Wednesday, August 1, 2018

August IWSG Post – Pitfalls to avoid during our Publication Journey


It’s unbelievable that we have reached the 8th month of the year. This year is flying at a supersonic speed. Another IWSG has arrived at our doorstep. IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) is an online community of writers, posting on the first Wednesday of every month, our posts are usually writing related. Check out the IWSG website for amazing posts on writing and publishing.

Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars) came up with this amazing idea of starting IWSG. This idea of Alex was welcomed by writers all over the world. IWSG not just connected us with other writers, it also showed us that we aren’t alone in our writing journeys, that most other writers share the same insecurities and battle the same demons. And it also introduced us to a wonderful angel in disguise called Alex Cavanaugh. I think the writing God has sent Angel Alex to help writers all over the world. And he is doing a wonderful job.

The awesome co-hosts for the August 1 posting of IWSG are Erika Beebe, Sandra Hoover, Susan Gourley and Lee Lowery.

August 1 IWSG question – What pitfalls would you warn other writers to avoid on their publication journey?

I would tell other writers not to give up their day jobs, because books by themselves don’t make much money, it’s the other writing (the free-lance work) that gives us a steady income. I would also tell other writers that the moment they have a book out on submission they should start their next one. As we writers never know which book or story will get us an agent or a publishing deal. I would also tell writers to be open to other writing opportunities, as many times our paths to publication take on different routes.

Looking forward to reading everyone’s suggestions and advice.




18 comments:

  1. I agree about writing the next book, the next story. We can't just sit around waiting! :)

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  2. Fortunately I never wanted to give up my day job. Making a living just by writing books is really difficult.

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  3. Hats off to anyone who can give up their day job for writing. It's certainly not an easy way to make a lot of money. Fortunately, I enjoy writing because I know I'm never going to get rich doing it :-)

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  4. Great advice! hadn't thought of the freelance options - definitely something to think about!!

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  5. That's great advice. Making a living on our writing is tough and I think most of us need a day job, and freelance is a great way to supplement income too.

    Thanks for the tips, Rachna!

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  6. I love that final thoughts...that our paths to publication take on different routes. So true.

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  7. I agree with all of it. Writing immediately after submitting is a great distraction and a comfort if the rejections start coming in. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  8. Being a published author doesn't bring in much money which is why we have to diversify. I make more as a speaker than I ever have as an author.

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  9. Those different paths can crop up unexpectedly and I find myself on one, which makes me hugely happy.

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  10. Great advice, Rachna. I love writing but it doesn't pay the bills.

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  11. I so agree with not giving up the day job. And I'd add about freelance/contract writing that it doesn't always pay great or have benefits either.

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  12. Sage advice. Its hard to write while waiting on a response, but it sure takes your mind off the waiting.

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  13. This seems like very good advice, Rachna. I don't have a published book yet, but I have heard quite a bit recently about the small income many writers earn from their actual book.

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  14. Good tips. It's definitely a highly uncertain business, so we invariably need another source of income to see us through.

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  15. Hi, Rachna. It’s been a while since I’ve stopped in here. I agree, this year has been speeding by.

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  16. I write for my day job, as do many authors. Definitely good advice:)

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  17. You never know if your book is going to sell or if sales will be big-time or not! Keep writing the next book!

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