So you’ve written the next great American novel. Now what?
The sad fact is that most people who write novels or nonfiction books will never have them published, and it often has nothing to do with the actual quality of writing. You can just send out your manuscript willy-nilly. Well, you can, but the chances of it ever getting read are slim to none. You need a complete submission package, and this package has to be impressive. Some companies won’t even consider a submission unless it is done properly.
So what do you need? Every agent is different (so is every publisher …read more

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Hi Anne,
Back when I was in college I wrote an academic paper on a topic I’m truly interested in. The research was fun, I got an A on the paper and the subject, reworked, would be timely today. I’d like to see it in one of the big magazines, maybe the New Yorker, Harper’s Magazine, or The Atlantic. Since I already make my living writing books, I’m pretty secure in my ability to convert my paper to something for top notch consumer magazines.
But I’ve been sitting on this for four years! I’ve talked about it, dreamed about it, occasionally looked …read more

Daniel Horgan who not only writes for USA Today and other newspapers, but reads this blog, has written a great article called: Dr Seuss’ Lorax’s plea: Stop cutting trees! He’s also got some pages over at Hub. I’m looking forward to his blog!
This is a great example of what I think of as writer’s power – the ability of freelance writers to influence readers. Of course, this is an example of the kind of influence I personally totally approve of and, in fact, believe we should have more of. Actually, I believe I should do more of it.
So, writers, what …read more

The query letter is how you catch the attention of an editor, agent or publisher. The query is a short, pithy sales document that demonstrates your writing skill and your specific idea in a way that makes the reader want more. It’s not terribly difficult – here are the basics:

Read two or three issues of the magazine, or the publisher’s book catalog (order one) or the agent’s list of credits (ask). You want to be sure what your proposing actually fits – they know their readers; it’s up to you to fill their needs.
If you’re writing a query to a …read more

Amid all the talk about sub-prime mortgages, emergency Fed action and possible rescission, I just posted 64 New Writing, Blogging, Editing and Translation Jobs.
Go get ‘em and let us know when you do.
Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision – for those who want to get a book written.

No, I’m not talking about the writer’s strike, at least not this time. I’m referring to that stack of papers on your desk, or the pile of yet-to-be-read books by your bed. Or maybe, even how long it takes you to find a client’s file on your computer.
I’m sure a goodly number of you never have this kind of problem. But I know I’m not the only one who, occasionally at least, let’s stacks of stuff grow. Which is why I was delighted to discover b5media has a blog dedicated to helping people organize their business. It’s called MyOrganizedBiz. Not …read more

Michael Stelzner’s Top 10 Blog Posts for Writers (The Best From The Best in 2007!) has some gems.
For example, WebWritingInfo.com has an article called: Are you building your house on a pile of sand?. It does a good job of pointing out why good writing is a better marketing tool over time than schlock seo articles just thrown together to drive traffic.
Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision – for those who want to get a book written.

A client who was part way through drafting her first book called me in a panic. “I just realized that none of these ideas are mine,” she cried. “I don’t have anything of my own to say.”
I was pretty sure I knew what she was talking about, but before I jumped into solve…
This is how I started an article I posted at Writing With Vision – take a look.
Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision – for those who want to get a book written.

Just posted 59 New Writing, Editing and Translation Jobs.
Go get ‘em, and good luck.
Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision – for those who want to get a book written.

Wow. I don’t have a complete idea in my head this morning. Not a creative one anyway. I’m hardly beyond “I need another cup of coffee.”
Yesterday I was hugely productive. It was one of those days when words flew off my keyboard. I also handled a bunch of phone calls, an in depth meeting and rounded it out with dinner and trick or treating with my grandkids.
My case of brain fog sort of ties in with the post I did the other day called What’s Your Writing Routine? My experience tells me that once you’ve got a writing routine, that …read more