The Squeaking Noodle

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2

Contacts!
2006-10-04 15:57:00
Check out Media UK Great site for freelance writers. Packed with contacts for TV, radio, newspapers and magazines. Hope it comes in handy for those of you, who don't already have it.Keep up the good work!
More About: Contacts

Freelance Rates of Pay in the UK - The Real Deal!
2006-10-03 14:13:00
Ever wanted to nose in your freelance colleague?s pay packet? Well, now?s your chance!Many of you have expressed a great interest in what freelancers can expect to get paid in the UK. Here is, probably, the most definitive UK Freelance Fee Guide, but do bear in mind that it is only a guide ? levels of pay differ according to levels of experience. It?s great reading. The rates have been gathered by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the UK from freelancers who have anonymously reported their pay and it covers all areas of the media from print, book editing, broadcasting, national and regional news to public relations, translation, shift work and consultancy fees. Enjoy! For my non-British friends, here is my favourite currency converter - How Much?See you all very soon and please let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer them or find something or someone who can. Need a lead or advice? That too.More on Freelancing: Freelancing - What's It Like?
More About: Deal , Reel , Real , Lance

Squeaking Noodle's Blog and Book of the Day!
2006-10-02 22:02:00
Check out Brenda's Literary Life there's something very soothing and reassuring about this site. Like curling up with a good book when it's cold and rainy outside. I like the Cicero quote she uses: "A room without books is like a body without a soul." I full-heartedly agree! Brenda is on her second novel and in the process of getting her first published, so stop by and see what it's like.It's probably like teaching an old dog new tricks when I suggest you read "On Writing" by Stephen King , but it's a must-read for any writer.Here's Brenda's take on it Literary Life: Are you Hungry?And here's what readers had to say about it on Amazon: On Writing / Stephen King
More About: Blog , Book , The D

Great Read: A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon
2006-10-01 20:30:00
Love this book! British author Mark Haddon also wrote The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which was an international bestseller. He started off as a children's author and crossed over to the adult market with this book. The writing is faultless - clean, beautifully edited and a joy to read. Do read it when you get a chance. A Spot of Bother is his debut novel and equally good. I like the UK cover. Here is what Fantastic Fiction UK had to say about it. Lots of great info on him at Contemporary Writers. Feel free to recommend a book.See you soon.Worth a look: Contemporary UK Writers
More About: Great , Read

Pitching Newspaper and Magazine Editors ? The Difference Between the US and
2006-10-01 15:41:00
To set the ball rolling, here are some basic differences between the US and UK print media markets.1) The UK newspaper and magazine market and audience is substantially smaller than in the US. Understandable if we consider a population of approx. 260 million in the States and a meager 60 million or so in the UK.2) The US has a large subscription base. Most UK sales are from newsagents and shops / news stands and stores.3) The UK utilizes freelance input to a greater degree than in the States. 4) US papers are more regionalized to cater for larger population, whereas UK national papers are the staple for breaking news and exclusives around Britain. (That?s not to say that regional do not break new stories they regularly do ? but the money sits with the nationals).5) Cheque-or-checkbook journalism is alive and kicking, and would you believe still growing in the UK.So, how does that relate to freelancers pitching to these differing markets? Take for example New York; the focus with New...
More About: Magazine , Editors , Edit , Between , Paper

Thanks!
2006-09-30 17:05:00
To those of you stopping by as a result of Media Bistro's wonderful link mediabistro.com: MBToolBox: Freelancing - What's It Like? to my post, thanks and do feel free to email me if there's something you want to discuss or if you have seen any good articles worth mentioning and I'll put them up.See you soon.
More About: Thanks , Hank

Writing Tips by Chuck Palahniuk
2006-09-30 12:26:00
I always like hearing what methods people use to get them writing. Here are 13 Writing Tips by Fight Club author Chuck Pala hniukHere's his first tip.Number One: Two years ago, when I wrote the first of these essays it was about my "egg timer method" of writing. You never saw that essay, but here's the method: When you don't want to write, set an egg timer for one hour (or half hour) and sit down to write until the timer rings. If you still hate writing, you're free in an hour. But usually, by the time that alarm rings, you'll be so involved in your work, enjoying it so much, you'll keep going. Instead of an egg timer, you can put a load of clothes in the washer or dryer and use them to time your work. Alternating the thoughtful task of writing with the mindless work of laundry or dish washing will give you the breaks you need for new ideas and insights to occur. If you don't know what comes next in the story? clean your toilet. Change the bed sheets. For Christ sakes, dust th...
More About: Chuck Palahniuk

Freelancing - What's It Like?
2006-09-26 16:24:00
Squeaking Noodle Home PageWhat's it like being a freelance writer? Can you make a living and is it a real job?" The easy answers are. It's great, yes and yes.Think of it like this. Everyday editors are competing for the next best story to outwit their competitors - other papers and magazines - and land a splash or a scoop and sell the most papers or magazines.With seventy or so pages in each newspaper and more in Sunday editions, not counting weekend colour supplements etc. there are lots of pages to fill and lots of news and features to write.Most national newspapers - remember there are only about 10 in the UK - have a small team of staff writers, hence it makes sense to take work from a large and varied pool of freelance writers. The freelance writer provides an editor with ideas and stories that his/her staff writers often don't have the time to find.On a typical day as a freelance writer, the focus is on generating ideas - new ideas - that will be of interest to a paper of m...
More About: Freelancing , Reel , Like , Elan