Well, this is a first–2 blog posts in the same day…
I just wanted to get that link to you for the site I found yesterday. Here, you can search for bloggers who are writing about you. http://technorati.com. Also try http://blogsrater.com The search feature for BlogsRater is not working. I don’t know if this is a permanent or temporary situation.
Let me know what you learn about your marketing success. And if you find other such sites, I’d like to hear about them.
PLFry62o@yahoo.com
I promised you some tips and techniques for pitching your project to publishers, booksellers, potential customers, etc. And I will get to that—perhaps tomorrow. This morning, however, I am quite joyfully distracted by something I discovered yesterday.
I’ve suggested that you do an Internet search using your own name occasionally to see what sort of publicity you’re getting and where. If you’ve been doing any self- (or book) promotion at all, you may be surprised at what comes up.
Well, yesterday, I decided to see what I could find out about blogs and their ratings. Of course, I was interested in my blog’s ratings amidst other writing/publishing blogs. During the search, I discovered my name in places I didn’t expect. Here’s what I found in a matter of only 20 minutes or so:
1: Novelist Dwan Abrams published my article, “The Missing Link in Publishing†last year at her blog site. She said that the editor of Urban Christian sent it to her.
2: Loree Griffin Burns used her blog site to publicly thank me for helping her get her book published. She said it was what she learned in my online book proposal course that made the difference. Her book, Tracking Trash was picked up by Houghton Mifflin, children’s division. Learn more about my online, on-demand courses at http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm
3: The host of a blog site related to community spirit had taken my article on peaceful neighborhoods, presumably, from my website and reprinted it.
4: Ruth Pealer mentions meeting me at the Central Coast Writers’ Conference last year.
5: Angela, over at Wow! Women on Writing, reproduced one of my articles in their blog.
6: Christy Lawler reviewed my book The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book in her blog.
7: Angela Booth posted quotes from my blog on her blog.
8: One blogger posted my response to an email question on her blog.
9: Someone I don’t know recommends my blog on his blog site.
10: One of my quotes from an article on relationships was posted at a bridal blog site.
11: ZDocs blog recommends my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book as an excellent resource for authors. Order it TODAY at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
12: I found my article on meditation walking posted at another blog site.
13: Lillie Ammann mentions one of my articles at her blog site.
I’d let you in on the secret of how I found pages and pages of links to blog sites containing my name, but I’m afraid it is still a secret. I don’t remember how I found it. And this morning, without thinking, I deleted all of my cookies and accumulated web files. I had such a good time doing this research, though, that I will attempt to locate the sites again. This time, I’ll make notes so I can share them with all of you.
In the meantime, keep putting your name and your book title out there through articles/stories in magazines, ezines, newsletters and websites; published interviews; comments at other blog sites and websites and so forth. Until I get a satisfactory comments option for this site, you can contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com
If you can’t find your name listed dozens of times on the web, you aren’t getting out enough.
Isn’t that the question? Well, for those who want to write fiction, it eventually becomes the question. In fact, authors/freelance writers usually ask that question in a pleading manner—“I don’t have to write a query letter for fiction, do I????? Please say it isn’t so.â€
I love to do my own little research studies and yesterday I did such a study related to the number of magazine editors and book publishers who require query letters for fiction. Of the 100 or so magazines I researched, about one-quarter require a query letter for fiction. The magazines were in the Literary, Women’s, General Interest, Religious and Young Adult categories.
Almost all of the agents I researched want to see a query letter first—even for fiction.
As for book publishers—I studied the guidelines for 45 of those who publish fiction. Twenty of them require a query letter first for fiction. One of them even wanted a query letter for poetry. Ten of the publishers I studied want to see the completed manuscript, 7 ask for a proposal—yes, for fiction—and 8 publishers said you can send either a query, a proposal or the complete manuscript.
It looks like you fiction writers/authors are going to have to overcome your query letter jitters. Writing a query letter really isn’t difficult. It’s just a matter of understanding the basic format for a query letter and knowing your project inside and out. (More on how to pitch your wonderful project in tomorrow’s blog.)
Maybe this will help:
For a hardcopy letter to be sent via the post office:
• Use your letterhead.
• Type the date at the top left of the page.
• Type the editor’s/publisher’s name, company/magazine name and complete address in block form under the date.
For either hardcopy or an email letter:
• Address editor/publisher by name.
• Single space.
• Use Times New Roman 12-point type.
