Write 4 Money Support Thread.

[sweetnpetite]

No, I don't have any answers, mostly I have questions and longings and dreams and wishes unfulfilled (but not really tried for as of yet) But I thought that a support thread for writers who want to make money at it (whether full time freelance, or just a little extra pocket change) would be a good idea.

I know that lot's of people aren't interested in making money and that's fine for them. And others would rather write 'great literature' than commercial fiction any day. and that's ok too. I'm not dogging any of them, and I hope they won't dog anyone for wanting to make a buck.

Personally, I'd rather write something that benefits me in my lifetime than die poor alone and broke and have my work in all of the textbooks. It's good to leave a legacy, but what good is all of that if you aren't around to enjoy it?

Besides- if you've got something to leave behind, something inportant, I don't think you can help but leave it and have it in whatever you write, even if you don't try.

PHylosophising aside- you don't have to be a published/paid author to contribute to this thread-- it's a support thread. But if you've got some good stuff to share, it wouldn't hurt

Sweet.

 

[Liar]

If you want to make money from writing text, novels is definitely the wrong end to start.

I write articles in consumer magazines. One is a geeky tech zine where I review gadgets, write guides on how to set up home networks, compress mp3s, and so on. Another is a health magazine. I'm currently working on an article about RSI and carpal tunnel syndrome there. It's kind of low-prestige stuff, I have no expertise in either field, but since I write for people who doesn't have that either, I just write what I learn while doing the research. And if you only have some good writing in a portfolio, it's not too hard (at least not on the Swedish market) to get an editor to give a new freelancer a chance. it won't cost them much, and if you prove to be a good, ambitious writer and reliable with deadlines, they're quite likely to give you more gigs with a little polite nagging.

Of course, it's not my own name in a bookstore shelf, but it IS my name in print, in popular magazines. And although it is not me sharing my art and stories with the world, I get to show off my at least moderate skills in the craft. The articles are in my voice and with my own brand of wit and style. Even moreso now, since I've snagged a few column gigs.

If I'm persistent there, I might score a deal to write nonfiction books on those subjects. And then, all of a sudden I DO have my name in a bookstore. If those do well, it's much easier to convince a publisher to let you try your hands at a novel or anthology. I've seen it happen for colleauges of mine. It takes persistance and hard work to get there, but they made a living on the way there.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

If you're looking to get published, here's a good place to start. It has a pretty good list of various publications looking for material:

http://www.erotica-readers.com/ERA/G/BestAmerican.htm

In my book, rejection isn't the worst part of writing for money. The waiting is. It'll take most publishers 4-6 weeks or even more to get around to reading your stuff, so it pays to submit early and often. Just send your stuff off as if you're throwing a message in a bottle into the sea and then forget about it and let the process grind away.

The link I posted will tell you what kind of material publishers are looking for and how they want you to submit the manuscript. That's italicized because it's of prime importance. If they glance at your mss. and see that it's not the kind of file they specified or in the format they asked for, or if you don't include the right kind of cover letter, they'll stop reading right then and there. However, if you take the pains to follow their directions, they'll be quite courteous and even helpful.

I've gotten to know some editors since I started submitting, and they really do put their pants on one leg at a time. There's nothing to be afraid of in submitting. It's the waiting that's hard to handle.

 

[impressive]

The link I posted will tell you what kind of material publishers are looking for and how they want you to submit the manuscript. That's italicized because it's of prime importance. If they glance at your mss. and see that it's not the kind of file they specified or in the format they asked for, or if you don't include the right kind of cover letter, they'll stop reading right then and there.

I think this is key.

The rest is balls.

 

[McKenna]

Subscribing to this thread for future reference.

 

[Willow Rain]

If you're looking to get published, here's a good place to start. It has a pretty good list of various publications looking for material:

http://www.erotica-readers.com/ERA/G/BestAmerican.htm

In my book, rejection isn't the worst part of writing for money. The waiting is. It'll take most publishers 4-6 weeks or even more to get around to reading your stuff, so it pays to submit early and often. Just send your stuff off as if you're throwing a message in a bottle into the sea and then forget about it and let the process grind away.

The link I posted will tell you what kind of material publishers are looking for and how they want you to submit the manuscript. That's italicized because it's of prime importance. If they glance at your mss. and see that it's not the kind of file they specified or in the format they asked for, or if you don't include the right kind of cover letter, they'll stop reading right then and there. However, if you take the pains to follow their directions, they'll be quite courteous and even helpful.

I've gotten to know some editors since I started submitting, and they really do put their pants on one leg at a time. There's nothing to be afraid of in submitting. It's the waiting that's hard to handle.

Wonderful and helpful link. Kisses for you.

Willow

 

[sophia jane]

Wonderful and helpful link. Kisses for you.

