Saturday, September 14, 2024

How Can Kerrie Help You as a Magazine Writer or Editor?

Below you'll find some references from freelance writers who have used my book to get published in parenting and family magazines, as well as some kind words from editors and others I've worked with.

Writers: I've been writing parenting and family magazine articles for almost 20 years, and I still love it! Some of my articles from 15+ years ago are still relevant and are still being published as reprints, although these days I'm fetching more like $50 for a reprint article instead of $25 like in the early days of my career. I've got an instant download that takes you inside my brain so you can do what I am doing, and it includes hundreds of markets so you can get started today! (you can also wait for the updated version in print on Amazon, and I'll share the link here once that's live!)

Editors: I have a Facebook group called Parenting Magazine Writers, and it's over 900 strong. It's a place for writers and editors alike to share market info and tips, as well as have conversations. If you're looking for articles on a particular topic, this is the place to post that ask.

Here are some character traits of mine you can learn about from the following references and recommendations, and I urge you to click on the links to find out more about the talented people who took the time to share these words:

"Kerrie's book has been a springboard for my writing career! I wish I had known this information when I started. I would be so much further along! I'm so grateful that Kerrie is willing to share the secret to her success!  When I was in training to become a stockbroker, I had to take a crash course right before the Series 7 licensing exam. Kerrie's book is the crash course for getting published in regional parenting magazines! I wish I had found it years ago!" — Kelly Stilwell, writer

Monday, July 29, 2024

Your Magazine Article Reprint List

Once you’ve been writing for a while, you'll have a nice body of work to resell (I have over 100 articles in circulation). You’re going to want to send out that list of your body of work to editors from time to time, and you'll also want to keep this list for any new publications you find who might want to see your work.

https://www.thepublishedparent.com/2018/07/a-sample-of-magazine-article-reprint.htmlBelow is an example of what I normally send to publications regularly, sometimes monthly and sometimes more like quarterly. This is discussed in more detail in my book, including when to send it, how often, what to charge, etc. 


Kerrie McLoughlin Reprint List
Updated October 17, 2023
mommykerrie@yahoo.com

Below please find my full reprint list, including word count and synopsis of each article. All pieces are available as web-only articles at your normal rate plus 10%. Please contact me if you would be interested in reviewing one of these articles for possible purchase so you don’t overlap coverage in your area without realizing it. If you love it, I can send out an invoice!

Write for Parenting and Family Magazines

Do you want to write parenting and family articles and get paid to do so? I know there are a lot of parents out there doing the job every day, thinking, "I should write about this. I wonder if others struggle with this. I could help someone with my story or with a researched article about this topic. I could learn some cool things in the process of helping others and making money!"
I had those same thoughts back in 2005-ish when I had my third baby and was in the trenches of the parenting battlefield. I cracked open my local parenting magazine after snagging it at the local children's consignment shop, sent something to them about stocking up on meals instead of going grocery shopping daily, and I made a fast 25 bucks.

Then I wondered if I could maybe send the same piece to other magazines in other cities. Did they only want local content, or would they take my evergreen (can be used anytime of the year, ages well) piece?

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

The Benefits of Lifelong Learning in Today's Fast-Paced World

 


Key Takeaways

  • Lifelong learning contributes significantly to personal and professional growth.
  • Incorporating continuous education can lead to improved job prospects and adaptability.
  • There are various methods to engage in lifelong learning, such as online courses, workshops, and self-study.
  • Lifelong learning has numerous mental health benefits, including enhancing cognitive function and reducing stress.

Table of Contents

  1. Personal and Professional Growth
  2. Enhanced Job Prospects
  3. Adaptability to Change
  4. Methods for Engaging in Lifelong Learning
  5. Mental Health Benefits

Personal and Professional Growth

Lifelong learning is crucial in both personal development and professional advancement. People who commit to continuous education often find themselves more fulfilled and capable in various aspects of their lives. For example, engaging in a Self-Paced Online College program allows individuals to tailor their learning schedule around their existing obligations, making education more accessible and practical. The flexibility of such programs is a significant advantage, particularly for those juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. Consistent growth opportunities can improve self-esteem, decision-making, and a broader worldview. This enhances one's personal life and contributes substantially to professional aspirations, helping individuals stand out in a crowded job market.

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Write for Chicken Soup for the Soul

Updated 7/10/24

Chicken Soup for the Soul
 has an astounding collection of inspiring books! I remember when I got the one for mothers for Mother's Day many years ago, and I still have it, all Post-It noted and highlighted! I've given away a lot of books over the years, but the Chicken Soup books stay on my shelf forever!

These are the most current upcoming potential book topics with deadlines and here are the submission guidelines for Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Cat Stories

The deadline for submissions is SEPTEMBER 30, 2024.

We are thrilled to announce that we are now accepting stories for our cat topic book that is to be released in 2025. Because of the popularity of this topic, we do a new cat book approximately every eighteen months so here is another chance for you to share a story or two about the member of your family who just happens to walk on four feet!

Cats have always been considered companions and playmates that brighten our days and enrich our lives. What would we do without them? They are also wonderful and amazing teachers. The lessons we learn from our feline friends come in all shapes and sizes, just like they do. Tell us the new thing your feline friend has taught you. How smart she is or how she outsmarted you! How he made you smile. How she "rescued" you after you "rescued" her. How he brought your family closer together, helped you find love, inspired you to change something in your human life. How she rules the roost! Stories can be serious or humorous, or both. We can't wait to read all the heartwarming, inspirational, and hysterical stories you have about your cats.