• Try to keep your query to one page.
In the body of your letter or email:
• Make it clear that this is a query letter for a short story/fiction book project.
• Use a hook to capture the editor’s/publisher’s interest.
• Briefly describe your story and why you feel it is of value to the readers or would fit into this publisher’s line.
• Give your qualifications for writing this story (your connection to the theme and/or your publishing credits).
• End it. Ask the editor to request the complete manuscript or thank the editor for his/her consideration.
If this is your first query letter or you just want the opinion of someone else, show it to a fellow writer/author. Better yet, hire an appropriate professional to review it before you send it.
If you’d like a couple of sample query letters for fiction, contact me at: PLFry620@yahoo.com. I’ll send them via email.
For additional assistance with the query letter, book proposal or any other aspect of writing and publishing, contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com. And be sure to spend time at my site learning from the many articles posted there. Purchase some of my extremely useful books. Sign up for my online courses. http://www.matilijapress.com
Query Letter DON’Ts
• Do NOT use a general salutation, “Gentlemen,†“Dear Editor†or “Whomever This Concerns.†Do whatever it takes to get the name of the acquisitions or managing editor.
• Do NOT tell the publisher or editor his/her business. Don’t say, for example, “This is the best story you’ve seen all year,†or “If you don’t publish this story, you’re missing out on millions of dollars.â€
• Do NOT try to play coy with the publisher and conceal important aspects of your story. This will only result in his rejection.
• Do NOT say that all of your friends love your story and so does your mother.
If you want to publish your fiction, use the 3 “Ps†Be well-Prepared, Persistent and Patient. And there’s a 4th P word that’s also important. Always use your Professional persona when approaching an editor or publisher, follow the rules of etiquette and protocol and you’ll have a much greater chance of becoming a published author or a freelance writer with publishing credits.
It’s finally posted at my website—my new 6-week Book Promotion Course. Check it out at http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookpromotion.htm
You pay just $200 for the 6-week course and you can sign up for the 6 weeks that suit you best. Start now or start a month from now. (The course must run consecutively—not skipping weeks.)
For information about my other online courses, go to http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm Click on “How does an online class work†to find out—well, how an online class works.
Also, there’s been another appearance added to my calendar. Stay tuned in to my speaking and workshop schedule at http://www.matilijapress.com/activities.htm
Have you been to my website, lately? I have a lot there for hopeful and struggling authors as well as the seasoned author. New and veteran freelance writers can also pick up some ideas, tips and resources through the numerous articles and gigantic resource list. Of course, you can attend my presentations, read my books, enroll in my courses, sign up for an editorial consultation or hire me to edit your work. I offer a one-stop shop for the first-time, confused or overwhelmed author or freelance writer. If I can’t assist you with your particular writing or publishing difficulty, I can point you in the right direction.
Because you are accustomed to receiving instant gratification from my daily blog entries in the form of news you can use, concepts you need to know, tips and/or resources, I leave you with this:
Is your book conducive to book discussion groups—book clubs—reading groups? Do you know how a book club or reading group works? This is where a group of people (usually women) gather once a month (or week) to discuss a book they’ve all read. They agree ahead of time what book to read next. Some groups make a list of 12 books at the beginning of the year. They choose books that are interesting, in the news, with unusual plots/twists, that have controversial themes, that are recommended by other book clubs, etc. Some reading groups have themes: science fiction, thriller or chic lit, for example.
If you think your book would be of interest to book discussion groups, try breaking in locally or contact someone you know who belongs to a real time or online reading club. See if they will introduce your book to their group.
Locate book clubs and groups by doing a Google search. Here are a couple of sites that might help you get started with your search. Book Browse at http://www.bookbrowse.com/bookclubs Book-Clubs-Resources.com at http://www.book-clubs/resource.com
Questions? Contact me at plfry620@yahoo.com
Hopeful authors come whining to me from time to time, saying that they can’t get a publisher because they don’t have a platform. So what do they do? They keep sending the same book proposal out to more and more publishers. What would I advise them to do? Start building a platform, of course.
I guess it hasn’t sunk in with many new authors that you don’t have to wait until you’re published to establish a platform. In fact, to me, this is backwards thinking. If you don’t have a platform in your genre or topic, you should begin building one before you ever start writing a book.
Many beginning authors come into the publishing arena with at least one of the following misconceptions.
• They don’t believe that a platform is necessary for their particular project.
