Published on October 12, 2005
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.
Published on October 12, 2005
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.
Published on October 5, 2005
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…
Published on October 5, 2005
This Week:
- Writing For Free Hurts All Writers!
- Identical Titles
- Spamming Old Acquaintances
Published on October 5, 2005
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?!
Published on October 5, 2005
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.
Published on October 5, 2005
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.
Published on September 28, 2005
We got pretty nervous when Hurricane Rita was taking aim at the Texas coast last week. We’d already turned around and driven back to Maine when Hurricane Katrina hit and threatened the gas supply. We finally got up the nerve to venture out again…
Published on September 28, 2005
More comments on book returns…
Published on September 28, 2005
Try challenging fifty mostly unpublished members of a writers guild by giving them three months to write, revise, and submit from one to three 1500 to 2500 word stories, and commission an artist to design and produce an original cover in time to meet a goal of publishing a 250-300 page anthology within ten months. Do that and the book world will look at you like someone who has sniffed too much print head cleaner.
