So once upon a time some freelance writer dude who makes a living writing about video games for lots of awesome magazines and websites across the universe had an idea: to write a book and jam-pack it full of in-depth, useful advice for aspiring game journos and established writers looking to carve out a career freelancing in the game industry. Oh hey, that’s me! And the book? Up Up Down Down Left WRITE: The Freelance Guide to Video Game Journalism. It’s coming out in just a few more months! Here’s an update on the project, where it’s at, and how you can help (if you feel so inclined) to spread the word as we gear up for this launch, DIY style. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘freelancing’
Freelance Game Journo Guide Book Update
May 16, 2013Shop Talk: The Year in Freelance 2012
December 28, 2012
Or perhaps more appropriately titled: “Holy crap I survived another year of freelance game journo word-fu craziness!” Every year seems like a wild ride, but 2012 in particular has been an interesting one across the board. So much so that I feel compelled to blab personal thoughts about some of the more interesting moments of my year. Feel free to indulge in my self-indulgence!
Book Kickstarter Update: The Big Push (We Need One)
August 31, 2012
First off, a huge thanks to everyone who’s been pitching in to help spread the word and contribute to the Kickstarter campaign for my book: Up Up Down Down Left WRITE – The Freelance Guide To Video Game Journalism. It’s been a wild ride so far, with lots of ups and downs, and we’re nearing the end – for better or worse. I’ve added a lot of awesome bonus rewards and incentives in the past week, and we still have a LOT to raise in the remaining 8 days before the funding deadline, so I figured a big update was in order. Please read on, because I super need your help.
Kickstarter Mentioned on Wired / GeekDad
August 27, 2012
Poking around the internet this weekend, I discovered that Wired’s GeekDad blog did a nice news blurb about Up Up Down Down Left WRITE and the Kickstarter. Super psyched! With only 12 days left to the Kickstarter and approx $5,200 left to raise, this is a nice little boost! Getting close to the home stretch, which is when I’ll really need any interested folks who’ve been considering backing it to step up to the plate and kick out the backer jams – uh yeah, mixed metaphors.
Anyway! You can read the Wired piece here on GeekDad.
Book Kickstarter Interview w/ WhatCulture!
August 24, 2012
I had a rad chat with the folks over at WhatCulture! about freelance game journalism, the book, the Kickstarter, and more! You can check out the article and interview here!
Kickstarter Update: The book Kickstarter is currently at 22 percent funding, with only 15 days left to hit the $7,000 needed to make this happen. There’s still over $5,000 to raise by the deadline, but if we exceed that amount and hit $10,000, I’ll be writing a second shorter book and giving a free digital copy to all backers. I also have some additional gaming-related surprises in the works. Please check out the project and consider becoming a backer! Remember: if the project doesn’t hit the $7,000 goal by Sept 8. then it doesn’t get funded. ULTRA Sad panda
Up Up Down Down Left WRITE Interview At DLYDJ
August 17, 2012
I recently chatted with the folks over at Don’t Lose Your Day Job, who were kind enough to write up a nice interview piece about the Kickstarter, the book, my thoughts on this and that, and freelancing in the game industry. I think the article came out quite well. You can check it out right here.
Also: The book Kickstarter is currently hovering at 19 percent funding, with only 22 days left to hit the $7,000 needed to make this happen. Please check out the project and consider becoming a backer! Remember: if the project doesn’t hit the goal by Sept 8. then it doesn’t get funded. Sad panda!
Up Up Down Down Left WRITE Kickstarter Update
August 14, 2012If you’ve ever wanted to get the inside scoop on how to break into the world of freelance video game journalism, then this is your chance to back a project that’ll help you jump start your dream career. Last week I launched a Kickstarter campaign for my book Up Up Down Down Left WRITE – The Freelance Guide To Video Game Journalism. It had a killer first week, raising over $1,200 of its $7,000 goal. But then the influx of new backers died down to a light drizzle, then a trickle, and now it’s like the Sahara Desert over here. Not unexpected! Most Kickstarters hit a lull after launch and then pick up momentum during the home stretch. I’m still pretty optimistic about everything, but I don’t intend to let this thing die on the vine mid-way, which is why I need your help THIS VERY SECOND!
Read on for more nitty gritty on the Kickstarter campaign and how you can help.
UPDATE: Up Up Down Down Left WRITE – The Freelance Guide to Video Game Journalism book project is LIVE on KICKSTARTER!
August 5, 2012
Hey humans of the Internet! Do you dig reading my Shop Talk and Ask The Freelance Dude columns here on the ye olde work blog? If so, then you’re going to (hopefully) love this. I’ve been working hard behind the scenes for the past year to write a full book covering the many ins and outs of how to freelance in the video game industry. The book, lovingly dubbed “Up Up Down Down Left WRITE: The Freelance Guide to Video Game Journalism,“ is about two-thirds finished, and I’m getting everything together that I need to wrap-up the book and self-publish it. But I need your help to push this thing over the finish line and make it super awesome, so I’m launching a Kickstarter later this week! Here’s a little more detail about the project.
Shop Talk: Drumming Up Work In The New Year
January 2, 2012
If you’re anything like me, you’ll still be accidentally signing invoices, checks, and other documents as “2011″ for at least few more days. Compared to previous years, 2011 was a pretty crummy run for myself and quite a few other freelancers I know. Some excellent outlets shuttered (GamePro, What The Play), gigs dried up, and the work just didn’t seem to flow as smoothly. But 2012 is here, and it’s time to kick some ass.
My New Year’s Resolution for 2012: be like more Chuck Norris. Who’s with me now? Here’s a quick and dirty list of a few ways to clean house and jump start some freelance work mojo in the New Year.
Shop Talk: Sharing The Freelance Love
December 22, 2011The holidays are upon us once again. Huzzah. [In case you missed that, cue lack of enthusiasm...now. No wait....now]. I’m not really a celebrator of all things X-mastian or holidaciousness these days. That’s fine with me. I’m going to spend X-mas morning scooping out cat poop as a volunteer at the local animal shelter my wife works at. Then I’m probably going to drink beer. Awesome. But my gimpy space heater and this hot cup of coffee are kicking off some warm fuzzy vibes this morning, so I thought I’d take a moment today to share some links to excellent articles written by a few of the many fellow game journalists, freelancers, and other writer folks that I dig. Cheers!
