We’re at a a campground in South Texas this week. Since Richard’s dad and step-mom have to work during the day…we get to, too! So, our official “vacation” period is over. It’s terribly hot and humid here. What’s worse, there are storm clouds teasing us, but not a drop of rain in sight. The nice thing is it’s so windy here that the clothes I set out to dry this morning are already ready for folding.
As you may all remember, Janet Kay & Associates (including her husband George Titsworth) were accused of ripping off hundreds of hopeful authors in a horrible scheme of deceit. With the help of many writing websites and discussion lists, she and her husband were finally caught, indicted and arrested.
Months later (last week), we received an email from the District Attorney letting us know the Titsworths plan to plead guilty in November, will serve no prison time, and have agreed to pay restitution…even though they don’t have the money…
In the 9/28 issue you listed a national cheerleading magazine as someone in need of articles, so as a former high school cheerleading captain I sent in a query the same day with a story idea about how cheer skills can help one off the court and in real life situations. Lo and behold, my idea was accepted yesterday and they’re sending me a contract! I just got back into the writing game a month or so ago and joined your list then (I emailed you earlier about a book contract and your advice was very helpful, and I bought one of your e-books) but I wanted to let you know that your job postings are dead-on…you actually list magazines who really NEED and WANT writers, as opposed to stale information that anyone can find!
Thanks so much for your awesome list!
Take care,
Nancy
Groan and moan all you want to, but the successful writers do some type of business plan to figure marketing and income projections. You do not have to take the financial details down to nickels and dimes, but you need a map to your destination. Dislike the business stuff? Then write for self-satisfaction; there is nothing wrong with that. When you write, you are a writer. When you sell, you are a businessperson. If you do not like the business aspect, then write for your own enjoyment.
My family and I recently moved to Central California after living in Las Vegas for only 18 months. Before that, we were living in Southern California, where my husband, sons, and I had lived for years. I began my freelancing career there, finding steady work with local magazines, newspapers, and television stations. When we moved to Las Vegas, I was fortunate enough to find work with three different regional magazines, and two of them are still using my work, even though I no longer live in the state.
We’re relaxing (sort of) at my mom’s ranch this week and visiting old friends and relatives. We’re in town for my 20th high school reunion. That’ll be fun. Since it’s really hard for business owners to take any time off, I do the bulk of my work at night when we’re visiting family and friends. It’s quiet then and I can get a lot more done in a shorter period of time. Plus, I don’t have relatives whining that I’m working instead of chatting…
This Week:
Let me start by telling you that many people you see behind the check-out desk at the library are not “librarians,” as in they have not completed a master’s degree in library science. You didn’t know librarians had master’s degrees, either? Next I’m going to tell you that librarians don’t read all day long. That’s not true, either?!
In my 20 years as a writer, I think only once have I written something on speculation (and that was before I accumulated hundreds of clips). I recently approached a new publication with an article idea but the editor would like to see the complete manuscript (1,000 words) first. I’m assuming she means on speculation. I’ve emailed her back asking her if this is what she means. In the meantime, what are your thoughts about writing on spec? Someone advised me to draw up a little “on spec” contract so that the editor has a time limit for making a decision to accept the piece or not and that if they decline, I’m free to pitch it elsewhere.
As a gray-haired, solo, full-time RVer, and a woman to boot, I am used to getting a lot of media attention as I roam around Canada and the United States lecturing and signing my five adventure-travel books.