• They think there’s plenty of time to start building on their platform, later.
• They don’t know what a platform is because they haven’t bothered to study the business of publishing.
To review, if you expect to land a traditional publisher (one that will invest in your project), you will need a platform—a following, a way of attracting readers. If you hope to sell very many copies of your self-published book, you need a platform—recognition and/or expertise in your genre/topic.
Whose dog training book would you buy? The one by the credentialed trainer with a syndicated radio show and several training books under his belt or one by a first-time author who happens to own a couple of pit bulls?
When you’re in the mood to read a romance novel, which one will you pick? The novel by your favorite author, whose stories you read in magazines and who sometimes appears on Oprah or the one by an author you’ve never heard of?
Put yourself in the reader’s/consumer’s place. What prompts you to buy a particular book? I think we all read books that we’ve read about or heard about from others—that have been recommended by friends or through reviews. We purchase books by authors that we meet and authors whose names are familiar. I bought a book yesterday from a first-time author after reading about it in our hometown newspaper. But I have never bought a book I didn’t know about from someone I’ve never heard of or never met. Have you? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
Perhaps now you understand why publishers shy away from new authors who don’t have a platform and why I and other professionals recommend that you hold off even self-publishing until you’ve established a platform.
If you want to know more about how to establish a platform for your fiction or nonfiction book or children’s book, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Is your book idea really a good idea? Are you sure? Just because the concept is new and exciting to you doesn’t mean that it is a truly fresh idea—that it hasn’t been done before.
It’s easy to get a book published today. Sure, you can produce a book on any topic, in any style and from any perspective. But it still doesn’t mean that it is a good book—a needed or worthwhile project. In fact, folks, I’m seeing more and more manuscripts that probably should never become books.
Before you get too excited about your great book idea, Stop, Look and Listen.
Stop and think about your topic or your story. Is it really different enough and still within the realm of what readers need/want? Here’s where the Market Analysis portion of the traditional book proposal comes in. The process of completing a comparison study of books like the one you have in mind will help you to answer this question before your book becomes another failed book.
Look at books like yours. Okay, there’s nothing out there like yours. You keep telling me that. Then, perhaps you’re wasting your time writing a book for which there is no established category or interest. Hmmmmmm????!!!! Now that I’ve, hopefully, made an important point, I want you to go to the area in a nearby mega-bookstore where your book might be shelved. Order a latte, because you’ll be there for a while.
With your eyes, scan the books in this section. Are there any titles similar to yours or that suggest books on your topic or storyline? Maybe your book focuses on the power of attitude and how changing your mind can change your life. This might be a new concept for you, but I’m pretty sure that you’ll find a plethora of books new and ancient by a wide variety of authors known and unknown on the shelf. Perhaps your thriller features a swamp ogre that won’t die, but you find that dozens of other books in this genre do, too.
Sure it’s discouraging to discover that your clever idea is nothing new, but it’s also a blessing. It’s something you want to know before you ever start writing your book. Why? So that you don’t go down the wrong path that so many other new authors take—so that you don’t write a book that’s destined to fail.
Once you gather the information you need about your competition, Listen to your logical voice. Hopefully, your voice—and the professionals you trust—are telling you, “Don’t quit. Regroup and rethink your project.â€
Study your competition thoroughly. Scrutinize dozens of books. Continue your comparison work online and don’t forget to look at similar books in your home library.
Maybe you’ll discover that, while there are plenty of books by well-qualified authors on your topic, there are none featuring real stories of famous people experiencing epiphanies in their lives. Or perhaps there’s a need for a workbook.
You might find a way to give your thriller a reprieve through a really unique storyline. Bring your most creative friends together for a brainstorming session and see what you can come up with. Whatever it is, be sure to use the Stop, Look and Listen technique before committing your story to paper.
It has been said for thousands of years, “There’s nothing new under the sun.†But, as authors, we can tweak our ideas and stories in ways that, perhaps, haven’t been done before—or at least in recent years—or at least in a particular genre or topic…
If you want to receive more publishing wisdom and/or guidance, contact me at plfry620@yahoo.com. View my credentials at http://www.matilijapress.com/consulting.html. Order my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and the companion, Author’s Workbook http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
It happened again today. As the President of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network), I received another scattershot email from a no-name writer. The fellow (or gal) probably sent this email to hundreds of recipients with hopes of landing a publisher for his “unique†book. He said his book is “a best seller awaiting a publisher.†He did not reveal his identity, and he even made up an email address to use in flushing out a publisher—one generic email address for sending the “SPAM†and one for a response: writer-seeking-publisher@etc….
