Susan Elkin’s memoir offers a heartfelt and honest account of her transition from full-time English teacher to seasoned freelance writer. With clarity and warmth, she walks the reader through decades of professional evolution, navigating shifts in technology, political landscapes, and the media industry itself. Elkin’s story is one of both "pluck and luck"—a phrase that aptly captures the spirit of freelancing—as she explores every possible writing avenue with persistence and curiosity.

The memoir serves not only as a personal narrative but also as a motivational guide for aspiring writers or anyone considering a freelance path. Elkin’s core message is consistent and encouraging: opportunities to write are out there, and writers must be proactive in seeking them. Her language is simple yet expressive, reflecting her years of experience as an English teacher. As a reader, I found myself resonating with her creative process—working late into the night, mentally drafting pieces before typing, and discovering unexpected stories in ordinary places.

What lingers most after reading is Elkin’s unwavering dedication to the craft, even as freelance gigs become scarcer. She continues to write, review, and share her work through her blog, demonstrating the resilience and passion that define a true writer. While the occasional name-dropping and resume-like sections—particularly involving UK-specific references—may disrupt the narrative flow for some readers, these are minor issues in an otherwise inspiring and accessible memoir.

A great read full of great advice! I love a good writing craft book, and Susan Elkin's is full of useful tips and interesting anecdotes. This would be great for writers in many different stages of an author career.

This read like an annotated CV. Elkin goes quite thoroughly through her freelance writing career, as it developed from theme to theme. Though her general trajectory is inspiring, her success took hold in an earlier age, and I'm not sure how much here is useful as advice for aspiring freelancers. So much was specific to her particular situation, it's mostly of interest for someone who wants to know more about her. The exhaustive details became dull after a while. I would have found it more interesting to read a selection of her best pieces with short notes about how they came about.