Title: The Anti 9-5 Guide, Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube
Author: Michelle Goodman, freelance writer and editor, former cube jockey. This is Goodman's first book.
Publisher: Seal Press
Pages:~213
Extras: An appendix chock-full of resources and a website at Anti9to5guide.com
Rating: Five full, enthusiastic stars!
Peeking Out of the Cube (or, "introduction")
I have to admit, after leaving the cube farm this past year, and taking my own business to the next level, I thought The Anti 9-5 Guide would be old hat to me. However, I am currently staring at a marked-up, dog-earred copy of this book with copious notes and a related "to do" list. The Anti 9-5 is positively brimming with information, links and step by step lists, many of which I, personally, need to follow up on.
But don't think that means this is purely a "work book." Instead, Michelle Goodman's chatty, girlfriend style prose made me want to sit still and read through, earning a spot on my nightstand, not in my office. Goodman will inspire the full time freelancer in you to take the reins and get going by replacing fear with practical advice. In fact, her advice was so right on and immediately applicable that I often found myself wanting to get up and do, as opposed to finishing out a chapter. How's that for motivation? Goodman's "been there, done that" coaching is relatable and easy to follow, not to mention significantly less expensive then a "real" career coach.
In addition, since Goodman was a freelance writer herself, many, if not most, of her examples and resources are more than applicable to this audience.
Resources, Go Tos and More Info
Goodman includes websites galore, including some hidden gems that weren't widely well-known prior to printing. She also expanded my personal reading list with tons of book reccomendations for those looking to work for themselves.
One of the best parts of The Anti 9-5 Guide is that these are modern, new solutions to old conundrums that cube critters often run into. No matter how old hat you think you are, Goodman has a few new resources for you.
Are you a "do-er?" Do you need to make and follow lists and steps? Well, Goodman is on to you. Each chapter concludes with a fresh retelling of the main points and "to-dos," complete with worksheet-style checkboxes for the more industrious among us.
Girlfriend to Girlfriend
You get to know Goodman through her personal start-up story (mistakes and all, which is even more valuable), along with some of her colleagues and muses. These personal stories illustrate the dos, don't-dos and to-dos that make up the information and step by step liats at the end of every chapter.
As far as girlfriends go, you'll likely find Goodman to be wise beyond her years (or at least the years of some of her target audience) with practical tips on things like finances and legal issues.
Some Drawbacks
Parts of the book were a bit too thorough. Different writers will have different sections already down pat, and therefore will be able to skip a chapter or two, dpeending on their situation.
Although the text was aimed moreso at getting out of the cube, I would have liked to find more resources and suggestions on managing your career once you've made the leap. I'd like to hear Goodman's voice when it comes to management affairs such as marketing yourself and managing your business.(Hmm..perhaps an idea for a follow up book from Goodman?)
Bottom line is that this book is the Resource to beat all Resources, and contains pertinent, fun and immediately applicable information for the writer looking to write and query on a full time basis.
