Whether you’re writing in a corporate setting or as a freelancer, you’re likely to face this common issue: multiple “client” individuals that you must satisfy before the project is complete. How can a writer serve more than one master? In my experience, this is both extremely common and very tricky. In the business writer survey…
Newsletter Week 12: Delving into the “content” debate, the record spread of book banning, plus 3 people to follow, 3 books to read, and plugging yourself in. The difference between creative work and “content” There is none. OK. Put down the pitchforks, people. You and I work in the content industry, whether we admit it…
Meetings and travel impair productivity. Writing, editing, revising, and research are all activities better conducted solo. The presence of others is a detriment. Tools like Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Microsoft Word Track Changes make it possible to collaborate virtually and asynchronously. It’s a good idea to meet regularly with clients to discuss your work,…
You wrote something awesome. Then it comes back from reviewers with markup all over it. Inevitably, the sad trombone plays in your mind’s ear — you might feel angry, resentful, upset, or depressed. Go ahead, own that reaction for a moment or two. But now you have to revise the draft. And it’s time to…
Are you trying to decide which of several book ideas is best for you to spend your time on? If you’re in this position, you need to determine which potential book will best advance your career. In what area do you want to be known as an expert? Are you solving a big problem for…
Week 7: Prepare to quit, blurb ethically, op-ed opportunity, three people to follow, three books to read, and plugging away. Change your job? Maybe. Change your mind? Definitely. The US unemployment rate is 3.5%. And it’s been that low for months. So it’s time for you to start looking. If you love everything about your…
Since I published my book, people are coming out of the woodwork asking me to ghostwrite for them. Ghostwriters are expensive and are often unavailable. So you should think carefully if you really need one, or if you need a developmental editor. Here’s a table of tasks that developmental editors and ghostwriters for nonfiction books…
Join me for a free “Brown Bag Lunch” discussion hosted by Gotham Ghostwriters, tomorrow (Wednesday, 16 August) at 12 noon Eastern Time. I’ll be joined by one of my favorite people, veteran ghostwriter Toni Robino. If you’re pursuing a freelance career that includes ghostwriting business books, we’ll try to answer all your questions. I look…
How to grow a great career by not following your passion, private equity and AI roil publishing, plus 3 people to follow, 3 great reads, and plug nuts Don’t follow your passion “Follow your passion” is terrible advice. Your career develops over years and decades. As you live through it, you have to make a living. People…