Jockey Person to Person for Writers: Wardrobe and Income

Amy Lamphere, writer and senior team leader for Jockey Person to Person, was worried she didn't have a retirement plan, as she supported her writing career--waiting for her big break. She had been working retail to "support that habit" when she decided to go for something with  more security. This is when she got into "social selling" with a company you've probably heard of before--Jockey. I'll...

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1 comment career, Jockey Person to Person, making money, Margo L. Dill, supplemental income, writing wardrobe

All Tooled Up: Tools, Tips, and Writerly Solutions

What The Heck Is It? This is a picture of my favorite writing tool—noise reduction ear muffs. I don’t use them very often but if the television is on in the other room or the neighbors dogs are barking up a marathon salvation is hanging on the wall behind me right next to the calendar. Writers are natural explorers. We research, we test, we discover, we innovate…and then we share. Today I’m inviting...

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9 comments Robyn Chausse, Writer's Tips, writing tools

Any New Books?: Book Recommendations Delivered to You Weekly

I have often had the experience of walking into a bookstore, passing by the “new” books display, and thinking, “I didn’t know that came out already!” or “Why didn’t I hear about this book yet?”  There are dozens of new books published and released each week that never make it onto those display tables, but are amazing books worth reading.  How can I effortlessly discover when some of...

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2 comments Anne Greenawalt, Any New Books, market research

The Basics For Novice Writers: The DON'TS In Article Querying

Happy Saturday, everyone! I really wanted to do a post for all of you novice writers out there working so hard to get your fabulous articles and stories noticed. It can be a very tough and frustrating road, can't it? I totally understand. Not too long ago, I was right where you are frantically trying to get just one editor to take notice of my article and story ideas. Each rejection had me beating...

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3 comments article writing, article writing do's and don'ts, pitching editors

Friday Speak Out!: At My Age, I’m Still Wet Behind the Ears, Guest Post by Becky Povich

At My Age, I’m Still Wet Behind the Ears by Becky Povich I never realized I was a writer until I was almost 50 years old. Sure, as a young girl I loved to write letters and had pen-pals all over the world. I was also passionate about reading, due in a large part to my paternal grandmother. Nothing thrilled me more than Bookmobile Day at my grade school. Climbing up those vehicle steps and entering...

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35 comments Becky Povich, Friday Speak Out, guest post, writer inspiration

Writing and Publishing E-Books for Charity

On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake jolted Tohoku, Japan’s northeastern region. The ensuing tsunami caused devastation of unimaginable proportions. In the immediate aftermath, many writers around the world looked for ways to help. Among them, long-time Japan resident Annamarie Sasagawa, came up with the idea for Write for Tohoku, a collection of creative nonfiction on the positive aspects of...

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Leave a Comment Annamarie Sasagawa, anthology for charity, expatriate writers, Japan, Leza Lowitz, publishing e-books, Suzanne Kamata, Tohoku Disaster Survivors, Write for Tohoku

Do You Need an Author Photo?

Are you one of those people? You're in a book store, randomly grabbing hard covers and paperbacks off a shelf, based on the book cover, and then you either flip to the back cover or crack open the back of the book to sneak a peek at the author's photo? Truth is, if you answered yes, you're probably not alone. In today's publishing world, the author photo can be one of the most important pieces of...

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1 comment author photo, author photograph, author publicity, LuAnn Schindler, marketing, marketing tips, marketing tips for authors

Personal Essay Writing: Tips for You

Recently, I judged a personal essay contest for a regional writing group. I love judging contests as it exposes me to some great writing and some not-so-great writing. With most of the entries, I found myself being able to tell in a few paragraphs whether or not to put the essay in the possible winners pile or the sorry pile. Everything I’d heard from editors and agents at conferences was true—in...

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4 comments Creative Nonfiction, Margo L. Dill, personal essay, writing contest

Who Are You? How to Use Journaling Therapy to Know and Grow Your Life by Mari L. McCarthy, Blog Tour Launch and Special Giveaway

Who are you? What are your strengths, your fears, your goals? What have you learned so far and where do you go from here? Sometimes who we really are is a mystery even to ourselves. As we grow into adulthood and through the phases of establishing home and job, raising families, divorce and loss, career changes and daily life something happens. We are no longer who we thought we were or who family...

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9 comments author blog tour, author interview, Mari L. McCarthy, Robyn Chausse, Who Are You? How to Use Journaling Therapy to Know and Grow Your Life

So, You Want Someone to Edit Your Work?

Choose your editor--and your editing "weapon"--carefully. So, you want someone to edit your fiction? Do you really? For most writers submitting their work to a publisher or agent, having several people to read over their manuscript seems enough. Besides, they are over the red marks bleeding over the manuscript pages. Their book is in good shape now. After all, they've spent years crafting your...

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4 comments book editing, editing, editing fiction, editing services, Elizabeth King Humphrey

Fright Factors: Regenerate Decrepit Imagery

There was a summer storm brewing last night. Although the rain never came the thunderheads gathered across the sunset turning the sky an ominous shade of orange. Visibility was low and as I gazed across the street I thought of sinister plots and London fog. Why is it, I thought, that so many writers still use fog to build atmosphere? Surely creepy things can happen in dust storms as well. An apt...

