Writing and Publishing News from

March 25, 2012

Tips for Writing the Right Book for the Right Audience

Filed under: Authorship,Writing — Patricia @ 8:23 am

This morning I’d like to talk to authors about the order of things.

What is your first step when you decide to write a book? Some of you pick up your journal, after many years of pouring your heart into it, and decide to create a book from your writings. Others sit down and write the story that’s been bouncing around in their heads for decades (or months). Still others compile their blog posts into book form. But how many of you stop to consider your audience in all of this? You know, your potential readers?

I’m talking to both fiction and nonfiction authors this morning. If you’re writing fiction, you should take into consideration what is selling—what are some of the popular genres? If you have a huge desire to write in an obscure or even undefined genre, it is still important to know who reads the type of books you want to write, what elements are vital to include in your book for this particular audience, the style they are most likely to accept, what turns them off in books of this genre, etc.

In other words, know the genre you are writing in so well that you can’t help but score with your audience.

I remind new authors to read what they are writing—I’m particularly adamant about this for children’s book authors. Yet, these authors continue to send me manuscripts that do not conform to the age group they are writing for. They claim they’ve been studying books for their age group, but they often miss the points they most need to focus on.

Nonfiction authors writing how-to, informational, historical, references, self-help books, also need to study books like the one they propose while considering their audience. Honestly determine if there is a need for this book or is the market saturated with books of this nature? If there are many books on your topic, how can you make yours different—more useful, more informative, etc.? Who is the audience for your book? Is there an audience whose needs in this area are not being met by any other book out there? Is there something you can offer readers that isn’t currently being covered? I suggest holding off on your great book idea until you truly know if it is a great idea with an eager audience. If this means that, in order to attract the right audience, you need to change the focus of your book, then by all means do it!

What’s the alternative? Producing a book that is of no use of value to anyone. Write the book you want to write without regard for your audience and you could fall into this trap.

As for memoirs—certainly you plan to tell your story. But there are a variety of ways you could approach it. To help you determine your direction, respond to these questions:

1: Are you so well-known that a large array of people will enthusiastically seek out a book about your life? (For most of us, the answer is NO.)

2: Are you such a wonderfully creative storyteller and writer that, with the appropriate marketing techniques you will entice thousands of readers? (For the majority of us, the answer is NO.)

3: Is there a group of people who would be interested in reading your story of success, failure, health challenges, victimization, or…? (Well, that depends. For the most part, memoirs in every topic have saturated the market.)

Before writing your memoir, read memoirs by other authors. Consider your audience and ask yourself, “What’s in it for them?” That’s what they will ask themselves before they decide to read your book, “What’s in it for me?”

What do they want? Information, to be entertained, encouragement, guidance, support, a quick and easy way to success, wealth, weight-loss or???

I hope I have caught you before you finished writing that book on “my road to recovery,” “my philosophy on life,” “how I lost weight,” “my struggle with dyslexia” or “my dog, Rover.”

For additional information for authors and a serious education related to the publishing industry, read my latest book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. Amazon.com. or http://www.matilijapress.com

March 17, 2012

Are You Getting Your Energy’s Worth?

Filed under: Authorship,Writing — Patricia @ 12:52 am

If you are a freelance writer or an author with one or more books to promote and you’re darn serious about succeeding, you lead a busy life.

As a freelance writer, you are always in promotion mode. You face frequent deadlines. Either you work with editors or you serve clients; and their needs don’t always coincide with the time you have available.

As an author, you are either researching and writing every chance you get or you’re involved in promoting one or more books. I’m sure that you feel as though someone is stealing hours out of your days, lately. It’s really hard to get it all done.

But my question today is, “Are You Getting Your Energy’s Worth?” Is the payoff in satisfaction and/or success appropriate to the energy you expend? Or are you, wasting or misusing your efforts? I think this is a question we should ask ourselves every once in a while; because if we are not using our time and energy wisely, we won’t get the results we desire.

