Over the many years that I have been in business working both for myself and others, I have had to develop policies.

I think this makes perfect sense because, after all, and as I just said, I am in business. I work with lots of different people in lots of different types of situations, and naturally, when things don’t go well (meaning in a way that is win-win-win for everyone involved), the onus is on me to develop a policy so things will go better next time.

Policies of mine have arisen from the following types of questions:

Do I work with friends and family? (I have a policy for that.)

Do I want to supply the labor for your four-hour work week? (I have a policy for that.)

Do I offer refunds for my classes if a students poops out part-way through? (I have a policy for that.)

We have a conflict of interest, will I work with you/for you? (I have a policy for that.)

Most of my policies are internal policies. Which is to say that they exist in the back of the house, where I work. I don’t broadcast them in the front of the house, where I am visible. Policies are developed and brought into play on an as-needed basis.

I have found that because I have policies, I rarely need to use them.

Something important I’ve learned in the past ten years is that people have starkly differing views on how business should be conducted. In fact, I think I’ve seen the whole spectrum at this point, from those I respect and trust and want to partner with all the way to those who are presumptuous and have decided in advance what I am going to do for them and how they are going to benefit from my efforts without treating me with any kind of respect.

The hype of how the Internet has changed everything and now we are just one great big happy family has worn thin and given way to clearer and more healthy boundaries, for me and my business.

These clearer and more healthy boundaries have helped me create a clearer and more effective business. My students definitely benefit from my clearer focus. My writing also benefits. The amount of projects I can bring to completion have gone up.

I still can’t keep up with my inbox, however. And that’s even after changing my address.

Perhaps I need a policy there. Or at least a better system.

Friends respect your policies. People who don’t respect policies have words for people (particularly women) who have them. I won’t use that word here.

Some might feel that the new laws of “transparency” dictate that I reveal all of my business policies and every detail about the way I run my business in the front of the house. But that’s ridiculous.

In fact, one of my newest policies relates to preventing seemingly nice people who are “my biggest fans” from robbing me blind.

And I can tell you how to do it.

By having policies.

~ Photo By Terry Balin

Some people think that freelance writing is over but it isn’t. Far from it. Most of the people I know who were making money as freelancers are still making money. But the people who panicked and freaked out when the economy started to tank are not making as much money as they once did. And I have heard that some folks who were once making very nice money are not making such nice money any longer.

In the meantime, down here in the land of I-just-need-to-make-a-reasonable-income, things are just fine. I don’t work with folks who need to make six figures, like yesterday. What I teach is what I have always taught: sane, satisfying, sustainable strategies for writers to start getting published and grow a nonfiction writing career over time.

People think that it’s really, really hard to break into freelance writing. I think the people who teach blogging for dollars love to perpetuate this myth. Speaking as someone who teaches mom writers how to break in as writers, I can tell you that it’s not nearly as hard to break in as it is to move up the ranks right now. It is harder to move up right now because there are a lot more experienced freelancers in the stream to compete with. But at the breaking-in place, there are tons of opportunities just as there have always been a ton of opportunities.

The question that remains is: do you have the chops to get published? These skills can be taught and they are what I teach. Then I watch my students’ results and they consistently demonstrate that the skills I teach work.

Most writers don’t have time-management issues, they have determination issues. In my experience, writing for publication has nothing to do with talent and everything to do with focus and consistency. I see busy writer mamas learning and applying what they’ve learned to create steadily-building writing success year after year all the time.

Here’s my take on the ten most typical questions people ask about freelance writing:

1. What if I’ve never been published? No problem. There is no need to have been published before to get started.
2. What comes first, the article or the query? The way I teach beginners, the article comes first. We tackle queries at the intermediate level because articles are so much easier to write than queries. Many of my students turn right around and get their practice articles published, so why not start with the easier form?
3. Should I write for free? Not in the long run. But if you are a person who just can’t get any momentum going with your writing, I’d rather see you write for free for an editor than not write at all. (Notice I said “for an editor” and then see my answer to #7.)
4. Should I blog? If you are a busy mom, I’d rather see you write articles for publication for at least six months to a year before you start blogging. I’ve taught bloggers article writing with success but I always treat the two as separate and different because they are.
5. Will people steal my ideas? At any one time hundreds if not thousands of people are having a similar idea. The person who ultimately wins is the one who writes it down and submits it. You can’t protect every little idea and move forward in your career at the same time. And copyright law is always there if you absolutely need it.
6. What if I have a great idea for a book? If you have a great idea for a book and you are not yet an established professional writer with a solid platform on that book topic, I’d sit on that idea for a bit. I’d work on writing articles for publication and building a platform. You’d be amazed what you can accomplish in a year. You are so much likelier to get that book deal on the first attempt to pitch it when you are actually ready and can demonstrate that readiness.
7. Should I write for content mills? Nope, never. (See my response to #10 for more.)
8. How much money can I make as a freelancer? Well, how well can you write? How fast can you come up with appropriate ideas? How smoothly can you sell your words? All of these things come into play when we are talking about how much you can earn as a writer. Most writers find out how much they can make through actual experience, not promises from other people. Besides people who are promising you a certain amount of money are most likely trying to sell you something.
9. How long will it take to make any decent kind of money? Again, this comes down to your answers to some questions: How much time do you have to work each day? How consistent will you be? And are you writing to beat some kind of ticking clock? Because if you are writing for money is a really bad idea. Consistently I notice that the moms who make the best money are the most grounded and the least desperate.
10. What is the best thing I can do to break in? The  best thing you can do is three-fold: learn how to write well enough to compete, find an established writer who can work with you and mentor you over time, put what you learn from each teacher/mentor into immediate action. Then watch yourself progress.

