It was about ten years ago that I decided to get serious about my desire to make a living with what I loved the most--writing. So I looked up the number of a popular writing group in my home town, got registered and took a class. I had heard of the instructor before, even read a couple of his books and magazine articles, so I was thrilled at the prospect of what I could learn from this man. I wasn't disappointed.
This mans enthusiasm and excitement for the craft he taught, as well as his career, was contagious. He even introduced me to one of his magazine editors which was the launching pad for my new career as a published author.
Author and writing coach Randy Jernigan will publish "The Freelance Writers Guidebook" the Spring 2018 in both paperback and electronic editions.
According to Professional Writers Wiki, Randy Jernigan is best known as a celebrity journalist, fiction writer, television news writer, food writer, poet and essayist, writing for several national magazines and media groups throughout the U.S. and Great Britain.
But I know Randy as my writing coach, mentor, and my friend.
I got to speak to Randy briefly by phone during a radio broadcast and ask him about his new book and what it's meant to him to be a writing coach.
"This book has been a long time coming for me. My publishing partners keep me pretty busy working on projects all the time so I had to work on this book on the side and in between other money-making projects. It's mostly a collection of the curriculum I wrote up for The Writers Studio and my students. I concentrated, for the most part, on freelancing as a writer since that's been my life for the past 25 years or more," said the author. "There's nothing like being in a room of writers with their enthusiasm and raw talents. My students always inspired me with their abilities and I was so proud of what they accomplished. It was a high point in my career to be able to share my little bit of knowledge and experience with these writers," Randy said.
One of the many writers that went on to find success from Randy's class is "The Vampire Games," Les Bailey.
"I'm so proud of what Les has accomplished with this trilogy. He's a master at his craft and his work, in my opinion, is nothing less than a masterpiece," Randy fondly boasted.
Besides the publishing of "The Freelance Writers Guidebook," Randy and Les will keynote a master-class in the Salt Lake City area in early Spring and I'm hoping there will be an extra seat for me to take a refresher course!
(Social media photos used with permission)
Randy Jernigan and Les Bailey
