Every day, tons of newbie non-native English freelance writers give up on their dream careers because of negative thoughts holding them back – such as, “my English sucks,” I’m not good enough,” and “why would they hire me instead of a native speaker?”
Finding inspirational success stories to push yourself and raise your standards in any career you’re pursuing has never been easier.
The non-native English freelance writers I have listed below have chosen to step out of their comfort zones and follow their passions, rather than complain and make up excuses for their lack of success.
#1 Luana Spinetti
When I was conducting research for my latest post on WriteWorldwide about improving your writing as a non-native English writer, I accidentally stumbled upon one of Luana’s posts.
Her name was familiar to me, as she has interacted with several WriteWorldwide Twitter posts.
Thereafter, I found out that Luana is Italian — Yay! Here is another ESL writer crushing it.
Despite having challenging health conditions, Luana is a highly successful freelance writer.
She started writing for Italian websites in 2008 then switched to the English market in 2011. As a full-time freelance writer, she normally writes 4,000-5,000 words weekly, divided between client work and personal projects.
#2 Arindam Dasgupta
Arindam Dasgupta — the second most interesting man in the world, after Jonathan Goldsmith.
I met him in a writer’s group after noticing his informative comments and posts, and his witty personality.
Jokes apart, Arindam started his freelance writing career in 2012, after landing a client via LinkedIn.
His first client was impressed by one of his blog posts on his blog, kapush.org, he created to support animal welfare movements.
Thereafter, Arindam kept working with clients online with the goal of supporting his self-funded stray animal shelter in India.
Bamidele is the CEO and Founder of WritersInCharge (previously YoungPrePro.) He is the man behind the success of hundreds of freelance writers (including the WriteWorldwide team) – especially non-native English freelance writers.
When he was 17, Oni – as he’s known by his early followers – closed a contract with a client to write articles for $85 to $100 daily.
This relatively small success was the spark that ignited a long-term freelance writing career for Bamidele, especially as it was more lucrative than he expected.
Today, he dedicates his time mainly to client work, his websites – Effective Business Ideas and WritersInCharge – , and his fish farm in Nigeria.
#4 Katarina Lukić
#5 Mridu Khullar Relph
Mridu is an award-winning freelance journalist and author based in London and New Delhi. She has been featured in TIME Magazine, ABC News, The New York Times and CNN.
In 2008, Mridu wanted to break into the journalism sphere very badly. After getting two stories assigned and killed by TIME Magazine, she didn’t give up — until TIME’s editor wrote back to her, “We’ll pay $1 a word. Is that okay with you?”
In addition to her bravery and motivation, Mridu is a very skilled writer. The way she brings flavour to words was the secret behind her success as a freelancer.
Currently, she helps freelance writers realise their writing endeavours at The International Freelancer.
#6 Syed Moqaddas
Syed is a freelance writer based in Pakistan. Since 2010, he has been penning high-quality content for a wide range of clients in topics ranging from business to human resource management.
He has been featured in top-notch websites such as Entrepreneur Magazine and Mind Body Green.
#7 Parth Misra
Parth is a freelance writer based in India. He has been featured in top publications such as SitePoint and Entrepreneur.
Like many freelance writers, Parth didn’t stick to a particular niche. He chose to write about a wide range of topics such as renewable energy, VR, visa guides, and Forex.
He has been freelance writing on and off since 2009 with his day job as a marketing executive, before he went all-in on working online in 2013.
Parth is currently running Quill Canvas where he helps business owners manage social media, produce content, and strategize planning and execution.
#8 Walter Akolo
Walter is the Founder of FreelancerKenya and a freelance writer based in Kenya.
Since he started freelancing in 2011, Walter kept discovering new methods and techniques to find, land, and deal with his clients.
As one of the number one non-native English influencers in the freelancing world, Walter helps aspiring freelancers and digital entrepreneurs succeed via his website, Freelancer Kenya.
#9 Emenike Emmanuel
Back to Nigeria!
Obviously, the secret behind Emenike’s success as a non-native English freelance writer was his solid motivation towards his work.
“I don’t just want to exist in the world, I want to contribute to it”, said Emenike in his recent interview with WriteWorldwide.
At a remarkably young age, Emenike is making a solid income as a freelance writer by attracting clients via Twitter.
In addition to being an avid reader of WriteWorldwide, he is the CEO and Founder of Entrepreneur Business Blog – a quality resource for digital entrepreneurs.
#10 Karol Krol
Karol is a Polish writer and author who has been featured on Lifehack, ProBlogger, QuickSprout, and About.com. He writes about trending topics such as design, freelancing, writing, business, and WordPress.
Karol’s services include e-book, blog post, and newsletter writing.
