THE BASICS IN THE BUSINESS OF WRITING

Today I'm going to give you an overview, a few small steps. Starting with selling in a market that at times seems to overwhelm us by sheer numbers. It's like sitting at a huge table filled with so many different types of food and thinking you can put everything on one plate. Well, you can't, so don't even try. Instead let's start with soup and salad, take it slow, chose what you know to start, then go on from there.

I use analogies to give my reader a picture to relate to, so picture this, all this food prepared and set out beautifully. It looks so good, you put all you can fit on your plate. Now look at the other people getting their food and picture the expression on their faces as they watch you. (I'm not done yet.) You sit down and put a big glob of something that looks delicious in your mouth and it is a thousand degrees hot. Your face is turning red and you begin to gag and can't hold it in. Everything, and I mean every little and big glob that is in your mouth comes out, some goes back in the plate the rest lands all over your designer clothes. Get the picture? Start with what you know.

Everything begins with the first step, that gets you going. In writing as well as any other endeavor, it takes hard work and a combination of knowledge of the subject matter, practice good writing, knowledge of writing markets, presentation, professionalism, and persistence. Any one of these skills alone, no matter how proficient you maybe in that area, will not help you to become a successful, or guarantee you a writing career.
While everyone has an opinion and perhaps writers more than most, each writer must find what works best for themselves. Take the information you find useful and apply it, the rest you can file away, it may prove useful as you mature. Use common sense when submitting an article, read what the editor publishes and follow the guidelines implicitly. Don't get wrapped up in details like, should the page number be on the top of each page or the bottom? Who cares, the guidelines only state that you number each page. What you need to ask yourself is, does this article relate to the publication. Ice fishing is a topic for the Great Lakes area, a magazine in South Carolina wouldn't have an interest in that subject matter.

Refine, define, and target one area, complete what your working on, submit it according to the guidelines, then go on to the next project. Don't start several different projects at the same time, you'll find that hopping from one to another leaves you with many incomplete projects. One step at a time will get you there and then proceed to the next goal. You will find your confidence grows with each project you complete and your skill as a writer improves as well. This is your starting point, the first steps you take as a writer, may this bring you success on the road you have chosen.

READ BOOKS FOR FUN AND PROFIT

I enjoy reading a good novel and I do, but as a writer I read to keep up with what's happening in the world of publishing. Also writers tend to read more, to learn what's selling in our craft, to find out what editors are looking for this month, we read market lists and then the magazines we will contact to read the articles they are buying. To be able to sell our work we need to know as much as possible about who we are sending it to.

That's why I thought this would be a market made for writers. There are many different types of magazines looking for book reviews. We all read a great deal so why not put it to work and make some money. Magazines pay anywhere from $25.00 to $200.00 for book reviews. Below I've listed some of those magazines, what they are looking for, in how many words, and what they pay for the review. Most magazines have a section for book reviews, as you read them look for that section and see what they are buying.

While this may not be your goal as a writer, it will bring in some money for something you do anyway. The important thing is to keep writing, everyday and you'll improve as you write by finding better way to express your point of view.

NA'AMAT WOMAN MAGAZINE Pays: $75.00 for approximately 750 words.
http://www.naamat.org Needs: Reviews on fiction and non fiction books with Jewish content.

ASTRONOMY MAGAZINE Pays: $200.00 for a 400 word review.
http://www.astronomy.com Needs: Reviews on astronomy and science related subjects. See guidelines for more information.

GOOD OLD BOAT Pays: $50.00 for reviews of 375-450 words.
http://goodoldboat.com Needs: reviews, articles, & photos

THE WRITER Pays: $50.00 for book reviews.
http://writermag.com Needs: Previews & reviews of Books, videos, software or any product of interest to writers.

ABQARTS MAGAZINE OF THE FINE ARTS Pays:Flat fee $30./$50 for 350-750words
http://www.abqarts.com Needs: Reviews on books about New Mexico or written by residents of New Mexico.
For guidelines by email to: steffanie@abqarts.com

These are a few of the magazines looking for books reviews. Now what I am hearing is magazines don't get enough reviews. This means opportunities for writers to sell their work. I've given you only the basic outline on what these magazines are looking for and what they are paying. Be sure to check the guidelines carefully before submitting your work and always adhere to the letter of the law when it comes to what an editor wants from you. You'll lose the sale of your article or review, before it is read if you don't follow the guidelines. I speak from the voice of experience, as writers we put hours of work in to what we are writing and to do all that, then lose out because of not following guidelines is tragic. So, take it from a writer who knows and dot your t's and cross your i's, give the editors what they want.

I hope you find these articles helpful. I look forward to your comments, questions, and blogs. Feel free to add a blog and pass on any information that will help other writers.
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