For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been reading some version of this advice over and over: Don’t burn bridges. Be nice to everyone. You never know when someone will be able to help you down the road. Which, oh please. Sometimes the best thing you can do in life is burn bridges. Douse them…
Tag: The Publishing Business
On growing your writing career
In my inbox: I was recently asked a question on how to continue a writing career that has gotten off to a promising start. You can’t throw a rock without hitting someone who has written a book on how to break into publishing, but maintaining a writing career? Being a mid-career writer? Being a midlist…
On arriving
This week I heard from a lot of people who are disenchanted with the books they’re writing or have written. Most of the writers I know work in nonfiction, which you sell on the basis of a proposal, and once you have a contract, you write the book. It’s a tough slog, but you sort…
What friends are for
So, last week, I had a conversation with a client that went something like this: Client: Could you fill out this 2-page form so we can get started on the project for which we would like to pay you a lot of money? Me: You bet! *works with great enthusiasm* There, done!…
Avoiding creative burnout
I recently got a note from a writer saying she felt creatively drained. She said, “My book is good. How can I convince others?” Reading between the lines, I figured she’d written a book she felt was excellent but agents/editors were rejecting it, and that was making her feel a lot like not writing any more…
Making a Living Writing Short Stories?
“I am an aspiring author who wants to make it big in this industry. My passion is for writing and I would love to pursue it as a career. I have written many short stories and poems. I’d appreciate any information you can give me.” I receive questions like this every now and then,…