Writer Mama Riffs on Raising A Writing Career Alongside Your Kids

By Tiffani Hill-Patterson

Finally, a print mag for us!
Mom Writers Literary Magazine is a place for writer mamas to share their trials and triumphs, their motivations and madness. Editor-in-Chief Samantha Gianulis says, “What we love about our site and magazine is how many people they reach, and all of the different voices we represent.”

Mom Writer’s Regular Columns remind us of our similarities: We struggle to get the words down between diaper changes, commuting and making sure our “little ones” are ready for the world. The publication also includes profiles of the pros: The winter issue put the spotlight on our very own Writer Mama Christina Katz. Articles in the Features section will touch you and make you laugh out loud.
Grab a mug and browse awhile
Reading the Coffee & Critique Writers Group blog is like chatting with writer friends. “The blog is aimed at helping writers improve their craft, find opportunities to publish, and learn about the business of writing,” blog manager Tricia Grissom says. Put together by a Missouri writers group, the site features news on literary agencies, calls for submissions, and contests. The site also includes articles on How To Start a Critique Group that take you step by step from finding a meeting spot to managing your group. A couple of successful queries are also included. If you’re looking for information on new magazine launches, writing contests or places to submit your stories, this regularly updated blog is worth adding to your favorites list.
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Tiffani Hill-Patterson is an award-winning journalist with thirteen years of writing and editing experience. She’s a regular contributor to The Writer Mama zine and Birmingham Parent magazine, and her articles on health, parenting, fitness and pop culture have also appeared in The Huntsville Times, The Moulton Advertiser and The TimesDaily. She lives in Alabama with her husband and daughter. Read more at http://www.tiffanihillpatterson.com.

Freelance Parent: Advice from the trenches
How do you know if you’re ready to jump into the freelance world? Head over to Freelance Parent and read Ten Questions to Ask Yourself Before Becoming a Freelancer. Freelance Parent is part of eMoms At Home.com: The Internet Home Business Magazine for Moms & Dads and is for all freelancers, including writers. Moms Tamara Berry and Lorna Doone Brewer teamed up to start their own freelance business, and they share what they’re learning along the way. The site has tips on grant-writing, interviewing and finding time to work while parenting. The writing is smart, funny and helpful — a perfect combination.

Write-from-Home.com keeps you coming back
It will take more than one or two visits to Write-from-Home.com to take in all the information. It’s filled with articles for writers on everything from insurance to queries to networking, as well as this one for writer mamas. Other features offer tips on paying taxes and breaking in with your local newspaper. Write-from-Home.com includes a blog that delves into the day-to-day business of getting the work done. The site also compiles fresh paying markets from trades to nationals from Web sites to newsletters so set aside some time to explore this one.
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Tiffani Hill-Patterson is an award-winning journalist with thirteen years of writing and editing experience. She’s a regular contributor to The Writer Mama zine and Birmingham Parent magazine, and her articles on health, parenting, fitness and pop culture have also appeared in The Huntsville Times, The Moulton Advertiser and The TimesDaily. She lives in Alabama with her husband and daughter. Read more at http://www.tiffanihillpatterson.com.

By Tiffani Hill-Patterson

Show Me The Money
“Sick and tired of seeing writers settle for $2 or ‘exposure’ gigs because they felt they had no other choice,” Deborah Ng started Freelance Writing Jobs to help work-at-home moms find “decent” paying gigs. Since she started her blog in 2005, she’s helped hundreds of writers do just that. Not only does Deborah compile lists of paying gigs, she also blogs about issues writers face, such as writing on spec. A discussion section lets readers add tips, get advice from other writers in the trenches or vent a little, like her Fun with Pet Peeves post. Check Freelance Writing Jobs  and you just might find the perfect gig.

She’s One Hot Mama
As an author, a freelance writer and a mom, Allison Winn Scotch is in demand. Yet she still finds time to share her writing wisdom in her blog Ask Allison. She calls it “the place to post questions and find answers on all of your too-afraid-to-ask concerns, hesitancies, and worries about breaking into the publishing field.” Between releasing and promoting her first book, The Department of the Lost and Found, and working on her second novel, Time of My Life, Allison has been fielding lots of questions about fiction writing. Her archives also contain excellent posts about breaking into the magazine business – check out this gem: Editors Sound Off. Her secret to finding time to do it all and do it well? Read A Method to the Madness for some excellent ideas.
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Tiffani Hill-Patterson is an award-winning journalist with thirteen years of writing and editing experience. She’s a regular contributor to The Writer Mama zine and Birmingham Parent magazine, and her articles on health, parenting, fitness and pop culture have also appeared in The Huntsville Times, The Moulton Advertiser and The TimesDaily. She lives in Alabama with her husband and daughter. Read more at http://www.tiffanihillpatterson.com.