The successful writers I know are all humble and hardworking. If you are thinking you are going to be the exception, you might want to try a different field. If you think there is some magic law of attraction at work or some lucky vs. unlucky game at play, I’m sorry to disappoint you. Success in this field is simply about getting the job done as well as you can again and again and again.

The professional world can always use more good writers. I’ve seen women grow leaps and bounds in self-esteem by flexing their writing muscles, myself included. In fact, I feel there has never been a better time to be a writer. I’ll have more to say on this topic soon.

In the meantime, write on!

My iPhone is plugged in and charging in the kitchen as I type this blog post on my laptop in the sunroom when the phone starts to ring.

Am I going to get up and go get it?

Nope.

Because I’ve got something to say and you can bet that as soon as I pick up that phone and say, Hello?, I will lose my train of thought.

The phone is ringing again. This person is persistent. They clearly think I should answer the phone.

Am I giving in?

No.

By the way, my daughter is with my husband right now. His call has a special ring, so I would know if he was calling. And, naturally, I would answer.

Ditto if my daughter was at school, and I hadn’t programmed a special ring from the school (I haven’t yet), and the phone rang, I would immediately get off my duff and go check the phone to make sure it wasn’t an emergency call regarding her.

That’s just how working moms are. We have our priorities. They are not negotiable.

Everyone else can wait. At least when I’m focused on my work and there is nothing else so critical as to merit my immediate attention.

Writing takes concentration. Administrating my career also takes focus. Maintaining my schedule of what I choose to freely give also takes considerable time and energy. Why would I give my time, my most valuable resource, away to others?

If you are having trouble with focus, let me run down a quick list of things for you of things that can probably wait:

• E-mail reading and responses can wait.
• Social networking, including all of the usual suspects, can wait.
• Paperwork can wait.
• Chatting with girlfriends can wait.
• Planning your family trip to Disney or your business trip to New York can wait.
• Perhaps blogging can and should wait. (For me, today, it could not wait. Other days, it certainly can.)
• Sales calls coming in not only can wait, those people can be put on a do not call list.
• Anyone who thinks you just sit home and play on your computer all day can definitely wait (and needs to be gently reminded that you are a working professional with a daily work schedule and deadlines).
• People who want to create drama can not only wait, but you should put them on special rings that make doom and gloom sounds because that’s the impact they are going to have on your career.

Basically, if you are a working writer, the only people you should allow into your workday are those who respect you and your time.

You will recognize them because they  will either come right out and ask, “Is this a good time to talk?” or they will send you non-urgent e-mails that you can reply to when it’s convenient for you. Certainly, they will never take it personally or feel rebuffed if or when you say, “Sorry, I’m busy. I can’t talk/tweet/meet right now.”

And, naturally, there are plenty of situations you cannot ignore. You will decide what they are and respond to them more spontaneously.

Part of being a grown-up is not getting thrown off your game by someone else dictating when and how you should be available to them.

I was a late bloomer when it came to becoming a grown-up. I have since witnessed sixteen-year-olds who are so good at managing their time that I am in awe of their self-respect.

I would like to be in awe of your self-respect too. I would like you to be available when you wish to be available and not available when you’d really rather not be. And please don’t feel like you have to apologize for your lack of availability.

It’s not up to me how much time you spend with your arms wide open. It’s up to you.

Capitalize on your ability to choose when you are available and when you are not available. It’s the only way you’ll get your work done. It’s the only way to succeed in the long run as a creative.

Photo by dragontoller

I know some writers prefer not to watch American Idol. Others may think that reality TV is mindless fluff for small minds. Some may find the show offensive and potentially harmful, especially to children.

And then there are those of us who watch it and find it to be a relaxing form of entertainment. At least I do. So I thought I’d share a few reflections on what I think writers can learn about success from watching American Idol.

