Published on May 29, 2013
My first grant application was terrifying. I read and re-read the rules, afraid I’d miss something and be disqualified. In the post office, preparing to mail my application, I suddenly wondered if I’d left my name on the title sheets. The jurors weren’t to see any identifying information. I ripped open the package and found – horrors! – that I had. Fifteen minutes later, I mailed the application with new, anonymous title sheets. My hands shook for hours…
Published on May 22, 2013
Last week, I published a photo of a really ugly fish I’d caught at the pier. Two people reported back that it looks like a blow/puffer fish. After doing some research, I think they’re right…
Published on May 22, 2013
It happened again today. I received a query from a freelance writer, and sent an acceptance email to her. Her ISP immediately kicked back an automated message saying my email to her was rejected as spam. The writer never received it because it was hard filtered by her ISP…
Published on May 22, 2013
Letters will return next week.
Published on May 22, 2013
Many freelancers have that one client they love above all others. They’re the VIP that pays on time, the customer who doesn’t question his bill, the friend who gives you both steady work and the time of day. They’re the rock upon which your business is built.
When that rock disappears, negative thoughts start to run through your head. Anxiety starts creeping in, and your thoughts spiral down into panic. I know, because I’ve been there myself; and I can tell you this. Yes, your business can survive. And here’s how…
Published on May 22, 2013
You ran a market listing in a recent issue. I emailed the editor and they haven’t emailed me back. Why do you run markets from companies like that? You need to remove it!
Published on May 22, 2013
I’ve been a writer for most of my life. It’s a solitary profession sometimes. It certainly had been for me. Growing up in a small town meant there weren’t a lot of us “writer-types” around. People would nod and just smile when I told them what I wanted to do. Eventually, I quit saying it out loud. Instead, I devoured writing magazines and dreamed of the day when my writing would make me rich and famous.
That day still hasn’t come but my writing life has become much less solitary – and more successful – since some writers came to town…
Published on May 15, 2013
I caught a really weird fish that I had to ask my friends on Facebook to try to identify…
Published on May 15, 2013
It can take months or years to land a literary agent and/or a traditional contract. If you do, it can take many more months or even years for the book to actually be published…
Published on May 15, 2013
worst book proposals and query letters
Dear Angela,
I just read your latest ezine, and ended up back-tracking every column you wrote about real book proposals. If laughing hurt, I’d be in the hospital by now. I can’t imagine sending out any of that stuff.
Thanks for sharing.
Liz Davis
