If you’ve followed my work you will know that I am frequently critical of writers, I am often despondent over the state of the economy of writing, and I typically counsel young people that being a professional writer is too fraught financially to be a good idea. But I am also a fanatical believer in the power and value of writing, and a lover of the profession of writer. Recently I shared some dark thoughts on the state of the industry, and it provoked a good deal of angst. That has motivated me to prepare a new ebook, titled “If You Absolutely Must,” about how to go about the business of surviving as a writer of argumentative nonfiction. You can find it at
I've been writing for my personal blog off and on and at varying frequency for something like 15 years. It's covered a weird collection of things: travel, musings on things I've read, failed artistic endeavors, navel-gazing meditations, etc. I've found I've mostly been writing for myself, though sometimes I wish I was writing more for an audience even though I have never seriously aspired to write for a living.
Anyways, I have a loose aspiration to write more in the new year, and this guide, though you market it for people trying to "make it," is useful fodder for the amateur, too.
"Look. This is not a political project. But it sometimes seems like writers these days are either getting funded by the ghost of Ronald Reagan or else they’re constantly tweeting about decolonizing Chucky Cheese or whatever."
Died at this.
I'm reading the PDF not because I want to be a writer - been there, done that, not doing it again - but because I knew I'd find gems like this in it.
Freddie, I'm definitely going to read this because I'm a writer and I'll read anything you write. Also, I think you'd really enjoy the book Starve Better: Surviving the Endless Horror of the Writing Life, by Nick Mamatas. Hard-won wisdom is the best kind. His spec fiction is also excellent.
This is quite a gift! (Even though I did tip a little bit, in advance of reading). Thank you. And thanks for saving us the embarrassment of calling out a typo on the first page. Personally I'm reading with no intention of trying to make *a living* as a professional writer, but just to help me learn to write a little better. I am kind of interested, though, in the implications of some of this for writing in academic or research fields that aren't normally associated with "writing as craft" at all but where this could arguably enrich the work; e.g. social psychology.
Wanted to add that the enormous volume of (still high-quality) writing you've been putting out for us every week, while daunting and way way too much for me to keep up with let alone comment regularly, is also a real gift.
Would you recommend this for someone who has no interest in being a professional writer but would still like to become a better writer? Or is it all about industry stuff? I'm asking for a friend.
Also since I haven't seen anyone else note it yet, can we agree that cover art is epic?
You're a good man, Freddie. I'm old and I never made it past fantasizing about life as a writer, but I'm sure as hell not giving up on life as a reader. I intend to enjoy this, and thank you.
there is an absolute wealth of wonderful advice and wisdom here, freddie, and thank you for that. i have no plans to ever make writing a career, it's something i pursue sporadically in my spare time for my enjoyment and my enjoyment alone, but i constantly strive and long for the improvement of my craft. your inclusion of your book proposal at the very end here is especially illuminating, and it really casts off part of the veil of that seemingly unknowable (for me) side of writing. also: "my writing, the way i like it best" is beautiful as hell. thank you!
You mentioned before that a great many people you angered in your previous piece thought you were just jealous because you had never been made a staff writer for a prestigious shitrag like NYT or WaPo. This ebook is likely to make such people even angrier because they will think you aren't successful enough to be offering such advice. I love it! 🤣
Love that pic!!
lol I read it like five times for editing and there's a typo on the first page
I've been writing for my personal blog off and on and at varying frequency for something like 15 years. It's covered a weird collection of things: travel, musings on things I've read, failed artistic endeavors, navel-gazing meditations, etc. I've found I've mostly been writing for myself, though sometimes I wish I was writing more for an audience even though I have never seriously aspired to write for a living.
Anyways, I have a loose aspiration to write more in the new year, and this guide, though you market it for people trying to "make it," is useful fodder for the amateur, too.
"Look. This is not a political project. But it sometimes seems like writers these days are either getting funded by the ghost of Ronald Reagan or else they’re constantly tweeting about decolonizing Chucky Cheese or whatever."
Died at this.
I'm reading the PDF not because I want to be a writer - been there, done that, not doing it again - but because I knew I'd find gems like this in it.
Can we just read it for entertainment?
Freddie, I'm definitely going to read this because I'm a writer and I'll read anything you write. Also, I think you'd really enjoy the book Starve Better: Surviving the Endless Horror of the Writing Life, by Nick Mamatas. Hard-won wisdom is the best kind. His spec fiction is also excellent.
This is quite a gift! (Even though I did tip a little bit, in advance of reading). Thank you. And thanks for saving us the embarrassment of calling out a typo on the first page. Personally I'm reading with no intention of trying to make *a living* as a professional writer, but just to help me learn to write a little better. I am kind of interested, though, in the implications of some of this for writing in academic or research fields that aren't normally associated with "writing as craft" at all but where this could arguably enrich the work; e.g. social psychology.
Wanted to add that the enormous volume of (still high-quality) writing you've been putting out for us every week, while daunting and way way too much for me to keep up with let alone comment regularly, is also a real gift.
Would you recommend this for someone who has no interest in being a professional writer but would still like to become a better writer? Or is it all about industry stuff? I'm asking for a friend.
Also since I haven't seen anyone else note it yet, can we agree that cover art is epic?
You're a good man, Freddie. I'm old and I never made it past fantasizing about life as a writer, but I'm sure as hell not giving up on life as a reader. I intend to enjoy this, and thank you.
Thanks Freddie! It was so kind of you to make this for us. Your advice on writing is some of my favorite content.
I also love that a number of writers read and comment here. One day we’ll figure out how to do something with that. (Book review anthology?)
there is an absolute wealth of wonderful advice and wisdom here, freddie, and thank you for that. i have no plans to ever make writing a career, it's something i pursue sporadically in my spare time for my enjoyment and my enjoyment alone, but i constantly strive and long for the improvement of my craft. your inclusion of your book proposal at the very end here is especially illuminating, and it really casts off part of the veil of that seemingly unknowable (for me) side of writing. also: "my writing, the way i like it best" is beautiful as hell. thank you!
yoooooo. this is cool
Love the pic!
You mentioned before that a great many people you angered in your previous piece thought you were just jealous because you had never been made a staff writer for a prestigious shitrag like NYT or WaPo. This ebook is likely to make such people even angrier because they will think you aren't successful enough to be offering such advice. I love it! 🤣
And the cover is just fucking amazing btw
I was about 50% sure the link would be a rick-roll. Or maybe an only-fans...