Product Description
The only book about selling your services as a freelancetechnical writer. Highly acclaimed within the freelance tech-writingbusiness. Originally published as The Technical Writer'sFreelancing Guide, this edition is greatly updated -- 80% of it isnew. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Good advice; Optimistic
This book gives solid advice to aspiring freelance technical writers. Whether you're currently working within the technical writing field, coming from a related area such as engineering or a medical profession, or just starting out, Kent gives a series of steps to take you from employee to freelancer. The book may be overly optimistic for writers coming from non-technical writing backgrounds, but if you're willing to put in the time to gaining experience and building your network, this book will help you create your plan. Some of the links and resources are outdated, but the reader can easily figure out how to find the same or similar resources. He gives a complete bibliography - though again, there are probably some good newer books that could be added to the list.

Good advice for the aspiring freelance technical writer
This book gives solid advice to aspiring freelance technical writers. Whether you're currently working within the technical writing field, coming from a related area such as engineering or a medical profession, or just starting out, Kent gives a series of steps to take you from employee to freelancer. The book may be overly optimistic for writers coming from non-technical writing backgrounds, but if you're willing to put in the time to gaining experience and building your network, this book will help you create your plan. Some of the links and resources are outdated, but the reader can easily figure out how to find the same or similar resources. He gives a complete bibliography - though again, there are probably some good newer books that could be added to the list.

A 1997 Classic
It's unfortunate that the publisher hasn't updated this 1997 classic, but, outdated as it is, this book still has much to teach. Kent describes the three main types of relationships a technical writer can have to a company: employee (which he calls "captive"), contractor, and consultant. And he discusses the skills you would need if you wanted to move from one type to another.

I do disagree with his derogatory tone toward employees. As a consultant, I work for and with employees and I feel that they deserve respectful consideration. Even though this book is most often referenced by employees who are considering becoming independent, I (a small business owner) still get marketing ideas when I pick it up.

I wouldn't use this as my only resource, and don't take his 1997 tax advice! However, if you're looking for a shot of enthusiasm and a creative approach to consulting, and you have the skills and nerves of steal that it takes to succeed, this book still has lots of relevant advice.

Out of Date
There are two things wrong with this book: it is out of date, and in my opinion encourages mediocre writers to enter the market. The truth is you can make good money as a tech writer today, as a "captive" or as a "freelancer". The one point that Peter does not make strongly enough is that you have to be GOOD at it. You can't just take a few correspondence coarses, suddenly call yourself a tech writer, and expect to make a lot of money. It's so much more than grammer and style--too much to get into here. Skip this book and find yourself a mentor instead.

Useful, but slightly disappointing
As a technical writer of close to two decades, this was a little disappointing. I do believe you can freelance and make decent money technical writing, but in recent times, both writing and graphic arts have taken a backseat to programming. And programming is not even a sure thing anymore. Maybe the book is a little out-of-date? But it should be emphasized that tech writing is a great career for us English majors who love to write and who need to make a living - whether it's making $40K, 80K, or 120K. It's better than working at Starbucks (though that could be good too). ... Read more