The Freelance Writing Quiz

by Marcia Yudkin

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1. The best way to find publications to which you can submit already completed articles is:
a. Consulting Writer's Market
b. Searching Internet directories
c. Hunting through your newsstand
d. All of the above, although this is not a good way to get published

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2. The appropriate response when an agent has offered to represent your poetry or short stories is:
a. Quiet celebration
b. Suspicion
c. Bragging
d. Issuing a press release

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3. The following is a promising but little-exploited opportunity for freelance writers to earn money and a following online:
a. Penning serials
b. Writing personal ads
c. Ghostwriting
d. Submitting letters to the editor

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4. For self-publishers, this medium requires minimal investment and has high perceived value:
a. Booklets
b. Publishing on demand
c. Audiotapes
d. Web publishing

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5. Freelance listing services online seem to work best for writers when:
a. The service limits the number of listees.
b. The service specializes in one field.
c. The service charges a listing fee to keep out the riffraff.
d. The service is funded with millions of dollars from venture capitalists.

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6. The following article title illustrates a "high concept" approach:
a. "The Methuselah Factor"
b. "The Hidden Virtues of HMO's"
c. "He Who Has the Best Time Wins"
d. All of the above

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7. Which statement below is true?
a. Daily fees for writers who serve as expert witnesses run $1,000 to $3,000.
b. Writers who testify in court should do so as a public service.
c. Only famous book authors can get hired as expert witnesses.
d. Writers generally don't hold up well on the witness stand.

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8. Here's what happens when a writer takes a job as an editor:
a. They get labeled and can't get published again.
b. They find the adjustment too difficult and have to quit.
c. They get fired for being too sympathetic to freelancers.
d. They may end up years later on the best seller list.

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9. A writers' conference is an appropriate place for all the following except:
a. Meeting literary agents
b. Schmoozing with other writers
c. Getting your book edited on the spot
d. Learning the latest trends in publishing

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10. Which of the following is a serious obstacle for freelancers:
a. Age discrimination
b. Depending too much on one source of income
c. Having too many interests
d. Marrying a wealthy spouse

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