Educate New Writers

Help support free educational seminars and workshops in schools and for the community. Your donations will help fund complimentary writing courses for children, teens, and adults. 

Few public elementary, middle and high schools offer intensive courses on freelance journalism and ways to write for a living. Most English classes and writing programs in schools focus on creative writing and literary devices – but what opportunities do students have to get published? I visit schools and speak to students on ways they can get published before they even graduate high school. Your donation will help our next generation expand their writing skills, professionalism, and confidence in pursuing publication.

The freelance economy is only forecast to grow. Whether an individual is transitioning careers, ready to pursue full-time writing, or interested in increasing their authority in a particular field – freelance journalism can help produce income while at the same time boosting credibility. Your donation will help fund free community courses on freelance writing.

Who Am I?

I'm Tara Lynne Groth, a freelance writer in North Carolina. I published my first editorial when I was 17. It wasn’t until many years later when I started to consider the possibility of professional freelancing. In 2009, I submitted my first query letters and received my first acceptances from magazine editors. One year later I resigned from my job as a marketing manager and I’ve been a full-time independent writer ever since. Academically, I originally studied advertising and marketing communications and minored in career writing and literature. From school to professional life, I unfailingly follow through on my work – oftentimes ahead of schedule. I left high school early and received my bachelor’s degree when I was 19.

I am the founder and organizer of Triangle Writers and Asheville Writers, two Meetup groups with more than 1,300 members collectively. I started holding seminars in 2011 and consistently receive favorable feedback:

What I Need & What You Get

Your contribution will make a difference. Everyone who contributes to this campaign will receive audio recordings of ALL community seminars, plus updates on the upcoming workshops and re-caps, plus any student success stories.

This campaign will help support at least 10 free seminars in schools and at least 12 free seminars for communities in the next 12 months. (Community events will be open to the public and seating will range from 10-100 per venue.)

What goes into holding a seminar or workshop?

TIME

• Lesson planning
• Presentation planning (PowerPoint, handouts)
• Travel (I’m available to host classes up nationally for this campaign.)
• Instruction time (Some seminars are as short as one hour, others are half-day events.)
• Promotion (social media, newsletters, events, guest posts, etc.)

MATERIALS/SPACE

• Venue reservation (some spaces have non-refundable deposits)
• Refreshments/meal (venue dependent)
• Writing supplies
• Instructional books
• Promotion (advertisements, flyers, etc.)
• Travel (my hotel, transportation and meal expenses)

If you assess all these factors, a simple 1-hour seminar could easily involve at least 3+ hours of behind-the-scenes efforts. I’ve held free hour-long seminars that have required 8 hours of driving time, an overnight hotel and meal costs, presentation planning, etc. Your contribution makes a difference.

Bonus Perks for All Contributors

The campaign funds will be used entirely to support the expenses above. If funding exceeds the campaign goal, contributors will enjoy additional perks, including:

• Access to three 1-hour audio seminars (.mp3): Freelance Writing 101, 5 Queries That Worked for Me, and Ways to Blog Faster
• Complimentary enrollment in a month-long online class on the business of writing ($99 value)

Bonus Perks for Everyone

When we reach certain funding increments throughout the campaign, free resources will become available to everyone (contributors and non-contributors):

• If we reach $1,000, I’ll post a video introducing future class topics and formats
• If we reach $2,500, I’ll hold a free webinar on freelance journalist liabilities
• If we exceed the campaign goal, I’ll donate a copy of my forthcoming book Magazine Queries That Worked to a school and a public library in every state

Pay It Forward

If I do not reach my campaign goal, the funds will still be used to support as many events as possible. 

Event Schedule

• June 6 - 3 Queries That Worked - Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC
• July 17 - Business of Being a Writer - Islands Library, Savannah, GA
• August 1 - Future of An Article (How to Re-print, Syndicate, Adapt to Book & More) - Lewisville Library, Winston-Salem, NC
• September 19 - Liabilities of Journalists - The Cooperative, Graham, NC
• October 17 - Query Letter Mistakes to Avoid - Location TBA in Pinehurst, NC
• November 4 - Writing Income Beyond Journalism - Location TBA, Western NC
• December 1 - Contract Terms to Avoid - The Frontier (Fusion Room), Research Triangle Park, NC

NOTE: Project Freelance closed with enough funds to cover 6 months of seminars. All events noted above will take place. Events noted below had been proposed.

• January - How to Find Editor Contact Information - Location TBA
• February - Trade Magazines v. Consumer Magazines - Location TBA
• March - Writing the Query Hook - Location TBA
• April - What to Do With a Rejected Query - Location TBA
• May - 3 More Magazine Queries That Worked - Location TBA

Your Impact

Your contribution will help dispel the mystery of publishing for many young writers, and help writers of all ages move forward on their publishing journey. 

Right now the publishing industry is changing and pending laws may impact the funds that schools receive for education in the creative fields. Factors affecting new and long-time writers include:

• National funding for the arts in schools and through the National Endowment for the Arts is precarious. Today's students may not have as many opportunities to learn about careers in fields like writing.
• The number of full-time journalists at staff newspapers was 32,900 in 2015, a drop of 10,000 since 2010. Understanding freelance journalism is becoming more important for writers who want to continue their careers.
• "Freelancers overwhelmingly say we need more discussion of how to empower the independent workforce," says the intro to the Freelancers Union's annual report "Freelancing in America 2016." The report also shows that the freelance workforce increased from 53 to 55 million from 2014 to 2016. 

I want to educate others on freelance journalism. Whether an individual wants to learn about a viable writing career, expand their professional name or support a cause by writing articles, or produce extra income on the side - I'd like to help.

Other Ways You Can Help

Even if you’re unable to contribute at this time, you can still help:

• Share the campaign with friends and family who you think would be ideal supporters
• Share with your social media friends (and use #projectfreelance2017)
• If you're a writer, tell your writing group
• If you're a teacher, tell your fellow teachers and your students' parents
• If you're a parent, tell other parents and your child's teachers
• Invite me to write a guest post on your blog
• Invite me on your podcast/radio show