And what do you desire:
• having your book completed and edited by December of 2012?
• an increase in the number of books sold this year?
• a contract from a major publisher?
• more new editorial clients in 2012?
• a greater volume of your magazine articles/stories published?
• a higher rate of pay for freelance work—more money per article or story?
• a higher overall income in 2012?

Whatever your goal, you know that it is up to you to meet it, right? But are you taking the right steps, making the right moves and using your energy wisely? How do you know whether you are or not? Your answers to these 4 questions might offer some insight.

1: Do you have realistic priorities with regard to the work necessary in meeting your goals? In other words, do you set aside an appropriate amount of time and expend the right level of energy in which to do the research, writing or promotion necessary to make some strides and move ahead?
2: Are you doing more of what has worked in the past while also trying some of the new things that have come to your attention?
3: Are you always on the lookout for new ideas, resources, recommendations and opportunities?

4: Do you take advantage of the opportunities that come before you?

One area where many authors and freelance writers fall down is that they subscribe to a newsletter and/or join a club or organization and then neglect to use the materials and opportunities afforded them through this channel.

• Determine which organizations have the most value in your particular quest and which benefits are most useful—set aside time to pursue these. It might be a member forum or discussion group, a monthly podcast or a book proposal or article-writing course, for example.

• Select the publications that contain the type of information and resources you need most and take time to study them each week/month.

• Collect tips and resources and make sure that you follow-up on those that could move your project or career forward.

The thing is, if you give the same amount of energy and time to your career or project as you always have, you can expect the same result. If you want a different result—more client work, more money coming in from article work, increased book sales, for example—you must expend a different amount of energy using different methods.

How many of you reading this blog regularly have already purchased my book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author?

I’d like to know how it has helped you along your publishing path. Leave a comment here or write to: PLFry620@yahoo.com.To those hopeful authors who haven’t read it yet, order yours today at Amazon.com or at http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

March 16, 2012

When is it Okay to Fib?

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 5:23 am

When we write a true story, such as our memoirs or the details of an event that occurred, is it always necessary to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? I don’t think so. In fact, I advise my clients to fudge a little. I often tell them to eliminate some of the facts. Why would I suggest they deviate from the truth and even, in some cases, tell a bald faced lie? Why? Because sometimes the truth is BORING.

I’m not proposing that you compromise your story with untruths, but that you enhance it by NOT sharing so much truth. We probably don’t need to know every detail that led to the event you are writing about. But if it is a true story, sometimes you feel obligated to tell it exactly like it was. Leaving out a detail or glossing over something seems to you like you’re cheating the reader. On the contrary, if the detail is mundane and unimportant, you are doing us a favor by keeping it to yourself.

The best writing is tight writing. Sure, you want to use interesting phrases and imagery to tell a good story, but not to the point where it becomes a burden to the reader. By way of example, here are two phrases that come to mind. Both could have been elaborated on, but would they have been as poignant? One is, “Jesus wept.”

These two words say volumes. How this statement would have been ruined by an elaboration. We don’t care where he was, what he was wearing, how many times he stubbed his toe as he walked in his sandals, who else was with him. We don’t need to know any of this, do we? Not at this moment.

Another statement I’d like to use as an example is from Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. He opens the book by saying, “I became what I am today at the age of 12, on a frigid, overcast day in the winter of 1975.” Of course, we want to know more and we’re going to learn much more as we read through this story. But imagine this opening statement cluttered by unnecessary details.

Your reader probably doesn’t care to know the exact positioning of the houses on your block—that the one two doors up sits back further than the rest and you’re not quite sure why, but you feel it was a deliberate attempt at being a nonconformist, etc. They probably don’t care that Pumpkin was your 8th kitty friend. Why would you even tell them about the rickety back steps into the house, unless it relates somehow to the story?

Be careful about including unnecessary detail in your true story. Use only what is prevalent to the story—those things that move the story along or make it more interesting.

From the Amazon ranking of my latest two books, they are selling. YAY! Check them out at Amazon.com. They are Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author and Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

March 15, 2012

Are You Writing for the Right Reasons?

