Writing & Money

How do you get better jobs? LET'S DISCUSS.

In which I explain what I've been up to since May, and ask what you'd like to hear in Season 2 of the podcast.

How do you turn a file saved on your computer into AN ACTUAL BOOK? How do you get that book on Amazon? Or in bookstores? What about libraries? This episode takes you through the process of publishing your book and getting it out into the world.

Since my novel The Biographies of Ordinary People: Volume 2 is releasing next week, this month's podcast episodes are both about SELF-PUBLISHING. Today, we're looking at WHY you might choose self-publication; later this month, we'll look at HOW to self-publish.

I got to chat with Dana Kaye of Kaye Publicity about her book "Your Book, Your Brand: The Step-By-Step Guide to Launching Your Book and Boosting Your Sales." We discuss how to create an effective brand, how to reach out to media contacts, and when people should do their own publicity vs. when they should hire a publicist.

It's almost Tax Day! But since most of us have probably already done our 2017 taxes, this episode is all about how freelance taxes will change in 2018.

I interview special guest Paulette Perhach about how she got started as a writer, how she handles the financial side of writing, and what people will learn from her forthcoming book, Welcome to the Writer's Life.

Learn how to decide whether a client is right for you BEFORE you apply for the gig or say yes to the editor.

A very short episode about SEO! Notice how this episode title is structured to let listeners know exactly what question the episode will answer — which is what it's all about.

The second half of our Art of Interviewing discussion! Today we look at how to contact a source, how to prep your interview questions, how to conduct the interview, and what to do after the interview.

Interviewing is often one of the hardest parts of freelancing — it involves asking people for help, dealing with rejection, and PHONES — so I've broken the interviewing process down into a series of easy-to-manage steps. This episode deals with everything you need to do before you ask someone for an interview; the next episode will be about how to ask, how to do the interview, and what to do after the interview.

Pitching is great, but knowing that you're going to complete work for a specific client or publication every month is even better. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you turn that initial pitch into a regular contributor relationship — as well as how to determine whether your editor wants you to pitch more often.

Happy New Year! Let's talk about how to set writing and money goals for 2018. I mention "Biographies Volume 1" and "Biographies Volume 2" in this podcast; I'm referring to my published novel The Biographies of Ordinary People: Volume 1: 1989–2000 and the forthcoming Volume 2: 2004–2016. You'll hear me mention a paid subscription in this episode; this podcast was originally released under a freemium/subscription model, but I have since decided to make it free for everybody. ❤️

ANYTHING CAN CHANGE AT ANY TIME! Publications can shut down! Patreon can announce (and then unannounce) new fees! You can get part of the way into a podcast recording and then have GarageBand tell you it can't record any more because your disk space is full, and then when you clear out some old files and start recording again the sound quality is way better for some reason?! THIS EPISODE IS ABOUT HOW YOU DEAL WITH CONSTANT CHANGE AND UNCERTAINTY. You'll hear me mention a paid subscription in this episode; this podcast was originally released under a freemium/subscription model, but I have since decided to make it free for everybody. ❤️

The audio is a little imperfect on this one because I'm in the process of moving and I didn't have my usual setup. (It turns out throwing a duvet over your head before you record makes a HUGE DIFFERENCE.) However, you know what IS perfect? My spreadsheet. Check the full description for a link to a Google Sheets version that you can copy/paste into your own spreadsheet program. You'll hear me mention a paid subscription in this episode; this podcast was originally released under a freemium/subscription model, but I have since decided to make it free for everybody. ❤️

This episode is all about PRIORITIZING YOUR BIG CREATIVE PROJECTS. I wrote two novels in 18 months, and I'll share everything I learned in the process. After you've listened to this episode, I'd love to learn more about the big creative projects you're working on, as well as any successes/frustrations/roadblocks that are coming up as you work. You'll hear me mention a paid subscription in this episode; this podcast was originally released under a freemium/subscription model, but I have since decided to make it free for everybody. ❤️

Decide THAT you're going to do it, then decide WHEN you're going to do it. Also: I have improved my audio CONSIDERABLY since the first episode, but I still need a pop filter. I'll have that by the next podcast and then the audio should be PERFECT. ❤️

How do I write 20–30 pieces every week? By drawing from common structural patterns that I've internalized to the point that they've become instinctual. In other words: I know the framework, and all I have to do is put the words in. You'll hear me mention a paid subscription in this episode; this podcast was originally released under a freemium/subscription model, but I have since decided to make it free for everybody. ❤️

This episode of Writing & Money is all about pitching: which sites to pitch, what types of stories to pitch, and the four elements that should be included in every pitch. You'll hear me mention a paid subscription in this episode; this podcast was originally released under a freemium/subscription model, but I have since decided to make it free for everybody. ❤️