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2 comments children's fiction, craft of writing, Fright Factors: Regenerate Decrepit Imagery, halloween, horror writing tips, imagery, Robyn Chausse, writing exercise

Friday Speak Out!: Queen of the Nice Rejection Letter, Guest Post by Kathryn Schleich

Queen of the Nice Rejection Letter by Kathryn Schleich I laughed at Jackie Bouchard’s post, “Could you please beat me with this rejection letter?” She bemoaned her “thin skin,” which, if it helps, doesn’t appear to be that thin at all. My problem is just the opposite. The rejections I’ve been getting for Hollywood and Catholic Women have been the nicest rejection letters I’ve ever received. Several...

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2 comments Friday Speak Out, Kathryn Schleich, Rejection Letters

Break Through "The Skids"

As economic times worsen, writers struggle to stay afloat between assignments or book deals.

Competition for assignments is fierce, especially in this age where anyone can think he or she is a writer. One thread of a LinkedIn group I belong to talks about giving up freelancing after three decades in the business because so many newbies (and wannabes) agree to write an article for pennies on the dollar.

Those of us who have been in the business for years - and who expect to fairly compensated for our skills and time - understand the ebb and flow of the publishing industry.

Sometimes, we simply hit the skids.

But it doesn't mean we like it.

How can a writer protect herself when the phone doesn't ring and your email inbox is as desolate as a lonely stretch of highway?

Let's look at five ways to straighten out your career when it hits the brakes.

1. Query: You won't make a sale if you fail to pitch ideas. I'm lucky to have developed an ongoing relationship with a regional newspaper so I usually have a steady stream of sales, but I still take the time to submit queries to other newspapers and magazines. And I still receive the occasional rejection letter or email. One of the best pieces of advice I've heard came from Hope Clark from Funds for Writers. She talked about the rule of 13 and having 13 queries in play. I took her advice. It works. I like to have 13 queries out at a time, and if I receive a rejection, I fine tune the pitch and find a new market. It's common sense. Each query ups your odds of a sale.
2. Observe: Keep your eyes and ears open. You never know when you'll hear a snippet of conversation that sparks an idea. Take note of what's going on around you, too. You may hit on the latest trend, and that can lead to a possible sale.
3. Recycle: In the land of home staging, this may also be called repurposing. If I find that I don't a lot of new assignments coming in, and especially if the ideas just aren't flowing, I go through my previous articles and see if I can reslant it for a new market. Reprints require a minimal time investment but can lead to load of extra cash.
4. Chill: At some point, you will hit a dry spell. It's the law of averages. Although you may find it difficult to relax, you really need to take a chill pill. Find new scenery. Do something just for you. Embrace these moments from the writing world. Your creative muse will thank you.
5. Stay positive: Easier said than done, right? A positive attitude will make life - and writing - easier. When assignments come in, tackle them immediately. It's a boost to your creative mind. I've noticed that the quicker I turn in assignments, the faster I get new assignments. At least it seems that way. Plus, not procrastinating helps me keep a positive mantra.

Writing, like the economy, make hit the skids. But by taking a proactive attitude, you can help yourself break through the tough times.

Blog and photo by LuAnn Schindler. Read more of LuAnn's work at her website.

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1 comment dealing with rejection, dry spell, LuAnn Schindler, marketing tips, querying, recycle articles, reprints, staying positive, tough economic times for writers

Security For You and Your Writing ( In an Insecure World)

I'm not the kind of person who generally worries about security or fraud. I always think, That will never happen to me. I listen to authors who are afraid their work will be stolen when they send it in and wonder how I can get that kind of confidence. They are basically saying, "My work is so good, people will want to steal it and claim it as their own." WOW! That's a statement. I know this kind...

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6 comments Margo L. Dill, security, social networking for authors and writers

Writing Resources on Google + (aka Why I'm Using Google +)

photo by basketman @ freedigitalphotos.net Google + is quickly becoming my favorite social media site ever! I know, that’s a big claim, especially since there are plenty of social media sites I’ve never used, and some I’ve never even heard of.  But Google + is the all of my favorite aspects of facebook combined with all of my favorite aspects of Twitter.  Facebook Similarities/DifferencesI...

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6 comments Anne Greenawalt, Google +, Social Media for Authors, social networking for authors and writers, writing groups

Call for Queries/Submissions: Niche Writing

Have you found your niche in the writing world? Or do you know someone who has? We want to hear about it! Our October issue will focus on niche writing. This theme is open to interpretation. As always, our mission is to help and educate other writers, so keep that in mind when you query. We are open to both how-tos and interviews. Please review our submission guidelines on our Contact Page (scroll down to "Submissions") for guidelines and how to submit or query. Pay is $50 - $150 per...

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Leave a Comment call for submissions, niche writing

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly About...Social Media

A few years ago, I thought the most exciting thing I discovered I could do with my computer was chat with people in 'real time' anywhere in the world using a fantastic new Internet tool called "ICQ". That was over ten years ago. Nowadays there are so many sources of social media--the name given to all of these fascinating Internet tools we can use to connect with people anywhere, anytime--it...

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4 comments Chynna Laird, social media, social networking for authors and writers, The Good The Bad and The Ugly About...