Write Into the Bank: How to Land Paid Writing Gigs (+ 14 places that help you find these jobs!)
The struggles and rewards of my side-hustle writer’s life (and how I pay for all those lit mag subs) PLUS Pitch Feedback Circle Introduction
“It’s a constant meditation of where is my next source of income and how do I get it.”
It’s an age-old adage that making a living as a writer is (nearly) impossible. Publishers Weekly recently reported that, “median book and writing-related income for authors in 2022 was below the poverty level.”
That’s not great news for us writers.
I’m a full-time student with funding in an MFA program, but the stipend I receive from my fellowships doesn’t cover my cost of living in coastal North Carolina—not even close. And that’s despite the fact that I live with a partner who works full-time. Rather than go into debt, I decided to work throughout the program.
I wanted to find jobs that aligned with my writing and publishing goals. As one would expect, this is easier said than done.
It’s not a lie that this kind of work is indeed a “hustle”, which the dictionary defines as “busy movement and activity.” It’s a constant meditation on where is my next source of income and how do I get it — and it requires jumping on any opportunities that present themselves, hoping that at least one of them turns into a “yes.” It can be exciting. It can be exhausting. Either way, here’s all I’ve learned:
1. Professional Writing Gigs
There are a number of writing jobs that exist outside of the creative space, including grant writing, copywriting, ghostwriting, etc. Oftentimes, these jobs require a developed ability
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