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 … 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.
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This is one of the only books I have ever read in my three decades of working in the book industry that has a solid and comprehensive view of multiple aspects of traditional and indie publishing. Kudos to Jane Friedman for capturing all this great info into a single volume.
It’s fashionable to complain that “no one can make a living writing,” or that self-publishing is “for hobbyists only.” Jane Friedman begs to differ. She knows a great deal about the publishing industry, and in this book she sets the record straight. You can make a living, but only if you approach it like a business, and think creatively about your income and how you spend your time. If you’re struggling to make a living with your writing or want to know how it can be done, make room on your bookshelf for this invaluable guide.
This book is a treasure trove of useful information for current and wannabe authors exploring both the traditional and indie publishing industry.
Jane talks honestly about what steps are required to make a living as an author: ‘To publish is easy to get attention is hard (Shirky).’
I’m sure all authors experience this. To engage in any community we need to be authentic members and share valuable content. This means talking about the stuff you care about. Never shut up on social media and elsewhere about ideas and issues that you care about. Identifying an online or offline community that cares about your writing – even if it’s just friends and family who want them to succeed.
Valuable advice on the art of pitching – and we’re always pitching. Understand the needs and/or motivations of the person or business you’re targeting.
Jane highlighted the value of blogging and how her own blog, now in its eight year, is her number-one method of lead generation because it ranks high on google searches. If you have a website or blog reaching many, lay out a specific strategy for your book launch.
This is just a taster of the rich content inside.
As you may have guessed I thought this was a great book. Highly recommended.
This book looks at all avenues of publishing (magazines, online, traditional, self-publishing, etc.) and how the writer fits into it. This is an eye-opening read for those who still hold an idealistic view of the writer’s life.
This is the book every writer needs to read, no matter where they are in their career. It gives you sage advice and reminds you that your efforts aren’t in vain. It looks at platform building, getting published, finding an agent and everything else you need to know as a writer.
These are my favourite quotes from the book:
“Successful authorship isn’t a formula. It requires individuality, thoughtfulness and critical thinking.”
“Most of us don’t buy books because of who published them; we buy them because of the author. If we don’t know the author, we may be intrigued by the book’s premise or topic – or buy based on word of mouth.”
“Committed writers succeed: recognise that most careers are launched, not with a single fabulous manuscript, but through a series of small successes that builds the writer’s network and visibility, step by step.”
“There is an audience for all levels of quality; know your market and serve the quality that’s appropriate – and remember that the price reflects the quality.”
Like that isn’t enough, I even learned something new about my own published work. “Short story collections are distinctly literary work.” And literary work doesn’t sell as well as commercial work.
Some parts of the book can make your eyes glaze over (who really wants to know how MFA students get writing jobs?) and some of it is mostly focused on American writers (which I’m obviously not), but I still recommend writers from all continents reading this. This book looks behind the scenes of the job of publishing companies, magazines, journals and editors to give writers a realistic view of the publishing industry and how they can make a living as a writer.
I learned so much from this book! It really lays down in detail the different paths writers use/can use to make money. It also gives a great foundation for understanding how publishing works nowadays. I didn’t know, for example, that Medium isn’t making money or how Slate and Salon operate. The book talks in detail about the business of publishing and how it’s changing and what it means….. It was sobering to read it. It’s very hard for writers to make it all work (most writers don’t make money from their books alone) So, there’s a realism here that felt disillusioning to me at first. But I think knowing what your chances are at “making it” as a writer, what it takes, and the fact that you need to really think about multiple income streams is, in the end, very helpful. I learned too many things to write down. This is a very helpful guide, and if you want to be a writer (whether you are considering an MFA or have already written your first book or are a high school student thinking about what it means to be a working writer), this is an eye-opening book. It’s a pragmatic guide that tells you about ground realities and also suggests ways that you can maneuver around them. Highly recommend to all writers!
Timely, up to date news about today’s publishing world. The author provides answers to the questions many have been asking — how to become a bestselling author.
This comprehensive guide flows from a historical perspective through today in print and digital writing for all major platforms. The links for additional research and resources are cleverly done.
The answers’ novelist needs to weigh the pros and cons of hiring an agent, or not to, and the nuts and bolts of developing your author platform are excellent. A must-read for writers on a mission of being read by the readers who’ll become endearing fans.