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One of the things that has long struck me as inherently unfair in the world of creative artists is that, in order to be successful in creating our art pieces, we must also be successful marketers.
Oh, I know that this statement isn't technically correct. We can all be great artists and not give a hoot about marketing what we create. But, unless we're at least comfortably well-to-do, doing so becomes a near impossibility. Who can spend days or months or even years on a project with no financial return when the banker is knocking on the door, looking for this month's mortgage payment? Not many people I know. |
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Unfortunately, the problem is getting worse instead of better. Book publishers are increasingly basing their decisions on what books to buy and publish upon an author's ability to aid in marketing. I have actually seen some editors refuse to look at book proposals because they felt the authors' platforms weren't strong enough, regardless of the quality of the works they created.
That's one of the reasons that AmSAW exists, of course. We saw the writing on the wall nearly a decade ago and began formulating plans for a place where writers can hang out together, support one another, and meet with editors and publishers, producers and directors informally.
Now, we're taking things one step further. In our newly unveiled department, Writer for Hire, we're listing our members' strongest suits and actively soliciting writing jobs for them. Are you strong in writing biography? How about a paying job writing about a family patriarch from Illinois. Good with business? How about a lucrative contract to write a profile of a local New York mom-and-pop deli. You get the point.
Writer for Hire may not help you land that next six-figure advance for your latest novel. But it will help you keep your head afloat while you're trying. It may also grab you that all important exposure that you can claim on your author's platform the next time you query an editor. And that might just be enough to help you sell your book.
Sound like a plan? Then check us out. And let us hear from you. We'll be pitching our member writers' availability for new work within the next couple of weeks. Let us know if you'd like to be included. Until then...
Smoke if you got 'em.
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