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.
Table of 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 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 Writers 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
Review Quotes:
"Destined to become a staple reference book for writers and those interested in publishing careers."-- "Publishers Weekly"
Review Quotes:
"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 with encouragement for aspiring and seasoned writers alike."--Starred Review "Library Journal"
Review Quotes:
"If you've found yourself drowning in the 'what's a writer to do?' platform-creation pool and have no real understanding of how a book gets published, it's time to discover Jane Friedman. Grab hold; she's a buoy."-- "Press-Enterprise"
Review Quotes:
" The Business of Being a Writer provides lucent, sage advice on setting realistic goals toward shaping a rewarding career, going well beyond simply achieving publication or getting an agent. At last, a single book to recommend to writers peering into the vast labyrinth of how to become a successful, professional writer. Thank you, Jane!"--Jeffrey Lependorf, Executive Director, Small Press Distribution and the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses
Review Quotes:
"While countless books and classes exist to help writers improve their craft, few focus on the practical aspects of maintaining a writing career over time. Friedman's wise and wide-ranging The Business of Being a Writer offers essential and extremely helpful advice on how writers can survive and thrive in the current publishing landscape."--Dinty W. Moore, author of The Story Cure
Review Quotes:
"Every writer needs tough love. Typically that's delivered by your editor as you're writing the book. But where's the tough love once your book is ready for the world? It's in here and Jane Friedman's got the goods for you. No one will better help you understand the challenges ahead; no one will offer a more comprehensive approach to scaling the walls. Writers ask me all the questions Jane answers in here. All I need to do now is send them to this book."--Richard Nash, CEO, Cursor, and former publisher of Soft Skull Press
Review Quotes:
"An interesting book, chock-full of information that should be discussed in every MFA program in the country and yet doesn't seem to be."--Teresa Peschel "Peschel Press"
Jane Friedman is widely known in the creative writing community for her website and blog JaneFriedman.com and as cofounder and editor of the Hot Sheet newsletter. She has spent more than twenty-five years working in the publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. She has appeared in countless media outlets, including the New York Times, the Today Show, CNN, Wired, BBC, the Guardian, CBC, and the Washington Post, among others.
University of Chicago Press
Pub Date: March 16, 2018
0.8" H x 8.9" L x 6.0" W
368 pages
paperback