Karol is also the Founder of New Internet Order, a blog where he shares marketing and entrepreneurship tips.
#11 Shuchi Singh Kalra
Schuchi is an Indian freelance writer and editor.
She is the Founder and Director of Pixie Dust Writing Studio — a website where she offers her editing and writing services to clients.
Schuchi has been working online since 2005. She has had her work published in publications such as Femina, Home Review, and Parent & Child.
#12 Alex Talavera
Alex is a freelance writer from Bolivia. He is the business partner of the famous bilingual writer, Randy B. Hecht.
Along with Randy, Alex works at Aphra Communications to connect South and North American businesses with Spanish and English writing services.
#13 Michael Chibuzor
Michael is a well-experienced freelance writer from Nigeria. He runs Content Marketing Up to fulfill businesses’ content needs.
Michael’s work has been published on websites such as Mashable, USA Today, The New York Times, and The Huffington Post.
Are you still unmotivated to send those 100 pitches, write those guest posts, or e-mail those prospects?
I doubt it.
What’s the next step you’re going to take to ‘reserve your spot’ on this list of top non-native English freelance writers? Share in the comments below.
you forgot about me, samuel Nyaga. I am the best in the world but I am yet to start writing. You will know me when I start writing.
Hey, Samuel!
I really love your motivation, man!
Make sure you share your story with WriteWorldwide once you start crushing it.
Cheers!
It’s motivating to see writers from third world countries making it. To all featured in the list, you are a great motivation.
Keep up.
Hey, Namesore!
Yes. They are a great motivation. Living in a third world country cannot prevent us from making it as freelance writers.
Thanks for commenting!
Keep doing the good work and motivating up-coming free lancers.
Hey, Joyce!
Thanks for your comment. I’ll definitely keep sharing my knowledge with my fellow writers until we all reach our endeavours.
Cheers!
I love the list. It has everyone I admire. All the mentioned heroes are my inspiration.What a team. Through them, many have been able to identified their source of living. Awesome.
Hey, Duncan!
I agree. Bamidele, Walter, and Mridu, for example, have helped hundreds (if not thousands) of successful freelance writers kick-start their careers with their precious advice.
Cheers!
What an amazing compilation of peeps, Yassir! Thank you for putting this all together.
Hey!
I’m humbled by your compliment, Kate! Thanks for commenting.
Cheers!
Well done, Walter Akolo! You deserve every bit of the honor accorded for your work. Keep scoring new heights as we passionately walk in your steps.
Hey, Millicent!
We’re really proud to mention Walter in our list. He genuinely deserves it.
Thanks for commenting.
Great list Yassir!
Happy to know that non-native English writers too are celebrated.
Tough at times getting it past the cracks.
Cheers,
Demas.
Hey!
Thanks, Demas! Many non-native English freelance writers are doing pretty well despite the language barrier.
Cheers!
Hey Demas. Just discovered this and am on my journey to improve my writing and be among the best.Nice to see a familiar face lol. Say Hi to your famil lol.
Hey demas.Awesome to see a familiar face.Hope you are well.Just discovered this and starting my journey to become a writer.Super excited.Say hi to your family
I am glad to see my brother Walter Akolo in the list he is such an insipirational figure to me.
Hi Lusekelo!
I agree. Walter is the best!
Thanks for commenting.
Comment
This are wonderful personalities out to showcase their humbleness and ability to meddle through todays life challenges.kudos!
Hey, Moses!
True. As non-native English writers, we should be proud of them.
Cheers!
This is what we call motivation.
I’m motivated more than ever.
I will make it too.
Thanks Walter.
Hey Hellen,
I’m happy this post motivated you!
Thanks for passing by.
i am a statistics and probability freelancer, can i ever get to the heights of those listed freelancers?
Hey, Steve!
Sure! I highly recommend reading these two posts to up your freelancing game in the next few months:
How a 16-Year-Old Non-Native English Freelance Writer Landed Two High-Paying Clients
Choosing a Freelance Writing Niche: Does it Actually Matter?
Keep working!
“Walter helps aspiring freelancers and digital entrepreneurs succeed via his website, Freelancer Kenya.” I couldn’t agree more.
Hey, Winfred!
Definitely. Walter is the go-to guy that every freelance writer needs for valuable advice.
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for the information about courageous, down-to-earth, determined, and successful ESL world writers. I am going to send more pitches,find more clients, and improve my writing skills to land a spot in this list.
Hey, Celemnt!
I’m glad this post inspired you to take action!
Keep hustling!
Hello everyone! Thanks for this informative article. I’m proud to be from non-English speaking country. Well, am a blogger and writer, anybody willing to partner with me in my writing you’re welcome. Thanks
Hi Laban!
Yes! Being a non-native English speaker is a plus. We should be proud of it.
