August 31, 2009
To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement.
Then it becomes a mistress,
then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant.
The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude,
you kill the monster, and fling him to the public.
--Sir Winston Churchill
In this issue:
1. Other Writer's Helpers
2. We Have A Winner
3. Interesting Web site
4. Tickled My Funnybone
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1. Other Writer's Helpers
When I started my editing business and Web site, I chose the name Writer's Helper because I believe my services help writers. But I'm not the only writer's helper out there. In the last issue I promised that I'd share some of what I'm learning about self-publishing with you.
The first thing I've learned is that writers need LOTS of helpers. Here's a list of others you may need to help you with your book:
- A ghostwriter
- A transcriptionist
- An editor
- A banker
- An accountant
- A computer technician
- A researcher
- A fact-checker
- Various experts in fields you write about
- An illustrator
- A designer
- A desktop publisher
- A printer
- A shipping company
- A distributor
- Book reviewers
- A marketing expert
- Book store owners
- Magazine editors
- Radio talk show hosts
- TV talk show hosts
- Leaders of various organizations related to your topic
- A Web host
- A Web designer
- A Web marketing expert (More about the last three in a following issue)
You may not need all of the helpers listed above, but do consider how you will do the job those folk do if you don't hire a specialist. Several jobs I was sure I could do myself I am now more than happy to pass on to someone else.
I've come across another set of helpers I've never seen listed anywhere else, and I'm at a bit of a loss about how to list them. I've been the recipient of much help that can come only under the heading of "The Kindness Of Strangers." When I call someone looking for something, I've begun to ask for referrals to a host of others they might know who can help me.
My book relies heavily on photographs, and some have been very hard to find. But once I got into the circles of photographers and subject experts, I found a group of passionate people more than willing to help me out.
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2. We Have A Winner
My apologies for the delay in announcing the winner of the Recession-Busting Draw. I have to say that everyone who entered gave me writing that was worth reading. That's always gratifying. In fact, I wanted many of the entrants to win. To be fair, I had my Mom draw the name from her new blue sunhat. Yvonne Forward won the draw for $1000 worth of free editing.
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3. Interesting Web site
If you want to chat with other writers or just "listen in," you may enjoy http://www.longridgewritersgroup.net/entry.htm. There are both open chat times and times with specific topics that are announced ahead of time.
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4. Tickled My Funnybone
Warning after teenage cliff falls
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