Filed under: Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 3:50 am

Most activities are purpose-based. There’s a reason why you make a doctor’s appointment, take a friend to lunch, apply for a job at a particular company, take a class, study, exercise, get married… You don’t travel without a reason. You go someplace to relax, to see the sights, to visit someone or for business.

And there is a reason why you write. In fact, your writing or publishing success depends on that deep down personal purpose.

Let’s examine your purpose and determine how it computes into your ultimate success.

1: You write to become somebody. Fame has long been the incentive for some would-be writers, musicians and actors. From afar, the attention, the recognition, the constant kudos seem oh so delicious. You dream of being in the limelight. And it happens. You’ve seen it happen and it could happen for you. However, the odds against it are so huge that it is practically a non issue.

But, as a published author, you can feel like somebody among your family and friends. I’m kind of a celebrity in my community because of my local history books. You could become well-known in your area of expertise. I’m also known within the writing/publishing community because I do so much writing within the industry and because of my affiliation with SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network).

If extreme publishing fame is your goal, however, I’d suggest that you pursue a less competitive field.

2: You’re motivated by money. There’s money to be made as a writer—I’ve been supporting myself through writing for many, many years. And some freelance writers and authors are earning six figure incomes. But I doubt that any of them are in this business purely for the money. With very few exceptions, it takes a lot of promotion, persistence and patience to get anywhere in this business. And a love for writing is a major prerequisite.

I’ve actually seen people try to enter into this field without the talent or the love for writing. Sure you can make money as a writer, but it is not as easy and straightforward as most think. You don’t just sit down and write a wonderful book and become wealthy. It’s often a matter of writing what’s needed, rewriting, meeting deadlines, withstanding rejection and promotion, promotion, promotion.

3: You have something to say. I think that most writers have this in common. And most of us start out by sharing our thoughts and expressing ourselves. While there certainly are some writers who continue to make a good living through opinion columns, for example, this is not a very realistic goal for most. You will succeed in this business only if you are willing to branch out and expand your writing repertoire.

4: You want to change hearts and minds. More people than ever before are writing about their experiences. They want to share, to be validated, to help ease their own personal pain through writing. They want to touch people—to help them–to make them laugh or cry. And most of these people are one-time authors. They write that one book and they are done. Some writers, however, continue writing on their original theme of losing a child, being cured of a disease, overcoming an addiction and so forth. They build a website, launch a newsletter and write articles for magazines, thus building a career as a writer.

5: You want to see your words in print. While this is part of the thrill of writing for most writers, it isn’t a strong enough motivation to stand alone.

6: You write as a teaching tool. Countless people become writers in order to teach their craft or their business. By writing books and/or articles, you can position yourself as an expert in your field. This is certainly a valid reason to become a writer. I know educators, therapists, psychologists, artists and others who have produced books to use in their workshops and classrooms. Some of them continue teaching through magazine articles.

7: You are attracted to what you perceive as the writer’s lifestyle. I’ve been writing for publication for nearly 40 years and I don’t think I have a lifestyle much different than I would had I gone to work for a large corporation all those many years ago. Actually, I might be retired now and traveling on a large pension. Any lifestyle is whatever you make it. No matter what work you do, you should also be doing the things you love. For me, writing is my love—my passion. I’ve been fortunate enough to find a way to earn a living through my writing. My lifestyle consists of time writing, of course. But much of my time consists of self-promotion, facing rejection, rewriting, pounding the pavement (so to speak) for assignments and freelance work and so forth.

That’s why it is so important for writers to create a balance in their life—by staying involved in family, staying fit, eating right, getting plenty of sleep and continuing to pursue those things outside of writing that you enjoy—gardening, crafts, art, travel, friends and a spiritual perspective, for example.

8: You can’t not write. Those who seem to find their place in the world of writing are those with a passion for the process. Their passion motivates them in establishing a writing lifestyle; that is, if they can direct that passion realistically.

