The Business of Writing

Top Photo: Lupe Gonzalez poses with Edna Campos Gravenhorst at last night's meeting of the Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers of San Antonio

Bottom Photo: Ruben Soto poses with Edna Campos Gravenhorst at last night's meeting.

The Business of Writing
by Edna Campos Gravenhorst

12 Tips I picked up from talking to agents, editors, publishers and other writers:

1. If you write, call yourself a writer. You don’t need to wait until you are published.

2. Start building your writer’s platform right away, design a basic author’s website, make it easy for people to find you.

3. Design business cards specifically for your writing, always carry them with you.

4. Tell everyone, who will listen, what you write and what you are working on, you never know where a contact will come from.

5. If you are looking for an agent or need an editor’s name, spend time at a bookstore reviewing books that are similar to what you are working on, read the acknowledgement page. The author of the book will usually thank their agent and editor.

6. Writing is a business, networking is part of the job.

7. Take every opportunity to do a book event or read from your work in progress, make sure to have the venue post your event. When you pitch your work to an agent, editor and/or publisher they will research your name on the Internet to see how you are marketing your work.

8. There are few overnight successes in our business, tenacity is a writer’s most important trait.

9. Support other authors by attending their book events, you will always learn at least one valuable tip from their experience.

10. Write what you feel you must write first, then look for a market.

11. As writers we are lifetime students; attend classes, workshops, conferences, teach when you get the chance and read, read, read.

12. HAVE FUN AND LIVE YOUR WRITING LIFE WITHOUT FEAR, GUILT OR SHAME!