Me being me, I responded, but with a scolding, of sorts, and some solid advice about approaching publishers. I’m probably the only person he will hear from.
I receive a few of these emails through SPAWN and through my own website practically every month. It would be interesting to follow some of these people through the process and see how far they got—what degree of success they eventually experience using the scattershot method.
For those of you who are considering writing a generic, anonymous query and tossing it into the breeze in hopes of attracting a publisher, please reconsider. Here’s a more reasonable approach to publishing success:
1: If the manuscript is completed, make sure it has been professionally edited. This means, have it edited by someone who is familiar with publishing and your genre/topic.
2: Whether your book is fiction or nonfiction, write a book proposal. (Learn more about both fiction and nonfiction book proposals in The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html )
3: Write a killer query letter. If you’re not sure how to do this, study The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Before sending it off, consult with me or another professional. (Watch for an upcoming blog focusing on how to write a query letter.)
4: Research appropriate publishers. This means, publishers that would most likely be interested in investing in your particular project. Many publishers, today, specialize. Make sure that you are sending the right project to the right publisher. How? Look at their book catalogs. Study their Submission Guidelines. Locate books similar to yours and see who is publishing them? There are no books similar to yours, you say? Then maybe yours is not a good idea.
Okay, now that you’re seeing more clearly, go to where your book might be shelved in the nearest mega-bookstore. Look at the other books sitting there. Who published them? Consider contacting those publishers.
5: Send the publisher exactly what he wants (per his/her Submission Guidelines). This might be a query letter first or a full-blown book proposal (for nonfiction). He might want a query letter with your platform and marketing plan outlined and 50 pages of your novel. Some publishers accept material via email. Others do not. Most, who require snail mail contact, insist upon receiving a self-addressed-stamped envelope (SASE) for their response.
6: Address the correct person by name. Find out who the acquisitions editor is, or the managing editor or the editor for the topic/genre of your book. If you’re not sure who to address or the information you have is old, call the company and ask the receptionist to whom you should direct your query or proposal for a young adult fantasy or a book on health and healing.
At the risk of repeating myself, publishing is a business. It is not an extension of your writing. Do not attempt to enter into this highly competitive field using the anonymous, scattershot method that so many hopeful authors seem to believe is acceptable. For a greater chance at publishing success, lead with a viable project and use a reasonable, more personal approach.
Do you subscribe to Publishers Weekly Daily Reports? If not, you should. It’s informative and it’s FREE. Go to http://www.publishersweekly.com, scroll down to where you see “Newsletters†on the right. Check the “PW Daily†box.
I promised you resources and that’s resource number one.
In a recent PW Daily Report came this story by Mike Shatzkin called 15 Trends to Watch in 2008. In case you want to backtrack, it arrived in my email box January 8, 2008. He says he’s been in the “biz†for 15 years and these are some of his predictions:
1. The popularity of ebooks will increase. (I think we hear that every year. Can it be true? Are you choosing ebooks over print books, yet?)
2. By Christmas 2008, sales of customized (make your own) books will be substantial.
3. The iPhone and iPod will become ebook readers.
4. Barnes and Noble will become the largest most powerful bookstore around.
5. Publishers will do more Internet marketing of their titles.
6. 2008 will be the year of the author.
Are there any surprises here? Do any of you agree? Disagree?
Resource #2: How many of you are using Google Alerts to stay in the loop with regard to your topic/genre? It’s easy, interesting and FREE. Go to http://www.google.com/alerts and choose your keywords. I use “publishing,†“writing†and “book marketing.†I also have another Google Alert with my name and publishing company name. So when someone blogs about me, quotes me in an article, interviews me, etc., Google alerts me.
Here are some additional resources that you might find useful:
The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Order through Amazon or http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html Also order The Author’s Workbook. The combo is $28.00.
Sign up for some of my online, on-demand courses at http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm My newest course, on book marketing, hasn’t been listed at my site, yet—watch for it.
Okay, enough about me and my contributions to your success.
