So you want to go into ghostwriting?Written by Janet Ilacqua
So you want to go into ghostwriting? A good way to get writing experience is by ghostwriting, that is writing for individuals and companies under their bylines rather than your own. With ghostwriting, you can test out writing for different genres without endangering your reputation as you would if you wrote under your own name. Here are some description of some hot ghostwriting markets and tips on how to get into them. Technical writing Technical writers develop technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. Documentation format includes not only print, but also, increasingly, PDF, HTML, interactive multimedia and help files. Although most technical writers work on-site, there is some offsite work. Most technical writers are employed by IT industry. Although demanding, technical writing can be lucrative and interesting. You should have ability to write clearly and or some knowledge about, a specialized field—engineering, business, or one of sciences. Familiarity with Word, HTML and FrameMaker is essential and familiarity with multimedia and online help tools, such as RoboHelp, is highly desirable A degree in engineering, computer science, or one of hard sciences (for example, chemistry, physics) is highly recommended and, lately, is becoming a prerequisite for many jobs. Right now, there are many experienced writers looking for work; so there are limited opportunities for persons without previous tech writing experience Outlook: field has been severely impacted by consolidation of IT industry and outsourcing. The opportunities will continue to decrease due to ongoing consolidation of IT and outsourcing. Good places to look for jobs: Monster.com, Sologig.com, techwriting.com, Rentacoder.com Dice.com. Business/Corporate writing Other writers worked in advertising and related services, public and private educational services, government agencies, religious organizations, and business, professional, labor, political, and similar organizations. They prepare manuals, A degree in English, business, communications, marketing, or some other business or writing-related field is helpful. Knowledge of Word is essential and familiarity with multimedia and online help tools, such as RoboHelp, is highly desirable. Knowledge of technology and specialized subject areas is useful tool Outlook: Like tech writing, business writing has been impacted by consolidation in IT industry, business cost-cutting measures, and outsourcing. However, outlook for business and corporate writer is not as bleak as technical writers because business writers are spread out over a wide range of industries, not just IT. Good websites to look for work on: Guru.com.com, Elance, Monster.com, Sologig, Academic writing Academic writing is not always done by academics. Textbook packagers often get a known name to put together an outline and then hire writers to actually write book - a sort of academic ghostwriting. It is work made for hire and pays reasonably well. The actual writer usually only gets a little tiny credit somewhere in front or back of book, while expert gets cover credit. In certain medical and scientific disciplines, ghostwriters also either write or heavily edit some journal articles. In addition, over 200 paper mills and term paper sites that employ writers with advanced degrees to write or edit term papers, dissertations, and theses for high school, college, and graduate schools. Caution: Writing term papers for other people is illegal in many states and sanctions may get tougher. For example, in California, recently, AB 2800 would extend to high schools an existing provision of state law - largely ignored since its adoption in 1970s - that bans sale of term papers for college credit. In order to break into academic writing, you need a Masters or Doctorate, good research skills, strong writing skills, strong attention to detail, access to a online research database, such as Virtual Library or EBSCO, patience (oftentimes, academic work will be reviewed by three or four referees and many changes will have to be made) and familiarity with APA and MLA citation styles. In addition, you be familiar with stylistic and formatting requirements for papers, journal articles, theses, dissertation, and other academic formats.
| | Getting a Blog on the InternetWritten by Jesse S. Somer
The fearful, ignorant guy has got a blog on Internet. It must be easy!Of all people in world I was easily one of most pessimistic about computers, Internet and now that I even know they exist-blogs. I think blogs are pretty cool but I never thought I could have one. I thought processes of getting a site; domain name and actual building of blog would just be out of my league. I’m a complete novice when it comes to technology, but I do like writing a journal, and I thought having a journal on-line would be both fun and make life simpler for me. No more writing with pens, other people can read my stuff and comment on it, and I could add pictures to illustrate my points and make things look more interesting. Well, now I’ve got one! It’s awesome. I won’t lie and say it was easy, but I think if you hook up with a good web hosting company it’s not such a daunting experience as you might expect. I got a few work mates to help me. I went through a couple administrative hitches when filling in my personal information forms for registration-just because I’m a bit silly in head. We had a little trouble with blog program we used, but these challenges were eventually overcome. My boss says he’s going to make a simple program that people can hook up easily.
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