Willow

I love that site. I especially watch the contests lists and have submitted word to several contests. Of course at this point nothing has come of it, but it doesn't hurt to try.

SJ

 

[BlackSnake]

You can always try your hand at self-publishing. Here is something new for all those who may yawn at this. Just like with independent film makers, self-published authors are getting rewards also. I read in "Writer's Digest" that some publishers are looking for diamonds.

Picking up some pocket money. I read a lot of works here and a lot are better than some published works I've read at Borders over coffee. (Hint, if you want to sample a book, go to Borders and sit down and read as much as you like. They won't hassle you and they have wireless connection and outside seating). I self-published my books and they have surprised me enough to make me start marketing them.

Supporting other authors. Not only do I have my work in paperback, I also have it in eBook format. Some authors here are published at eXtasy Books. eXtasy Books also make their eBooks available at eBookAds where I have my titles. I look up fellow Lit authors and purchase their works, because authors are also readers. My eBooks are selling, so I love helping others where I can. I also list them on my website.

I use cafepress for my paper back and eBookAds for selling my eBook version. I have some computer skills in graphics, publishing, and programing so I do my own work. I try to be professional about it. If anyone needs help, I'll be happy to lend a hand.

 

[Boota]

Just send your stuff off as if you're throwing a message in a bottle into the sea and then forget about it and let the process grind away.

That's really good advice, Dr. M. I've done that before and actually forgot that I sent anything off by the time I got a reply. Much better than sitting on edge and waiting.

 

[amicus]

I personally think that self publishing is the wave of the future.

The overhead of mainstream publishers has become so high, that they need manuscripts by people like the Clinton's and other dignitaries, well known authors and pop stars and the like, to meet the costs of publishing.

The latest Harry Potter book had a first printing of 10.8 million copies and the author netted 44 million dollars in the first 24 hours. Few of us have even a glimmer of a chance at anything even approaching that.

Whereas, one can go to a place like Lulu.com and publish whatever you want at no cost to you at all. There is a small fee for acquiring an ISBN and listing for online booksellers, and all other services for the author are also available for a price, which is usually reasonable as much as I can determine.

The big thing, the really really big thing, with conventional or POD publishers is that you must market and sell your own work.

What ever it is you wish to publish, you can do so, quickly, at no cost, as Lulu.com takes a 25% fee of the selling price, with no up front costs to the author.

But again, your book or ebook will just sit there if you do not promote it, advertise it, do interviews, get reviews and in general be obnoxious in getting your work before the public.

After years of spending money on postage to send inquiry letters, synopsis's and eventually a few chapters or the entire Ms. to mainstream publishers and being totally disappointed and frustrated over the long months of waiting, I will not submit anything else to them.

Best of luck to all....


amicus...

 

[Boota]

But again, your book or ebook will just sit there if you do not promote it, advertise it, do interviews, get reviews and in general be obnoxious in getting your work before the public.

This is the part a lot of people who get involved in POD or other self-publishing endeavors fail to grasp. It is hard work getting the word out that you have a book. Even harder getting people to buy it. You have got to be your own biggest fan and believe in the work enough to push it and stand by it.

 

[Sunnie]

Sweet, this is a great thread, thank you for it ...

And Doc, thanks for the link ...

Liar, how did you get into magazines? I've been wanting to try that angle, but I'm not sure where to start.

 

[Liar]

Liar, how did you get into magazines? I've been wanting to try that angle, but I'm not sure where to start.

I called them up and said hi, pretty much. Introduced myself as a freelance reporter and asked if they needed some instant help. As it turned out, they had a small article that another writer had failed to deliver, so they had a hole in the paper, as they put it. I offered to fill it fast and for free, if they would consider me for real jobs in the future. They said that definitely, if you're good. I worked my ass off for one day, emailed them a text in the evening, and apparently it was good enough, because when I called the next week, they had two articles they wanted me to write.

I have no idea what the climate for that kind of thing is in other parts of the world, the US just might be an entirely different scene. But that's how I hear that most people over here in Europe got started. Rule of thumb, niched monthly magazines are easier to get solid writing jobs at than daily newspapers (that's where the "star" reporters are).

 

[amicus]

I got into radio, being a DJ, by visiting every radio station, once every week and offering to fill in for free until they needed a full time announcer.

It took a while, as it was in Honolulu, Hawaii, but within six weeks, I had three job offers...

Persistence and determination....go for it!


amicus...

 

[Sunnie]

Amicus, Liar, thanks for the advice...

I just wish I wasn't so goddamn unsure of myself ... I mean I can pretend I'm the most confident person in the world when I have to, but the idea of really peddling myself (ha) scares me to death.

...Get over it, right?

 

[sweetnpetite]

bump.