« Letting My Readers Do All The Work | Main | Promiscuous News »

Jul18
Three Very Simple Rules for People Who Want To Support Themselves as Writers
faceCN_0994.jpgThe writer tao lin just published a sprawling essay about why he lost a book deal with Kevin Sampsell at Future Tense Books, generating over fifty comments that range from obscene to thought-provoking.

Check it out:

"jay leno's boss goes to jay leno and says, 'you need to use less curse words, use more political jokes, and smile more so that we will get more viewers and make more money'

"jay leno says, 'okay'

"if it is not used to get money then what could you tell the person; what is the reason, really, for change?

"'you need to use less... etc., so that i will like you better and other people will like you better'?"

You know that I'm a bigger fan of experimental web storytelling than your average blogger, but I think he went way overboard. However, the whole point of tao lin's essay is that he doesn't expect to support himself with his writings and that he doesn't write for
his critics.

Instead of arguing, I came up with three very simple rules for people who do want to support themselves as writers in this madcap age of web publishing...

1- Whatever it is you wrote, it's too long. You must edit like crazy.

2- If you respect a publisher/publication enough to submit your material there, then you should respect the opinions of those editors.

3- Never, ever mount a public attack against an editor who turns you down. That's like shooting yourself in the foot to fix a paper cut.


I know you want to add something. What do you think?

2 Comments/Trackbacks




Three excellent points. Well done!

Thanks Jeffrey, I learned it from reading people like you... Have a great weekend.

submit a trackback

TrackBack URL for this entry:

post a comment

Name, Email Address, and URL are not required fields.





Comment Preview

« Letting My Readers Do All The Work | Main | Promiscuous News »

Advertise

Related Resources

recent comments

    sponsored ads



    topics

    subscribe


    Prefer Email?
    Subscribe below-

    Enter your Email:


    Powered by FeedBlitz What's this?

    Current News

    Support This Blog

    blogroll


    My site was nominated for Best Education Blog!

    business social media

    Use these fast growing business social media sites to promote your business, feature your products, spotlight your business leaders, create links, and drive traffic back to your company site, all for free!

    BIZZlogos - Add your logo - free link to your site
    BIZZphotos - Add photos of your products and people
    BIZZprofiles - Submit your profile and build your online visibility
    BIZZspotlight - Spotlight your business with free links
    BIZZvideos - Videos about businesses, products and business people.
    BIZZbites - "Digg" for Business - Submit your articles and posts

    Know More Media - Writing / Speaking

    know more media network

    View Network Map

    Network Feed List (OPML)

    Know More Media Network
    Feed


    we support unitus

    PRWeb

    Influencer



    ThePublishingSpot is a member of the Know More Media network of business related blogs.

    Here are some current headlines from some of our business publications:

    ProductivityGoal

    CallCenterScript

    AdHurl

    TheBizofKnowledge

    LandingTheDeal

    CustomersAreAlways

    HealthCareVox

    BrainBasedBusiness

    TheInsurancePolicy

    MarketingBlurb