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Category : The Business of Writing
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Continue Reading "More on teaching at a writers’ conference…"More on teaching at a writers’ conference…
Continuing our thoughts about teaching at a writing conference…
6. If you go as a teacher, take some time to talk to people. YOU are one of the reasons they chose to attend. Look, in reality, I’m not a big deal, and I always figure people are going to be disappointed when they finally meet me. But giving writers the opportunity to meet a “real agent” or a “real editor” or a “published writer” is part of the reason people attend. So don’t try to skip out on actually talking to the newbies. Schedule one-on-ones. Sit and talk with people at your table. Don’t ignore the beginners — they’re paying the bills.
7. If you’re evaluating proposals, don’t tell everybody “send it to me.” Doing so officially qualifies you as a weenie. (Besides, your in-box is going to be swamped with bad proposals for weeks.) If you’re looking at proposals, find something good to say about each one, then give the writer a couple ideas for improving his or her craft. But if it’s not very good, be honest and tell them it’s not ready. If you know if doesn’t fit your organization, tell the author you won’t be publishing it. If it’s a bad or wacko idea, tell them you don’t think it is salable, or doesn’t reach a wide enough audience, or is only going to appeal to people on medication. But don’t give a bad writer the false hope of thinking that he or she is GOOD when they are not.
8. Learn to speak the truth in love. Yeah, I’ve been accused at times of being too blunt. And yes, I’ve had people start to cry because I didn’t like their book idea. I once snapped at a guy for trying to hand me his proposal while I was standing at a urinal. (Yes, that’s a true story. It was at a conference at
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Continue Reading "More on how to make money with your writing…"
More on how to make money with your writing…
Continuing the thoughts about making a living at writing…
4. The most overlooked area of writing is still the ‘zine market. Especially special market magazines — and there is basically a magazine or e-zine about anything you'd ever want to study. I still do some writing for The Linking Ring (the magazine for the International Brotherhood of Magicians), and have done work for numerous other magazines, e-zines, and newsletters. But don't start sending things indiscriminately. Check out a copy of the magazine at Barnes and Noble, then go to the mag's website and you'll find directions on how to submit, how many words, required focus, etc.
There are two keys to success in writing for 'zines: (a) Know the magazine so that you understand the readership, focus, and editorial tone; and (b) Know the editor to approach, and how to approach him or her. If you're not familiar with the 'zine, spend some time getting to know the tone and approach they use, so you can shape your writing to best fit their expectations. Remember that magazine editors are like everybody else — if they like your work and find you easy to deal with, they'll soon be using you on a regular basis.
5. You might be able to go to your local newspaper and try to get a column. Or go in and suggest a focus for a column, like "gardening" or "farm life" or "parenting" or "travel." Make it unique, think it through, and give the editor a reason to say yes to the idea. Many book writers I've worked with over the years have found a regular column in a newspaper is helpful because it helps get them writing regularly, and helps them build a readership.
6. Keep in mind that every piece of ephemeral or periodical literature is a monster that must be fed. All of us who started in magazines or newspapers know the
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Continue Reading "More on how to make money with your writing…"
More on how to make money with your writing…
Continuing the thoughts about making a living at writing…
4. The most overlooked area of writing is still the ‘zine market. Especially special market magazines — and there is basically a magazine or e-zine about anything you'd ever want to study. I still do some writing for The Linking Ring (the magazine for the International Brotherhood of Magicians), and have done work for numerous other magazines, e-zines, and newsletters. But don't start sending things indiscriminately. Check out a copy of the magazine at Barnes and Noble, then go to the mag's website and you'll find directions on how to submit, how many words, required focus, etc.
There are two keys to success in writing for 'zines: (a) Know the magazine so that you understand the readership, focus, and editorial tone; and (b) Know the editor to approach, and how to approach him or her. If you're not familiar with the 'zine, spend some time getting to know the tone and approach they use, so you can shape your writing to best fit their expectations. Remember that magazine editors are like everybody else — if they like your work and find you easy to deal with, they'll soon be using you on a regular basis.