Cheers!
Ver much interested to be part of a writing success with you.
Am here willing to start from somewhere
Walter Akolo, you are a great source of encouragement. Keep up, my brother!
Hi writeworldwide Team,
I’m so happy to make your list of Top 13. I see this as a huge motivation to do more.
Thank you so much.
Emenike Emmanuel
Hi, Emenike!
Thanks for your comment. Your hard work really impresses us. Keep it up!
Best,
Yassir
Hey Yassir and Team, thank you, thank you, and belated thank you!
I always suspected I was interesting – but try telling my wife that. Oh well.
On a personal note, Yassir, I am now done with that thing I was busy with and the first step is over. Hope it works out at least half as well as this article did!! 🙂
P.S. What’s that guy Onibalusi doing in here? Remove him to a list that says something like ‘Nigeria’s Pride’ or ‘Writer Extraordinaire’ or ‘Youngest and Most Versatile’ or some such thing!!
Hey Arindam,
Thanks for your comment, man!
I’m really excited to see your surprise. I wholeheartedly believe it will be outstanding.
As for Bamidele, I’d love to. But to create a list, we need several persons, which is impossible if I wanted to list Oni under the title he “really” belongs to.
Again, thanks for passing by!
Well said, Yassir – he is truly one of a kind 🙂
This is a great article! It gives me the motivation to keep writing. I still have to fight doubts that I should write in my mother tongue, but now I see I can succeed in English too, despite so many native-speaking-bloggers. Thank you for inspiration.
Hey, Silvia!
Yes, you can succeed in the English market, too. You might even find writing in English easier and more lucrative than in your native language.
Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
Cheers!
Hi
I think I’m among them. I’ve been in this game for sometime and I believe someday I’ll appear on your list of the best.
Cheers!
Hi Kiprop!
I like your optimism. There is going to be updates for this list – so why not.
Good luck!
Excellent
Cheers!
Scouring these success stories has been highly exciting and motivating for me.Through the bold steps of these hugely inspirational writers ,I,ve finally admitted that ESL writers should break free from their I’m-not-good-enough attitude and scale greater heights.Thanks heroes!
Hi Peter!
Thanks for your comment. I’m happy this post has inspired you to work more on your goals and increase your motivation to achieve your freelance writing endavors.
Cheers!
This is a great list. Recently I came across Danvas Kegesa of Cute Online Money. He is a newcomer in this field but he is definitely moving at high speed.
He has taught me a lot on freelancing, web design and the whole aspect of making money online.
Hi Neil,
Thanks for your comments. Yes, I see Kagesa has been commenting on our blog. Great to see new writers breaking into the industry!
Cheers,
Nick
Hey, Neil!
Thanks for your comment. Besides the freelancers I listed above, there are definitely other masters who work in the dark and have tremendous success in their careers.
Cheers!
This is agreat path towards realization of dream….for humanity….God bless you.
🙂
Amazing article! So inspiring to read about these freelancers, you’ve given me at least 13 reasons not to give up!
Keep up the good work!
Hi Matea,
I’m glad this article inspired you. Keep up the good work!
Best,
Yassir
Congrats Yassir!
Great review and an encouragement for non-natives freelancers like me.
Am working on a similar blog post and your post is inspirational and informative
Kudos
Isaac
Hi Isaac,
Thanks so much for passing by. We’ll definitely keep more success stories coming up!
Cheers,
Yassir
hello It’s motivating to see writers from third world countries making it.
I agree Rose – and if you’re from a third world country this proves that you can make it, too!
fine article.
Agreed 😉
I am so inspired by this piece. It has revived my motivation to write. It is such a great eye opener. I wish there is a platform for young writers to showcase their skills. I began my writing career this week and here is a bit of it https://bit.ly/2vcaLpr and https://bit.ly/2M79qXs I pray one day I will be as good as the guys above here.
Hi Kirimi,
I am very glad to see that your byline has made it to Thrive Global! Congratulations!
You are only a few clients away from making it to the list.
Keep hustling.
Cheers,
Yassir
Nice,Great review and an encouragement for non-natives freelancers like me.
Hi Kim,
Super happy you liked it.
Best,
Nick
Wao! Walter Akolo Kenyan all time cerebrated freelance hero. go go go go go Walter. Am closely following your footstep behind you. Am the next champ
Thanks for the article celebrating our writing heroes.
Walter Akolo continues to remain humble and very helpful.
Hi Gakuria,
You’re welcome and, yes, Walter is extremely humble and helpful.
How’s the writing journey coming along?
Best,
Watch out,
In the next few months, I’ll be top 10.
I believe
Hi Rayan,
Go for it!
Best,
Walter is our Kenyan Napoleon in the writing industry.