Keep plugging! I look at it this way...Yes, the economy is bad, and the news is full of layoff notices. The publishing industry is not immune. But I believe this creates opportunity for free-lancers. Publishers need stories and articles to print, and may look beyond "in house" more often!

I've been expanding beyond traditional periodicals to special regular editions of local newspapers. We have a  small newspaper in my community that publishes regular extras on real estate, wedding planning, etc. Each are published every couple of months and are dependable income. I get to research new and interesting topics, and surprise, surprise, I was expecting $25 for a small piece and a check for $125 arrived! A couple of hours of work, and it pays much better than I expected.

It is certainly difficult right now. I have found that there a ton on non-paying markets right now. Editors are paying less and becoming more selective about the articles that they will buy from writers. This is when it pays to be persistent and send queries to markets that accept simultaneous submissions. I've also been digging out old general interest articles from the archives to sell for reprint rights.

No, you're not the only one in a slump. Two years ago, I was TURNING AWAY assignments because I have to juggle family, another part-time job, etc. Things are WAY different now. In the past 6 months, I have kept most of my regular markets, but I haven't gotten any nibbles from new ones. It is always a good idea to stay in touch with your editors because that's how you build relationships. If nothing else, e-mail the editor and share some of your comments about the latest issue of their magazine. At least they know you are still interested in being part of their freelance writer "stable." Another "trick" that has worked for me is to let an editor know you have some "extra time right now" and if they have a story that needs a quick turn-around, you can deliver. I have gotten a couple of assignments this way, when some other writer failed to make good on his/her assignment. Please understand - I didn't write an article on the SAME topic as the other writer. But it became clear to the editor that the other writer's work was taking more time to write and/or edit and they weren't going to make the deadline. So they look through their files and have me take on a fresh assignment. Or they dredge up some idea I sent them in the past and tell me that the query is now a "go." Trust me - it works!