The thing is, if you love writing and you really want to see your work in print, go for it. But enter into this extremely competitive field with a sense of reality. Publishing success is relative. Attaining the highest level of success is a real crap shoot. There are no guarantees. But I would venture to say that those of you who put in the time and work studying, learning and promoting yourself AND who are willing to be flexible and adaptable, have the greatest chance of grabbing that brass ring.

While I urge you to look toward all possibilities—even fame and fortune, I also want you to be realistic. Write for the right reasons, reach for the top and be prepared for anything.

If you are ready to write a book, find a publisher for your manuscript, write a book proposal, promote your finished book or you just want to know more about the publishing industry, order my book today: Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. http://www.matilijapress.com/PublishYourBook.html

March 14, 2012

Write for the Reader

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 5:39 am

It’s common knowledge that an author must target a book toward a particular audience. Well, this is also true for freelance article writers.

As freelance writers, we need to focus on our audience/readership, first and then strive to satisfy their needs or desires. What information are they seeking? What can you bring to readers that they want to know about? And, when you are contemplating an article on a particular topic, consider, do they need this information? What do they need/want to know about this subject?

Many writers simply want to write what they want to write. They have a pet topic and sometimes they get really involved in writing an article about it without first checking to see what is needed on this topic. It’s wise to write about what you know, but, if you also hope to begin a freelance career or you simply want to sell a few articles on this topic, you’re going to need a different approach.

Rather than burying your head in your work and writing the article that you want to push, you must first get acquainted with your audience. Who is interested in this topic and your slant on it? What magazines/newsletters/websites might publish the piece as you’ve written it? What else is out there on this subject? Has this article been done before many times over or is it fresh material presented in a new way?

Folks, before you start thinking about what you can produce or what you want to say or, even worse, what you think others should read, consider your audience: their desires and needs.

Discover magazines that this audience typically reads and then work from the inside out, not the outside in.

In other words, do your research and then write an appropriate article for an appropriate publication or site directed toward the right audience.

My article on “Secrets to a Better Author Presentation appears in this morning’s Book Promotion Newsletter. ”

Here’s another tidbit you may enjoy. It’s an article (not one I wrote) on “22 Reasons to Stop Writing.” Clever and cute.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/13/22-more-reasons-to-stop-writing.html

March 12, 2012

Freelance Writing is Good for the Soul, the Pocketbook and Your Social Life

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 4:50 am

Freelance writing can become a way of life. In fact, I believe it has to in order to be profitable. As a freelance writer, you pretty much need to eat, sleep and drink your work. And believe me there are perks.

For one thing, you have something to talk about in social settings, especially if you’ve been involved in some interesting article assignments.

You see, when you do freelance work, it is up to you to come up with the article ideas. Generally, writers will pursue articles on topics of their interest and this can certainly result in some fascinating encounters.

I once photographed two unusual and rare Pallas cats at the Denver Zoo from INSIDE their cage for an article for Cats Magazine. I’ve observed up close and personal how birds of prey are trained. I photographed eagles and hawks up close. I have interviewed some fairly high profile professionals in a variety of professions over the years—a former Miss America, a couple of world class public speakers, several widely-known artists, some amazing inventors and other interesting people.

Just think about it, as a freelance writer, if you want to try sailing, you can plan an article about the upsurge in sailing locally and, perhaps, get a free sailing lesson as part of your interview. If you love to hike, hook up with an avid hiker on his next trek into a particular wilderness and then write about it. Maybe you have an interest in gourmet cooking. Arrange to sit in on one of her classes and you’ll get material for a story while learning some culinary techniques you can use at home. I once learned how to make a living wreath (planted with live plants) because I was writing about the process for a magazine. Generally, you can arrange free access to these opportunities as a journalist.

Are you interested in knowing more about dating services? Find a magazine that wants an article on the subject and then see if the directors will let you try the service for free so you can report on it in a more personal way. Suggest a piece on the summer hot air balloon festival in your area to an appropriate magazine and you might get a complimentary ride up, up and away. A local magazine might be interested in an article featuring people who ride the rails (use train travel). This assignment would surely get you a free pass to the next town and back.

