornings, for me it seems insurmountable. If you’re trying to make a living as a writer, what can you do today to make that happen. Think about it, make a list and then get back to work. I’ll keep you posted.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
How do you even start that? Where’s the list of people to query? I hear that agents are the only way – is that true?
Flash fiction is getting more and more popular – maybe there’s still hope for the money.
I’m using The Best of the Magazine Markets for Writers 2006 but there’s lots of daily freelance newsletter you can get for free. With your experiences in France I bet you could write amazing personal essays and sell them.