Authors can not only get paid for writing as a freelance journalist, there are other benefits that can help establish credibility, reach new readers, attract a literary agent and help sustain their overall writing career.

1. WHY AUTHORS NEED
BYLINES IN MAGAZINES
HOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN
Tara Lynne Groth
A Day for Writers, May 2017

2. About Me
 NC-based. Originally from Long
Island.
 Freelancing since 2009
 Founder Triangle Writers &
Asheville Writers. Creator of
WriteNaked.net.
 Memberships: ASJA, Freelancers
Union, NCWN, NCPS; Former:
Atlanta Writers Club, Authors Guild
 Non-writing: Backyard chickens,

3. Author Marketing
 Author’s responsibility
 Pre- and post-publication
 Maintaining relationship w/existing
readers
 Reaching new readers
 Growing writer platform

4. What Agents Look For
 Built-in writer platform
 Credibility
 Experience working with editors
 Meeting deadlines
 Reaching new audiences
 Discoverability

5. Why Should Authors be
Journalists?

6. Freelance Journalism Benefits
Overall:
 Reach new audiences
 Personal brand
 Article-to-book
 Article-to-film
 Extra $
 Take these with you
 Speaking opps,
radio/TV
+ What agents look
for:
 Built-in writer
platform
 Credibility
 Experience working
with editors
 Meeting deadlines
 Reaching new
audiences
 Discoverability

7. Author-Journalism Success Ex.
1
 Kim Kavin
 Wrote about dog rescue
regulations for Boston
Globe (2013), The Bark,
later WaPo
 Published The Dog
Merchants in hardcover
2016
 Wrote/edited for
Yachting, Yachts
International, Power &
Motoryacht, Charter
Index, Boat International
USA, & more
 Published The Stylish
Life: Yachting (2015)

8. Author-Journalism Success Ex.
2
 Elizabeth Gilbert
 Wrote a short story
for GQ in 1993
 Wrote about her
experience
bartending in
Manhattan for GQ,
published 1997
 Basis of the movie
Coyote Ugly (2000)

9. Author-Journalism Success Ex.
3
 Wells Tower
 Wrote article about
life as a carnival
worker for WaPo
(2000)
 Published short story
collection Everything
Ravaged, Everything
Burned (2002)
w/story about carnival
worker

10. Translatable Skills
Storytelling
Research
Interviews
FormattingRevision
Editor
Collaboration
Query Letters
Authors/Journalists

11. Byline Benefit: Attract Lit Agent
 Be “discovered”
 Align with an agent’s
existing clientele
 Cite clips in your
query letter
 Improve query letter
writing skills

12. Byline Benefit: Grow Writer
Platform
 New audiences
 Speaking
opportunities
 Radio/TV
 Grants
 Newsletter
subscribers
 Blog followers
 Social media
following

13. Byline Benefit: Book Marketing
 New audiences
 Book title in bio
 Write articles that
complement book
story and themes

14. Byline Benefit: Build Authority
 Expert or specialist in
a particular field
 Reliability
 Earn awards

15. Byline Benefit: Build Income
 Only a few reasons
to write for free
 Records of writing
income can help
legitimate your
writing business,
which has tax
benefits
 Unique expertise $+

16. Byline Benefit: Improve Queries
 Query letter writing
becomes routine
 You know what works

17. The Query Formula

18. Pick a Magazine
 Define the audience for your
book(s)
 Age/gender/income
 Life experience
 Geography
 Research magazine demographics
 Analyze media kits
 Basic logic
 Match magazine readership that
aligns with your general book

19. You can do it! Make it happen!
 Find magazine editor contact info
 Writers Market, Funds for Writers,
Writers Weekly
 Masthead (print)
 About Us, Contact Us, Writer
Guidelines
 Editorial calendar, media kit
 LinkedIn
 Internet
 Ask!

20. Your Article Ideas
 What is your book about?
 Themes
 Conflicts
 Place
 Your expertise
 What complements your book topic?
 What interests you?
 3-from-1 Rule

21. New Book
Magazine Queries That Worked, digital release
end of May 2017. Print end of June 2017.

22. Upcoming Events
CONNECT:
‘Resources for Writers’ – taralynnegroth.com
Twitter - @writenaked
Writenaked.net
LinkedIn!
slideshare.net/taralynne0
SATURDAY, JUNE 3rd
Creative Connections Art/Writing
Retreat
Pittsboro, NC
TUESDAY, June 6th
3 Magazine Queries That Worked For
Me
Chapel Hill, NC
THURSDAY, JUNE 22nd
Magazines Queries That Worked
Book Release Party
Durham, NC
JULY TBA
Business of Being a Writer
Ardsley, NY