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Jessica Ferguson

Author, Writing Coach, Speaker

Z is for Zillions

April 29, 2016 By Jessica Ferguson 4 Comments

ZThis is the last post for our 2016 A to Z Challenge. I’ve enjoyed posting every day about writing, coaching and inspiration. I hope I’ve shared something you’ve found interesting, and that you’ve felt encouraged.

Today Z is for Zillions. Those zillions of things we should know and ask about this business we’re in: about publishing, publishers, agents and editors (including freelance editors), and even writing coaches. We should always ask what’s required of us, if there’s cost involved, what rights a publisher is buying and what happens to those rights if and when our books go out of print. There are a lot of horror stories out there; most of them are true.

If we’re joining others in an anthology of any kind—short stories or novellas—we should ask those same questions: know what’s required of you financially, due dates, who the freelance editor will be, cover designer and how the royalties will be disbursed. Will there be a discount on author copies? Someone has to be in charge so find out who.

There are questions we should ask that we might not even think of, like, “How do you spell your name?” At book signings, when we’re autographing our first book, we should always ask how to spell the person’s name, no matter how simple it sounds. It might be Ann, Anne or Ayn. How many different ways can you spell Jamie? How about Marianne, Marianna, Maryann, and Mary Anne? I’ve ruined a few books. Some authors just mark it out and start over in the same book. Not me. I couldn’t! So yes, I had to pay for my own book because it belonged to the bookstore.

Be aware that when you have readers around you, clamoring for a book or to ask a question, you will stop thinking. Adrenalin is pumping. You’re selling books! I bought three copies (gifts) of the same book from an author once and because he was surrounded by his fans he didn’t ask me who all the books were for; he autographed all three books to me! Now does that make sense? Neither one of us were thinking! Dumb things will happen so be aware and try to minimize them.

Make note: if your bookstore runs out of your books during a signing but customers are still lining up to buy you (and you just happen to have twenty more books in your car) don’t just hand them over to the bookstore manager. These are YOUR books. If they insist on handling the transactions (and they probably will) make certain you have an understanding in writing how many books you are putting them in charge of and that you will get your $$$ before you leave the store. I wasn’t too bright when this happened to me.

See what I mean. Zillions of questions about this business! Zillions of answers!

One question we often have is about money, how much we’re likely to make from __ __ publisher. It may not be important to you on that first book, but it will become important to you. That’s a promise. 🙂 Writing is hard work and no one wants to write for FREE.

Make note: It’s not cool to ask other writers what they make, in fact, it’s considered in very bad taste. Only newbies/amateurs/uncool people do that. We don’t ask brain surgeons what they make. We don’t even ask house painters!

But there is an author who’s asking because she wants all writers to be informed so they can make wise decisions regarding their careers. Brenda Hiatt collects and shares data on author earnings from various publishers. The only way for her to do that is if we fill out her publishing survey. We do it anonymously so if you have a publisher, please go to her website and fill out the info. Here’s the link for you to check publishers. Her information was last updated in early 2015.

Do you have questions that need answers? I don’t know everything but I enjoy trying to find answers. Feel free to email me privately at jessyferguson (at) gmail (dot) com if you don’t want to post your questions below. And thanks so much for following my A to Z Challenge. You’ve made it all worthwhile!

Good writing!

Filed Under: A to Z 2016 Tagged With: money, Publishing, Questions

A Lesson in Taxes

February 3, 2016 By Jessica Ferguson 15 Comments

Today is InsecureWritersSupportGroupIWSG Day.  IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh.  You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page.

I’m so “out of the habit” of blogging that it sure seems to come around fast. I put way too many other things first. Today, I worked on my taxes: listed my professional dues, my expenses and then my income. What an eye-opener.

When my income doesn’t (at least) equal my professional dues, I think there’s a problem. And my expenses doubled in 2015. Why? Because I went crazy-wild purchasing how-to books, taking courses and joining groups that promised to mentor and encourage me. I attended a couple of conferences too; I’d be a groupie for about two cents. Seriously, I have “groupie” in my blood.

While listing my expenses, I couldn’t help but think of one of my favorite creative writing teachers, Chuck Taylor, founder of Slough Press and a professor at Texas A&M University. I knew Chuck many years ago and once we had poems published in the same literary journal, Cedar Rock. Anyway, Dr. Charles B. “Chuck” Taylor told me, when I wanted to sign up for yet another one of his classes that I needed to quit taking classes and write. I think I’ve told you that before but it’s worthy of repeating. That’s good advice for all of us.

Well, Chuck … obviously I didn’t listen to you!

Doing my taxes made me analyze my problem and there’s only one answer to what it is. No, it’s not laziness. It’s FEAR. I need those classes and how-to books because … What if I can’t write? Well, deep down, I know I can but what if I can’t write well enough?

There’s the rub. What’s well enough?

With publishing the way it is–open to everyone now–writing is so subjective. But isn’t that a good thing? Yes, it is, and I recognize I can write better than some and not as well as others, but I don’t want to look like an idiot!

The lesson I learned while looking at my pages of expenses is that I have more confidence in writing for FREE—that way, if you don’t like it, think it’s crummy, you really won’t feel cheated since you didn’t have to pay.

Stupid, huh? I have two published books, written for magazines and newspapers for about 40 years, judged writing contests, owned a literary magazine, mentored and coached others and here I am acting like a baby. I really think it’s all those “angry voices” out there scaring me. Maybe I just need therapy!

Last year, I told hubby I wasn’t going to darken the doors of our CPA friend until I wasn’t embarrassed to face him. Sorry, Doug, won’t be seeing you this year!

I’m making a promise to myself: this is my last year to write for FREE. (Have to fulfill obligations.) I know we all like that word, who doesn’t enjoy FREE things, but if we don’t value ourselves and our talents, who’s gonna? Right? Nothing really puts me in my place like figuring my taxes.

Do you ever doubt you’re good enough, listen to the voice of defeat ringing in your ears? Or do you just forge ahead whistling your happy tune? Share with us!

Filed Under: IWSG Tagged With: Charles B. Taylor, Fear IWSG, Publishing, Taxes, writing

IWSG: New Dreams & Goals

January 8, 2014 By Jessica Ferguson Leave a Comment

Today is IWSG day. We usually post the first Wednesday of the month but the first Wednesday was New Year’s Day and we figured you’d be sleeping … or traveling.

IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can follow other IWSG members here  and on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG.

Our purpose is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds.
2014 is the beginning of NEW. We can start from scratch with our dreams, goals and manuscripts. Hey, believe it or not, it’s a writer’s world out there. Ours for the taking. Some people think writers have never had it so good.

Don’t bring your 2013 baggage (negative thoughts, self-pity, poor-me attitude) into this year. Start fresh with a positive attitude. Finish those stories and novels, then start new ones–immediately.

The key to success is confidence in yourself, showing no fear, and knowing what you want. Traditional publishing? I heard recently that the chances of getting your digital rights back are pretty slim. Does that matter to you? Since books can sell on Amazon forever, maybe it should.

So you might add another key to success: educating yourself. Know exactly what you’re getting from traditional publishers and what a small press or self-publishing has for you. Believe me, they differ.

It’s a new year … and a new publishing world. Grab hold of both  … with both hands.
And hang on!

Happy 2014. I wish you every success.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: dreams, goals, IWSG, Publishing, Uncategorized

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