Are you getting bored with your mundane writing life? Spice it up by writing about some of the things that excite you and then go in search of the opportunities to experience them. What would create excitement in your life? Scuba diving, watching a famous artist at work, spending the day on a movie set, interviewing a well-known philosopher, doing a few celebrity interviews, going to a dude ranch, taking a ballroom dancing lesson or volunteering at a cat rescue or wild animal rescue facility? Come up with a slant for an article on the subject, present it to an appropriate magazine and maybe you’ll get some opportunities that will spice up your life.

For more information about how to get a freelance article-writing business started, order my little book, A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles. If you are writing or planning to write a book, you must read my latest book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. This includes the education you need in order to succeed in the horrendously competitive and complex field of publishing. I kid you not!!!

If you have a book to promote, study my book, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.

All of these books are available at Amazon.com and other online booksellers. Publish Your Book and Promote Your Book are in print and Kindle/Nook.

Or you can order all 3 books here: http://www.matiliapress.com

Learn more about me and my editorial services here: http://www.patriciafry.com

March 11, 2012

Success in Writing/Publishing Takes Time, Thought, Understanding, Action

Filed under: Authorship,Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 4:36 am

Yesterday we talked about competition—how much there is of it in the world of writing and publishing. I maintain that competition certainly can spoil your dream if you let it. How can you succeed as a freelance writer or author when the field is so saturated—there are so many other people vying for attention and sales? Here are the basics.

• Study the publishing industry (or the world of freelance writing). Know something about the industry before you jump in. Read books on the subject (there are recommendations below), attend writers’ conferences, join writers’ groups and publishers’ organizations and participate, sign up for online and real-time classes, subscribe to good writing and publishing magazines and newsletters and READ THEM.

Only a small percentage of you will pay attention to this blog. The rest of you will give freelance writing or authorship a lick and a promise without paying any attention to the experts in the field. And you will most likely fail. Millions of people, each year, do.

If you are serious about succeeding, consider the suggestions above. And let us know how it works out for you? I love good success stories.

Recommended books: Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. This is your primer designed to prepare you in every way for a more successful publishing venture. At Amazon.com in print and kindle and at http://www.matilijapress.com

A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles (if you are serious about getting involved in article-writing). http://www.matilijapress.com

See my array of online courses at: http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

March 10, 2012

Is Competition Spoiling Your Writing Dream?

Filed under: Authorship,Writing — Patricia @ 5:43 am

The Writer turns 125 this year. I wasn’t a fan of The Writer over the years. It was too literary for me. It seemed as though they catered to those who wrote fiction for fun. I didn’t see much for the serious writer interested in writing for a living or the author. It appears, however, that The Writer has evolved over time to include useful articles and resources for all writers. Would you agree?

Which is your favorite writers’ magazine? Does anyone subscribe to Writer’s Digest? You are probably aware that Writer’s Journal quit last year. Those writers’ magazines left standing certainly have more competition than they did when I started writing for publication. How many writers’ and authors’ newsletters and enewsletters do you think are being circulated in 2012?

Not only are professionals and even newby writers producing newsletters for other writers, but many clubs and organizations circulate them to their members and beyond. SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) has two. SPAWNews is free http://www.spawn.org. The SPAWN Market Update is posted in the member area each month for members only.

There is certainly a lot of competition for the primary print magazines now. But there are still authors and freelance writers who try to break in without bothering to read any of the publications available to them. Big mistake!

I actually cut my writing teeth on Writer’s Digest (occasionally The Writer) when I decided I wanted to write for publication. I subscribed to them and read them from cover to cover and back again as often as possible for ten years before I finally felt I had the time and space to pursue my writing career. I had also been studying the magazines I wanted to write for—as you may recall, my dream was to write articles for magazines. You may also remember my telling you that the first article I wrote, sold—as did many after that. And the first book I wrote sold to a New York publisher. One reason is that I was prepared. I knew something about the industry and the process.

