Today I’m sharing a top list of resources for writers, especially those who are struggling to earn money.
I compiled this list because, well, the writing struggle is real. Most of us writers go through the struggle at some point (or many points) in our careers.
But the struggling writer title isn’t a badge of honor. You can write and earn enough from your writing to support yourself.
Whether you’re contemplating professional writing or you’re a writer seeking to earn more, you will find something of use in this list. That’s my hope.
Every one of the individuals listed below has impacted my writing journey in some way. It may not be the particular resource I share here, but something else they’ve written or said.
If you’re reading this and your book/website/podcast is listed below, THANK YOU.
Here’s how to (productively) approach this list of resources for writers
Table of Contents
*Pick one or two resources, click through, and skim the content. Look good?
*Designate time AROUND your already scheduled writing (and marketing) sessions (you do schedule your writing and marketing, don’t you?). Consume just that one resource during the scheduled time.
*Take notes as needed.
*After reading/listening to the resource, take the 1st action step. Immediately. Figure out what you need to do next and schedule your steps.
Let’s get on with it, shall we?
Freelancing? Learn to pitch like your life (or mortgage) depends on it
6 ESSENTIAL TRAITS OF QUERY LETTERS THAT WORK
[Post] by Mridu Khullar Relph of The International Freelancer
Insights of crafting effective query letters. (While you’re there, check out Relph’s 21 Query Letters That Sold ).
THE UPSIDE DOWN MODEL THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR PITCHING [Post] by James Johnson on Nick Loper’s of Side Hustle Nation
An uncommon way to find writing clients and pitching opportunities.
THE BLOGGING PITCH TEMPLATE THAT GETS YOU A YES by Haneef Davenport (Post featured on Sophie Lizard’s Be a Freelance Blogger)
A detailed breakdown (+ template) of a guest blog pitch.
10 FREELANCE WRITER WEBSITE EXAMPLES [Post]
Examples of freelance writing portfolios + a portfolio creation tool.
Sometimes it’s easier to make money
writing in a less crowded space. Here are a few:
50 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY AS A WRITER [Post] by Alexandra Franzen
Ideas for making money writing (that you may not have heard of)
DEMAND IS HIGH FOR SKILLED WRITERS IN THE TECH INDUSTRY. WANT IN? [free email course] by Kimmoy Matthews of Keeping up with Kimmoy & Tech Copy Expert.
Last I checked, Matthews was writing for Google. Enough said.
6 FREELANCE NICHES THAT ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED [Post] on Freelance Writing
A few additional uncommon writing niches.
Sick of writing for free (or almost free)? Publications that pay for writing:
THESE 70+ PUBLICATIONS PAY $1 PER WORD (AND THEY’RE LOOKING FOR WRITERS) [Post] by Mridu Khullar Relph of The International Freelancer
Tired of earning pennies per word? Check out these publications instead.
92 WEBSITES THAT PAY WRITERS $50+ [Post] by Carol Tice of Make a Living Writing
A comprehensive list of websites that pay.
It’s impossible to write without the right mindset. Here are a few top writing mindset resources
The Successful Author Mindset; A Handbook for Surviving the Writer’s Journey [Book] by Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn
Penn guides you through tackling some of the biggest writing obstacles: fear, self-doubt, writer’s block, and more.
PROSPERITY FOR WRITERS; A WRITER’S GUIDE TO CREATING ABUNDANCE [Boook] by Honoree Corder
Corder helps you to break through blocks and limiting beliefs around earning money from your writing.
WRITING ENCOURAGEMENT; 5 THINGS TO DO DURING THE TIMES YOU FEEL DISCOURAGED ABOUT YOUR WRITING [post] by Moi (Alicia-Joy)
5 practical tips for writing encouragement.
Book Self-Publishing + Marketing Resources
HOW TO MARKET A BOOK [Book] by Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn
Discover short and long term marketing strategies to sell more books
HOW TO CREATE, DESIGN, AND SELF-PUBLISH YOUR OWN BOOKS (AS A BUSINESS MODEL) [Post] by Regina Anaejionu of By Regina
A step-by-step guide for self-publishing from idea to published.
HOW TO SELF-PUBLISH A BESTSELLER [Post] by James Altucher
Breakdown of successful self-publishing steps, from building a platform to creating book-related merchandise.
Other Ways to Earn from Your Books
HOW TO TURN YOUR BOOK INTO A COURSE [Podcast] with Barrie Davenport & Ron Clendenin of authority.pub.
Many authors earn more profit by turning their book content into a course.
PUBLIC SPEAKING FOR AUTHORS, CREATIVES, AND OTHER INTROVERTS [Book] by Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn
If you’ve written a book, you have a lot of material to use in speeches, workshops, or other live events.
Easy day jobs that leave your days free for writing
Are you earning money, but it’s not quite enough? It’s okay to keep a day job/gig while you write (if need be)
7 EASY JOBS THAT LEAVE YOUR DAYS FREE FOR WRITING [Post] by Carol Tice of Make A Living Writing
If you have to hold down a job while you write in your spare time, it may be less painful if the job is easy.
Get a side hustle. SIDE HUSTLE NATION is my favorite podcast on this topic. The Host, Nick Loper, asks his guests specific questions and really drills down so you get actionable advice from each show.
5 Free Writing Job Boards
20 BloggingPro
21 MediaBristro
22 Problogger
23 BAFB (Be a Freelance Blogger) – You can’t join this job board at the moment, but you can still scan/search for opportunities.
5 Top Books on Earning Money from Writing
25 The Freelance Manifesto by Steve Roller
26 The Well Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman
27 Making a Living Writing by Joanna Penn
28 Freelance Writing on the Side by Joshua Slone
29 Writer for Hire: 101 Secrets to Freelance Success by Kelly James Enger
30 The Wealthy Freelancer by Steve Slaunwhite (not so much about writing, but a good start if you are new to the freelancing world)
Podcasts for writers
I’ve sprinkled specific podcast episodes of value throughout this post. Here are a few of some of my favorite podcasts and hosts (that haven’t already been mentioned):
31 Sterling & Stone with David W. Wright, Johnny B. Truant, and Sean Platt
32 I Should Be Writing with Mur Lafferty
33 Ditch Diggers with Mur Lafferty & Matt Wallace
As I mentioned at the start of this post, bookmark (save this to Pinterest, clip or pocket) this list and tackle it strategically. Not everything will appeal to you. What’s most important is that you take action on the ideas that do resonate. Don’t just consume, implement.
There’s no reason for writers (yes, that includes you) to not be earning enough from our work.
Have fun!
-Alicia-Joy
Want to remember this? Click here to save this massive list of resources to your favorite Pinterest
Love this awesome list!!! I’m also a fan of the side hustle nation podcast:)
Thanks, Malorie. I love that podcast, too.
So many gems here! Thank you so much for sharing such a huge wealth of information with us readers. You don’t know how much I appreciate this. I know now what I’ll be doing all weekend—getting familiar with many of these resources. Bookmarking, sharing, and adding these podcasts to my list now.
You are welcome. I’m so glad I can help. 🙂