This Writing Business is an uncommon look at the real "business" of writing, particularly as a full-time freelancer, dedicated to the life. If you open this book expecting the requisite "10 steps to immediate millions as a freelance writer" you'll be disappointed, and that's okay because you have the internet for that. What I found here that I've never seen before is a reflective look at the hustle, intellectual rigor, willingness to neverendingly network, and most of all, to put one's behind in the chair and actually write that results in a successful freelance writing career (in this case with a hefty side of life as a teacher.) I loved Elkin's look at the various topics she's fostered as niches over the years, one sort of leading to the next based on jobs, personal interests, cultural shifts and, as has also been my experience, happenstance and the willingness to say yes. I al.so loved the weaving of her marriage throughout the career, and found her husband Nick a lovely addition to her story. As a writer currently struggling to find time outside of my day job to do what I know is the intense business of research and pitching, but knowing it's my truest path, her book inspired me, and reminded me that ultimately it's a choice to build this challenging, spottily profitable and ultimately unbeatable vocation for a writer, thinker, teacher and student of life.

Susan Elkin's journey from being a schoolteacher to a writer and journalist is a testament to her passion for words and storytelling.

Early Life and Teaching Career
Susan Elkin began her career as a secondary school teacher, teaching English for over 20 years. She trained at Bishop Otter College, now part of the University of Chichester, and later pursued a degree in Arts and English Literature with the Open University, achieving First Class Honours. Her teaching experience gave her a solid foundation in understanding the power of words and their impact on students.

Transition to Writing and Journalism
Around 1990, Susan started moonlighting as a journalist and writer while still teaching. She eventually left teaching in 2004 to focus on her writing career. Her experience as a teacher provided valuable insights, which she incorporated into her writing. Susan's writing spans various genres, including education, arts, and classical music.

Notable Works and Publications:
- *Please Miss We're Boys*: A teaching memoir that recounts her first five years of teaching in a rough, all-boys' school in Deptford.
- *The Alzheimer's Diaries*: A book based on blogs she wrote about her husband's struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
- *All Booked Up: A Reading Retrospective*: An autobiographical reflection on her lifetime of reading.
- *This Writing Business*: An account of her varied and often wacky writing career.

Current Ventures
Susan is a regular contributor to publications like Ink Pellet, Sardines Magazine, and Drama and Theatre. She has also written extensively for national dailies, including The Daily Telegraph, The Times, and The Independent. Her versatility as a writer has enabled her to cover a wide range of topics.

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.

A wonderful read!
Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

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.