Ken Weaver was working toward a Ph.D. in Particle Physics at ivy-league Cornell when he transitioned over to an MFA Creative Writing program at the University of Maryland in 2005. After a handful of years freelancing (and perhaps a stern talking-to from the fam), Weaver is now an award-winning beer writer, the author of TheContinue reading “Award-Winning Beer Writer and ‘All About Beer’ Editor Ken Weaver Spills about the Writing Game”
Author Archives: cbakeraz
Bestselling Non-Fiction Author Daniel James Brown Has Done It All Without Rushing
Daniel James Brown is the award winning author of three books of non-fiction including, most recently, The Boys in the Boat, which tells the underdog story of the 1936 American Olympic gold medal rowing crew that claimed victory over a rising Facist party in Berlin. Brown came to my hometown of Tucson for an eventContinue reading “Bestselling Non-Fiction Author Daniel James Brown Has Done It All Without Rushing”
Award-Winning Writer and American Introspectionist Taffy Brodesser-Akner Is Always Keeping It Real. Really Real.
Indeed, haters are gonna hate.The phrase has admittedly been tossed around by more than one super-huge pop star as sort of a catchall for any and all criticism, regardless of its legitimacy. But still, the simple truth is that no matter how hard you work, no matter how successful you might become, there will alwaysContinue reading “Award-Winning Writer and American Introspectionist Taffy Brodesser-Akner Is Always Keeping It Real. Really Real.”
Saturday Evening Post Editor Steve Slon Tells You How to Get Published
Ever wonder what kind of person has the audacity to take a well-known publication and completely flip the script on it in order to roll out something brand-spanking new to their national reader base? Steven Slon is just such a guy. He has a less pallid, Anderson-Cooper-thing about him, though he wears rectangular glasses andContinue reading “Saturday Evening Post Editor Steve Slon Tells You How to Get Published”
Why I Don’t Transcribe Interviews and You Don’t Have to Either
I’ve never claimed to have access to any mind-blowing secrets that are going to make you rich as a freelance writer. In fact, I have a tendency to put my guard up when I hear anyone make such a claim; even if they’ve turned their job writing from home into a multimillion dollar gig. TheContinue reading “Why I Don’t Transcribe Interviews and You Don’t Have to Either”
Columnist Cable Neuhaus (Saturday Evening Post; Folio) Talks Shop and Reaching the Top
Cable Neuhaus is living one version of the professional writer’s dream—it’s little wonder he’s still “proud to call (himself) a journalist” despite a climate which seems to undervalue news and writing in general. Fresh this year to the Saturday Evening Post’s arsenal of talent, Neuhaus’ rise to the top of the professional writing world wasContinue reading “Columnist Cable Neuhaus (Saturday Evening Post; Folio) Talks Shop and Reaching the Top”
Everything I Should Have Learned in College About Professional Writing
I was going to cite a whole bunch of employment statistics—ones that show how having the right college degree helps you get a job—but instead, I am going to lay the truth down as per my personal experience: in terms of finding full-time, gainful employment, having a humanities degree today is roughly akin to havingContinue reading “Everything I Should Have Learned in College About Professional Writing”
How to Land Superstar Sources for Your Writing Projects
Often the hardest part about writing an article is just finding a decent source willing to sit with you for an interview. Even on the local level, business owners, public officials, and media personalities are usually too busy to just jump in and offer a great quote for you on a cold call. And ifContinue reading “How to Land Superstar Sources for Your Writing Projects”
How to Be Your Own Story Idea Engine
You may have heard that the freelance writing business is a game of feast-or-famine. Some insist that it’s the easiest way to make a six-figure income in under a year (I’m still not quite buying that one). Where a very few talented and lucky writers might bang out their first best seller during their onlyContinue reading “How to Be Your Own Story Idea Engine”
Two Legendary Authors Reveal Humble Beginnings and Professional Insights at the Tucson Festival of Books
“It’s been a long time, shouldn’ta left you (left you) without a dope beat to step to…” -Timbaland Humility—aside from the obvious items in your writing tool kit (a knowledge of language, a pen and paper or a word processor, the blinding drive to produce come-what-may) humility is perhaps the one thing that will takeContinue reading “Two Legendary Authors Reveal Humble Beginnings and Professional Insights at the Tucson Festival of Books”
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