7 Books Every Writer and Freelancer Needs (aka The 7 Books Saving My Life Right Now)
[image description: a woman kneeling on a bed with her head thrown back and her hair flying through the air while books levitate around her.]
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Even though I’ve been writing creatively and freelancing for years, I still have so much to learn about being a full-time writer and self-employed person. Being a book lover, that means I went book shopping.
Basically, my self-employed life has three branches: creative writing (my books in progress), freelance writing and editing (work I do for clients), and my vintage shop. I could use help with all of those and generally being more visible on the internet. This brings me to the six books that are saving my life right now.
This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley
So it turns out that writing a novel is really hard. Like, REALLY hard. This year I finally got smart and plotted the novel before I started writing instead of flying by the seat of my pants, which has helped a ton, but the process still isn’t easy. So I got a copy of This Year You Write Your Novel to make the process as smooth as possible.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
No more excuses. "Let the lawn get shaggy and the paint peel from the walls," bestselling novelist Walter Mosley advises. Anyone can write a novel now, and in this essential book of tips, practical advice, and wisdom, Walter Mosley promises that the writer-in-waiting can finish it in one year. Intended as both inspiration and instruction, the book provides the tools to turn out a first draft painlessly and then revise it into something finer. Mosley tells how to:
- Create a daily writing regimen to fit any writer's needs--and how to stick to it.
- Determine the narrative voice that's right for every writer's style.
- Get past those first challenging sentences and into the heart of a story.
Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Writing a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages that Go Nowhere) by Lisa Cron
I read the title and thought, “well, goddamn! She nailed it!” No lie, I did actually spend 3 years writing 327 pages that went nowhere when I was in my early 20s. I think that’s why it took me so long to start another novel. At any rate, I felt so seen just from the title that I immediately bought the book.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Story Genius is a foolproof program that saves writers from penning hundreds of pages only to realize that something's not working and they have to start again. Informed by story consultant Lisa Cron's science-based insights into how story structure is built into the architecture of the brain, this guide shows writers how to plumb the nitty-gritty details of their raw idea to organically generate a story scene by scene. Once writers reach the end of Cron's program, they will have both a blueprint that works and plenty of compelling writing suitable for their finished novel--allowing them to write forward with confidence.
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
Despite people telling me to read The Artist’s Way for nearly a decade, I always put it off because of the word “spirituality” in the tagline. I would think, Ewww, gross, spirituality! I don’t want Jesus telling me to write a romance novel where a grown man gets all hot and bothered just from seeing a bare ankle for the first time! I still feel that way, so I’ve approached the book with reluctance. However, I’ve also learned (or rather, am slowly learning) that spirituality is what you make it and much of modern, non-religious spirituality seems to be about inner peace, which I’m definitely down with. Who couldn’t use more inner peace during the writing process?
Synopsis from Goodreads:
This international bestseller has inspired millions to overcome the limiting beliefs and fears that inhibit the creative process.
First published twenty-five years ago, The Artist's Way is the seminal book on the subject of creativity. Perhaps even more vital in today's cultural climate than when it was first published, The Artist's Way is a powerfully provocative and inspiring work. In it, Julia Cameron takes readers on an amazing twelve-week journey to discover the inextricable link between their spiritual and creative selves. This groundbreaking program includes:
- Introductions to two of Cameron's most vital tools for creative recovery--The Morning Pages and The Artist Date
- Hundreds of highly effective exercises and activities
- Guidance on starting a "Creative Cluster" of fellow artists who will support you in your creative endeavors
A revolutionary program for artistic renewal from the world's foremost authority on the creative process, The Artist's Way is a life-changing book.
The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed: The Only Personal Finance System for People with Not-So-Regular Jobs by Joseph D'Agnese and Denise Kiernan
Suddenly finding myself laid off meant I had to get smart about money, FAST. Less takeout, more saving for retirement. Fewer late-night impulse purchases, more building up a savings cushion in case I have a slow month. Of course, all that is easier said than done, so when The Money Book For Freelancers came highly recommended, I jumped on it.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
This is a book for people like us, and we all know who we are.
We make our own hours, keep our own profits, chart our own way. We have things like gigs, contracts, clients, and assignments. All of us are working toward our dreams: doing our own work, on our own time, on our own terms. We have no real boss, no corporate nameplate, no cubicle of our very own. Unfortunately, we also have no 401(k)s and no one matching them, no benefits package, and no one collecting our taxes until April 15th.
It’s time to take stock of where you are and where you want to be. Ask yourself: Who is planning for your retirement? Who covers your expenses when clients flake out and checks are late? Who is setting money aside for your taxes? Who is responsible for your health insurance?
Take a good look in the mirror: You are.
