Dear Angela,
Another writer suggested I contact you. What a magazine wants from me doesn’t sound quite right to her.
I wrote an article, on my own, and then queried a large Canadian magazine and asked if I could submit it to them. The editor responded right away and asked me to submit it ‘on spec’ since they haven’t dealt with me before and because the article is written in first person. She wants me to submit 750 words.
Writing careers are not made with one book. They just aren’t. That’s a rule. Of course, that being the rule, there are exceptions. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Stephen King’s Carrie, Nicholas Sparks and his blockbuster debut The Notebook to name of few. But that’s just it, try to think of more. I’ll wager you’d be hard-pressed doing so.
We had another birthday in the family last week. Zach, our oldest, turned 21. He opened his presents and then we all went out to dinner. His girlfriend, Alyssa, made his favorite – Oreo Cheesecake. He sure hated sharing it with the rest of us! Ha ha…
An author sent me a note this week inquiring about using an 800 number during radio interviews to sell books to people who are listening in their cars. I shared my opinions with him (see below). I’d love to hear from other readers who have attempted to sell books through radio interviews! Was it successful for you or were you disappointed in the results? Do you think ipods and satellite radio have made radio shows less lucrative for authors trying to market their books over the airwaves? Do you think my statements below are incorrect? Or do you agree with me?
Letters will return next week.
Hi Angela,
I can’t afford to buy a block of ISBNs from R.R. Bowker ($275 for 10). I found a company online that is selling single ISBNs. I didn’t think that was allowed?
Freelancing was one of the most rewarding challenges I’ve faced in my career. I loved working for myself, in the comfort of my own home, where I had the advantage of selecting my own work, clients, schedule and pay rates.
I’m back working for someone else now but I will always remember my freelance career with fond memories – save one…
When one of my college professors suggested I subscribe to WritersWeekly.com, my world opened up. I had always thought I would get a Ph.D. in literature, teach at a college, and hopefully have free time during the summer to dabble in writing. But to presume that I could actually make a career out of writing
Max’s sixth birthday was last Saturday and the house was jam-packed with revelers, big and small. We started out bowling at the local alley, and then migrated to the house where Richard had stayed behind to grill. We all wolfed down burgers, dogs, cake and ice cream, the kids cracked the pinata, and Max opened his gifts. I put a bar of trick soap in the bathroom for the party. Anybody who used it found their hands getting more and more dirty as they washed. The soap has a black chunk of something yucky on the back of it. Heh…
