It's a Fact: Opportunities Exist in Non-Fiction-Suzanne Buckingham Slade

The audio interview with Suzanne Buckingham Slade is online at WaukTOWN Radio.

Yes, it is possible to have a job you love to do. But it may take some work to get it…and some risk, too. Is it worth it?

For Suzanne Buckingham Slade the answer is yes. Most definitely yes. Suzanne is a full time writer and the author of more than 50 books. In an earlier life, Suzanne was an engineer and has a strong background in science and math. After a number of years, she wanted a change and a more fulfilling career. She took her interests, analyzed the children’s non-fiction market, and found a niche almost custom made for her.

Her advice to other writers? Writing about what you know is still the best place to start because it gives you passion for a topic. Take a close look at your hobbies, interests, education and use them to connect with a publisher and cinch the deal. She explains how in the interview.

Suzanne found the children’s non-fiction market has numerous “for hire” opportunities. The publishers need writers to write to a particular set of guidelines (topic, length, word count) and pay a set fee. She uses the Children’s Writer’s Workbook by Alijandra Mogilner to find the right word to match vocabulary to the particular age group.

Once Suzanne made the commitment to write, she had to dedicate her time and effort to it. That meant her priorities had to shift to be in line with her goal if she wanted to see results. Her work has paid off with published non-fiction books, the recent sale of a picture book...and a job she loves.

Where is your energy going? If you want to write and publish, is that how you are spending your time? Can you realign your commitments to reflect your priorities?

Comedy Writing Takes Serious Work-Glenn Earich

There’s a formula to comedy writing, says Glenn Earich who teaches at Second City in Chicago and Improv Playhouse in Libertyville, Il. It’s possible to teach (and learn!) what makes something funny. But there’s a special ingredient—the x factor Glen calls it—when someone is able to take the formula of setting up a joke or a sketch and turn it into his or her own material and make people laugh.

It takes time to develop the humorous side of life and it is not an overnight career. Glenn says figure several years just to get the comfortable with the basics of comedy, getting to know people in the industry, and letting them know you. It’s the connections that provide the job opportunities in this field.

It takes time. It takes persistence. How bad do you want to write comedy? How much work are you willing to do to get to the point of being able to deliver consistently funny material for a variety of people and projects? Have you developed a reputation for being easy to work with? A lot of jobs are the result of meeting people in a comedy writing or improv class or working on a project and remembering each other and wanting to work together again when someone gets a new opportunity.

Time, energy, and plenty of persistence are necessary ingredients if comedy writing is your true calling. But wait. There's more! Glenn says there’s still another factor to consider if you want to write comedy: Can you use your own life and be truthful enough about it to share your world with others? David Sedaris, for example, writes about his life and makes it funny as only he can because it’s his life. Are you willing to be honest and tell your story?

Future "big breaks" can come from people we’ve worked with in the past. Who is passing along your name? And whose name are you passing along?

Extra! Extra! Community Newspapers A Good Place For Writers-Michael Bivona

The interview with Michael Bivona has been posted at WaukTOWN Radio.

Community newspapers are an important part of a writer’s life for obtaining publicity, freelance assignments, and developing a voice. For Michael Bivona, newspapers have also provided a career.

Each step Michael took as a journalist writing for newspapers brought him closer to him current position as a managing editor at Pioneer Press. He started out as a freelance writer for newspapers which provided some clips of his work and developed into a job as a reporter and bureau chief. In his current position, Michael is responsible for determining the content for six newspapers and works with reporters on stories.

A weekly community newspaper has numerous opportunities for writers. For an author promoting a book, it’s the place to start for marketing. Make sure that the newspaper realizes there is a local story angle by letting them know you are an author from the community. Michael says he gets so many press releases that it’s easy to overlook the community connection if it’s not prominent. Press releases don’t have to be submitted by a professional, you will get the same consideration if you send one in yourself.

Weekly newspapers are also a good place to get clips as a freelancer. Michael says if you have a story idea to write that is fit for the community, let the editor know by phone or by email.

Has your weekly newspaper been a resource for you? Do you read it for story ideas? Write freelance articles for it to get clips? Have you let the editors know you and your book would be a terrific subject of an article?

Want Publicity? 3 Insiders Tell How To Get It

Your manuscript has been published. Now it’s time to let the world know why you’ve been incommunicado these past two years—or more. Yes, it’s time to promote your book!

Newspapers, libraries and book stores are great places to get the word out about your masterpiece. A massive amount of publicity begins with the one-to-one connection, according to Larry Lough of The Lakeland News Group. Establish a rapport with the reporter or editor. It’s a sales job, says Larry, whether you’re looking for an assignment as a freelance writer or have an interest in a feature article—about you.

At the Warren Newport Public Library in Gurnee, Il. readers' advisory librarian Debbie Hoffman says consider having a good hook to draw patrons to your presentation. The library hosts numerous authors from around the country and Debbie says she is already planning for next year.

Every published book is a joyous occasion. Jan Dundon at Anderson’s Books in Naperville, Il. calls it a “celebration” when an author comes to visit. She tells what is involved.

Remember, getting publicity is all about making the sale to the person you are contacting. And while you’re “selling,” you get the opportunity to do something you love to do-- talk about your book!

You’ve published your book. Congratulations, by the way! Now, call/email/write your community newspaper and see if they will write an article about your accomplishment. Contact your library or local bookstore and see if you can arrange an author visit. What happened?

Personal Stories Speak to Everyone

Listening to writers share their stories gives us the special gift of learning how they strive to master the craft and how they balance life. At the SCBWI Prairie Writer’s Day, I asked writers how they stay motivated… inspired… and keep writing.

Seven writers joined us to talk about personal life events, choices, and a powerful desire to document and make sense out of an event by putting it down on paper.

Our guests are Laura Ruby, Carmela Martino, Aliess Kime, Barbara Rosenstock, Juliet Bond, Elizabeth Sale and Karen Halvorsen Schreck.

Listening to them is exciting. They offer plenty of ideas to energize writers interested in undertaking a new challenge…and the motivation to take all of the ideas and energy and sit down, be still....and write.

What personal situation in your life sparked a story? Where you concerned that the personal information was.....too personal? How did you resolve that in your writing?