This has happened too many times. I flip through a magazine and find that some stranger has written an article about me. My crazy commute, the funny thing my kid did at the store, the smothered potatoes that came out just right. It’s all there for anyone to read.
In reality, the article is not about my life, but it could have been. The author is not weaving tales about my kids, but she could have been.
Kerry McLoughlin has the answer for every mom who has ever read a magazine article and thought, I could have written that. That’s not to say that getting published is easy.
Get Published In Parenting & Family Magazines: Make Money to Write About Your Kids! is packed with the tools necessary for anyone who wants to break into regional parenting magazines and beyond. McCoughlin, a freelance writer and homeschooling mom of five, shows you how to generate ideas, submit articles for publication, and launch an author website.
What I really liked about the book was the simple, doable steps to publication. Make Money is not weighed down with jargon. Any industry terms are quickly explained (i.e. query, sidebar, exclusivity, etc.). McLoughlin includes samples of her query letters, cover letters, invoices, etc. Readers will benefit from example documents from someone who is actually in the business.
True to her belief that you should get paid for your work, McLoughlin includes a detailed list of paying markets by region. If you’ve ever tried to pin down local markets, you can appreciate the value of such a list.
After reading this book, you should know how to:
- Submit your articles to regional parenting magazines
- Track, invoice, and market your writing submissions
- Create a reprint list of articles that can generate repeat income
- Professionalize your writing efforts
I would definitely recommend Make Money to Write About Your Kids! to a friend. Purchase of the ebook includes free updates as they occur, as well as the annual updated edition. Ready to pick up your copy?
McLoughlin recently began offering article critiques at a phenomenal rate—a service that I plan to take advantage of very soon. Check out her site.
One lucky reader will win a copy of Make Money to Write About Your Kids! To enter, respond to one or all of the questions below in the comments section. For bonus entries, give us a Like on Facebook and a Follow on Twitter. Be sure to come back and note the Like/Follow in the comments section. You can also enter by sending an email to info [at] bookwormmama [dot] com. The winner will be announced Monday, June 25.
So if you were to write an article about your day, what would the title be? Have you ever considered a career as a freelance writer? What are your kids up to that belongs in print?
Thanks for this great review! I really appreciate. Good luck to all who enter. Now … back to writing!
@mommykerrie
Thanks for swinging by Kerrie.
What a great giveaway! Yes, I have definitely considered free lance writing, but am not sure where to start so this would be perfect!
@johannahanson
Thanks for entering Johanna. Check out Kerrie’s website for help getting started. http://www.getpublishedparentingmags.com/
Best of luck with your writing.
Following you on Twitter!
i have never considered being a freelance writer
@gkuroda
Thanks gkuroda.
I have always wondered about writing freelance.
@VonOwens
Thanks Von. I bet you would make a great freelancer.
I’d love to write about our crazy adventure of adopting kids who were 9 and 11 and spoke no English! It’s been a really great, but really interesting journey! Someday, I’d love to write a book called Adoption: The Good, The Bad, The Hysterical!
@LisaJoyThompson
Thanks LisaJoy. No English? That must have been one wild ride. Great book title.
@LisaJoyThompson Oh man Lisa, I bet you have some crazy stories!
I follow on Twitter!
I just realized I haven’t entered yet! I would love to win!
@way2gomom
Thanks Joanna. I learned a lot from this book..
And the winner is…
Pause: I learned of Rafflecopter after posting this contest. Rafflecopter is a service that collects entries and randomly selects a winner. I am actually using it for my current giveaway of a 16X20 rolled canvas print. http://bookwormmama.com/uprinting-canvas-printing-giveaway/
To keep things fair, I put all the entries in a hat, including the email entries, and had my daughter pick out a name. She is now playing with the strips of paper as I write.
And the winner is way2gomom. I’ll be in touch shortly.
Thanks everyone for participating.