5. You might be able to go to your local newspaper and try to get a column. Or go in and suggest a focus for a column, like "gardening" or "farm life" or "parenting" or "travel." Make it unique, think it through, and give the editor a reason to say yes to the idea. Many book writers I've worked with over the years have found a regular column in a newspaper is helpful because it helps get them writing regularly, and helps them build a readership.
6. Keep in mind that every piece of ephemeral or periodical literature is a monster that must be fed. All of us who started in magazines or newspapers know the
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Continue Reading "How can I make money with my writing?"
How can I make money with my writing?
Pam wrote to ask, “Can you say more about the whole freelance writing concept? I’m looking for practical ideas to help me make a living.”
A couple thoughts from a guy who would basically write for anybody, so long as they paid me…
1. If you live near a major city, check and see what organizations are located near you. Most nonprofit organizations have a magazine, newsletter, or web site, and they all need content. Check them out, find out what sort of articles, interviews, and sidebars they use, then offer them some material. I sold hundreds of things to companies and nonprofit organizations when I was free-lancing. Nonprofits have to stay in touch with donors, and that means somebody has to write their copy for them. (They also need report writers, researchers, and grant writers, if you want to check into those opportunities.)
2. Drive down any of your streets, and you'll see businesses on both sides. Nearly every one of those businesses have a website, and they all need content. That's how the internet has changed business — every mom-and-pop shop now has the opportunity to hawk its wares worldwide via the web. And think about the changes in websites over the past few years. You used to see something that resembled a highway billboard — a business name, phone, address, and slogan ["Don's Plumbing of Portland — Great Service, Low Rates. Call Today — 555-1234"].
Now if you go to that site, you'll find an introduction to the business, a history of the company, a bio of each employee (complete with photos), a self-help section to fix your own plumbing problems, a link to order specialized plumbing parts, a section on the history of indoor plumbing, and an ask-the-expert compendium. And, of course, somebody has to write all that stuff. Most businesses do it themselves (until they figure out what's they've written is awful, since they are plumbers
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Continue Reading "How can I make money with my writing?"
How can I make money with my writing?
Pam wrote to ask, “Can you say more about the whole freelance writing concept? I’m looking for practical ideas to help me make a living.”
A couple thoughts from a guy who would basically write for anybody, so long as they paid me…
1. If you live near a major city, check and see what organizations are located near you. Most nonprofit organizations have a magazine, newsletter, or web site, and they all need content. Check them out, find out what sort of articles, interviews, and sidebars they use, then offer them some material. I sold hundreds of things to companies and nonprofit organizations when I was free-lancing. Nonprofits have to stay in touch with donors, and that means somebody has to write their copy for them. (They also need report writers, researchers, and grant writers, if you want to check into those opportunities.)
2. Drive down any of your streets, and you'll see businesses on both sides. Nearly every one of those businesses have a website, and they all need content. That's how the internet has changed business — every mom-and-pop shop now has the opportunity to hawk its wares worldwide via the web. And think about the changes in websites over the past few years. You used to see something that resembled a highway billboard — a business name, phone, address, and slogan ["Don's Plumbing of Portland — Great Service, Low Rates. Call Today — 555-1234"].
Now if you go to that site, you'll find an introduction to the business, a history of the company, a bio of each employee (complete with photos), a self-help section to fix your own plumbing problems, a link to order specialized plumbing parts, a section on the history of indoor plumbing, and an ask-the-expert compendium. And, of course, somebody has to write all that stuff. Most businesses do it themselves (until they figure out what's they've written is awful, since they are plumbers
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Continue Reading "How do you set up your writing business?"
How do you set up your writing business?
Chantrelle asked, “How do you set up your writing business? What are the benefits to treating your writing business as a ‘real job’ by setting it up in a professional manner? And what did you do to make that happen?”
