There’s a LOT more snow on the ground now. We got hammered by the blizzard and the boys (mostly Matt and Zach) spent a couple of hours cleaning up the mess last week. It’s still pretty deep out there but at least we can get the cars in and out of the driveway. As promised, here are some blizzard photos…
One statement I often hear from new authors is, “Oh no! My book has the same name as another book!”
This is actually a common problem. There are lots of books with identical names. While you can’t copyright a name, you can trademark a name or phrase. Not many authors go to the trouble of registering a trademark. And, honestly, registering a trademark is pretty expensive so I wouldn’t advise doing it, unless you plan to roll out an entire business or line of books using a phrase from your title (i.e. Chicken Soup for the Soul).
I get a lot of work from graphic designers, and it usually starts with a phone call. “A client came in today and wants me to design a brochure. But, I told her, ‘You need some help with this copy.’ I gave her your number.”
Developing a good working relationship with one or more graphic designers can be like opening a wellspring of job opportunities for a writer. You’re going to have to be fast because when the designer hands the job off to you, it’s usually the midnight hour with a client expecting ink on paper in a few days.
Dear Angela, I wrote a series of short articles for a national parenting website a couple of years ago. I was paid for first time use. Last week, an agency asked me for permission to use my articles as training resources for their prospective clients (as required by law in their state). They did not offer any payment.
Actor Jim Carrey says desperation drove him into show business. Years ago he needed money and he knew how to make people laugh so he forced himself onto the stage at the comedy club, despite the inevitable rejection that would initially accompany his amateur attempts. Sometimes he admittedly stunk up the place but he kept going until he became one of the most successful comedians in Hollywood history.
I’m writing this on Tuesday. We’re preparing for the blizzard, which should start on Wednesday morning. We’re supposed to get 8-14 inches of snow and the wind chills are supposed to be -20 – -40. Brrr! We’re sure there won’t be any school tomorrow, so the children are in a festive mood.
I frequently receive emails from readers asking for advice on how we balance working at home with our home life. Here’s the latest letter I received:
I wanted to let you know what a great resource your weekly newsletter is to me and how eagerly I anticipate it in my e-mail inbox. Thank you for providing such a wonderful tool for anyone who will sign up to receive it. I am especially inspired by your personal stories from home, and I hoped you would share some tips on how you organize your day and get everything done. It seems amazing to me that you can manage a family (especially a young baby) and demanding (albeit rewarding) work and not be overwhelmed.
Thank you, Amy
You don’t have to be a graduate of dear old Alma Mater U. to write articles for their alumni magazine. That’s good news for freelance writers because alumni magazines, particularly those of major universities, offer financially rewarding markets with the opportunity to write several different types of articles. There’s more good news; according to the National Directory of Magazines, in 2005 there were 971 U.S. and Canadian alumni magazines, an increase of 268 from 1995.
