Little did I know that the first freelance assignment I submitted more than 20 years ago would be the start of an exciting and rewarding adventure It would eventually lead me down a new career path and take me to places I’d only read about and dreamed of someday visiting…
When we lived in Maine, I would always be stuck inside this time of year anyway, the house buried under a few feet of snow, the rhythmic sound of Richard’s snow shovel outside (swish, swoosh….swish, swoosh), my feet bundled up in two or more pairs of socks, and a big, thick sweater wrapped around me. Sometimes, my fingers got so cold that I’d wear my fingerless mittens inside while typing each day. So, yes, while I still miss the snow at Christmastime, I don’t any other time and I certainly don’t miss that bone-jarring chill that would go on for weeks on end…
I have published a few non-fiction anthologies over the years and they have all been successful, both from a research and publishing standpoint in the beginning, and a sales standpoint later. There is a right and wrong way to collect and publish stories contributed by others.
In Part I of this series, we discussed how much to pay contributors, what rights to request, and what steps to take before you start soliciting stories.
In Part II, we discussed the contract (and included a sample), how to find writers/contributors, what not to do, tracking contributors, email introductions, acceptance and rejection form letters (including samples), ordering contributions by email, and contributor payments.
Today, we’re going to discuss editing, formatting and publishing your anthology…
Letters will return next week.
My favorite piece of writing advice is: recycle. No, I am not talking about reusing paper, but about recycling writings. As I have a day job that involves quite a bit of writing, I look for ways to reuse my work…
The wrapping paper has been put in the recycling bin and the new toys from Santa are entertaining the children on their winter break. Richard and I are enjoying the peace and quiet…even though we have to work.
I have always been offended by over-the-top marketing verbiage. Saying something is a “good deal” is one thing but trying to tell me a product or service is going to “make my dreams come true” is insulting to an individual’s intelligence. I always wonder how people can fall for so much of the garbage being shoved our way by marketing executives these days…
Letters will return after the holidays.
Building a strong portfolio, networking with other writers, and reaching potential clients are the usual tasks that freelance writers continually focus on. Accomplishing these used to mean hours of unpaid work, especially for budding writers.
Fortunately, it’s now possible to earn money early on in your writing career, or when you’re in-between clients, through guest blogging…
My success as a writer began with one basic idea: remaining open to various sources of inspiration and capitalizing on opportunities when they arise…