Today, many of you wake up one morning and say, “I think I’ll write a book,” or you see an author being interviewed on TV and announce, “I could write a book!” I’ve also known people to decide on the spur of a moment to submit a pet story to a magazine without any thought as to the procedure. They see articles published in magazines attributed to writers they don’t know, and ask, “Why not me?” They wonder, “Why can’t I get published in my favorite magazine?” It might be an easy way to make a little money, right? Plus, they believe their idea is fresh, interesting and timely.

What they don’t understand is the big picture. They don’t even stop to consider it. When these hopeful writers come to me for help—sign up for my article-writing course, for example—some of them become disheartened to learn about the extreme competition and what it takes to rise above it. I hear them say often, “I didn’t know it would be so hard.”

Yes, it’s hard! The world of publishing has absolutely exploded with the advent of the personal computer and with advanced printing technology. It’s easy to write something. Now everyone also wants to be published in some form or another.

Opportunities abound for those who want to hold their own books in their hands and for those who want to see their writing in print (whether on paper or on the screen). Getting published isn’t all that hard these days. What is hard is becoming successful as a published author or a freelance writer—making any money—being recognized as a writer or an expert in your field through your writing. And it’s hard because of the competition.

I’m going to let you mull this over. I’ll continue tomorrow.

In the meantime, visit my websites: I am in the process of updating. I’ll let you know when this has been done. I plan to update my massive resource list for one thing. This might be a good weekend to order my two newest books: Publish Your Book and Promote Your Book.

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

March 9, 2012

How to Create Many Articles From a Single Topic

Filed under: Article-Writing,Writing — Patricia @ 6:47 am

Yesterday, I told you I would talk a little about how to break one article idea into several. It’s a matter of looking beyond the parameters of your original concept—viewing the topic from many different angles. Here are some examples from my own files:

From my piece featuring healing gardens that are planted in hospitals and healing centers, I created additional articles focusing on how to plant a healing garden at home, how various individuals use gardening as therapy, examples of how gardening helps troubled kids, an overview of programs that use gardening therapy and a piece on raised bed gardening for people who have limited movement, for example.

This theme could be expanded to include healing herb gardens, mental health and gardening, special tools for the disabled gardener, how to get your children involved in gardening, growing veggies for your mental and physical health and so forth.

I once wrote an article on long-distance grandparenting—how to bond with your grandchildren even at a distance. This was such a popular theme that I wrote a book on the topic. It was published by Liguori Publications. I also expanded this idea into several additional articles—tips for being a better grandparent, using your voice to bond with a long-distance child (through phone calls and recordings), activities for grandparents visiting their grandchildren, how to choose gifts for long-distance grandchildren, how to establish and maintain family traditions in today’s whirlwind world, scrapbooking for grandparents and grandkids, teaching values at a distance, teaching grandchildren money awareness, how to share religious principles with long-distance grand children and others.

I wrote about horses and their care for a long time when I first started out in this business. Anyone who isn’t involved with horses might wonder, what could you possibly write about after you share your favorite horse story—“I acquired my first horse when I was 12, we had these adventures together, I loved that horse.”

Here are some of the articles I wrote around the theme of horses: how to make chaps for horseshows, how to make an equitation suit, hairdos for horseshows, trail riding etiquette, a humorous piece about being a horseshow mom, what to do with all of those horseshow ribbons, the story of a harrowing horse accident, how to care for the older horse, how to place higher in horseshows, an interview with a horseshoer, how to prepare for your foal and others.

Are you getting the idea? You may want, more than anything, to write about your experiences as the caretaker of a feral cat colony. Cool idea. But this should not be a flash in the pan story. Expand on the topic by profiling the lives of a few individual cats in the colony, by breaking the stories down into several separate articles or by creating children’s stories from some of them, for example. Write articles featuring the plight of abandoned cats in the US using statistics and expert quotes. This is an important issue, so pitch it to regional magazines in many counties and states. Write a piece on animal control policies and how they are helping or could do better. Tell the story of individuals who are helping in the effort to prevent homeless cats.

