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WRITE BETTER & DO IT FOR SPONDULICKS

That’s British for money. Honest.

I’m Karen Marston and I’m going to tell you everything I know about making a living writing. Even the bad bits.

There are tons of ways to make money from writing. I don’t know much about most of them. SORRY. I do know that most of them are pretty bloody hard to get rich from. Hmm. That’s probably not what you wanted to hear, is it?

Anyway, I do know some useful stuff. I’ve been making my living by writing things on the internet since 2012 and I’m still not dead, so. That’s nice.

I know how to get enough work as a freelance copywriter to pay the bills and then some. I know how to write persuasive copy that sells things, which is handy for both selling your own stuff and helping clients sell theirs. I know how to write a blog people want to read, and how to write courses and ebooks people want to buy.

And for all the stuff I DON’T know? Well, I’m working on it. I write about that, too. Mostly on the blog. Sometimes in emails. If you’re already in love with me (I knew you had good taste just from looking at you) you can sign up for my emails below. Otherwise, the blog is here. I’ll win you over yet.

You’re damn right I send good emails.

If you subscribe, I will send you:

  • Behind-the-scenes stories about my work and life as a writer
  • Links to my latest blog posts and anything else I’ve published
  • Other cool shit I think you’ll enjoy or find helpful on your writerly adventure

Oh, and I never send more than one email per week, because who has time for that?

I wasn’t kidding. My emails are great.

  • Hey Karen,

    I really love Untamed Writing and I’m trying too hard to sound cool in this email because holy shit, you are just so cool. Your advice on writing and business is some of the most realistic, empathetic, actionable and actually hilarious stuff I’ve come across and I genuinely enjoy reading it.

    Actually, I might binge read the blog pretty soon because it’s giving me inspiration and clarity when it comes to my own business, and I need more of that. Thank you!

    Thanks for doing what you do; it’s so encouraging to see someone run a business that is absolutely on her own terms. It’s good to be reminded that you don’t need to fit in a box to make things work.

    Thanks, and happy writing!
    Ada

  • Hi Karen,

    I really needed this one today.

    Feeling overwhelmed by life, I was busily unsubscribing from email lists, and your words jumped out at me. Clearly I didn’t hit that unsubscribe link as I had planned to.

    You’re awesome and I just wanted to send a rare email (I almost never do) just saying for you to keep being you in all your honest and shit-kicking way.

    Thank you,
    Rachel

  • Just wanted you to know that in attempting to get a new biz idea off the ground – I’ve watched loads of slimy webinars and signed up for probably 40 email lists – you’re the first to get my real email address instead of my spam account in months. Looking forward to watching you be you and feeling inspired to just be me.

    Michelle

  • ARE WE THE SAME PERSON?

    Karen, I’ve been a fan of yours for a while now and I love your intolerance for all things bullshit.

    But this email. Well, I had to respond. Thank fuck I am not the only person who is intentionally not busy and doesn’t want to be up 32 hours a day hustling to become a six-figure entrepreneur because it will empower me. Vom.

    Anyway, thanks for being alive and dishing out your good shit. Fan for life.

    Suzanne

  • Dear Karen,

    This mail is an impulse – I just had to tell you that I love reading your emails! I love your honest voice and always find something to think about from you.

    No matter how you modify your business, I hope you’ll continue to write to your subscribers (well, I’m a fan actually!). I can almost hear many of them join me as I say – We Love You!!

    Sending you epic best wishes,
    Rajashree

  • Hey Karen!

    Thanks for consistently putting good shit in my inbox. You are literally the only newsletter type thing I read all the way to the end every time.

    Rock on girl, I appreciate you.

    Sarah

  • Hey Karen,

    Just wanted to say that I love your emails! They’re entertaining and include useful stuff that I actually want to read. So it’s the only one out of all the emails I’m signed up to that I actually look forward to opening.

    Cheers!
    Dawn

  • You’re awesome, Karen. I love your emails and admire your vulnerability. I appreciate what you do!

    Sincerely,
    Lindsey

  • Karen,

    You’re flippant, funny, and totally awesome. I enjoy your adventures and insights.

    Thanks for all.

    Amy

  • I read every email. Your emails aren’t just ‘Hey, here’s my new post/course/e-book/webinar!’ You actually talk about being human, and your general experience as a person trying to run an online business. I suppose most people (myself included) would feel too embarrassed to build a brand that way. We’re always told that our professional appearance should be more buttoned-up. Which means no swearing, no talking about the meaning of life and definitely no admitting to staying in your pyjamas all day.
  • You’re totally honest and I love to read and feel what you’re going through as a professional writer. It’s no fairytales and other crap how beautiful and easy everything is. I see how you change your mind, how you struggle and find your answers. It just reminds me – I am not different. We are all humans.
  • You are one of the few newsletter emails I subscribe to and actually read because you are real, honest and share your personal struggles.
  • I love getting your emails. When I started freelance writing and blogging, I subscribed to a bunch of blogs that I liked. They all send way too many emails, except for you! I LOVE getting your emails because they make me laugh, and they come just enough to keep me updated on everything you have been up to. When I get emails from one blog too much I just end up deleting them without reading them, but yours are perfectly spread out. It gives me a chance to go back and read all the blogs I missed and other stuff you like to share, which is always appreciated :)
  • Love getting your emails! I read yours more than any other I subscribe to, and I think there are a couple reasons why. You don’t post too often, so your emails stay special. I look forward to reading about what you’ve been up to, the good and the bad, and the strategies you’ve put in place. You talk to me like a friend, not a high and mighty perfect expert, and I like that you don’t use bullshit jargon or try to guilt me into buying things or use any of that clickbaity crap. Also love the other helpful links you include at the bottom of your emails. Keep up the awesome work! Xx
  • I started freelancing in late 2014 after resigning from my full-time toxic job. And like a lot of people would do when starting something they have no idea about, I depended on Google. I came across a bunch of sites to subscribe to. All of which I never came back to even when I received their emails. Except for one – Untamed Writing by Karen Marston.

    I remember telling my mom how amused I was when I found it. Something about Karen’s personality makes me NOT stop reading her articles. Her personality took reading all of it up a notch. I even had a phase when I marathoned her whole archive.

    And then I started worshiping her when she replied to more than a couple of my questions through email. I told her I wanted to take one of her courses but couldn’t afford it. But she replied anyway even knowing I’m not really a ‘potential client’.

    She has a no-BS attitude, and her writing speaks for her and what she does – and how good she is at it.

    – Azelle

What are you doing down here? Go read the blog or something.