The Business of Being a Writer
by Jane Friedman

Writers talk about their work in many ways: as an art, as a calling, as a lifestyle. Too often missing from these conversations is the fact that writing is also a business. The reality is, those who want to make a full- or part-time job out of writing are going to have a more positive and productive career if they understand the basic business principles underlying the industry.

The Business of Being a Writer offers the business education writers need but so rarely receive. It is meant for early-career writers looking to develop a realistic set of expectations about making money from their work or for working writers who want a better understanding of the industry. Writers will gain a comprehensive picture of how the publishing world works—from queries and agents to blogging and advertising—and will learn how they can best position themselves for success over the long term.

Jane Friedman has more than twenty years of experience in the publishing industry, with an emphasis on digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is encouraging without sugarcoating, blending years of research with practical advice that will help writers market themselves and maximize their writing-related income. It will leave them empowered, confident, and ready to turn their craft into a career.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Part One: First Steps: Making a Life as a Writer
1 Can You Make a Living as a Writer?
2 The Art of Career Building
3 Generating Leads, Gaining Exposure
4 Pursuing an MFA or Other Graduate Degree
Part Two: Understanding the Publishing Industry
5 Trade Book Publishing
6 Magazine Publishing
7 Online and Digital Media
8 Literary Publishing in the Twenty-First Century
Part Three: Getting Published
9 Book Publishing: Figuring Out Where Your Book Fits
10 Understanding Literary Agents
11 Researching Agents and Publishers
12 Book Queries and Synopses
13 The Nonfiction Book Proposal
14 Working with Your Publisher
15 Self-Publishing
16 Publishing Short Stories, Personal Essays, or Poetry
17 Traditional Freelance Writing
18 Online Writing and Blogging
Part Four: The Writer as Entrepreneur: Laying the Foundation
19 Author Platform
20 Your Online Presence: Websites, Social Media, and More
21 Turning Attention into Sales
22 The Basics of Book Launches
Part Five: How Writers Make Money
23 Starting a Freelance Career
24 Freelance Editing and Related Services
25 Teaching and Online Education
26 Contests, Prizes, Grants, Fellowships
27 Crowdfunding and Donations
28 Memberships, Subscriptions, and Paywalls
29 Advertising and Affiliate Income
30 Pursuing a Publishing Career
31 Corporate Media Careers
Afterword
Appendix 1: Contracts 101
Appendix 2: Legal Issues
Appendix 3: Recommended Resources
Acknowledgments and Credits
Notes
Index