The Business Of Being A Writer

[Paul Whybrow]

All of us need advice from time to time and there are plenty of handbooks on writing & publishing to give it. We've looked at some of them before.

I've acquired about fifty of them over the years. I've had my eye on one by Jane Friedman for a while on eBay and Amazon, but it holds its price well. She's one of the best writing gurus around and I recommend her website and newsletter Electric Speed.

After missing a copy of her latest book The Business Of Being A Writer for a mere eight quid (drat!), I decided to pony up the full asking price of sixteen pounds. After all, 2020 is meant to be the year that I turn from writing new stories to flogging what I've already written.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Business-Chicago-Writing-Editing-Publishing

Few authors are natural sales executives, so finding a book that guides you though the sometimes murky business of publishing is reassuring. Jane Friedman knows her stuff. Take a look at the Contents Page by clicking on Look Inside
One curious thing about the book is how the cover feels, which is unpapery...more like stroking the back of a baby hippo!

 

[CageSage]

That eBook is $30 in Australia - and that's so over the top that I can't consider a purchase (we never actually own the thing, it's a loaner from the app-owner) ... however, you could do a discussion on the value, maybe, so we can decide whether this purchase would be a waste or a weapon in the writer's pocket

 

[Paul Whybrow]

I'm about halfway through reading it. Jane Friedman's advice is up to date, practical and honest. Writers of all levels of experience would learn something useful from it. I never buy new books, but this one was worth it.