Can You Make a Living as a Writer in This Day and Age?
We’ve all heard the stereotypes about writers and money.
That they’re starving artists who live on rice and beans.
Or they’re coffee-addicted introverts.
That writing isn’t a “real job.”
Well, this makes me chuckle because it couldn’t be further from the truth. (Though the coffee and introvert part is common.)
As for the money side… I’ll just say I’ve enjoyed 18 years as a freelance writer, most of which were six-figure income years.
I’ve also got loads of friends who’ve written for years (some for decades!) who have made great money during their careers.
Is this true for all writers?
No, of course not. Your ability to earn a living reliably has everything to do with WHAT you write. More on that in a minute.
It also depends on what you want. You can build a whole career through paid writing, or supplement a little extra cash on the side.
You get to choose.
But there’s a bigger, more pressing issue here…
Life as a Paid Writer is About MORE Than Income
Most of the writers I know, including myself, didn’t switch to writing careers solely for the money.
They did it for the delicious FREEDOM of it all.
Because in this particular type of writing career I want to share with you, you have a great deal of autonomy.
In most cases, you get to decide where you work, what you write about, who you write for, what income level you want to set, and when you do this work.
It’s the best of the remote work lifestyle – as in, not having to report to an office or clock in anywhere…
Combined with really getting to be your own boss in terms of deciding how you fill your days.
Now, I say “in most cases,” because there are also great writing jobs where you can go into an office, or where you work with a team, or where you even have a boss.
Those can be fun and well-paid, too.
The key here is understanding what these opportunities are and where to find them.
Also, you want to be sure this is the right type of lifestyle for you. Because like I said, it’s more than just a career.
So before I go any further, ask yourself this:
Do I enjoy writing?
Am I self-motivated?
Would I be happier if I got to call my own shots in terms of what my workday looks like?
Do I want to be in charge of what I do for a living?
Would I benefit from a more flexible schedule?
If you’re like most people who excel at writing for a living, your answers to these questions are probably a resounding YES!
And let’s face it – life is short and it throws a lot of curveballs.
So why not spend your days enjoying the work you do?
Why not build out your career so you can take time off for holidays, or vacations in the off-season, or new babies, or being there when loved ones need you?
Why not excuse yourself from the all-too-common conversations of boss-hating and stunted vacation leave?
Why not put yourself in a position where you can scale your income and earn money based on writing about what interests you?
And why not give yourself permission to live the life you’ve always dreamed of?
Well, let me tell you why not…
Most would-be writers secretly want this lifestyle with more freedom and control.
But a lot of them doubt that it’s possible and don’t know how to get there.
That’s where things get exciting!
Friend, let me tell you something… I am not an anomaly. I’ve had a terrific almost two decades of making a living as a writer, but I didn’t get here on my own.
I was lucky enough to link up with a group of generous, tell-all, super-successful writers who bared their secrets and gave me a leg up over and over again.
I eventually began working with this group of writers. And since joining them, I’ve seen hundreds of other writers go through similar transformations.
Many got there faster than I did. Some make more and work less. Others work part-time and travel. Or they kept their day jobs, because they love what they do, but added writing on the side to boost their incomes.
So the question is, how do you start earning money as a writer?
That’s the thing about this group. It’s a community of incredible generosity, where veteran writers eagerly share tips with new writers.
And why wouldn’t we help each other? We’re all following our own joy, so there’s no competition.
This very special group is called the Barefoot Writer Club, and I’m launching this newsletter here with our team to make it easier for more writers to start the careers they’ve always dreamed of.
The first step is to get a handle on all the writing opportunities out there. Join us by signing up below, and I’ll send you our special report, 9 Ways to Make a Real Living a Writer. That’s 122 pages of solid, actionable information (but completely free to you!).
After that, stay connected with me here and I’ll show you how to put those writing career ideas into action.
I’ll share stories from the hundreds of writers I’ve interviewed over the years who generously tell all about what they did right and wrong and how they ultimately built their own happy writing careers.
You’ll also get the benefit of guest experts, recurring series, and other contributors shedding light on this wonderful and varied world of paid writing. Your journey will not look like anyone else’s, so the more voices we feature, the better for you.
That’s what Barefoot Writer is all about. Subscribe below and start planning to launch your dream writer’s life now.
About Barefoot Writer Editor Mindy McHorse
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Mindy McHorse is a copywriter, entrepreneur, and world traveler.
She’s best known for her role as Executive Editor of Barefoot Writer magazine, the long-running digital publication that highlights writers who’ve built successful careers doing what they love and living their lives with freedom and autonomy, along with sharing ideas and strategies to help others create their own happy careers as paid writers.
Before that, Mindy was the first Reality Blogger for DigitalCopywriter.com, chronicling her real-life adventure of going from earning $24K a year to six figures as a copywriter in just 12 months.
But all of this happened because Mindy fortuitously stumbled across American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI) when she was stuck in a job she didn’t love with low pay and a rigid schedule.
Through AWAI and its mission-driven team, especially President Rebecca Matter and Executive Director Katie Yeakle, Mindy experienced the same care and guidance reported by thousands of other AWAI Members.
This newsletter is your link to Katie, Rebecca, and the whole AWAI team. AWAI has been proudly training the world’s copywriters and changing lives since 1997 and is the publisher behind Barefoot Writer magazine.
If you have even the tiniest seed of a desire to launch your own writing career, this is the place to start. No other company has the track record and heart that they do, plus almost thirty years of success stories in helping people achieve their writing career dreams.
Join other writers at no charge and get our free guide on
9 Ways to Make a Real Living as a Writer.
Below is the AWAI philosophy on writing and career freedom, which you’ll see echoed in this newsletter from Mindy and the Barefoot Writer.
We believe writing is a skill — not a gift. Anyone who loves to write and is willing to learn can build a professional writing life with freedom, purpose, and income.
We believe great copywriters are made, not born. Training, guidance, and feedback matter far more than natural talent.
We believe your time is valuable. That’s why we focus on helping writers land their first paid assignments as quickly as possible — without gatekeepers or years of “paying dues.”
We believe in being paid well for work that matters. Persuasive writing is one of the most valuable skills in business — and writers deserve to be paid accordingly.
We believe in the power of choosing your own path. Whether part-time or full-time, freelance or fractional, your writing career should fit your life — not the other way around.
We believe your writing life should fit the life you want — whether that means working from the road, being home for dinner, diving deep into a niche you love, or writing just a few hours a day. The beauty of this career is that you get to decide.
We believe writers need community. That’s why we create spaces where writers support each other, grow together, and celebrate the wins — big and small.
We believe you have the right to learn on terms that work for you. That’s why we offer flexible programs for every kind of learner… from self-paced courses you can explore on your own, to live online events, to guided training with coaches and mentors by your side — and more.
We believe deciding to write is more than a career choice — it’s a bold step toward a better, freer life. That’s why we’re here to support, encourage, and inspire you to keep going… so you don’t lose momentum on the path you were meant to follow.
