3 Common Obstacles to Getting Started (And Their Solutions)


16 comments on “3 Common Obstacles to Getting Started (And Their Solutions)

  1. Jorge Rodriguez-Walling on

    Hi Ian,

    The problem I see with writing is perception; how an editor perceives your work regarding their audience and my intent as an author to inform or persuade as per my conviction on an issue. Could this be why The Sun Magazine told me that only 1% or less of all submissions get considered? This is like threading the eye of a needle or worse. How much optimism could I possibly have with this kind of prospect? Thank you for your time.

    Very concerned,
    Jorge.

    Reply
    • Ian Chandler on

      There are many factors that need considered here. Freelance writing is more than just pitching to publications, but at the same time, pitching to publications isn’t an all or nothing game. You do tend to get more rejections than acceptances, but that’s common in almost all lines of work. That’s why it’s important to see the big picture.

      Right now, you’re working with quite a small sample set. One publication with a 1% acceptance rate doesn’t make up the entirety of all publications. You should be pitching publications that align with your niches and are reasonable to break into. We have a lot of writers start out wanting to immediately pitch to the New Yorker, but of course that’s another pub with a low acceptance rate. It also requires a high degree of skill to write for. As long as you’re pragmatic about the kinds of clients and publications you seek out, you should be able to find success.

      Reply
  2. Naushad on

    Thank you so much for valuable inputs. I can’t afford the training now, hence looking free resources to learn the skills.

    Reply
    • Jacob Jans on

      Sunil,

      We don’t train our students in terms of getting paid for fiction or creative writing, but we do help with non-fiction writing. Have you considered our No B.S. Course on Freelance Writing?

      Reply

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