One day, they're going to tape all our interviews and then put them on YouTube. For a peek of that, check out actor Chris Klein ("American Pie," "Here on Earth") audition for the film, "Mamma Mia." He didn't get the part.
However, I hope his publicist is booking his appearance on talk shows at least. A viral video that isn't a sex tape, showing him slurring during a DUI, or of him beating up a girlfriend -- fortunately only of him singing badly -- could be some publicity and casting gold. Strike now, publicist! Your client needs you.
We have entered into a partnership with Hearst Newspapers to produce articles for two of their premium publications, San Francisco Chronicle and the Houston Chronicle. Specifically, we are creating articles and videos for the Real Estate section of SFGate.com and the Small Business section of Chron.com. We’re currently accepting applications for writers and editors. These articles come at a higher fee and your byline will be featured on these premium publications. Qualified applicants will not only be topical experts in their field, but also have relevant writing or editing experience in the subject. To apply, please email [email address omitted] with the subject line “Real Estate” or “Small Business.” Include a summary of your experience and attach any relevant clips. All interested CEs, please cc your copy chief with your application, and unfortunately we cannot consider your application if you have not yet had a review.
We are not currently able to disclose the partners publically and we ask that you keep their names confidential until further notice.
(I have to point out that "publicly" is spelled incorrectly.) Wasn't good writing and reporting what drew readers to newspapers? Newspaper publishers killed that possibility by cutting staff rather than offering more when everyone around them gave less. Their product was thus rendered weaker and more irrelevant in a recession which only hastened its demise. Now some managers and corporations have decided that it isn't about quality content at all. Instead, they seem to be saying, readers are actually more attracted to lackluster writing and paying more for less.
Seriously, Kelly Bensimon's breakdown was amazing. If you have not seen it, and you're an actor, you may want to watch to get some pointers about someone going over the deep end.
On a real reality note, I had a few job interviews -- one with a company that didn't call when it was supposed to but rescheduled for tomorrow. Another that seemed like it was going to pan out but no word, and yet another I haven't heard from. So I ordered Japanese food and fed my cat sashimi which he gobbled down, while I ate an ebi tempura roll and thought about how I should biked for an hour to get rid of this feeling of restlessness. But like I have been doing lately, I just finished eating and sat on the couch watching "Real Housewives." My SO is also addicted, but he denies this -- yet somehow is always in the room when it's on.
I shocked my students yesterday when I told them they didn't have to stay in a job that makes them unhappy. "Really?" they kept asking me. "Really?"
"Yes," I told them. "Stay there only for as long as it takes to find something else. And there will be something less horrible out there for all of you. I swear."
Yahoo! apparently bought content mill, Associated Content for $100 million. Just think how much freelance content that $100 million could pay for, if they had chosen to hire their own freelance writers? By my estimate -- $1,800 a month for a story 20 times a month -- could pay 100 freelance writers for 46 years. Oh, well. If I though about how small our writer world was becoming I think I would cry. So, onto other things.....
I'm sending out a travel piece I did on spec in the hopes of bringing in some money. I have no idea what they will say, although I hope they say, "Yes, you brilliant woman, yes! Here's $1,000."
I have two job interviews this week, one as a contractor for a website and another as a writing tutor. The tutoring gig pays more. Several of my fellow MFAers did tutoring as a part-time job (how often do you get paid $25-$30 an hour for a part-time job?) and lamented how they were tutoring only pampered kids from well-off families who didn't care on iota about the subject they were being tutored on. Mostly they talked about Prom, sports or new outfits. Don't tell anyone I told you.
Apparently my permalance blogging contract is dying in June -- their choice, not mine -- and I'm busily looking for more cash. In the meantime, I'm trying to post more on my other gigs to highlight my work. And all this during finals week! Eeeeek! And that's why I'm crying, "MayDay! MayDay! About to crash and burn!"
My goal is to get another sweet blogging contract, but those aren't as easy to find. I'll miss the money, but I can't say I'm not eager to try something new. I just hope it pays!
I'll be traveling to Singapore in a few weeks, so hopefully I can work that into a travel piece or something. I should have a few weeks of vacation where I can concentrate on freelance writing. My goal is to sell 10 pieces this year. Last year I think I only sold about six, but I admit to not trying as hard -- because I had steady income (see blogging above.) But times are tough and part of being a freelancer means that you must diversify your portfolio. That also means always look for new clients.
