Advice needed for freelance writing position!?

Question

I have been writing stories since I was young and have always loved it. I saw an ad in a local women's mag, and I really want to apply. Here's the ad:

"If you love writing stories about and for women, we'd love to hear from you. Attention to detail and knowledge of AP style required. Please send resume, three writing clips and a cover letter."

So I am just wondering what kinds of writing clips to send? How long should they be? I have many blogs, but do you suggest they be women related considering that's what the position calls for? Or just an example of how I write? I am not very familiar with AP style either, so any resources would be great! Someone suggested that I get the AP Stylebook, but I wasn't sure.

I really would love to have this opportunity to freelance, but I am not really confident in what to do here!

Thanks for your help.

I have never had anything published, so nothing on my resume would be in relation to this. If I get turned down, no big deal. I just want to do this correctly.

Answer 1

You can get the AP stylebook at big bookstores and on line. Handy to have.

If you have non-blog clippings, I would put them at the top of the list. I'd bet the editors would be interested in seeing if your work has been accepted by professionals somewhere else; it would get you some attention.

Otherwise, take your three best stories, present them as well as possible, and send them in. I'm not sure what the magazine publishes in terms of length -- try to match your clips to what they print. If you have a long story (50 paragraphs?) and it prints those stories, send that along.

And don't be discouraged if you get turned down early. It happens to everyone. Just keep at it.

Answer 2

Yes, get the AP Stylebook, you should be able to find it at any bookstore or order it online. You may have to tweak your blogs to put them in AP format. Look through the magazine to get ideas for the types of articles and the writing style that they publish--this should give you some idea of what they are looking for. You might also try writing some things and sending them in as editorials or articles for local newspaper or local magazines if your community has any of these, just so you can send them something that has been published besides weblogs. That would also help with giving you some freelance experience to put on your resume.

I have looked at these types of ads, too, but haven't pursued it. Good luck!

Answer 3

just a heads up you can always try taking some projects online to build your portfolio. Try http://freelanceca.com to get some projects :)