Literary legend has it that mystery writer Robert Parker sent a two-sentence query to the publisher of his first novel: "Here's my manuscript. Want to publish it?" While it was accepted--no doubt on the strength of the author's bestselling style--most wannabe-published writers need more than this to be taken seriously... …
Writers often jump at the prospect of work. They will jump through hoops, walk through fire, and compromise their core values just because there might be a chance of getting some work. They will often overlook important details about projects, which might cause them to never get paid or get any credit for their work. Writers need to think carefully before they say "I do" to any project. Experienced writers probably know all of this, but inexperienced writers often make a lot of mistakes in this area. Here are some things to consider before saying "I do" to any project... …
Notoriety and cash in the bank are still possible regardless of being time pressured, lacking confidence or losing motivation to complete that novel... …
Writers dream of big things for themselves and their careers. When faced with rejection or roadblocks, however, some writers abandon their dreams. This doesn't need to happen to you! If you want to make your dreams come true, you need to do what I did... …
Here is a simple, tried and true formula that I use to compose a "how to" book... …
If a writer writes and nobody reads it is he or she still a writer? On behalf of those who have written some remarkable diaries, stories or screenplays that have been neatly tucked away in drawers or saved in password protected files, writing can certainly be a self-fulfilling undertaking. But for many writers the next step is to invite others into their world, to read their work, explore their thoughts and possibly open the door to the wide range of responses, reactions and opinions that we collectively call feedback. It is from such feedback that we can re-think, re-shape and re-rewrite our work, unless of course we choose to simply reject it. Yes, as writers, we do have the power over feedback to accept it, question it, utilize some of it or simply ignore it... …
If you've looked at online ads for writing jobs or gigs lately, you've likely read headlines such as "Writing freelancer/intern..." The body of the ad stresses how much skill, talent and experience they seek, even "rock star" quality (which makes me muse why they want someone who dresses bizarrely and plays electric guitar). But back to the headline. Do they mean freelancers are equivalent to interns, people who have little to no experience, working for free while they complete their education? Yet the ads usually demand top-quality, experienced writers... …
Fear is everywhere for the freelance writer. The moment we put words on a blank page, we dread what others might think. Querying an editor stirs this fear: "What if she rejects me? I really need the money this month..." That fear may cause you to play it safe and write what you think others expect you to write. It may even keep you from writing your novel, or from pitching The New Yorker because you're scared you're not good enough. If you're not getting the kind of work you want, and consistently, then fear is why you fail. The goal, however, isn't to be fearless, as a person without fear is not courageous, but reckless. The goal is to leverage your fear so as to propel your spirit to write in its authentic voice... …
Today, authors can buy reviews and social media followers with the hopes of fooling a publisher or agent into believing they're a hot commodity when, really, they're not. In the online world it's known as black hat SEO. It's the process of artificially inflating web visibility either for social media accounts, websites, or blogs using unethical techniques. Now granted, places like Amazon or Facebook won't throw you in the slammer. They will, however, ban your account... …
It is my personal opinion that, when you set your mind to it, you can buy anything for less. Some things are pretty much the same when costs are cut. Store brand bottled water, secondhand books and 99 cent clear nail polish are just as good for me as their fancier, pricier counterparts. This line of thinking does not hold true for writing. To look at the market, though, you'd be skeptical. "Why should I pay Writer A $40 for an article when Writer B will do it for $4?" There seem to be more writers willing to work for bare bones payment than those who clearly view their writing with some esteem. The solution is simple: with writing, you get what you pay for... …
You do everything right - follow guidelines, edit well, promote yourself - so why doesn't your bank account reflect writing success? …
Bad things happen to good people, including good editors. Sometimes they're faced with a hole in the periodical's layout when the deadline to go to print looms. Your story can save the day if you're the editor's go-to writer and they'll likely return the favor to you... …
Managers of businesses, nonprofit organizations and government departments have long complained about the poor written communication skills of many of their employees. Managers are often too busy to edit their reports so they read smoothly. Yet these reports must present a professional image to a company's customers and decision-makers. The answer for a growing number of firms is to hire freelance writers and editors to edit reports for clarity. …
Writers are accustomed to reading newsletters such as WritersWeekly.com to get practical, concrete information and tips on writing, marketing, and publishing. Occasionally, however, we get advice on how to harness our own powers of creativity, positivity, and spiritual energy to achieve happiness and success. This is one of those articles. We now enter the realm of the subconscious. Or as some people I know call it, the "woo woo" zone. …
Over the years, I've probably responded to a good thousand online ads for writers. Out of those, about one hundred turned into assignments that led to actual checks. Some were one-time gigs, others have led to long-term partnerships. I have been hoodwinked, though, along the way... …
In my last piece for WritersWeekly, Blabbermouth Your Book, I focused on getting the word out by seizing the moment, wherever you are, in order to do so. But as I become engulfed in the process I'm finding more things to stress about than I ever suspected existed. I had a good time writing the book and I love the idea of being a published author. But nobody told me about situations that would cause hair pulling, brow furrowing and night sweats... …
