As someone who's spent years fumbling through vague industry jargon like 'byline' and 'on spec,' Kerrie Flanagan's book felt like finally getting the decoder ring to this secret society. The way she explains concepts makes you feel like you're chatting with a mentor over coffee rather than being lectured.

The real magic happens in Chapter 4 about query letters - I applied her template and landed my first assignment with a regional magazine within weeks! Her advice on studying magazines (Chapter 3) saved me from making rookie mistakes when tailoring pitches.

That said, I agree with some critics that sections like Chapter 6 on writing basics could've been tighter. If you've already got Strunk & White on your shelf, you might find yourself skimming these parts. And yes, the Costco Connections references do get repetitive.

What makes this book special is how Flanagan demystifies the business side of freelancing. Her tips on negotiating rates alone justified the purchase price. The included worksheets for tracking submissions became my new organizational bible.

Is it perfect? No. But for writers transitioning from blogging to magazine work, it provides exactly the roadmap we need - complete with pothole warnings and scenic route suggestions.