Let me offer a handful of thoughts for you…
1. Find a place. Make this your writing place and designate it as your office.
2. Make that your official home office, then read up on what the IRS will allow you as a tax deduction.
3. Establish a writing time. For most authors, that's simply "morning." Protect a time each day when you can do some actual writing and not just checking email, answering letters, meeting people for coffee, etc. When I started, I set aside 6 to 8 every morning. (I had young kids. Later that would not have worked. I hate mornings.) Tom Wolfe starts writing at 9 and stops at noon. Find a time that works, in which you'll just WRITE.
4. Create a filing system. ("Alphabetical by title or author" works well. Don't rely on the "Eureka!" system.)
5. Set up a bank account that is just for your writing business. Sign up for PayPal.
6. Set up your address list. Keep emails and phone numbers handy… and if you want to move into the bold new world of, say, 1996, invest in a phone that will keep those handy.
7. Create a calendar. Not just for your day, but for the big projects you've got. It'll help you figure out what you're writing when. It'll also remind you that you've got to take Fiona to the orthodontist.
8. Group similar activities. Do all your mail at one time. Group your phone calls back to back so you get through them more quickly. Ditto email, if that were possible. Things that are "occasional but regular" should be scheduled — for example, I look at submissions every
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Continue Reading "How do you set up your writing business?"
How do you set up your writing business?
Chantrelle asked, “How do you set up your writing business? What are the benefits to treating your writing business as a ‘real job’ by setting it up in a professional manner? And what did you do to make that happen?”
Let me offer a handful of thoughts for you…
1. Find a place. Make this your writing place and designate it as your office.
2. Make that your official home office, then read up on what the IRS will allow you as a tax deduction.
3. Establish a writing time. For most authors, that's simply "morning." Protect a time each day when you can do some actual writing and not just checking email, answering letters, meeting people for coffee, etc. When I started, I set aside 6 to 8 every morning. (I had young kids. Later that would not have worked. I hate mornings.) Tom Wolfe starts writing at 9 and stops at noon. Find a time that works, in which you'll just WRITE.
4. Create a filing system. ("Alphabetical by title or author" works well. Don't rely on the "Eureka!" system.)
5. Set up a bank account that is just for your writing business. Sign up for PayPal.
6. Set up your address list. Keep emails and phone numbers handy… and if you want to move into the bold new world of, say, 1996, invest in a phone that will keep those handy.
7. Create a calendar. Not just for your day, but for the big projects you've got. It'll help you figure out what you're writing when. It'll also remind you that you've got to take Fiona to the orthodontist.
8. Group similar activities. Do all your mail at one time. Group your phone calls back to back so you get through them more quickly. Ditto email, if that were possible. Things that are "occasional but regular" should be scheduled — for example, I look at submissions every
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Continue Reading "Want to have a million seller?"
Want to have a million seller?
In this business, you often see the term "million seller" bandied about. "This book is going to sell a million copies!" is a phrase I've had thrown at me dozens of times at conferences and conventions. In my view, people who talk about million sellers tend to over-promise and under-deliver. The numbers on 2011 book sales are in, and…well, nothing gives clarity to promises like some hard numbers.
How many hardcover novels released last year hit the million mark? One– John Grisham's THE LITIGATORS. (Stephen King's 11/23/63 fell just short.)
How many hardcover nonfiction books released last year sold a million copies? Two –Laura Hillenbrand's UNBROKEN, and Walter Isaacson's STEVE JOBS. (Bill O'Reilly's KILLING LINCOLN just missed, selling more than 990,000 copies.)
How many new trade paper releases last year sold a million copies? Three–Todd Burpo's HEAVEN IS FOR REAL (the biggest selling book of the year, at just under 5 million copies), Kathryn Stockett's THE HELP, and Steig Larson's THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.
How many YA and children's books hit the million mark? Four, and every one of them was part of a series: Jeff Kenney's DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #6, Christopher Paolini's INHERITANCE #4, Rick Riordan's HEROES OF OLYMPUS #3, and his KANE CHRONICLES #2.
