The first time I sat down to critique another writer’s work, I was one week into an MFA program for creative writing. I had never read literature with an eye for anything more than the pleasure of the language or the plotline, and I’d never shared my own work with...
Traveling the world while getting paid to write about it is the ultimate dream for many writers. Kim Dinan and Jo Piazza are two writers who have made that dream come true. Both have recently published travel memoirs reflecting on travel, love and marriage. Dinan...
Editors are busier than ever, and it’s rare to get detailed feedback on a pitch. But this spring, I got lucky. While at a writing conference, I attended a panel where several editors described how they work with freelance writers. I knew one of the editors on the...
They say raising a child takes a village. The same can be said for publishing a book. Beyond the words you write on the page, there are designers, artists, publicists, editors, agents, sales reps, publishers and bookstore owners who help bring your stories to life....
We’re halfway through the year, which means it’s time for another Quarterly Check-In. (Did you all pay your quarterly estimated taxes last month?) I’m going to ask myself the same five questions I asked last quarter — and I hope you’ll take the time to answer...
Have you been trying to freelance for months, or even years, without much success? Maybe you’re thinking of calling it quits. Maybe you secretly suspect you don’t have what it takes to be a freelancer. Maybe you’ve made a lot of mistakes (some of them costly ones) and...
Freelance writing is a highly competitive field. Cultivating your own professional website will give you an edge in two ways: Helping new customers find you Impressing clients you find elsewhere A professional website says you’re taking your business seriously, and...
Not only is summer a great time for lemonade, indulging in the fine art of hammocking and working outdoors, but it’s also prime time for writing conventions and conferences. How do you turn a conference into a career-boosting event? Follow these tips to prepare, fully...
We writers are often dreamers. So, today, I dream: of a splendid, magical world just for writers. What does that world look like? Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and imagine the possibilities… 1. Ideas captured instantly No more relying on those spare notebooks...
Attachment is a common plight of many writers. We insert pieces of ourselves into our writing, drawing us closer to our work than with many other professions. However, becoming overly attached can lead to decreased productivity, weighing down creativity like a...
