Job Discussion Forums

[mick_luna]

I�m a Canadian English teacher and freelance graphic artist/writer ( www.portfolios.com/exotica ). I�ve freelanced as a journalist and illustrator in Hanoi and Prague, while giving lessons on the side. I tried doing that in Brazil, and don�t recommend it (slavery never ended there.nuff said) I am looking at doing something similar in Taiwan, but am looking for some feedback. i�ve gotta get out of toronto
cheers
mick

[Gregor]

I don't know Taiwan. But Jakarta seemed like a pretty good place for that sort of thing. A lot of outlets for English language work (magazines, etc.). I worked as a musician there for about three years myself, doing pretty much what you described for one of those years.

[Moore]

Worked as a teacher and as a freelance cartoonist in Paris: got a friendly reception from art directors there and made a decent amount of cash on the side (you need the teaching salary though!). You may have visa problems as a Canadian though, France is ultra-strict on working papers.

[go_ABs]

I consider myself a freelance writer. I do it quite successfully in China.

It depends what you mean by "freelance". If you're talking about being a ringer - ie, you have a few places in town that know you and sometimes give you assignments / buy your work on a regular basis - then you'll need somewhere with lots of English-language / graphic design outlets. That's unlikely outside of major centres in China.

What I do, however, is freelance online. I don't apply for jobs; I send queries (post and e-) to publications that might be interested in my work. Many, many publications accept e-queries, which means it doesn't matter where in the hell you're writing from.

I've only started doing this this year, but have had moderate success: three magazine stories, one newspaper, two e-zine, 5 textbook stories accepted for publication, and one e-book on Booklocker (see my sig).

When they send tear sheets and samples of the publication, I use my address in my home country.

I'm new at this, and pitching to lower-end markets presently, but I hope soon to advance to moderate-paying markets. I'm not earning big bucks by any stretch of the imagination (what writer does???), but it's a bit of side income.

I find China to be great fodder for essay-style pieces, but the biggest advantage of working here is the hours. I work less than 16 hours a week for a (relatively) reasonable wage - certainly enough to live on. That leaves plenty of time for freelancing.

PM Me if you (or anyone) would like to discuss it more. (I love talking about me.)