Saturday, March 2, 2024

600 Parenting and Family Magazines That Pay

I'm sure you've seen parenting and family magazines like this one all over your town and when you travel, as well as online. 

Did you know they are always looking for fresh content from parents, grandparents, and other experts just like you?

Did you know that once you sell an article to one of these magazines, you are free to sell it to others all over the country and even worldwide (as long as you don't sign something saying the magazine you're working with gets all rights, in which case you should be asking for a lot more money)?

Did you know you don't need a degree to be able to write for these magazines and earn a reliable and lucrative income?

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Keep Writing Despite Rejection


I'm watching my 10-year-old daughter draw in front of me at the dining room table while I'm writing on the laptop across from her. She is critical of her flowers, but to me they are beautiful. They are nothing like anything I could ever do. I am no artist for sure. But she has talent and is so hard on herself. And I tell her, "I could never do that. You are so amazing. Don't stop because you will only get better and better with practice."

Sometimes in my Facebook writing group, there will be someone who just isn't getting articles accepted. And I ask some questions like, "Are you sending to just a few at a time or doing a BLAST to like all 200 regional parenting magazines on the list? (it's a numbers game) Are you following the general submission guidelines? Don't stop because you will get better and you will get a piece accepted and then the snowball will start."

How to Stop Being Self-Critical

And I wondered ... how do you get someone to stop being self-critical? How do you convince them to keep going? Then I realized that the same things I say to my kids and to my writing group members to be encouraging, I should also be saying to myself.

How to Make an Extra $2,000 Per Month from Home with Words


I'm often asked how I can effortlessly earn an average of $2,000 per month working from home with words while also homeschooling and leading an active life. 

The answer is not sexy or intriguing, and I don't have any life hacks. 

The "secrets" to my productive lifestyle are waking up early, setting goals, getting a bit less sleep, and working when I want to be doing other things.

Things to do Instead of Making Money

Here are just a few fun tasks I'd prefer to be doing instead of painstakingly writing that article or perfecting that proofreading job or publishing that book. I bet you can relate:

Languishing in bed every morning, sleeping as late as I can.

Binge-watching fantastic shows, movies, and podcasts.

Devouring All. The. Books.

Socializing leisurely at a coffee shop.

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Write for Reader's Digest

Check out this post on The Adventurous Writer/Writing Blossoms titled 10 Things You Need to Know About Writing for Reader's Digest. Then see the submission guidelines below. Good luck to you!

Don't send the completed manuscript of your article. The editors will not read it or mail it back. Instead, write a summary of no more than one page. If you will interview the hero of the story, be sure to mention it---it may help you sell your story. Email your proposal to articleproposals@readersdigest.com.
If writing an entire article is too daunting, try something shorter. Reader's Digest encourages its readers to send in funny true stories, jokes, and humorous quotations. Keep your submission within the 500-word limit. If you submit an anecdote originally published elsewhere, include the name of where and when it was published, including the page number.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

How to Find Out if Your Work Was Published without Your Knowledge


Keep publishers honest! Issuu.com has changed everything about their site and now writers can't find their published work anymore.

Updates as of 2023:
One member of the Parenting Magazine Writers Facebook group shared: "I just checked Muckrack and it only shows 5-10% of publications at most of my articles. So it's a minimally helpful resource."

Another shared: "One thing that seems to be working is searching my name and the word 'magazine' and filtering by image. This shows a good amount of my stuff."

One member shared: "Given that my experience is that 20-25% of regional publications try to get away without paying writers (unless you spot your article and invoice them...and even then a few require months of begging), that's a lot of money we're losing out on..."


Below is the old information about Issuu.com. Back when they actually were amazing and helpful.

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Make Money from Home on Fiverr

I stumbled on Fiverr.com in April of 2013 when I was looking for a way to make money from home online to pay off some mounting dental bills and other things. I needed a job that would allow me to continue homeschooling, a job that would travel well if I had to go out of town or work from another location.

I was not disappointed. 

I immediately had a full queue of jobs and found that I could easily customize my "gigs" (what I offer for $5). I could promise to deliver a proofreading job to a client within 24 hours. Or, if life was busy and I was not able to do that, I could change it to a longer delivery time to discourage new orders from coming in as quickly. It's very customizable!

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

My Love-Hate Relationship with Scrivener


I got Scrivener in 2020 when the lockdown was first in effect and was surprised/happy about the reasonable price. Many of my favorite writers raved about this program, so I had to try it.

While I love how I can organize and move chapters around easily without much scrolling, I hate a few things even more, which are huge time-wasters in my writing career:



  1. I can't make the screen bigger without making the font bigger like you can in, say, an Internet browser when you increase the screen print size.

  2. I can't do a search. At least I could never get it to work, so trying to find one magazine market in a sea of several hundred market names was not possible.

  3. When I compiled it into a Word document so I could do final proofreading, Scrivener randomly smooshed words together and randomly messed up the formatting, which wasted a lot of time. So my text might look like this:

The Pomodoro Technique: Focus for ADHD Writers

I'm reading The Art and Business of Writing by Chris Jones on my Kindle and it's full of helpful advice. I'll review it in a later post. For now, please take this gem I got in there (then, interestingly enough, I also found the same gem the next day in a speed-reading ebook I was proofreading on Fiverr, which tells me the Universe wants me to try it).

Basically in the mornings, I put my butt in my seat after getting my coffee and something to eat. Focusing after that is hard. I want to check email, Facebook, my ebook sales, Fiverr, blog stats, do some blog social media, and more. Back and forth and then I've wasted an hour! That is no way to make your dreams come true of moving to the country, traveling the world with your family, and writing a bunch more books!