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Vol
12 Number 9 - March 4, 2008
In this Issue:
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Dan
Case, editor Versatility – The Key to Steady Income by Susan Sundwall According to my Webster’s dictionary the word versatile means competent in many things, turning with ease from one thing to another, or many-sided. If you’re a beginning writer, you may not have found your niche yet or, if you’re like me, there are many avenues of writing you’d still like to explore. In either case those dictionary definitions, once adopted, can be the key to your own growing success as a writer. I use a spreadsheet to track my sales and as I glance through it, I see the evidence of my own versatility. Some of my sales include:
Each sale of the above mentioned works began with an Internet search for markets. There, I found writer’s guidelines and examples of what is acceptable for various publications. I subbed each piece until it found a home and came to understand that aggressive versatility is the name of the game if you want to keep those checks rolling in. The Short Stuff Maybe you think you can’t write a poem. While nobody’s looking give it a try. Poetry is an inexact science and you might surprise yourself. I did exactly that with a single pleasant thought I had about the first snowfall. It was a rhyming poem and I had some reservations about it, but I got my brave up, sent it to Capper’s and ten days later I had a check in my hand. I completely amazed myself! At Thanksgiving I sold them another and was paid twice, once for the print version and once for online. Feeding off that success, I used the same method with some verse and quotes that popped into my head. In the back of a trendy woman’s magazine I found a company that sells vinyl lettered quotes that are used to accent walls in homes and businesses. I held my breath, e-mailed the owner and asked her if she bought verse. After a few back and forth e-mails, she bought six short children’s poems and I had a check within two weeks. Greeting cards? Go to the card shop or grocery store. Pick up a few and flip them over. The name of the company and maybe a website will be listed. Go there. Practice writing a few. There are several websites with great articles on how to write greeting card verse, including this one. Also try Sandra Miller-Louden’s website at www.greetingcardwriting.com Write up similar verses to what you love in a greeting card especially if it’s humorous. Comical verse sells better than anything. I did this with a card company that sells cards in dollar stores. I submitted by e-mail, the editor sent a purchase order and I received my check within six weeks of acceptance. I’ve sold her four – so far. A Bit Longer Have you tried anthologies? This is a market that doesn’t seem to be going away and is an excellent avenue for a first sale and ego boost. Categories for stories drawn from personal experience abound and may include holiday memories or traditions, the trials and tribulations of parenthood, buying or selling a home, sports, spirituality and on, and on. Glean through your memory bank and then investigate a few of these:
Stretch Yourself Other markets I have tried are crafts and short stories for children, online women’s magazines, short stories and non-fiction articles for religious publications and writing about writing. Take a look at these. These markets and many others are all out there, need monthly content and you might as well be one of the contributors. Be aggressive with yourself, too. Don’t wimp out. I had no idea how much I’d love writing short verse until I did it. My big dream is to write a sure-fire best seller and I’ve recently completed my first full-length novel—a mystery. Right now I’m on pins and needles waiting to hear from the publisher who requested it. But as a break from that and to keep my finger in many pies, I hone versatility. It’s a challenge and a hoot all at once, and your reward for being versatile can go right into the bank. © 2008 by Susan Sundwall Susan is a freelance writer and children’s playwright. In addition to those happy pursuits, she’s had her short story, "Bridge Nine," posted on Amazon Shorts and has begun a mystery series she hopes will be published and shortly thereafter become insanely popular throughout the known universe. 16 Paying Markets Updated or added in our database since February 26, 2008 High - Over $500
Medium - $125 - $500
Low - Less than $125
7 Reasons Writers’ Dreams Die and How To Resurrect Them by Jennifer Brown Banks “The truth shall set you free.” Let’s face it. The only thing missing to clearly classify the demise of many aspiring writers’ dreams of becoming a “professional” is the official eulogy. In other words, upon close examination and reflection, their career as a scribe is pretty much dead. Kaput! It’s lifeless and going nowhere… They’ve stocked their in-home libraries with how-tos written by literary experts, they’ve spent hundreds of dollars on writing workshops and classes, they’ve even immersed themselves in the markets—with no return for their investment. Perhaps you’re one of them. Believe me, there’s a better way. After more than a decade of writing and teaching, I’ve identified these seven common career killers, and how you can overcome them to achieve publishing success. A lack of discipline— In the field of writing, there is no such thing as an “overnight success.” You must pay your dues. Becoming a professional requires writing regularly and persevering through repeated rejections. In the words of a famous Nike commercial, “just do it!” Not having a business mindset— Many folks foolishly believe that making it in this business is all about being good with words. Think again! Being a “professional” writer takes ingenuity, savvy, marketing skills, discipline, creativity, smarts, and direction. The publishing industry is very competitive. What do you uniquely bring to the table? And how will you serve it up? Burning bridges unnecessarily— An editor pays you late on a piece you wrote. Your byline doesn’t boast the correct spelling of your name. To sound off on the situation, you blog or write a “nasty gram” to the publisher. Big mistake. Choose your battles wisely. You never know when you’ll have to cross paths again with the same person, even at a different publication. And the publishing world is smaller than you think. Dependence on lady luck— “Luck is when preparation meets with opportunity.” Not seeking help and/or mentors— Professional athletes have coaches. Award-winning vocalists do too. Take your performance to a higher level by enlisting the help of a writing coach or successful mentor. They can often be objective in helping to identify strengths, weaknesses, and strategies. Treating traditional guidelines as “gospel”— Pick up any how-to book for writers and you’re sure to find a chapter on perfecting query letters. Although it is the typical norm, it’s not necessarily the path to pursue. For instance, I’ve written and successfully sold almost 500 articles, columns, and commentary pieces without ever writing a query. Do what works best for you, based upon your lifestyle, writing objectives, and creative strengths. Not targeting the right publications— Your piece can have Pulitzer potential. Still, if you send it to magazines without doing your homework, you’ll meet with defeat. Make sure to check writers’ guidelines, archives, and a few recent copies of the publications you choose to pitch. By observing the seven principles above, your writing career is sure to have a healthy prognosis in 2008. © 2008 by Jennifer Brown Banks Jennifer Brown Banks is an award-winning poet, columnist, editor, instructor and author of A Paradox In Pink available at AMAZON.COM. Email Jenniferwriter@Yahoo.com
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