Are you a reader like me?
Most writers are. There’s just something so inviting about the thought of curling up in front of a rolling fire, sipping tea and reading a good book. Well, at least that’s my happy place anyways!
But, even if you are a reader, you may not have ventured into it for the purposes of boosting your freelance writing career. If not, you are missing out!
In my opinion, you can never sit still as a freelancer writer. Sure, I’ve done pretty well in my freelance writing career so far, but could I take it further? Could I get better projects or higher-paying clients? Make more, but work less?
You bet I could, and that’s what I try to do each and every year…improve, improve and improve some more.
Regardless of where you’re at in your career – whether you’re just getting started or you’re a seasoned pro like me – there’s always a way to grow and expand. And that all starts with a little inspiration.
Want to take your freelance writing career to new heights? Here are 10 great books that can inspire you to do it.
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Stop Thinking Like a Freelancer by Liam Veitch
You might think it’s weird that this book encourages you to STOP thinking like a freelancer, but it’s actually spot-on advice. As freelancers, we’re trained to operate on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis, treading water between projects until we sign a new client or get a new retainer. It takes a long time to hone this skill, and though it may pay the bills eventually, it’s quite stressful to say the least. In this book, Liam Veitch shows you how to snap out of that “status quo” mindset and bust free of the freelancing traditions that are holding you back. 
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Freelance Writing Riches by Maggie Linders
I couldn’t leave this one out! The very book this blog is based around, Freelance Writing Riches, gives you insight into all aspects of a freelance writer’s career. You’ll learn how to get out of that 9-to-5 rut and transition into full-time writing; you’ll get tips on finding the best clients, providing top-notch work and, of course, making money, and you’ll even get valuable grammar no-nos, as well as countless other tips and tricks you can use on a daily basis. It’s a must-read for any budding writer!
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Epic Content Marketing by Joe Pulizzi
Most of us freelance writers may have dabbled in content marketing, through blogging, creating white papers or e-books, or even just crafting posts for social media. Thanks to the rise of SEO, the writing and marketing worlds have full-on collided, and the demand for these types of pieces will only grow in the coming years. Do yourself a favor and read this comprehensive primer on the topic from one of the top content marketers in the biz, Joe Pulizzi. The founder of the Content Marketing Institute, Pulizzi knows his stuff and his tips, tricks and advice are invaluable to any writer in this web-crazy world.
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On Writing by Stephen King
He might be the world’s most well-known horror writer, but scary stuff isn’t the only thing Stephen King knows. There was a day when King was just like you and I – fighting to make ends meet. He was submitting story after story, draft after draft, and failing to get the responses he wanted. On Writing reads like a master class on the written word. You learn about King’s career as a writer – from the very beginning to today – and you’ll discover what tools and methods led him to his successes. It’s a must read – even if you’re not itching to be the next big fiction writer.
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The Renegade Writer by Linda Formichelli
You’ve probably heard of The Renegade Writer blog, right? Like our site, TRW offers countless tips, tricks, guides and other actionable info to help freelance writers become more successful. Well, this is the book that site was founded on! Much like Stop Thinking Like a Freelancer, The Renegade Writer is based on one premise: That traditional freelancing rules are made to be broken. Formichelli encourages you to think outside of the box, forget those “time-tested” guidelines and rules you’re told, and build your own career – the way you want – from the ground up.
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Accidental Genius by Mark Levy
Accidental Genius covers a unique strategy called “freewriting,” which encourages you to write quickly and freely to discover your best ideas and lightbulb moments. Though Levy’s tips to ignore grammar and punctuation issues may have most freelancer writers up in arms, his methods really work – especially when you’re stumped or facing dreaded writer’s block. The book also includes a number of creativity-stimulating exercises to really get your juices flowing in times of need.
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Help! For Writers by Roy Peter Clark
According to Roy Peter Clark, there are 21 problems that every writer faces at one point or another. Some of them are minor, like meeting deadlines, and some are more serious, like overcoming writer’s block or paring down those cumbersome drafts. No matter what the problem is though, Clark has a solution for it – 10 solutions to be exact. Comprehensive, detailed and highly witty, Help! is a must-have for every writer’s library.
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Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
Everybody Writes isn’t just for writers; it’s for everyone. Any person who types out an email, writes a report or creates a meeting agenda can use this guide, and use it well. With practical tips on writing for our ADD, tech-savvy world, as well as packing the most punch into your words – no matter how much space you have, this book is a great way to create stellar, powerful content, regardless of its purpose or place.
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The Wealthy Freelancer by Steve Slaunwhite
Tired of simply making “enough?” Want to take your career as far as you can – to make more money than you ever dreamed? This book shows you how. In The Wealthy Freelancer, Steve Slaunwhite shares with you his trade secrets to creating the lucrative career you pine after. You’ll discover which marketing tactics are worth your time and effort, how to find high-paying prospects (and get them to say “yes”) and how to create new income streams that can increase your bottom line even more. If you’re tired of treading water, making the same so-so salary every year, this is the read for you.
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The Freelancer’s Bible by Sara Horowitz
If you don’t have this one in your professional library, it’s time to hop on the bandwagon. A must-have for any freelancer, whether you’re a writer, designer or other pro, this book lays the foundation for a profitable and successful career. It covers everything from taxes, marketing and outsourcing, to scheduling, fee-setting and a million other daily activities we freelancers must tackle. It’s a great reference to have when questions arise or you venture into a new freelance territory.
Put these books on your reading list. They’ll broaden your skillset, expand your mind and help you take your freelance writing career to new heights.
Have any other must-reads to add to the list? Share them in the comments!
Want to read some more? 🙂 Check out my other posts on how to become a good writer.
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I am happy to see this. I have been looking for some new reading material to help hone my craft!
These are helpful and useful too in other’s chosen career such as writing. Thank you for sharing this article, will surely motivates anyone who’e had the doubts in their future.