While these Qs are not as FA as you might think, they do offer a good deal of information about myself and my work.
Q: What kind of freelance work do you do?
A: My primary focus is automotive journalism, and most of that is for the web. My first freelance job was updating the New York Times Autos section’s online calendar, a task I still perform twice each month. I’m also the Guide to Exotic Cars on About.com, and I write regularly for the Autos section of HowStuffWorks.com, which is owned by Discovery. I also write automotive articles for print outlets like the New York Times newspaper and Portland Monthly magazine.
I also work with independent publishing firms as a copy editor or line editor, mostly for novels and memoirs, though I’ve edited straight up non-fiction books on occasion.
I’ve also started a blog for my favorite obsession: Danny, the Kelpie mix I adopted from the shelter in September 2009. You can read about the dog who never stops at The Active Dog Chronicles site.
Q: What do you drive, then, Miss Auto Journalist?
I have a 2005 Subaru Baja, the nouveau Brat, if you will. I love it for being all-wheel drive, tough, and easy to clean out. Danny leaves nose prints on the back windows and dog hair, well, everywhere.
Q: What makes you unique, KHG?
A: While I spend a lot of my time doing creative work, I’m insanely organized and meticulous. I’ve never missed a deadline (knock on wood), and my invoicing system is professional. I also don’t pretend to be “detail-oriented” or a “multi-tasker,” though I can handle several overlapping assignments and I am an excellent copy editor. My grammar skills are indeed mad, but I don’t annihilate an author’s voice in search of strict adherence to the rules.
Q: What do you charge?
Well, it all depends, doesn’t it? The market for print articles right now seems to be holding steady at $1 a word for the kind of timely, well-researched articles I turn in. My editing services start at $50 an hour for simple proofreading with a quick turn-around time and increase with the complexity of the project.
Q: What kind of business relationship will we have?
I work from a home office for companies across the country, and most of my communications are via email due to time differences. I do like to touch base via telephone every once in a while, though, and if we’re within a couple hours of each other, meeting in person is great for a freelancer like me. My dog listens, but he gives terrible feedback.
Q: How do I pay you?
Most of my clients pay via check. I know — it’s so twentieth century, but it works. I don’t accept PayPal payments, but I do have a couple of regular clients who have set up direct deposit with my bank. That’s the ideal.
Q: How long have you been in business?
I’ve been in automotive journalism since February 2002, when I started at Sports Car Market magazine. In September 2006, I went solo and began my freelance career. Since then, I’ve written for Details magazine, worked on an editing project for CitySearch, and attended the Detroit auto show and SEMA in Las Vegas for About.com.
Q: Where are you located, and what are your hours?
I’m in Portland, Oregon, and I generally work Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time. Most Friday mornings I walk dogs at the Oregon Humane Society, but they’re flexible if I have a deadline looming or interview to do.
