When I started writing seriously, I had a novel in mind. This was way before FundsforWriters. I spent two years working on that novel concept, after work, on weekends, and between hockey practices with my sons. But I was afraid of sending it to publishers and agents, for fear of rejection. My mother, of all people, suggested I send it to Fern Michaels’ literary agent. Little did I know that my mother knew Fern Michaels . . . just didn’t realize she was as big an author as she was. Mom commenced to getting me invited to one of Fern/Mary’s renowned parties (she flew in a band from Louisiana) at which time Mom introduced me to this bestselling author as a fellow author. Of course I was mortified, but I sucked it up and said I’d written a novel. Fern gave me an agent’s name and I submitted my novel. I was promptly rejected, probably with a nicer rejection letter than the average person got since I was considered at Fern’s request, but regardless, no means no. That scared me away from submitting to literary agents for a long while. We are talking five years. Ultimately, I rewrote that same story, More
Writing Listicles for Fun and Profit
/ 2021-04-02Listicles are not only great staples for seasoned freelancers, but are also a good way for new writers to break into print. I have been writing these bite-sized, easily digestible articles for years. Listicles used to be called refrigerator articles, because folks would cut these short informational pieces out of the newspaper and hang them on the fridge for easy reference. These can be written on any theme: humor, fun facts, pop culture, or “how-to” service pieces, and simply, they have two main parts: an introduction and the list. Look through your social media feed or the covers of magazines at the grocery store for examples of published listicles. Here are three I saw today: Shape magazine: “16 Foods for Peak Energy,” Yoga magazine: “13 Ways to Break Out of a Rut,” and In Style magazine: “Four Rules for Matching Prints.” Once you start looking, you see them everywhere! Want to try your hand at writing a listicle? Just follow the steps outlined below. Brainstorm Ideas and Themes The best articles are about your experiences, or a subject you found interest in. Have you figured out fun ways to get your kids to eat their veggies? Or do you have More
Accepting Advice
/ 2021-04-02Not long ago, I was in an online chat. A woman had just been offered representation by an agent, and she was over the moon. She was concerned, however, that the agent had asked that parts of the story be rewritten in a different direction. Others in the chat rose up in a banter about how much a writer should sacrifice for an agent or publisher. Writers do not know everything about what makes their story great. They write with blinders on. They have birthed this tale and think it is as it should be. Then along comes an agent, editor, or publisher that shakes the writer’s world by saying it could be better by adding this, deleting that, or taking a different path. The mature writer welcomes such suggestion. The mature writer realizes that they are not all-knowing. Someone who has handled dozens if not hundreds of stories, and seen how change can reform a manuscript into something grander, just might be able to take your good story and make it great. “Sure,” you say, especially when talking about someone else’s work. “They are professionals.” But when it comes to your writing, you tend to think that a critiquer More
13 Tips Your Editor Wants You to Know (But Is Too Busy to Tell You)
/ 2021-03-20As a writer, I know that hitting “send” can feel like throwing your work into a frightening void. Now, as a magazine editor, I’ve collected scraps of insider info that I wished I’d known before I became an editor. So — I give them to you. 1. I want you to succeed. Every time I open a new piece or pitch, I’m rooting for it to be great. It’s not just that it makes my job easier. (Though it does, immensely.) It’s just a delight to read good work — and that’s what our readers want, too. I’m on your side. 2. When pitching, express enthusiasm. Pretend you work for the publication and want to see it succeed and do great work. (You’re on our side, too, right?) Say, “I’m fascinated by this question, and I haven’t seen it covered. It might be a fit for your readers because of x.” 3. Sometimes I don’t know exactly what I’m looking for. That is, until I see it. If you can anticipate what our readers will respond to, or what our coverage is missing, you’re golden. 4. Add voice and life to essays and articles. This is the number one thing More
How Do You Do It?
