The Blogger Abides is an ebook for freelance writers, written by longtime freelancer Chris Higgins. If you want to get paid to write, this is the book for you. But let's be clear: this is not about getting rich, or even getting paid particularly well; it's about how to find and manage your first gig, how to incrementally improve your work and your paycheck, and how to manage both the business and creative aspects of a writing career.
Why does the world need another book about writing? It doesn't — it needs a book about how, in 2013, writers actually do work for money and all the business stuff that goes along with getting work, running your tiny business, and not starving. That business-ish stuff includes paying your taxes, dealing with retirement savings, issuing invoices, signing contracts, understanding LLCs, and all kinds of things that are never mentioned in books solely about craft. But The Blogger Abides also includes a ton of info about the specifics of the early freelancing gigs you'll get (hint: you'll be writing online for peanuts), and the specifics of that craft.
If you have a Kindle (or a Kindle app on your phone, tablet, or computer) you can grab a free sample and decide whether it's worth tossing a few bucks at your writing career.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don't have a Kindle. Can I still read this?
There is also a paperback edition! But the Kindle version has links, and bloggers often like to use those links to read things online.
If you don't have a Kindle device, you can download the free Kindle app for your computer, phone, tablet, or Smart Fridge. (Apparently you can also read Kindle stuff via a web browser plugin, though I wouldn't recommend it.) In short, if you are reading these words, you have a device capable of reading Kindle ebooks.
Can I get a free sample?
Yep. Amazon lets you send 10% of the book to any Kindle device or app (check the "Try it free" box in the right column of the book's Amazon page). If that's not enough for you, check out Chapter 27: Stock and Flow.
I'm broke but still want to read this thing.
If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can borrow the book for "free" (after the cost of the membership, anyway) from your Kindle device. Or you can read it via Kindle Unlimited (which is a paid thing, but generally starts with a free trial). Both of those actually kick money back to me. So you should do that.
Did people really ask these questions "frequently?"
No. But thanks for asking!
More Stuff By Chris Higgins
I write for Mental Floss, The Atlantic, The Magazine, and This American Life.
How to find me online: I'm @chrishiggins on Twitter and I'm on Facebook.