I’m Sari Botton. I’m a freelance writer who wears many hats to stay afloat. I juggle several “day job” gigs, as a journalist, ghostwriter, teacher, and copywriter, all to support my habit of writing first-person essays and memoir. I have been freelancing full-time since 1996, but attempted to take full-time jobs last year because publishing is in decline, and more difficult to make a living at. I lasted 7 weeks each, at two different full-time jobs. They weren’t for me, and I’m not cut-out for office life.
What was your last full time job?
In 1996, I left a job as an arts/society editor for WWD/W Magazine.
What’s your passion?
Writing first-person non-fiction narrative is my passion.
Tell us about a normal week, do you get to spend much time doing work you love?
In an average busy week, I probably get to spend 10 – 15 hours doing my own writing. I also love my work as a workshop leader for the TMI Project, through which we offer empowering monologue writing/performing workshops. I do that work about 20 hours a week, including teaching, editing, and doing administrative stuff.
I’ve seen a few TMI performances and they were fantastic. The TMI Project is doing amazing work, tell us a little bit about it:
TMI Project is a non-profit organization that offers empowering monologue writing and performance workshops. All our workshops culminate in performances of the true monologues our participants write. We get people to tell the parts of their stories that they usually leave out because they are too embarrassing or painful, and we emphasize taking responsibility for your role in how your story played out. It’s kind of like The Moth meets The Vagina Monologues, although we also offer co-ed classes.
Why did you stop working for other people?
After nearly 10 years working at newspapers and magazines, I realized I did my best work on my own terms, on my own time. First I started freelancing for other publications while I had a job. Then, when I had enough freelance work, I left.
Do others support you emotionally or are they always asking you to get a “real” job?
There are people in my life who are understanding and supportive – most of all my husband. But there are also some annoying people who are always nudging me to just get a job already. They mean well, but they don’t get me.
Can you share some of the names of who you write for?
Journalism-wise, The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, xojane.com, The Rumpus, New York Magazine, and various other publications.
Do you have health insurance and if so, who pays for it?
I do have health insurance, through the Freelancer’s Union. I think this is crucial. It is a monthly expense that I do not consider optional.
How much time do you spend looking for business?
It depends. Sometimes business finds me. Sometimes I spend weeks putting feelers out.
By feelers, do you mean you answer advertisements or do you have a vast network?
I have ads on mediabistro and publishersmarketplace, which often help me find work. I also have a network of people in the various fields I work in.
Are you happy you chose this path or do you wish you could go back in time?
I am happy I chose this path. I wish I’d also gotten a master’s degree that would make it easier for me to teach undergraduate English. I have sometimes worked as an adjunct professor, but that work is hard for me to get consistently without an MA.
You can find more about Sari Botton at: saribotton.com and tmiproject.org