Dean Wesley Smith, writer, publisher, teacher. Along with Kris Rusch, he's written a gazillion books across many genres. His Killing the Sacred Cow of Publishing series is MUST READ material if you're considering a career as a writer. There are also some very smart people responding in the comments, so set aside some time to read it all.
Kristine Kathryn Rusch is also a multi-genre writer and teacher. Her Business Rusch series is also chock full of good stuff.
Dean and Kris are good people--straight forward, no-nonsense types with solid business credentials. And they're not all anti-Big 6-publishers that you might hear about in the rising indie world.
David Vandagriff, is a lawyer who blogs about publishing and contracts as The Passive Guy. He's got some very good information and throws out a lot of food for thought.
The best advice I've picked up recently is to keep an open mind about the industry. Things are changing quickly, so the best thing you can do as a writer is to educate yourself about the industry, about what it means for you, and don't sell yourself short by signing a contract you don't really understand (or have been told "it's the standard contract") or by giving up any idea of publishing because you can't land an agent or your agent can't land you a contract.
There are readers out there who are looking for you book. Give them a good story, tell them where they can buy it, and they will come.
Comments