Reading & Writing Lounge

Christina Katz’s Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids is a brilliant book for all new writers - whether they are mothers or not. Written to support women who want to write along with raising a family, the book takes a writer through the world of writing, explaining everything from finding ideas, using them, approaching publications and how to do all of the above while raising your kids.

The book is divided into four sections. The first ‘Preparation’ is for the baby steps. If you are tentatively venturing into writing for a living, these are the basics you must know. How to find your ideas, knowing your audiences, learning about guidelines and how to get those elusive clips are all fundamentals of the freelance writing industry. Tips for Writer Mamas in this section include the benefits to being a write-at-home-mom and how to find the time to write.

The next section ’Practice’ talks about tips on how to actually get the work done. From writing list articles, essays to filler, writers learn that there is a niche to be filled, if only you pay attention. In this section, Writer Mamas learn how to stake out spaces in the house, handle procrastination and dealing with childcare.

Section three covers ‘Professionalism’ and it includes the art and craft of querying, interviewing, negotiating and completing assignments like a pro. You learn the secrets of finding support online, the truth about editors and the ups and downs of a writing career.

The last section deals with ‘Poise’. Writer mamas (and the rest of us) have to constantly live many roles - how do you manage all of them to fit in with your writing? This section also deals with publicity, getting your name out there, establishing yourself as an expert, writing conferences and pitching a non-fiction book idea. Mamas, learn 17 ways to avoid writer mama burnout and find out what multiple income streams are available to you.

The book makes an excellent addition to the other writing how-to books available in the market. By focusing on the writing parent, Katz has acknowledged the need for a book (and indeed, website and other resources) dedicated to moms and dads who want to write while also spending time with their children.

Like I said before, the tips in the book can be used by all new writers. If you are one of those people who blame your lack of productive writing on your busy, over-flowing lives, try the book. You might just find that time (and space) to write seriously.

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Other Writer Mama resources :

• The Writer Mama website
• Writers on the Rise
• Christina Katz’s website

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Every month, Christina Katz has a book promo and you get a freebie if you forward her the receipt of purchase for the book. If you bought the book in February, you would have received a free list of paying essay markets. Keep an eye on the WM blog for information on the March giveaway.

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