Writing and publishing articles by author Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD
Rejection comes at two times: prior to publication and after publication. Pre-publication rejection comes from agents and publishers saying “no” to our work. It isn’t good enough or “doesn’t meet our needs at this time.” A form of what can feel like rejection also comes from feedback on our work from critique groups, beta readers, […]
I’ve ghostwritten some books and enjoyed doing so. The payment is almost always a fixed rate, paid in installments. Require the first payment before starting the project, and the final payment is due when the writer submits the finished product to the author. (The person who hires you is the author, and you are the […]
Being a freelance writer can take many forms, some lucrative and others that leave you struggling as a pauper. Payment for most freelance work is by the finished piece, though some might be per word. But when it comes to looking at how much you can earn as a freelancer, always think in terms of […]
If you want to become a full-time writer, consider the financial ramifications. First, don’t quit your day job. I’m serious. I don’t know anyone who one day quit their job and transitioned into being a full-time writer the next day. It takes years to make that move. While you still have your full-time job, start […]
One author quipped that in the United States more people earn their living from playing Major League Baseball than from being full-time novelists. Ouch! The truth is, few people make their living full-time from writing. One author quipped that in the United States more people earn their living from playing Major League Baseball than from […]
Registering a copyright for a book is the best practice for a career author and helps protect our intellectual property, a key asset for many authors. Registering our copyright provides a stronger legal footing if anyone ever disputes ownership or authorship of our work. Additionally, a registered copyright is essential in the event of a […]
Audiobooks are the fastest-growing segment of the publishing industry. And the demand for audiobooks will remain strong. Younger generations love audio, a habit they will retain as they grow older. Therefore, audiobooks are something we should consider. But audiobooks are also expensive to produce, much more so than e-books and print books. So before jumping […]
It’s harder now than ever to land a traditional publishing deal. Publishers are risk-averse and generally require that you have a platform to promote and sell books. Most traditional publishers won’t work directly with authors. They require you to have an agent. An agent only makes money if they land a publishing deal for their […]
It’s hard to catch mistakes in our own writing. No matter how hard I try, I still miss a lot. With every piece I get back from an editor, I’m dismayed over the many errors I didn’t catch, even though I know better. Of course, they also spot many mistakes I would have never caught, […]
Finding time to read, however, is a constant struggle. As with making time to write, we need to make time to read. For me, the decision often comes down to watching TV or reading. Sometimes TV wins and other times reading wins. Often, the choice I make hinges on how good the book is versus […]