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As freelance writers, we know to include a bio with our queries or pitches—one that provides links to published pieces and that aligns with the type of submissions a magazine is looking for. There is something else we need to consider adding to our bios or pitches—”Almosts.” Almosts are what I refer to as submissions […]

Someone pitched me an article this week, and while the idea sounded decent, I declined based upon his online presence…or lack of one. He told me he could send his CV and a list of articles he has done, but they were not online. He had a handful of articles with links. The problem arose […]

Ethical AI uses machine-learning for data analysis and research—rather than using generative artificial intelligence to replace the human artist, writer, or creative. While generative AI “creates” content from sometimes plagiarised input, general artificial intelligence can ease the burdens of research. Here’s how artificial intelligence can be put to (good) use. Visualization I’ve heard from many authors who […]

I follow a lot of groups, usually remaining silent, reading, taking note, hoping to find some nugget to use myself. . . or to use as a learning tool in a future FundsforWriters newsletter. As you probably know from your own experience, it’s amazing what people write for the world to see that leaves scars […]

Social media promises writers a way to reach a large number of potential readers. The problem is, the possibilities are rather limited. X is a dumpster fire of partisan politics. Bluesky will probably follow. I don’t know anyone who gets many sales through Instagram. Tiktok works only for extroverts and the app’s future in the […]

I’m back from my annual writing retreat in Maine where I help facilitate writers in their dreams to bring their work alive and get it published. All week I attend and assist in a class a day. The rest of the day, attendees are supposed to write. I’m on call around the clock to answer […]

Imagine waking up in a beautiful setting where meals are provided, and your only expectation is to create. Or maybe you dream of using your writing to connect with a community, leading a journaling workshop or introducing readers to a piece of artwork or historic happening. Or perhaps you have a special project that you’re […]

I follow a site/newsletter titled Plagiarism Today. Jonathan Bailey ( @plagiarismtoday \ @mastodon.world \ mastodon.world \ plagiarismtoday.com ) has managed this site for decades, and he knows his stuff about AI, copyright, and plagiarism. I receive many newsletters. His I read. Recently he composed a piece entitled How Can I Prove That I’m Human?  As we all […]

Earning a living from writing is not as easy to wrap your head around as opening a coffee shop or becoming a tax accountant. The work writers do is often mitigated by a publisher. Thinking of what “goods” or “services” you provide as a writer and who your “customers” are can feel intangible and vague. […]

Before I start, a few caveats. First, I really don’t know very much about AI. Also, I’m only really talking here about ChatGPT. And I’m only talking about the world of commercial content, not creative writing. I start with all that because pretty much everyone I know who is a creative type is violently against […]

A lot of people, particularly in person, tell me they “have this story” that they want to tell. They ask me how I write, then they ask how to publish. There is a mile in between, and I try to tell them what that mile consists of. Recently, a new author asked me why they […]

I was negotiating a small appearance for sometime downstream when something kept niggling at me about this one in particular. I have learned to listen to that feeling. The pay was average, and the expenses were fully covered. I could sell my books and retain 100 percent of proceeds. No bookstore there selling books, but […]