Cindy Hudson's interview with author Elizabeth Lyon ends this issue on this note:
There
was a time, over a decade ago, when I did not want to hear about the
business side of writing. The reason was simple: I couldn't handle it.
I had too much to learn already, or so I felt.
This ended up
being true, for me. I already had my work cut out to learn how to write
well enough for publication and how to sell my hard-wrought efforts in
exchange for money.
It took me no less than five years of
concentrated effort to get those skills firing with enough piston-power
to be in a position to start thinking about self-promotion and
professional development on top of them.
And for the past five
years, I've worked hard to develop these other two important skill
sets. And every day I wake up and there is still more to learn.
Ten
years ago, there was no such thing as social networking. Five years
ago, an online presence still seemed optional. Today, writers are
trying to learn how to write well, how to sell their words, how to
market themselves, and how to grow as professionals in a constantly
shifting marketplace.
I just composed a press release about
myself, Sage Cohen, and Cindy Hudson publishing four books within three
years by working together for mutual success. If I had to choose just a
few words to describe how we all succeeded, they would be:
- Focus
- Determination
- Consistency
Strangely,
I don't see very many people beating the drum of focus, determination,
and consistency these days. There are so many other seemingly sexier
topics to get all mixed up in. But I don't care. I'm going to keep
beating it...right through the static and the get-rich-quickly scams
and the uncertainty.
In the meantime, be mindful. It's chaotic out there. And chaos won't do much for your focus, determination, or consistency.
Trust
in people who have an established track record of integrity and quiet
authority, who aren't going to cash in their relationship with you to
make a quick buck. You'll hear about them in this and all of my
publications.
Make good things happen!
Christina Katz
Publisher & Editor
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