I Owe Every Byline I Have to This Woman
[image description: a headshot of Javacia Harris Bowser, founder of See Jane Write. She’s a Black woman wearing a snazzy blue blazer and smiling at the camera.]
Photo credit: Lynsey Weatherspoon Photography
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In early September, I got the call no one wants to get. It was the HR manager at work calling to tell me I was being laid off. As if 2020 wasn’t bad enough, right?
I had a couple of days of raging around the house and scream-singing along to MCR, but through it all, I didn’t freak out about money. Not because I’m independently wealthy (I’m not) or because I have a trust fund (lolololol NO), but because I knew how to make money doing what I love, thanks to Javacia Harris Bowser and See Jane Write.
I joined See Jane Write, a women’s writing group, in 2011, not long after Javacia started it. At the time, I knew I wanted to write but I had no idea how to make magazines take a 21-year-old college student seriously. Through workshops, e-courses, in-person events, conferences, coaching sessions, and endless support and encouragement, Javacia taught me how to start a blog, pitch my writing, network with editors, build a portfolio of freelance work, and charge what I’m worth.
Over the years, I went from being a confused, directionless wannabe writer to landing bylines in some of my favorite (and majorly popular!) magazines online and in print. Plus, I was able to take the same skills I was using to land bylines and apply them to freelancing for private clients. Though that work doesn’t typically come with a byline, the increase in pay more than makes up for it.
Before I met Javacia and joined See Jane Write, I only dreamed of being a full-time writer. Now I knew that between freelancing for byline-giving, public-facing magazines and freelancing for private clients, it was possible.
The truth was that I’d been crunching the numbers, budgeting, and trying to figure out an exit plan from my day job for a while. I was planning to take the leap anyway, so when the leap came in the form of a hearty shove from the nest, baby, I was ready to fly.
Since September I’ve been putting all those skills to use in a big way. I’ve edited one full-length book manuscript and am currently editing another. I’ve written content marketing blog posts for a small sustainable design firm. I’ve edited recipes by a recipe developer who writes for one of the biggest cooking sites on the web. I’ve edited short stories and personal essays for other creatives. I’m about to have a piece published in Business Insider, which will be my biggest byline yet. On top of that, I’ve started a novel, had a short story published, and have had a personal essay nominated for a Best of the Net award. I’ve also written compelling product descriptions for my vintage wares, which have increased sales by a lot. I’ll let the numbers do the talking on that one:
For the record, the industry average for retail for conversion rates is 1%. The date range for the data above only includes the time since I’ve been laid off to present-day––two and a half months. And writing is my main squeeze revenue stream.
Here’s the real-real. I’m not taking my laptop to the beach or stocking my closet from Saks Fifth Avenue. I’m making less money than I did at my day job because my day job was paying me stupidly well. But I was also stressed out and dreaded going to work. Thanks to what I’ve learned from Javacia, I can pay my bills while doing what I love. I’m less stressed, more focused, and far happier. You can’t put a price on well-being.
So when I say I owe every byline I’ve had to Javacia and See Jane Write, I mean that and so much more. I’m able to not only pay my bills but thrive during the pandemic thanks to her. I was able to recover from a layoff in a snap because of her. I’m landing my biggest bylines and my best clients yet because of her. What I’ve learned from her has radically changed my life.
If you need someone to kick your writing butt into gear, you’re in luck! Javacia’s e-course See Jane Freelance is open now. In the course you’ll learn:
journalism jargon so you can confidently speak like an industry professional
journalism ethics
why you should blog and how to get started
how to never run out of story ideas
how to find publications that pay
why writing for local media outlets could be your key to success
how to pitch like a pro
how to conduct research and interviews
how to network with other writers and why you should
why writers should think like an influencer
social media tips and tricks for writers
how to write clean, compelling copy that will make you an editor's favorite writer
how to turn your life into a story that sells
how to manage your money and your mindset
PLUS, you'll get access to exclusive interviews with editors and fellow writers discussing a variety of topics including:
how to write for your favorite websites
how to pitch to local and regional magazine editors
how to sell a story to a major national magazine
how to break into writing for trade publications
how to break into arts and culture writing
how to nail down your writing niche
how to supplement your income with copywriting
If you’re ready to see your byline in publications you’ve only dreamed of and make money with your words, sign up for See Jane Freelance before December 1st. The course only opens once a year, so when it closes on December 1st, it’s gone til 2021.
If you use the code MANDY20 you’ll get 25% off. Full price is $297, so with the code you’ll pay $222.75. I’ll get a commission if you use my code, though 1) this is the only e-course I promote so clearly I wouldn’t share it if I didn’t wholeheartedly believe in it and 2) who wants to pay full price for anything these days?
Plus, if you sign up using my code, I’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Got questions? Email! Having trouble implementing a concept? I got you! I want to make sure you get the most out of the course and I love seeing you bring your dreams to life.
I’d be thrilled to see you in the course. Speaking from experience, if you’ve been feeling like it’s time to take the leap and learn how to freelance, it is. Sign up for See Jane Freelance before December 1st.