Join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) at http://www.spawn.org
Check out other writing/publishing-related sites: Wow-Women on Writing http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com
Publishing Basics http://www.publishingbasics.com
Write for Kids http://www.write4kids.com
Society of American Travel Writers http://www.satw.org
Fiction Factor http://www.fictionfactor.com
Fiction Fix http://www.coffeehouseforwriters.com
Science Fiction Writers of America http://www.sfwa.org
Here are some good newsletters:
SPAWNews (FREE) http://www.spawn.org Click on “Free Newsletter.â€
Book Promotion Newsletter (Annual subscription fee, $7.50) http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
Writers Weekly (Free) http://www.writersweekly.com.
Writing World http://www.writing-world.com
Writing For Dollars http://www.writingfordollars.com
Wooden Horse Publishing Newsletter http://www.woodenhorsepub.com
We all need to check in with a grammar site occasionally. Here are a few:
Bartleby.com http://www.bartleby.com
Daily Grammar http://www.dailygrammar.com
Sharp Writer http://www.sharpwriter.com
Whew, that’s about all my blog site can handle in one fell swoop. Oops, I just looked up the term, “fell swoop†and found another great site. Be sure to visit World Wide Words at http://www.worldwidewords.org
Is there no end to useful and fascinating sites? Actually, no. Yet, I know, from working with clients and responding to authors’ questions that not everyone has the mindset, experience or confidence to do their own research. It’s easy, folks, it’s fun and you will learn so much.
The next time you wonder what constitutes an active sentence, whether your editor is correct in saying to use one space after all punctuation, what’s the definition of self-publishing or how to define the genre of your book, of course, look it up in my book The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. But if your order for this amazing book hasn’t arrived yet, you can always use a search engine such as Google.
You hear a lot about “benefits†these days. Experts say, “When pitching or promoting your book, give benefits, not features.†But this concept can be confusing. Today I’m going to clarify the differences and give you a few examples.
But first, I want to report on an innovative artist—actually, cartoonist—who contacted Matilija Press this morning. As some of you know, I write the monthly SPAWN Market Update for the member area of the SPAWN website. Frequently, I suggest to artists that they be more proactive on behalf of promoting their work—not something easy for artists to do. I’ve even written articles on this subject (check out my piece Promotion: Your Success as an Artists Depends on it. http://www.matilijapress.com/articles/artist-promotion.htm). One thing I suggest is to contact publishers and let them know that you are available to do illustrations and other artwork for their projects.
Today, I received such an email from cartoonist, Joe Kohl. He did a good job of introducing himself and his work. He gave plenty of links to samples of his work and contact information in case a publisher wants to email or call. Good job Joe. While I don’t have need of a cartoonist right now, I will pass along your information to others who do in the future.
Now, back to our topic: Benefits. Many authors, when they write a press release, focus on features instead of benefits. When they talk to potential customers, they tend to speak of what the book contains rather than how it can actually affect or help the reader. What is the difference between benefits and features?
First, I’d like to offer a couple of examples demonstrating human nature when it comes to benefits and features. You be the judge:
Q: When is a driver most likely to wait for you while you exit a parking space?
A: Of course, when she wants that space–when it benefits her.
Q: When is someone most likely to pick up trash along the roadways?
A: When they are mandated by the court as punishment for a crime.
A: When they can profit from the trash—as in redeeming cans for cash.
A: When the act of cleaning up their community makes them feel good.
This is a pretty clear example of human benefits. Now let’s apply this to our products—our books–and even the articles we write. Why do people buy and/or read books? Primarily to become educated, be entertained and/or gain information. In more real terms—they want to read fiction that will carry them away from their world. And they read nonfiction books primarily in order to become more successful, make more money, lose more weight, learn something new, become wiser/more well-informed or attain greater health.
These are some of the features of my book The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book:
• There are a whopping 360 pages of information and resources.
• It has a massive, easy-to-use index.
• The chapters are organized logically.
• There are Recommended Reading sections at the end of each chapter.
• It includes an extensive Resource List
• There’s a companion Author’s Workbook
And now for reader benefits:
• What you learn here will help you to make better choices and decisions with regard to your publishing project.
• You will become a published author.
• Write a successful book proposal the first time and every time.
• Learn how to develop your book’s marketing plan.
• Sell more books.
• Study this book and you’ll make fewer mistakes with your publishing project.
• This book can save authors money and heartache.
What if your book is fiction—what are your reader benefits versus the features?
Features might include, compact size, hardcover, fine art design on the cover, you can read it in one afternoon and/or large type for those with failing eyesight.
