Excerpt
Chapter 11
Organizing With the Net
I was dragged onto the information highway, pulled from an ancient, windowless,
mouseless, and internet-less computer. I was perfectly content to stay where
I was, even though I spent countless hours searching for help and not knowing
where to turn while researching for my books, articles and stories.
�Your writing sales are going to explode,� my writing friends said.
�Just wait until you connect to the Internet.�
I had long been known as a marketing whiz with my writing. I couldn�t
see how the Internet would make it any better.
Yet, in the less than two years I�ve been on the Internet, my sales
have more than doubled, my writing income in six months doubling from the whole
of the previous year.
Are you new to the Internet? Been here awhile and wondering how it can help
you as a writer? Are you unpub-lished and just trying to find a way to get started?
If you�re reading this, the information may be old hat. Then again,
it may open a new world of opportunities to your career. The Internet can help
published and unpub-lished writers in 5 ways:
1. Research:
Although I still love going to the library, I�ve found that researching
through the Internet is much faster and gives me a broader scope of research
opportunities.
When I recently did an article on assignment from a major woman�s magazine,
I was required to interview ex-perts. Through the organization websites, I found
phone numbers as well as sending emails to find the contacts I needed. Their
websites were loaded with information I had immediate access to, rather than
waiting for days or weeks for brochures to be mailed. My workload was cut and
my experts were more accessible.
If you write only what you know, you�re fairly limited to the wonderful
world of your imagination and interest. When writing a story on a specific topic
where my knowl-edge is limited, I find more information than I can ever use
while searching the Internet.
2. Cost of Mailing:
Beyond the initial setting up of an office, a writer�s main and constant
expense is the cost of postage. Sending manuscripts and queries with return
envelopes can get ex-pensive. Many print magazines are now willing to accept
submissions and queries through email. Although I have submitted much more this
year, I have also spent less on postage and envelopes.
3. Getting Guidelines and Finding New Markets:
In the past, I have written to magazines, asking for guidelines and copies.
I�ve had to include enough postage and a return envelope to cover these
items.
Now, my Guidelines Notebook overflows with downloaded guidelines and magazine
information. Both print and online magazines oftenhave archive issues where
I can study what�s been done before with each magazine.
Although there are some areas on the web that will pub-lish anyone�s
writing and not pay, there are also many paying online magazines and writing
contests. By receiving such magazines as Writing for DOLLARS!, Writing World.com,
and others, you will find lots of information on new markets.
4. Submitting:
By submitting manuscripts and queries through email, not only are my postage
expenses lowered, but I have re-ceived quicker responses from editors than I
did before my internet connection.
I have become spoiled at the fast turnaround. In the past, I�ve waited
months before a response on a query or manuscript. With email submissions, I
often hear back within days or weeks, sometimes, even hours. Recently, I was
shocked to hear about an online magazine, look it up, check past issues, email
a manuscript, and receive an acceptance all within an hour.
Even print magazines and book editors will often respond through email when
I have placed my email address alongside my phone number.
5. Networking:
The online magazines for writers are plenty. I know, I�ve written for
most of them. They provide me with doz-ens of market possibilities each month.
There are also writer e-groups where I can meet other writers. I am on lists
for children�s writers, writers who are mothers, writers for fantasy and
science fiction, and religious writers.
Many of my recent sales have been due to market in-formation passed among
writers on these list-servers. The information is recent and often straight
from an editor or writer who is dealing with a publisher at that moment.
I have met writers who have passed my name onto their editors. I have made
friendships with online writers who share my passion for writing and willingness
to help one another succeed.
The Internet has changed my writing life in many ways. I publish more online
than off, these days. I spend less time at the post office or library and more
time on the computer. But now, I have more time to actually write and to play
with my daughter.
My friends were right when they said I�d burn rubber down the information
highway. I only hope I�m not pulled over for speeding.
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