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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: FKSSR on Fri, 06 March 2009, 13:30:36

Title: Any professional writers here? ...Advice?
Post by: FKSSR on Fri, 06 March 2009, 13:30:36

Hello all,

I want to make a career switch to become a writer, preferably for a magazine or web site that covers computer hardware.

Brief relative facts about me:
I'm 27 (just to tell you that I'm not in HS, college, or just starting to work as a professional).
I work doing tech. operations/account management type stuff right now.
I have a BS in Psychology and a BS in Sociology.  I took 2 years of grad classes in Sociology, but I didn't finish my thesis to get my MA (long story).
I write articles currently for a site about Pro-Gaming.
I live near NYC and currently work in Manhattan.

So, are there any writers here that can give me advice on how to get into the business?

I am aware it is tough to start, and I'm willing to take the time to find a job.  I currently have a good, secure job, but I want to get started on the process.

Thanks!

Title: Any professional writers here? ...Advice?
Post by: wellington1869 on Fri, 06 March 2009, 14:53:45

what kind of tech articles do you want to write? you mean reviews of computer hardware?

Title: Any professional writers here? ...Advice?
Post by: ozar on Fri, 06 March 2009, 14:55:03

Lots of computer hardware/software sites pay contributors for their articles, so that might be a good place to get started.



Edit: if you want to write Linux articles, I know of a site that you can probably write for and get paid up to $125 per article (the last time I checked).

Title: Any professional writers here? ...Advice?
Post by: FKSSR on Fri, 06 March 2009, 15:07:57

I'd actually prefer to write articles about upcoming products or more creative articles about products (i.e. "the history of..." or "looking back at...").

Reviews are fine, but they usually require testing that I don't have experience doing.  Maybe I could work up to that.

I thought about contributing one-off articles to site to start off, as well, but I don't really even know where to look for that.  I figure I just need to start emailing sites like Tom's Hardware or the like...

Title: Any professional writers here? ...Advice?
Post by: BigWopHH on Sat, 07 March 2009, 23:40:04

I'm the managing editor at hothardware.com.  If you can send me a resume and some samples of your work, I'll pass them along to my partner.  No promises, but we're always looking for good tech writers.

Title: Any professional writers here? ...Advice?
Post by: FKSSR on Mon, 09 March 2009, 07:40:45

Thanks BigWopHH!  I'll definitely do that!