Stephanie Dickison tales us along on her journey as a freelance writer. Funny and straight forward. She lets us in on the pros and cons of being one's own boss and working from home. Full of wit and charm. Anyone considering becoming a full time, work at home writer should pick up this book. ( )

30 Second Commute is a very funny, honest account of life as a freelancer. Stephanie is a fantastic role model for anyone aiming to enter the life of a freelance writer. Her genuine ability to find any subject interesting and worth writing about is admirable. Her deadpan humour is the thread that weaves the energy throughout the book, especially while trying to stay afloat in a sea of deadlines.

The chapter titles tell it all - 'The Vagina Song' 'First I Look At The Purse' 'Hangin' Tough' 'Too Much Pork For Just One Fork' just to name a few. Reading these chapters felt like dipping into a box of delectable chocolates.

Stephanie's 'commute' to her office/desk may be only 30 seconds, but she transforms herself quicker than Superman in a phone booth. I'm sure there's a special closet beside that roll-top desk that has a cape. 'Super Stephanie' tackling another writing assignment with an insane deadline looming!!! She triumphs. :-D ( )

The 30-Second Commute is a glimpse of a freelancer’s life. Dickison makes it clear that her life is not all about hanging around the computer in her pajamas waiting for inspiration. If someone reading this book was hoping being a freelancer would allow him or her to live such a life, it quickly becomes clear that doing so doesn’t lead to success. A series of lists throughout the book show just how much has to get done each week.

I particularly enjoyed her descriptions of reviewing books, music, and restaurants. In the section on music she writes about the ridiculousness of the genres and the elitist snobs who despise the mainstream bands she has in her CD collection while also discounting her suggestions of bands they’ve never heard of simply because they’ve never heard of them. I was laughing out loud. ( )

Stephanie Dickison has what many would consider to be the perfect life: she makes a living doing what she loves; she works from home and is her own boss; she's paid to try out new products, eat at awesome restaurants and drink rounds of wine; her "office" is her bedroom, allowing her work at her roll-top desk in her pajamas if she chooses.

As a freelancer writer, blogger and reviewer of all things music, food and life in Toronto, Stephanie also battles serious deadlines, sends out streams of e-mails, makes plenty of phone calls, eats heavy meals many times a week and staves off her own exhaustion -- all in the name of earning a paycheck doing what she so loves.

The 30-Second Commute is comprised of vignettes detailing her own writing life, including how she came to abandon her steady office job in the name of all that is creative. A quick, often humorous read, I loved the short chapters -- many of which could stand on their own -- and funny anecdotes about Stephanie's experience with restaurants and music around the city. As an editor and novelist, I could definitely relate to her woes regarding deadlines and the very long, complicated hours writers keep. She does much better than I would do as a home-based entrepreneur, getting up and dressed and ready to rock at a reasonable hour every morning -- despite the fact that her own bed is just steps away from her work space.

If you've ever considered freelancing or wanted to run a business from home, The 30-Second Commute would be a welcome glimpse into that sort of life! Lovers of food, music and tales from the writing world would enjoy this memoir, too. Overall, a well-written and fun look at a woman finding that elusive literary bliss. And at 189 pages, you can gobble up the savor-sized portions in just a few hours. ( )