Today is the last working day of the six month contract I have with my present employer – which means from tomorrow until I find another job, I’ll be a full-time writer and house husband. I’m looking forward to spending more time with the kids; and I’ve already got a freelance project under way and a couple more lined up, as well as a novel and a handful of short stories to work on, so we’ll see how it goes. Wish me luck.

Since turning freelance, I’ve been reading a lot of books about the business and craft of professional copywriting, and below (in no particular order) are the ones I’ve personally found most useful, interesting and inspiring:

• How to Set Up a Freelance Writing Business by Jason Deign
• Gabay’s Copywriter’s Compendium by J.Jonathan Gabay
• Write To Sell by Andy Maslen
• The Copywriter’s Handbook by Robert W. Bly
• How to Write Sales Letters That Sell by Drayton Bird
• The IDM Marketing Guide Edited by Robin Fairlie
• Success… And How to Avoid It by Matt Coward

Plus, the following DVD is pretty good. I’ve seen Andy live several times and he has a series of online articles that will be of interest to anyone in the advertising or direct marketing industy.

• How To Write Copy That Really Sells (DVD) by Andy Owen

Do you have a favourite reference book that you always keep by the keyboard? Share it with us by leaving a comment.

Today’s been a busy day. I wrote a press ad for a new client (a local restaurant chain) and they liked it. The ad will shortly be appearing in a number of local magazines. I also answered some quesitons and supplied a profile of myself for a forthcoming interview with Concept Sci-Fi - which I believe will be published in a week or so (keep watching the site). After that, I caught up on some admin and even found the time to finish reading “Blindsight” by Peter Watts – which is an excellent book for anyone interested in psychology, the senses and what it means to be self aware.

Of course, I still have a pile of further things to do – including stories for two forthcoming anthologies, the opening chapters of two new novels, and a half-written collaboration with another Interzone author. Not to mention finding clients, earning money, etc…

Today was my last day working for Agresso. After nine years and two months with the company, I was sad to say goodbye. But also excited, because now I’ll be able to give my full concentration to copywriting and fiction, which is what I really want to be doing.

To quote Talking Heads:

Think about this little scene /Apply it to your life / If your work isn’t what you love / Something isn’t right

I have a client briefing scheduled for Monday lunchtime. Please see the “Copywriting” tab above for more information on my services and experience.