Striking Success in Asia

Sandra Millett discovered that freelancing can take you from one side of the world to the other:

"Writing for sale is a matter of finding jobs and living with rejection," she says. "An editor can say 'no' - but if you don't try - well, it's already a 'no' isn't it? With this what-have-I-got-to-lose attitude, my freelancing has expanded into searching the web for jobs. Some sites are only sales vehicles for how-to-write products or personal forums. I discovered Freelance Work Exchange is different: informational, professional and consistently reliable."

One day, Sandra saw a project on Freelance Work Exchange that caught her attention - 'URGENT CALL FOR WRITERS! Singapore . . . the US . . . A new series about indigenous cultures for 10-12 year olds . . . The Hmong of Southeast Asia . . . A deep, up-to-date understanding of the culture is a must.'

"They wanted in-depth experience. Hadn't I worked in Fresno, California with Hmong from Laos? Hadn't I lectured to Hmong women about adapting their stitchery to American tastes? And I was leaving for Vietnam in three weeks. I could do this. I fired off a query to Singapore, including my departure date to Hanoi."

The editor responded the same day. She needed an extremely comprehensive outline, including Hmong words with simple pronunciation guides and a language chapter that required firsthand knowledge. If Sandra's credentials passed muster, she would need a 500-word First Peoples writing sample. She updated her bio, and assured myself that her experience qualified her for the job.

"I sent off my writing sample and assured the editor that I could write the outline in four days after I returned from Vietnam. I could do this, no problem. Ten days later, the contract was faxed and I conditionally accepted it by e-mail. Four days later, I headed to Southeast Asia on my quest for local books about Hmong. I returned home with a mountain of Hmong stitchery, clothing and jewelry and a pitifully short stack of books."

Now her book is in print - and Sandra is intent on developing her career further.

"Freelance Work Exchange made First Peoples: The Hmong of Southeast Asia possible. My baby is now in international and US release. I did it, you can too."