The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed describes a completely new, comprehensive system for earning, spending, saving, and surviving as an independent worker. From interviews with financial experts to anecdotes from real-life freelancers, plus handy charts and graphs to help you visualize key concepts, you’ll learn about topics including:
• Managing Cash Flow When the Cash Isn’t Flowing Your Way
• Getting Real About What You’re Really Earning
• Tools for Getting Out of Debt and Into Financial Security
• Saving Consistently When You Earn Irregularly
• What To Do When a Client’s Check Doesn’t Come In
• Health Savings Accounts and How To Use Them
• Planning for Retirement, Taxes and Dreams—All On Your Own
See You on the Internet: Building Your Small Business with Digital Marketing by Avery Swartz
As a child of the 90s, I grew up with the internet and have invested a lot of time and having a presence online. But I’ve learned that haven’t a presence for personal purposes is easy, while having a presence for business purposes is a whole other ballgame. Ideally, I want a mix of both. I love the genuine connections I’ve made with people through this blog and on social media. (Have I ever told y’all I met Mr. Off the Beaten Shelf on Twitter? That’s a fun story.) And I have no desire to be some weird, heavily curated “influencer.” I bought this book in the hopes that it’d help me strike a balance between being a real human who shows up for the people I care about on the internet while also meeting folks who I can help through my work.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
The proven, frustration-free way to make your business stand out online, from one of North America's leaders on digital marketing for small businesses.
Today, you can launch a website, create social media feeds, and get products and services to market on some of the world’s most powerful sales platforms in a matter of hours. But marketing your small business effectively takes some careful thought. In See You on the Internet, Avery Swartz, one of North America's top tech leaders, gives you a failsafe framework to plan and execute a brilliant digital marketing strategy with confidence. And you don't need a technical background to follow it. In five simple steps, you will learn to build your brand, increase your customers, and generate more revenue.
Avery Swartz has spent fourteen years on the ground working directly with hundreds of clients as a web designer, instructor, consultant, and digital advisor. With the aid of real-life stories and examples, she will guide you through the ins and outs of website development, e-commerce, search engine optimization, social media, email marketing, and online advertising --- and you'll be able to track all of your results. See You on the Internet is a clear, friendly, and highly usable guide for anyone in a small business or similar organization to thrive in the digital world.
Etsy-Preneurship: Everything You Need to Know to Turn Your Handmade Hobby Into a Thriving Business by Jason Malinak
Like any platform with an algorithm, Etsy feels like a game. Why do I get a dozen sales one week and one the next? Hell if I know! It’s one big mystery! I bought this book in the hope that I’d be able to figure out what makes Etsy tick so I can keep the vintage shop doing well. Selling vintage books is super fun! Thus, I have a keen interest in keeping it a sustainable business.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Turn your handmade hobby into a thriving business. Most Etsy sellers are confident in their crafting and artistic capabilities. However, many need guidance on the business-related intricacies of starting and maintaining a successful Etsy business. "Etsy-preneurship" helps existing and potential Etsy sellers understand the business fundamentals needed to become a small business owner on Etsy, including taxes, bookkeeping, marketing, finances, administrative tasks, daily operations, legal requirements, business plans, and improving your business skills. This book will help you make the jump from enjoying your handmade/craft/art hobby to running a profitable business."Etsy-preneurship" offers step-by-step advice on what it takes to bring in extra income or even one day run a full-time business on EtsyOutlines the basic business skills and knowledge you need to run a business on Etsy Explains how Etsy makes entrepreneurship attainable for everyone
Each chapter even includes a downloadable business spreadsheet tool to help you put the steps into action. This book empowers Etsy sellers to turn their handmade hobby into a thriving business by employing foundational business concepts.
Punk Rock Entrepreneur: Running a Business without Losing Your Values by Caroline Moore
If I were to write a business book, it’d be this. Even as a person who loves being self-employed, I still have icky feelings about capitalism and don’t trust a lot of big businesses. I hate corporate speak (synergy? deliverables? core competency? gross!) and the idea of receiving venture capital and going on Shark Tank makes me want to lick a bathroom floor. I decided that if I was going to really work for myself, I was going to boot-strap it and be myself. Aka, work with clients who don’t mind the occasional “fuck” thrown around in conversation. I needed business advice from someone who was going to speak to me in my language and this book delivered.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Do you have an idea for something that you want to share with the world but don’t know where to start? Want to make a living without selling your soul? Have a business plan but can't afford to buy anything up front? This book is for you.
Punk Rock Entrepreneur is a guide to launching your own business using DIY methods that allow you to begin from wherever you are, right now. Caroline Moore talks (and illustrates!) you through the why and how of business operations that she learned over years booking bands, organizing fests, sleeping on couches, and making a little go a long way. Engaging stories and illustrations show you the ropes, from building a network and working distribution channels to the value of community and being authentic.
With first hand accounts from touring bands and small business owners, this book gives you the inspiration and down-to-earth advice you’ll need to get started working for yourself.
There you have it! The 7 books that are saving my life right now. If you’d like to buy yourself any of these, I’d love it if you’d use my Bookshop link. Bookshop is an indie bookstore-supported Amazon alternative, so using my link is a great way to support me AND indie bookstores. A win-win!
