BOOK REVIEW: The Well-fed Writer by Peter Bowerman
By Lyn Jensen

The Well-fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Commercial Freelancer in Six Months or Less including updated content of both original Well-Fed Writer titles. (2010 ed. Fanove Publishing, Atlanta, Georgia)

When looking for a few dozen jolts of inspiration to get busy with growing your freelance writing business, turn to Peter Bowerman’s The Well-fed Writer, the most recent edition of which was published in 2010 and combines two of his previous book offerings. It’s about the business of writing, a mind-numbingly common topic, but Bowerman’s treatment is rare: a stimulating business read. If Jeff Foxworthy were a business writer instead of a comedian, he might give advice the way Bowerman does.

Many other books advise writers about the craft, to write, write, write and read, read, read. Bowerman instead addresses the business, but in a way that makes writers feel part of a giant creative community. Writing from his perspective as a copywriter with more than ten years’ experience, he never stops urging readers (his fellow writers, that is) to sell, sell, sell and market, market, market. But his folksy casual delivery makes readers feel like there’s a world of opportunities just waiting for us to make our contributions. We’re left wondering what we’re waiting for.

After reading this book, you may be tempted to locate Bowerman’s earlier books and find further advice, but it’s better to take a second look at this edition and actually put its advice to work first. Whenever your writing income isn’t coming in, go back to Bowerman and try another angle, or just re-try something you tried earlier and this time try harder. It’s enough to keep a writer busy for a long time.

The Well-fed Writer could just as easily be titled The Optimistic Writer or The Positive Writer. For keeping up with fresh advice from Bowerman, check his Web site www.wellfedwriter.com where you’ll find his blog, e-newsletter, and latest updates.