I guess writing is like most other creative work. The passion (or at least the interest) develops and, if it is strong enough or if the ducks are lined up in a particular row, the passion can become a profession. I know a quilter up the street who parlayed her love for quilting into a home-based business. I just spoke with a local woman who used to operate a lemonade stand with her children for fun. Now she is sending her kids to college on the money she earns from bottling and selling her delicious lavender-infused lemonade. I once knew a woman who loved growing African violets. So she started a home-based mail order business and shipped African violets all over the US.
My sister-in-law earns a little extra cash selling her art, a friend does photography for a fee and I know people who groom and board animals. Each of these home-grown businesses stemmed from a strong interest. It’s probably the same story for the kite-maker, chef, cabinet builder, cattle rancher and teacher, don’t you think?
And just like the artist, photographer, quilter, great cook, gardener and groomer, there are writers who care little about creating an empire through their craft. They just want to write—or to get their story out to those who might be interested.
In today’s world of advanced technology, however, since it is so easy to write and produce a book, and with the faltering economy creating a need, more and more and MORE would-be and wanna-be writers are following their publishing dream. If you’re going to publish, you had better be prepared to sell what you’ve written in order to recoup your investment and, hopefully, make a little money. Most authors who go to the trouble and expense of publishing their memoir, story or informational book, etc. are not inclined to follow-through and promote it. They have no passion for commerce. They draw lines that they are not willing to cross—“I want to be a published author, but I don’t want to be a bookseller…”
I find it interesting that in the 1980s, there was a statistic that said, “Over 80 percent of the population believes they have a book in them.” But it wasn’t until recently that they started writing those books. Now, nearly 80 percent of those who do write a book fail. It makes one wonder if those would-be/wanna-bes from the 80s should have stuck to cooking, bicycle racing, quilting or raising African violets.
If you plan to or are thinking about entering into the fiercely competitive world of publishing, please do so with the education and information you need. Read my book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author. Available at Amazon.com and most other online and downtown bookstores, as well as http://www.matilijapress.com
Read the reviews at Amazon.com to see how incredibly valuable this book has been to some of those who have read it. I have been in this business for a long time and I wrote this book primarily to help you through it. Read it!