This is a current list of the freelancing books I read. I would recommend each of them, although some certainly proved more valuable than others. A tip I took from The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss is to read the parts that apply to your current situation. Skip chapters or sections that don’t answer immediate questions or solve immediate problems. Otherwise, you overload yourself with information that you’ll need to re-lookup at a later date. (Ferriss’ book is also quite good, though keep in mind you’ll need to process what information you can actually use.)
The Renegade Writer by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell – lots of practical tips on what “rules” you should break in order to get your foot in the door, and get published.
The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing edited by Timothy Harper – a collection of advice on every aspect of nonfiction writing from starting the business to networking.
Six-Figure Freelancing by Kelly James-Enger – a great book that walks you through most aspects of freelancing, from someone who makes real cash-money doing it herself.
The Freelance Writer’s Bible by David Trottier – divided into four “books,” the first two felt too much like masturbation for the psyche. Others might disagree, but I didn’t need someone to hold my hand and tell me about my “safe harbor” (seriously.) If I wanted “safe,” I’d still be in the business school.
To be fair though, Book 3 is useful: it gives you an overview on how to sell to 17 different markets. Book 4 is also good, for those who need help setting goals.
I’m currently reading Query Letters that Rock, by the same authors of The Renegade Writer. And Writer’s Market shouldn’t be left off this list, either.
One last note: learning the trade through books is definitely helpful. If we can see a little further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants, after all. But don’t get so caught up in the “learning” you forget about the “doing.” I made this mistake all the time in other areas I tried to excel at – and I still do. Putting yourself out there, though, and making your own mistakes, is the only way to make those lessons stick.
These books can give you a good map, but ultimately we all need to to brave the bush.
Happy reading.
Posted by Ming 
