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Welcome to the writer's page.  The first thing we'll do here is burst a few bubbles.  If you're new to the writing profession, someone has to tell you and well... You're here.

There is NO quick and easy money to be made by writing.  If you've been to some of the websites that scream at you to buy their programs and make easy money selling e-books (for which you only have to take their $1300 course to learn how, or buy their "program"), I'll say it again.  THERE IS NO QUICK AND EASY MONEY TO BE MADE BY WRITING. 

"They" make "their" money by selling "their" program to "you".  And then "they" want "you" to sell "their" product to someone else, for which "they" will give "you" a percentage.  I bought one (the cheapest one and I'm still being spammed to death by them) so I wouldn't get any of the facts wrong when putting this information on my website. 

If you think you've written the best book ever, that would be perfect for the silver screen, that agents will clamor over, and you only want to ask for a few agent's names ... Get Real.  If it's your first book and you haven't done any research or homework, your Great American Novel is probably crap.  Mine was.  The only author I've ever known who sold his first book to a major publishing house is Brett Battles - and he's a So-Cal television insider. 

I could write a thesis on the perils of self-publishing.  To summarize:

Self-publishing should be left to the pros who understand the publishing business, who know how to market their wares, who are networked in.

Self-publishing is NOT for the  faint-of-heart, nor is it suitable for the novice, newbie, or otherwise inexperienced writer!  If you absolutely insist on self-publishing, at least read Peter Bowerman's book FIRST.

 

If you are willing to research the various vanity/subsidy companies for the best package, learn the publishing business, market your ass off in places that will allow your self-published books in, pay for and attend writer's conferences-book fairs-libraries-and anywhere else you can shove your book in someone's face, then you might have a chance at selling a few hundred books. 

Typically, self-published books are not to be found in chain bookstores because most vanity/subsidy presses don't allow returns or big discounts.  Self-published books are also not welcome in most contests sponsored by the well-known writer's guilds.  (Sadly, many small press-published books aren't either.)  This will change at some point, maybe.  Perhaps.  Self-published books are also, typically, priced out of the market.

 

Please don't confuse vanity/subsidy publishing with Print On Demand (POD). These are entirely different entities within the universe.

Before you go off half-cocked, take out a second mortgage on your home, make a fool of yourself - and alienate those agents who may have been open to taking a look at your work - do some homework.  Learn about the profession.  Hone your craft.  Network within the writing community.  Join a structured critique group.  Hire an editor if you're not great at spelling and punctuation.  Attend live chats with successful authors at The Writer's Chatroom.  Read books about writing.

Don't expect to find someone to edit your work for a percentage of the royalties.  Professional editors (like me) will laugh at you - or at least snicker quietly before setting the record straight.  Those worth their salt (like me) will want at least a third of their money up front and at a per-page price.

If you landed here because you're doing research on the writing profession, "Welcome".  This is a good place to start.  We'll hit the highlights and offer up some great places to learn the trade and to hone your craft, regardless of what genre or niche you've chosen.

If you want to be a writer, think of yourself as a writer.  Proudly introduce yourself as a writer (unless you're at a social function put on by your employer).  Very few writers earn their living as writers.  Even famous ones.  The writers who do not have a day job are a small percentage of the writing population.

A couple of other facts:  Writing is hard work.  To be successful in this business, writing your great tome is the easy part.  Marketing and promotion by networking and selling your ass off, are what will make you successful.  This part is true whether you sell to a major house or self-publish.

  Buy some business cards, brochures, postcards, or T-shirts, depending on what you write and what you're promoting.  Bookmarks are a great way to market your book, but VistaPrint isn't yet selling them.  For everything else, this is THE place to get the best pricing.  Get a discount on your first order by using this link.

Read On Writing by Stephen King.  (And re-read it at least once per year no matter how rich or famous you become. This will keep you humble.)

The Writer's Chatroom Participate in live chats with published authors and experts in the publishing industry. Ask or answer questions at the forum. Subscribe to the FREE monthly newsletter, Spotlight. TWC exists to educate, entertain, and enlighten writers. (I was on staff there for four years.)

Can't afford to attend a writer's conference? We understand. The Muse Online Writer's Conference is FREE, it's virtual, and it's jam-packed with information and resources for writers at all stages of their careers every October. The only thing you might miss is the opportunity to belly up to the bar with an agent. Registration is open for 2010. I've presented "Writing for the Trades (How to Make Money Writing Non-fiction) - and How Not to P*ss Off Your Prey" at this conference. Hope to see you there in 2010!

http://www.themuseonlinewritersconference.

com/Registrations.html <--Register here BEFORE 08/15/10!

Check out MuseItUpClub for even more FREE information.

If you write mysteries or suspense/thrillers, check out MurderMustAdvertise, another Yahoo group.

Are you a freelancer or editor? Join Freelance Writers And Editors.  It's a Yahoo Group. Totally FR*E.

And follow the industry news at http://badpitch.blogspot.com. (But don't end up as an example there!)

Before you lay out a huge sum of money for a course in copywriting, check out FREE newsletters offered by John Forde and Peter Bowerman. Jack's newsletters are fabulous and so are Peter's books/newsletters. These two heavyweights in the copywriting realm do not inundate you with their own sales copy. Draw your own conclusions from that statement.

Are you a journalist in need of FREE info for a non-fiction article or book? Ask your question at HelpAReporter, Peter Shankman's site. Sign up and you can also provide info for a reporter.  (But keep those pitches on-topic!  Peter won't hesitate to bounce those who break this rule.)

Need a critique of your work in progress? Join Glenn Walker's Writer Circle group. Do everyone a favor and read Critique Guidelines by Audrey Shaffer. Critiques are now offered at the The Writer's Chatroom's forum.

For my editing/ghostwriting/proofreading rates, please see the "Services" page at this site.

Want to suggest a group or site to be added here? Email me. But don't spam me.

 

The Bare Bones Basics of: So You Want to be a Writer

An e-book for the emerging writer

by Linda J. Hutchinson (that's me).

 

While presenting "Writing for the Trades, How to Make Money Writing Non-Fiction (and How to NOT P*SS Off Your Prey)" at the 2008 Muse con, those in my workshop and week-long forum wanted more and more information.  An additional 20+ pages were added to The Bare Bones Basics of: So You Want to be a Writer as a result.

 

$6.95 $4.95

 

Bonus: My 2008/09 Muse con presentation is also included in this e-book for the emerging (newbie) writer.                 

Bonus: My published articles about writing, not available at this website.

ALSO included are the BBB Submission Tracker and the Don't Lie to Yourself Time Tracker.

 

(Son doesn't think I know where all my pens go... This, too, is covered in the Bare Bones Basics!)

 

If you'd like your own living copies of the Don't Lie to Yourself Time Tracker and the BBB Submission Tracker (in Excel format) without the e-book:

$ .99 for both trackers!

 

My short story "Excess and Dad's Exes" is included in this anthology. It's a great read, no matter the time of year.

 

 

 

The story of emotional upheaval and survival when my own son was a teenager is included in this anthology. There are many great stories in this book by several very good writers. Unfortunately, there are some editing errors that would probably not have remained if the publisher were not on the vanity/subsidy press fence. 'Nuff said. Read it for the stories of how other families (and especially their teens) made it through these turbulent times and came out on the other side. Be advised that not all of the stories in this book have happy endings. Such is life.