As a beauty, fashion and travel writer the formula to get me to tell my readers about a company's product or place is a very straightforward one. I receive approximately three hundred email pitches a day from publicists who want to send me samples or invite me to their press event, spa or hotel in hopes that I'll like it enough to review it. Additionally, as the publisher of an online magazine, I have to worry about getting advertisers in order to stay in business. This advertising and editorial balance is the same whether the publication is a glitzy glossy with a one hundred year history, or a start-up digital. Advertising and sponsorships are what keep us all in business... …
As writers, it is your desire to use words that will entertain, educate, and inform the masses of people that may just end up reading them. You may feel obligated to write, or you may look at it as a passion. Writing is considered an art form. Those who partake of it, are looked at as people with unusual talent. Some may also be looked at as weird, isolated, and strange. Nevertheless, the object is to put words down... …
Libraries and bookstores are so last year when it comes to staging book signings. Instead, consider taking your books out into the wider world. It's full of your would-be readers. Farmers encourage beekeepers to set their hives on farmland because it's mutually beneficial. Bees get nectar for honey, benefiting themselves and their keeper. In return for this bounty, the bees pollinate the farmers' crops. Likewise, taking your books to a particular setting can attract customers to you, and also benefit your host. Match the location to your subject matter. The more off-the-wall your choice of venue, the greater your chance of attracting media attention... …
You need an editor—of that much you are certain. But how can you avoid falling prey to incompetent, untrained, or inexperienced pretenders who may insert more errors than they correct? (Yes, it happens alarmingly often.)…
As an author, and speaking on behalf of all of us collectively, our primary goal in writing a book is to achieve blockbuster sales and mega success. It's the ultimate dream happy ending for authors, even if the novels and books we write don't require a happy ending for the readers. For some, it may even be the reason for writing it...…
Have you ever equated your writing projects to a line of pots on a simmering stove? The more you looked at this stove, the more you realized that the one good meal you envisioned to spring from those pots has not happened. Sure, you may have a satisfying dish, but there are so many others left unattended, burning, because you simply have too much going on. …
Past clients usually make the best future clients. They're already impressed with your work ethic, they know why you charge what you do and they love your style. You don't have to dazzle them with flashy advertisements to reel them in, and you don't have to walk on eggshells when you deal with them because you're already familiar with the way they do business.…
Frankly, anyone who reads WritersWeekly already knows the advantages of self-publishing. While some authors do very well on their own, and prefer to stay on their own, others have received offers from traditional publishers after proving there's a market for their self-published book.…
Well, that's a silly title, isn't it? I chose it because of a little read-in-the-bathroom book a friend gave to my husband last Christmas. In it there was this saying: 'I became self employed and I still have a jerk for a boss.' It gave me a chuckle but it also got my gray cells going in the direction of writing. When it comes to this area of my life - and maybe yours - I'm self employed. And sometimes I don't like my boss. Why? Let me count the ways. …
While most towns nowadays have only one newspaper, they will generally have multiple radio stations. For a writer, this means multiple opportunities to write spots for radio salespeople who want effective ads for their clients. …
Writing about real estate opens many potential markets: big city, small city and suburban newspapers as well as consumer and trade magazines. Magazine markets may be local, regional or national in their coverage. Occasionally, a real estate subject such as the rise of World Trade Center 1 (the Freedom Tower), on Ground Zero of the World Trade Center, is national news, resulting in syndicated newspaper articles. Additional research can turn a subject that starts as a one-off local story, such as covering a local warehouse roof with solar panels to generate electricity, can also be written as a national trend story. …
"Can you tell me how much it costs to take out an ad at your site?" asked a publisher in Arizona back in April. Unfortunately, like many bloggers who blog as a labor of love, I never gave serious consideration to earning pay for my say. Not until then. …
Prior to becoming a freelance writer, I had a career in marketing. Managing campaign schedules, building brands and doing competitive analyses filled my nine to five workday. When I made the switch to freelance writing, I thought I would ditch marketing vocabulary such as "target audience", "brand development", "ROI" and "customer relations" at the door. Instead, I have come to discover that the tools I honed as a marketing professional have enhanced my success as a freelance writer. Here are some ways I have used these marketing terms to build my business. …
As writers, we all long to earn the big bucks by penning the next best selling novel or Hollywood-bound screenplay. The reality of this scenario is that it is a reality for very few people. Often, it is years in the making. Not many writers see their first novel or screenplay gain the status of fame, fortune and six-figure royalty checks. The truth is, while we're working and writing and waiting for our well-deserved global recognition, we have to pay the bills. For that, I suggest you think local. …
Do you have to be paranoid when you deal with editors and publishers? No. Should you be aware of your rights, responsibilities and potential red flags? Yes.…
One guarantee in freelancing - you'll be pitching your capabilities over and over again. If you serve a well-defined niche, it's easy to put together new queries and bids. But what if your work spans multiple fields? Whether you do it to expand your income stream or to keep your writing life interesting, diversifying has advantages - but it can also make winning new business more challenging...…
Early this year, I got the wonderful news that my mystery was found suitable for publication. One reason was the marketing plan I'd submitted with my query letter and first three chapters. In that plan, I outlined the steps I intended to take before and after my publication date... …
