It has taken a while for the trickle-down effect to reach some writers. Even while high unemployment figures were being quoted on the evening news and during the time massive layoffs and failed businesses were being reported, most working writers were still writing. But things are changing and I’m wondering if you’re feeling the crunch.
Here’s what I see occurring—there are more people writing and this includes retirees and the unemployed. More writers and, by the way, non-writers, are hanging out their shingles—advertising themselves as ghostwriters, editors, book doctors, writing coaches , publishers and so forth. Just look at the abundance of unfamiliar names cropping up on articles published in your favorite writing/publishing newsletters and magazines. There’s also an influx of new books, blogs, courses, webinars, etc., by new kids on the block. Have you noticed?
Another thing I’ve noticed is more freebies for authors. Oh my gosh, everywhere you go on the Web, there are free classes, free webinars/teleseminars, free books, free articles and, of course, you can get an enormous amount of valuable information on blogs such as this one, free ezines and so forth.
I want to accomplish two things with this blog post today:
BEWARE
First, a warning. Please make sure that when you hire an editor, book doctor or sign up for a course or conference, for example, the individuals involved are credible and knowledgeable. What is their background? How long have they been writing/publishing/teaching/editing?
You may recall the story I told here a year or so ago about the potential client who thanked me kindly for my quote to edit his book, but said that he had found someone who charges much less and he was going to hire this other individual. In fact, the author suggested that I consider adjusting my fees as the other person was charging more per hour, but promised that they could edit the manuscript in a much shorter time. As I recall, this other “editor” claimed he could edit at around 25 pages per hour. Unbelievable! Well, the author came back a few weeks later to report that I was absolutely right when I told him that this individual would probably just do a quick check using his Word spell and grammar check and call it good.
You really have to be careful who you are dealing with, what their experience is and what their process is. Also, be sure to get references. I often tell audiences at writers’ conferences and so forth, to avoid hiring your neighbor—a retired professor—your son’s high school English teacher or a coworker who seems to have a good vocabulary to edit your book manuscript. Make sure your editor is credible and experienced in editing book manuscripts.
Share Your Story and Receive a Free Gift of Your Choice
The second thing I’d like to accomplish here is to get a sense about how the economy is affecting you. There’s a free gift in it for you—see below: For example:
• How is the economy affecting you personally, if at all?
• What are you doing differently this year to get work as a freelance writer, article-writer, editor, etc.?
• What about your book sales? Are they up/down/the same?
• What are you doing differently to maintain or increase sales?
• Have you hired anyone to edit, write, teach you? How did you choose this individual? How did it work out?
• What would you suggest to other writers/authors who are struggling in this economy?
Respond by leaving a comment here. The more detail the better. And as for your FREE gift for participating, what would you like? Choose one:
1: Free manuscript evaluation? (3 chapters or around 25 pages and table of contents).
2: Free ebook of your choice—request a list.
3: Free Book Promotion, Self-Publishing, Article-Writing or Book Proposal course for you with one paid student. Get your writing buddy to sign up and you get the course for FREE.
4: Free copy of A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles OR Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book OR The Successful Writer’s Handbook with purchase of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Contact Patricia Fry here: PLFry620@yahoo.com
Learn more about my offerings here: http://www.matilijapress.com