How many mass market releases in 2011 sold a million copies? Five, and three of them were from the same author. The list includes Grisham's THE CONFESSION, Nora Roberts' THE SEARCH, and three from George R.R. Martin: A FEAST FOR CROWNS, A GAME OF THRONES, and A CLASH OF KINGS.
And a new category, how many newly-released ebooks sold a million copies in 2011? The answer will undoubtedly surprise you– one. Kathryn Stockett's THE HELP.(HEAVEN IS FOR REAL just missed hitting the mark.)
The numbers for backlist books are pretty skinny–only three backlist titles sold a million copies, and all three were from the same author. Suzanne Collins'
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Continue Reading "Want to have a million seller?"
Want to have a million seller?
In this business, you often see the term "million seller" bandied about. "This book is going to sell a million copies!" is a phrase I've had thrown at me dozens of times at conferences and conventions. In my view, people who talk about million sellers tend to over-promise and under-deliver. The numbers on 2011 book sales are in, and…well, nothing gives clarity to promises like some hard numbers.
How many hardcover novels released last year hit the million mark? One– John Grisham's THE LITIGATORS. (Stephen King's 11/23/63 fell just short.)
How many hardcover nonfiction books released last year sold a million copies? Two –Laura Hillenbrand's UNBROKEN, and Walter Isaacson's STEVE JOBS. (Bill O'Reilly's KILLING LINCOLN just missed, selling more than 990,000 copies.)
How many new trade paper releases last year sold a million copies? Three–Todd Burpo's HEAVEN IS FOR REAL (the biggest selling book of the year, at just under 5 million copies), Kathryn Stockett's THE HELP, and Steig Larson's THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.
How many YA and children's books hit the million mark? Four, and every one of them was part of a series: Jeff Kenney's DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #6, Christopher Paolini's INHERITANCE #4, Rick Riordan's HEROES OF OLYMPUS #3, and his KANE CHRONICLES #2.
How many mass market releases in 2011 sold a million copies? Five, and three of them were from the same author. The list includes Grisham's THE CONFESSION, Nora Roberts' THE SEARCH, and three from George R.R. Martin: A FEAST FOR CROWNS, A GAME OF THRONES, and A CLASH OF KINGS.
And a new category, how many newly-released ebooks sold a million copies in 2011? The answer will undoubtedly surprise you– one. Kathryn Stockett's THE HELP.(HEAVEN IS FOR REAL just missed hitting the mark.)
The numbers for backlist books are pretty skinny–only three backlist titles sold a million copies, and all three were from the same author. Suzanne Collins'
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Continue Reading "When is a writer ready to go full time?"
When is a writer ready to go full time?
Emily wants to know, “As a writer, when are you ready to go full time?"
This is a favorite question of mine, since I routinely see wannabe authors get a book contract, quit their jobs, then wonder why that lousy agent of theirs can't help them survive financially.
I have three rules of thumb for authors who want to go full time:
1. You need to have four-to-six books earning you a royalty;
2. You need to have 18 months to 2 years of book contracts;
3. You need to have a plan in place. (That plan will include a budget, a writing calendar, an accountability partner or writing support group, a writing space, adequate equipment, and most likely a therapist, since you're probably delusional to consider the idea anyway.)
Let's look at reality for a minute — let's say you just got a decent two-book deal. The publisher is paying you, say, $10,000 per book on an advance, so the total deal is for $20,000. You get a third of that on signing ($6666 — but if you're an evangelical, don't take that as a sign of the apocalypse, okay?). You need to be able to live on that for the next few months while you write your book. If you can write it in three months (relatively fast for most novelists), you've had to live on $2200 per month. Pretty thin stuff. If it takes you six months to do a novel, you're having to make do on a thousand bucks a month. You see where I'm going with this?
Once the publisher approves your manuscript (which can sometimes take a few months), they'll send you your completion check for that book — another $6666, payable thirty days after they request the check. You've now made a whopping $13k, you're months into the process, and you just used up all your good ideas on your first book. So