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“It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.” —The Godfather, 1972
I’m constantly amazed by the way we writers undertake the business of writing. A while ago I started to think about what it would look like if other professions took the same approach to their business goals. With several suggestions for additional business comparisons since then, I decided to add my own updated version of what would happen if other sectors marketed their product the way writers do.
I’ve been having this recurring dream that what I tell you ends up in Barb’s blog
- Oh…wait. The writer’s business model is already the same as the CIA? Who knew? I know what you’re going to say. It’s not fair. Some of the best writers in the world are still asking “And would you like fries with that?” at their day jobs. A writer I know was adding up all she’d spent on editing, proofing, formatting, and marketing her book. Her conclusion? “I could probably have done better if I spent it all on lottery tickets.”
But here’s the thing. If you buy every single ticket in a particular lottery, you are guaranteed to lose—because the prize is NEVER more than a fraction of the ticket sales. The trick is to be lucky enough and smart enough to buy just enough tickets. Every word we write is a lottery ticket that we pay for with our time, our imagination, our talent, and our luck. Most of those tickets won’t bring home the big prize. But they can’t bring anything at all if we don’t buy them to start with. So here’s the business model I’m going to work with:
I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I’m afraid of.—Joss Whedon
That seems to be working for Joss, and I’m guessing it will do for me. My publisher, on the other hand, has a more hands-on approach. As I’m finishing up the next book in my Null City series, they have set up earlier books for special deals this weekend only. Book 1, One Way Fare, is FREE from Friday until Sunday. And the most recent book, Round Trip Fare, is down to only 99¢/£.99 until Sunday.
ONE WAY FARE, FREE until Sunday, May 7th
ROUND TRIP FARE is only 99¢/£.99 until Sunday, May 7th!
NULL CITY: You have to understand that everyone in Null City is a normal human. Most of them just didn’t start out that way. Imagine you’re some superhero with special gifts or abilities that are, frankly, damn awkward. Let’s say, for example, that you are the Man of Steel, but you don’t dare have sex with the Plucky Girl Reporter because your LittleMan of Steel would probably split her in two. (And we’re not even going to discuss the havoc your Swimmers of Steel could wreck on Woman of Pasta…)
The point is that when you think about it, most people with special powers would be lining up to get rid of them and get their normal lives back. That’s where Null City comes in. After one day there, those with extra gifts turn into their closest human counterparts. Dragons, for example, might become realtors. Or imps become baristas. (Of course, those imps are now ex-PhD candidates in literature or classics who claim to be experts on third-world coffee blends and obscure world music groups. But hey — there is only so close to human that hellspawn can get…)
Georgia Rose said:
Just as well you made me laugh with this Barb, or I’d be sobbing right about now… I’m absolutely thrilled though that there is a new book on the way – Yeah!! And highly recommend mass downloads of your others to everyone who comes this way. Love your work 😀
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barbtaub said:
Mary said it perfectly with her story below. (But we have to laugh at ourselves, or you’re right—we’d all be in tears!)
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Mary Smith said:
I’m with Georgia – delighted the new book will be out soon and everyone should buy/download the others. Brilliant series.
A friend who is a photographer was approached by someone asking for half a dozen of his pictures to adorn his reception area. When asked how much he was offering to pay for the framed photos he looked a bit stunned then told my friend, “Oh, but it’ll be good advertising for you.” Phil asked if he’d done the same deal with the joiner, the plumber and the decorator. Course not, they invoiced him and he paid for the work. But art works – whole different story.
Love the post, especially the lawyer and the dentist!
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barbtaub said:
A perfect story! Thanks so much. (But do we ever learn? Would you like a free copy of my book? And a bookmark?)
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Mary Smith said:
No, thank you. I shall buy your book when it comes out. But you have reminded me I need to get some bookmarks printed to give away!
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barbtaub said:
Hahaha!
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Judith Barrow said:
Brilliantly hilarious post with a serious message, Barb. Once I’d finished laughing I re-read… oh dear for all of us.So glad to hear about the new book!.
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barbtaub said:
I have two daughters who are professional writers. They both said that watching me get paid for what I did (even if very little!) convinced them that what they do has value and should be compensated.
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Judith Barrow said:
They, and you, are so right, Barb.
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carol hedges (@carolJhedges) said:
Oh Heck! This is sooo what we’re like! xxx
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barbtaub said:
Ain’t it the truth! (Could I interest you in a bookmark?)
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Mick Canning said:
Oh, poop. I’m feeling even more disenchanted now, Barb.
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barbtaub said:
When I was working with insanely wise developmental editor Mary Rosenblum, she asked me what I was writing for. Did I need a traditional path with agent/big publisher? Or did I just want to write what I wanted to write as long as it had a viable path to publication? She was, of course, right. I was going to write anyway, and I’m at a stage in my life where I don’t have to prove anything.
You’re also a talented writer with plenty to say about the world. Although I joke about what writers do to get their stuff out there, the fact is that your work can stand on its own. So as long as you are enjoying the process instead of jonesing for a place on a bestseller list, you are already a success. And if you want to play any of the games I talk about above, then go for it. As long as you’re still enjoying the process, you’re still the winner.
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Mick Canning said:
Well, thank you, Barb. That’s extremely kind. As it happens, I did write a post that covered this a short while ago, and came to the conclusion I just wasn’t going to hurl myself into the fray (although I never did quite decide what I was going to hurl myself into). Still awaiting the arrival of the Magical Promoting and Advertising Fairy.
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barbtaub said:
Oh, the Fairy is on her way. She just got sidetracked by all those Hogwarts acceptance letters she has to give out…
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Mick Canning said:
Ooh, goodoh. I’ll look forward to that.
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Kate McClelland said:
Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
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barbtaub said:
Thanks so much Kate!
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Jess Witkins said:
I’m dying over the dentist one. The push for social media engagement sometimes annoys me. I get it. I love it. But I kind of hate contests.
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barbtaub said:
I really think it’s fine to do the social media thing. Even writers with traditional publishers are still expected to promote their work. But the thing to keep in mind is what YOUR goals are in the process. Are you having fun? Would you be writing anyway? Are you happy with the work you’re producing? Then by all means promote it to whatever extent you’re comfortable with. My point is that sometimes we writers get in over our heads because someone (or a lot of someones) assert that it’s what we HAVE to do. Which is completely, of course, steaming piles of elephant poo.
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watchingthedaisies said:
Thank you Barb. You always make me laugh… I shall download those books. Happy writing.
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Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC said:
I could replace “writer” with “coach” and all would apply as well. Just imagine therapists giving away free tastes via teleclasses, etc. – nuts! They even charge for the initial consult – no questions answered.
Even blogging itself represents a slice of the free taste pie, doesn’t it?
And yet, working for wages as a primary goal (even if you are self-employed, but especially if you are not) is soul deadening stuff in my book. Balance, of course, is the answer, but how in the heck is that accomplished? (Buy my ebook for the answer – lol)
As for email marketing – it makes me skeeve.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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barbtaub said:
But…but… I thought you coaches had the sacred secret to balance, which you will share with the rest of us ONLY once we’ve proven ourselves worthy. Right?
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Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC said:
Yeah, worthy once you’ve sent money (har-dee-har-har!)
Since you and I are blog buddies, I’ll give you the info for free: the sacred secret to life balance is that there ain’t no friggin secret! We all have to be willing to shift our weight often and stop trying to stand on one foot! 🙂
xx,
mgh
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Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC said:
PS. Also, there ain’t no friggin’ ebook. 🙂
xx,
mgh
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Bernadette said:
Writing is a journey not a destination but it sure would be nice if it was an all expense paid journey.
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