Benefits might be, more action in fewer pages, a poignant story that promises an emotional experience, a fantasy adventure that will leave you exhausted, a happy reading experience, a main character you’ll love to hate, large type version for those with failing eyesight. (Yeah, this could be a benefit, too, don’t you think?)
For an inspirational book designed to teach a meditation process, the features might be, pocket-size book for easy stowing, written in lay language, appropriate for beginners and quickie exercises for busy people.
Benefits might include, learn to meditate in one session, finally tune into your subconscious, hone your intuition muscles and become more relaxed and less stressed.
Your assignment for today (if I may be so bossy), is to list the features and the benefits of your book. If you’re in the process of writing it, maybe this exercise will prompt you to add some meaningful benefits. Whether your book is meant to teach, share, inform, educate or simply to entertain, it most likely has reader benefits and it’s imperative that you know what they are.
We’re still working on a way to allow comments without letting in the enormous amount of SPAM. In the meantime, you can contact me at plfry620@yahoo.com.
How do bloggers choose their subjects? How do we come up with something to write about day after day after day? I sometimes wonder what in the world I’ll say the next morning in my daily blog. And then, sometime between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m., I sit down and the words simply begin to flow.
This morning I have 4 huge topics I’d like to cover and I’m still not sure which one it will be. What are the topics? First, let me say that Misti Sandefur wrote quite a nice review of my second edition, revised book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book in her newsletter, Coffee Break for Writers. The review is posted at http://www.coffeebreakforwriters.com/back_issues.html
One of my potential blog topics involves something she said in her review; which is something other fiction authors have said about the first edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. She goes on about the value of the book and how I’ve added a lot of new information and material for novelists. Then she says, “I was hoping to learn how to write proposals and query letters for fiction.â€
I responded to Misti, hopefully, not to appear as though I was standing in defense of my book as much as I was attempting to explain a concept. I told Misti (and I’ve said this to many others before her), “Individuals contact me sometimes to ask for more specifics about writing a book proposal for a novel. I have to tell them that the concept and the instructions are there (in my book and my in my articles). It’s the author of fiction who doesn’t want to or can’t embrace them. The book proposal for the novel is not that much different from the book proposal for nonfiction. I find that most fiction authors just don’t like the concept of writing a book proposal, so they disregard it as not applying to their project.â€
It’s true. The mind of a fiction writer just works differently than that of many nonfiction writers. I’m not saying that there is a right and a wrong, we just think and perceive things differently. A book proposal, for example, is an aspect of business and fiction authors do not, for the most part, address the business side of writing/publishing with much tolerance or understanding.
So that’s rant (subject) number one.
The second topic is also a concept and, I think, an important one. A colleague of mine told me that she sat next to a 30ish-year-old freelance writer on a flight to New York recently. He told her that he writes for some of the big magazines, which means, as you know, big bucks. He mentioned Wired and Vanity Fair. My friend asked him how he does so well at such a young age and you might be surprised by his response.
He said, “Most writers are lazy. A writer, who is willing to write proposals, research stories on spec and find out what the publications want, will be welcomed by editors.â€
This is so true, folks. I am not the world’s greatest writer. But I have managed to earn a living solely through my writing for the last 20 years. How?
• I write what editors and readers want.
• I am willing to take risks.
• I follow editorial/publishing protocol.
• I try to stay on top of trends and news in my areas of interest/expertise.
• I’m always on the look out for article/book ideas.
• I will work on spec and, more often than not, it pays off.
• I commit many hours every day to marketing myself, my books and my article work even when I don’t feel like it.
• I meet or beat deadlines.
• I understand what is required by individual editors/publishers and comply.
• I don’t bug or badger editors/publishers.
• I keep my name before the public.
• I’m not afraid to give back.
• I am always seeking new avenues of writing/book sales revenue.
• I recognize opportunities when they come up and pursue those that are appropriate.
• I am in constant research mode.
So there you have it—two topics covered. I’ll hold the other two topics at bay until another day. Stay tuned or you’ll miss some really good writer’s/author’s resources and some interesting NEW publishing industry predictions for 2008.
In the meantime, if you aspire to be a published author and/or a full-time freelance writer—whether you write fiction or nonfiction, continue following this informative blog, study the articles at my site, http://www.matilijapress.com/articles.htm and be sure to purchase those books at my site that respond to your particular writing/publishing desires. http://www.matilijapress.com If you have questions contact me through my website or at PLFry620@yahoo.com.
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