/ 2021-03-20In the writing world, writers hang on understanding how another writer found success. They want to know the secret, the magic, or the inherent talent required to duplicate that success. We want to know the right path out of the woods. No two writers find success the same. That is the wonder and the bane of this profession. A writer’s career is as unique as writing itself, and what works for one person is not going to work for many others. Yet there are so many how-to-become-successful classes out there, and they do quite well. The eager and the excited, the desperate and the seeking-short-cut folks, sign up these classes thinking this is how to keep from having to do the research themselves. The best way to become successful is to get down in the mud and figure it out on your own. Why not capitalize on someone else’s experience? Because you cannot duplicate it. Writing success depends on: -the ability to write -the ability to write a specific genre -family composition -other income -health -place of residence -mobility -technological savvy -connections -introvert vs. extrovert -age -education -experience -upbringing -simple luck -the discipline to sit in the chair I am More
Author Royalties 101 (Self-Published)
/ 2021-03-12A question I get asked frequently, especially when I launch a new book, is: What is the best way for me to order your book? What these kind and supportive people are attempting to politely ask is, which way do you make the most money? I know pre-published writers are curious about this too. They want to know, and rightly so, before they put in the blood, sweat, and tears, how much will they really make in author royalties when all is said and done. And the answer is, it’s complicated. In the spirit of both learning and total transparency, I’d like to share with you the different royalty amounts a few of my books earn via their various sales paths in hopes of educating future self-publishers and also for those of you who want to support me in the best possible way. A Few Reflections • While Amazon does not make me the most money in royalties, it is less work on my part to fulfill an order, and sales/reviews on that platform allow me to reach a worldwide audience that I am (at this time) unable to do on my own. • While I make the most money per More
Slow Down and Let It Rise to the Top
/ 2021-03-12If you keep a blender going, the ingredients swirl and combine until you have a product that looks little like its original parts. But if you shut off that blender, and you let the pitcher sit there for a few hours, something will usually settle to the bottom . . . or float to the top. Someone asked me in a Zoom meeting not long ago how I juggled my life. I sounded energized, which was probably more nerves from presenting, but still, they asked and wondered how I did all I did. I do not see myself that way, but I pondered a second and said that I know what my priorities are in life, and when something comes along that detracts from that, I decline it. Someone in a chat asked me who does the cleaning and cooking first to gain those hours of writing, those times when someone can write their 1,000 words a day that I preach. I clean when someone visits or I tire of looking at it, because my writing is a higher priority. I cook when I have a desire to. Elaborate meals are only for special occasions . . . because I More
Six Rookie Mistakes to Quit Making
/ 2021-03-05If your middle school years were anything like mine, the cafeteria was a dangerous place. Where to sit? What to say? And just when you thought you figured it all out, everything changed. Entering the writing world gave me a déjà vu of walking back into the middle school lunchroom. Even if I knew the names of the people at the tables, they definitely didn’t know mine. Worse than that, we didn’t even seem to speak the same language. Today I want to offer you six rookie mistakes to quit making as you enter that writing lunchroom. Are you ready to move up and sit with the big kids? Good, because here we go. 1. Stop talking about the length of your manuscript in pages. In the publishing industry, length is measured and discussed in word count. Also, you should know there are guidelines for how long each type of book, genre, and age level text should be. Yes, there are exceptions, but as a newbie, you should stick to these highly recommended suggestions. 2. Publishers, agents, and editors use Microsoft Word. Do not send anyone a Google Doc. Yes, I use Google personally and within my academic professional life, More
Reviewing is an Honor
/ 2021-03-05With every release of a novel, the author and publisher seek quick reviews so that others will buy. Receiving a review copy is an honor, frankly. You have been entrusted with a book, a free book, often ahead of others, and you have been asked for your particular opinion. The author and publisher want you to be part of a driving force of educating the world about that new book. Regardless the number of stars, you are helping to inform readers. That publisher didn’t print those books for free. That author lost out on royalties on those books. One or the other paid postage so the review would not have to read an ebook . . . unless they just wanted to. Yet most people who receive review copies do not review. They take the free book and are never heard from again. That is why NetGalley (professional reviewing distribution site) and many publishers only release ebooks. Not only are the books easier to distribute, but they are less of a loss when they disappear into the ether with no review. But some authors still distribute print review copies upon request. After the cost of printing, handling, and postage, the More
Selling Your Unemployment
/ 2021-02-26How do you find the good in the bad when you’ve lost your job? Whether that job was your dream job or a paycheck, it paid the bills. Now that you’re unemployed, however, you’re thinking about how much you’ve always wanted to write. You never had the time, though. Well, the time is here, you need the income, and you can put this loss to work for you. After having lost my job, I struggled to build my freelance writing to equal the income I made. Then I turned my frustration into cash by writing about my loss. Fifteen years later, I still write about that period of unemployment because the topic pays. There are sites interested in hearing about job loss, advice for those seeking work, and experiences in my chosen career field. One such place is Unemploymentville which provides detailed guidelines. They desire personal stories about the hardships of unemployment as well as unique job search methods. The pay is anywhere from $25-$75 for 350 words, but be prepared to wait a while for a response. Elite Personal Finance is always on the lookout for stories about how to save money, and if you’re unemployed, you already learned tricks about the More