Write for national magazines and then alter your piece to fit regional publications. Turn your topic every which way and, not only will you have the opportunity to make a lot more money, you’ll be getting more exposure for yourself and your pet topic.

If you have one topic and only one idea for an article, take time this weekend to rethink your options and the possibilities. I’d love a report after your session. How many additional ideas did you come up with when you really put your mind to it?

Patricia Fry Appears in New Book on Editing
Yahoo! I’m in another book. That must bring the number of books to which I’ve contributed to a dozen or more. The latest book was written by the founder of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network), Mary Embree. It’s called, Starting Your Career as a Freelance Editor, A Guide to Working with Authors, Books, Newsletters, Magazines, Websites, and More. (Allworth Press)

Mary interviewed me about how I got started as a book editor. If you’re an editor or would like to be, you can purchase this book at amazon.com or at the publishing company’s website. I’m sure it is available (or will be soon) at bookstores, as well.

March 5, 2012

How the Writing Habit Can Enrich Your Life

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 5:20 am

I’ve discovered over the years that writing is more than just a hobby or a craft. In fact, it has become my mode of earning a living, my passion, a way to gain credibility in my field and my favorite promotional outlet. But it is so much more. Writing has brought me some fabulous opportunities.

I’ve discovered that unusual, and often marvelous, things happen when I put myself out there through my writing.

1: I meet interesting people. Both in person and over the Internet, I’ve met many high profile movers and shakers in the world of independent publishing as well as some extremely talented and successful authors. One can never have too many friends and business associates. Personal and professional connections are vital to establishing a successful writing/publishing career.

2: I get some lucrative writing assignments. After writing articles for The Toastmaster Magazine for about six or seven years, they rewarded my loyalty and reliability with a new job offer. For a tidy sum, I rewrote several of their member manuals.

We complain when we find our articles or stories posted on the Internet. But wait, sometimes this can be a good thing. A member of a school district in Arkansas saw my article, “The Rewards of Exercise” on the Internet and contacted me for permission to make 1,000 copies to distribute at an upcoming event. Next, he wanted to know how much I would charge him to do this. I suggested $1,000. He agreed, without hesitation.

Here’s a bit of that article’s history: I had already sold first rights for $300. Later, another organization came along and purchased reprint rights for $350. When I wrote that article, I knew it was a good one, so I am pleased that it has earned $1,650 so far.
See this article posted at my website: http://www.matilijapress.com/articles/rewardsofexercise.htm

3: I receive interesting invitations. Because I was a regular contributor for The Toastmaster Magazine, I’ve been invited to many Toastmasters events as a speaker or a workshop leader. Toastmasters is an international organization. And it was because of my writing history with this magazine that I traveled, all expenses paid, to Dubai—yes, in the Middle East—where I was the first woman ever to present a keynote speech at their annual Toastmasters convention.

4: I attract some fascinating clients. A few years ago, I conducted a publishing workshop for a group of home-schooled students as a SPAWN project. (That’s Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org We actually produced a perfect-bound book of the students’ work—a book that they also designed. The local publicity for this volunteer project landed me two wonderful new clients.

A search for people to interview for an article on learning public speaking when English is your second language, resulted in my meeting a lovely woman living in Florida. She just happened to be finishing up a book and needed some help. She hired me to edit her book.

Writing is not just about writing what you wish at a particular moment in time. It’s not only about developing characters and writing clear instructions. If you aspire to earn a living as a freelance writer or succeed as a published author, keep putting yourself out there in a positive, professional way. Become active in your field or genre. Seek constant exposure in the ways I’ve mentioned above. And you, too, will experience greater success and some marvelous opportunities.

It looks as though my publisher has accepted my most recent book for publication. This is Talk Up Your Book, How to Sell Your Book Through Public Speaking, Interviews, Signings, Festivals, Conferences and More. Watch for my progress reports with this book.

Another note: Some of my friends and colleagues received advertisements from Amazon for my latest book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. I suppose the publisher paid for this. Have any of you had experience with your books being featured by Amazon.com in an email ad? Did you receive the ad for my book?

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

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