The Business of Being a Writer (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)

Writers talk about their work in many ways: as an art, as a calling, as a lifestyle. Too often missing from these conversations is the fact that writing is also a business. The reality is, those who want to make a full- or part-time job out of writing are going to have a more positive and productive career if they understand the basic business principles underlying the industry. __The Business of Being a Writer__ offers the business education writers need but so rarely receive. It is meant for early-career writers looking to develop a realistic set of expectations about making money from their work or for working writers who want a better understanding of the industry. Writers will gain a comprehensive picture of how the publishing world works—from queries and agents to blogging and advertising—and will learn how they can best position themselves for success over the long term. Jane Friedman has more than twenty years of experience in the publishing industry, with an emphasis on digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is encouraging without sugarcoating, blending years of research with practical advice that will help writers market themselves and maximize their writing-related income. It will leave them empowered, confident, and ready to turn their craft into a career. "Destined to become a staple reference book for writers and those interested in publishing careers." — Publishers Weekly Writers talk about their work in many ways: as an art, as a calling, as a lifestyle. Too often missing from these conversations is the fact that writing is also a business. Those who want to make a full- or part-time job out of writing are going to have a more positive and productive career if they understand the basic business principles underlying the industry. This book offers the business education writers need but so rarely receive. It is meant for early-career writers looking to develop a realistic set of expectations about making money from their work. or for working writers who want a better understanding of the industry. Writers will gain a comprehensive picture of how the publishing world works—from queries and agents to blogging and advertising—and will learn how they can best position themselves for success over the long term. Jane Friedman has more than two decades of experience in the publishing industry, with an emphasis on digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is encouraging without sugarcoating, blending years of research with practical advice that will help writers market themselves and maximize their writing-related income—and leave them empowered, confident, and ready to turn their craft into a career. "Friedman's 20-plus years in the industry, launching and managing the social media presence of Writer's Digest , along with her expertise in business strategies for authors and publishers, combine to create an invaluable compendium of practical advice." — Library Journal (starred review) The Business Of Being A Writer Offers The Business Education Writers Need But So Rarely Receive. It Is Meant For Early-career Writers Looking To Develop A Realistic Set Of Expectations About Making Money From Their Work Or For Working Writers Who Want A Better Understanding Of The Industry. Writers Will Gain A Comprehensive Picture Of How The Publishing World Works--from Queries And Agents To Blogging And Advertising--and Will Learn How They Can Best Position Themselves For Success Over The Long Term. Can You Make A Living As A Writer? -- The Art Of Career Building -- Generating Leads, Gaining Exposure -- Pursuing An Mfa Or Other Graduate Degree -- Trade Book Publishing -- Magazine Publishing -- Online And Digital Media -- Literary Publishing In The Twenty-first Century -- Book Publishing: Figuring Out Where Your Book Fits -- Understanding Literary Agents -- Researching Agents And Publishers -- Book Queries And Synopses -- The Nonfiction Book Proposal -- Working With Your Publisher -- Self-publishing -- Publishing Short Stories, Personal Essays, Or Poetry -- Traditional Freelance Writing -- Online Writing And Blogging -- Author Platform -- Your Online Presence: Websites, Social Media, And More -- Turning Attention Into Sales -- The Basics Of Book Launches -- Starting A Freelance Career -- Freelance Editing And Related Services -- Teaching And Online Education -- Contests, Prizes, Grants, Fellowships -- Crowdfunding And Donations -- Memberships, Subscriptions, And Paywalls -- Advertising And Affiliate Income -- Pursuing A Publishing Career -- Corporate Media Careers. Jane Friedman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Intro -- Contents -- Introduction -- Part One: First Steps Making a Life as a Writer -- 1. Can You Make a Living as a Writer? -- 2. The Art of Career Building -- 3. Generating Leads, Gaining Exposure -- 4. Pursuing an MFA or Other Graduate Degree -- Part Two: Understanding The Publishing Industry -- 5. Trade Book Publishing -- 6. Magazine Publishing -- 7. Online and Digital Media -- 8. Literary Publishing in the Twenty-First Century -- Part Three: Getting Published -- 9. Book Publishing: Figuring Out Where Your Book Fits -- 10. Understanding Literary Agents -- 11. Researching Agents and Publishers -- 12. Book Queries and Synopses -- 13. The Nonfiction Book Proposal -- 14. Working with Your Publisher -- 15. Self- Publishing -- 16. Publishing Short Stories, Personal Essays, or Poetry -- 17. Traditional Freelance Writing -- 18. Online Writing and Blogging -- Part Four: The Writer As An Entrepreneur Laying the foundation -- 19. Author Platform -- 20. Your Online Presence: Websites, Social Media, and More -- 21. Turning Attention into Sales -- 22. The Basics of Book Launches -- Part Five: How Writer's Make Money -- 23. Starting a Freelance Career -- 24. Freelance Editing and Related Services -- 25. Teaching and Online Education -- 26. Contests, Prizes, Grants, Fellowships -- 27. Crowdfunding and Donations -- 28. Memberships, Subscriptions, and Paywalls -- 29. Advertising and Affiliate Income -- 30. Pursuing a Publishing Career -- 31. Corporate Media Careers -- Afterword -- Appendix 1: Contracts 101 -- Appendix 2: Legal Issues -- Appendix 3: Recommended Resources -- Acknowledgments and Credits -- Notes -- Index "Writers talk about their work in many ways: as an art, as a calling, as a lifestyle. Too often missing from these conversations is the fact that writing is also a business. The reality is, those who want to make a full- or part-time job out of writing are going to have a more positive and productive career if they understand the basic business principles underlying the industry. The Business of Being a Writer offers the business education writers need but so rarely receive. It is meant for early-career writers looking to develop a realistic set of expectations about making money from their work or for working writers who want a better understanding of the industry. Writers will gain a comprehensive picture of how the publishing world works--from queries and agents to blogging and advertising--and will learn how they can best position themselves for success over the long term. Jane Friedman has more than twenty years of experience in the publishing industry, with an emphasis on digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is encouraging without sugarcoating, blending years of research with practical advice that will help writers market themselves and maximize their writing-related income. It will leave them empowered, confident, and ready to turn their craft into a career"--Provided by publisher The Business of Being a Writer offers the business education writers need but so rarely receive. It is meant for early career writers looking to develop a realistic set of expectations about making money from their work or for working writers who want a better understanding of the industry.