Hi all -- I was recently approached by Bob Howells of Surefire Writing with a request to swap me a post. He's going to be reprinting my post Why Freelance Writers Need to Make $100 an Hour.

As it happens, I had already read a post of his that I really loved, on the merits of landing big projects. Bob recently saw his biggest article client fold, National Geographic Adventure, but he shares my positive outlook on the marketplace and he's moving forward in a great way. His ebook is Write Where the Money Is.

Here's his post:

Tie Up Some Packages
by Robert Earle Howells

I just got a call from an editor asking if I’d be interested in doing a package for his magazine.

I’m sure you know what I mean. Packages are feature-length (or longer) bundles of shortish write-ups, like World’s Greatest Anythings, or 50 Things You Must Do Before You Die (start a blog!), Best Places to Retire, Tech Toys You’ve Got to Own….

I said yes.

A lot of freelance freelance writers either turn their noses up at packages or simply don’t think about them. If you’re making a tidy living writing narrative features, great. More power to you. But if you’re in the trenches with the rest of us, think about packages and roundups.

Here’s what I like about packages:

They’re usually big. Good money.
Seldom require travel. You’re not expected to visit all 50 Best Dinosaur Excavations.
Hence no uncompensated downtime.
Research-heavy. I’m really good at research.
Pithy shorthand writing. A fun voice to channel.
Often get to write display copy.
Sure, I’m not crazy about some aspects of package writing:

Generally rushed. Mags are always desperate for a list of subjects so they can get photo working on picture research.
Research-heavy. Oh, wait: I’m good at that!
Weird shorthand writing. A tiresome voice to channel.
Rarely win awards.
I’ve done packages I’m proud of, like National Parks and Seven Ages of Adventure for National Geographic Adventure. Some weren’t so sexy, like a roundup of portable barbecue grills, and a compilation of seafood festivals.

But packages have paid a lot of my bills. They can pay yours, too. Devise some package ideas for magazines and websites you want to contribute to. Query editors with a couple of package outlines. Or inquire about what packages are planned for the coming year. They often use multiple authors for a single package.

You might not win a Pulitzer, but a single package can make a few mortgage payments.