Regardless of where you stand on the show, I think you’ll be surprised by how many ideas I got out of it that also apply to writers. And I’m just getting warmed up…

1. Make the most of an incredible opportunity but don’t be a prima donna (viewers can spot one a mile away)
2. Know yourself and be yourself – that’s why people watch – let your uniqueness shine through
3. Figure out who your fans really are and dedicate yourself to them, they are going to be the ones who go the distance for you, tell others about you, and cheer you forward
4. Take in and learn from the critiques, they come with the territory
5. Push yourself to keep growing, nothing else inspires others more
6. Fill the stage – be a star not a mouse
7. Look into the camera, connect with  people (but don’t get all schmaltzy while doing it)
8. Respond to criticism thoughtfully, action speaks louder than words
9. Don’t just sing, feel the music, pull us in, take us with you
10. Remember: this is a competition, don’t dink around: WIN
11. Don’t let somebody else’s idea of who you are mess you completely up (see number 2)
12. Give each performance everything you’ve got & leave everything on the stage, all of it
13. Try not to be self-conscious, it’s just not compelling
14. Watch the show back and see for yourself how well you did, learn from your mistakes
15. Care about your friends but don’t caretake them (see number 10)
16. Craft a compelling story about yourself but don’t get carried away, if you try to manipulate the audience they will abandon you
17. Be gracious, friendly, and if at all possible, funny
18. Never whine or make excuses, millions of people are watching
19. Own your choices, all of them
20. Speaking of, it’s never too late to make a comeback, even if you get voted off
21. When necessary, calmly speak up for yourself, especially to Simon
22. Be respectful of the judges because they know stuff, even Ellen
23. Be respectful of the public because they are telling you how you are coming across
24. Accept that being simultaneously loved and not liked at all means you are pretty darn successful
25. Enjoy the ride!

What else? Did I miss any?

This post goes out to my students who now, after many years of hard work, are having books published.

You have become an author, congratulations!

You’ve launched your book into the world and oh my goodness, the response is overwhelming.

I repeat: OVERWHELMING.

Propositions are coming at you, seemingly from every direction.

Not that you are complaining about your success. You are thrilled beyond words with your success, it’s just that you can’t even seem to go to the bathroom without somebody stopping you in mid-stride to ask for a favor that holds the promise of something called “exposure” for you and your book.

Listen for this word.

You might hear it like this, “I’m sure this would be great exposure for you and your book.”

Did you catch it? You’ve got to listen for it. Because you are going to be hearing it a lot.

Here are all the ways the offers are going to start flying at you. Via…

• E-mail
• Phone
• Snail mail
• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

…and any other way or place where you are visible.

The requests will vary, but are likely to include:

• Requests for coffee with complete strangers
• Offers for you to drive long distances to reach crowds of unknown proportions (for no speaking fee, of course)
• Requests for guest blogs…with original content only, please
• Requests for you to do teleconferences so that the person coordinating the effort can package the teleconference up and sell it (hopefully to some of your e-mail list)
• Ditto providing your content to for-profit membership organizations that would like to use your expertise to attract more paying members to their group (paying them, I mean, not you)
• Requests for phone interviews, podcast interviews, e-mail interviews, Skype interviews, and Twitter interviews
• Requests to volunteer your time for a myriad of good causes or to give your books or earnings to support good causes
• Offers from unknown production companies to share their peoples’ offers with your permission-based e-mail list (something called “database leveraging,” which should effectively alienate everyone on your list forever)
• This list does not include the requests you will get for a mysterious thing called “help” — as in “Here is my terrible situation… (I can’t get published, I can’t take classes, I can’t pay my bills, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t…). You seem to have things figured out. Can you possibly HELP?”
• Or you’ll get requests from people who read your book and applied what you suggested…and now, they were just wondering, if you could you take just a few minutes to take a quick look at what they’ve done and discus their progress.

Can you do all of this?

Will you do all of this?

Should you do all of this?

Initially, you will heroically think, YES I CAN!

And you’ll think you should. You will try heroically to say yes to everyone.

You might even pat yourself on the back for getting so many requests for your time.

And then the next thing you know, you won’t have any time. No time to go to the bathroom or shower or speak to your child or your spouse or your friends. You’ll miss out on paying opportunities to write, teach, and speak for vetted audiences who would likely become long-term fans.

You will become poorer and poorer because you will be so busy spending money to promote your work only to be overwhelmed by the demands of the very people you are paying to market yourself to that you will lose sight of the big picture.

And one day you will start to wonder, “How the heck did this happen?”

It happened because you never dared to say one little word.

And soon—sooner than you think—you will realize that too much time has whizzed by and the hub-bub is dying down and not as many people are offering you “exposure”…and, hey, things have finally started to calm down a bit.

But what if you haven’t accomplished the things you had really hoped to accomplish with momentum that you had because were too busy responding to what everyone else needed?

And now it’s over.

How does this sound to you?

Familiar?

Authors, don’t become this person.

Have a prioritized to-do list of what you hope to accomplish with your book launch and get that list done first. If you treat every request for your time as an excuse for losing focus, you may never get back on track before your four minutes of fame are up.

What I’m saying is, if you can’t say no from time to time, you will never realize your personal goals. And then you will feel disappointed. Majorly disappointed.

And I bet your publisher will too. Because while you were busy saying yes to everyone, your friend, who got published at the same time as you, was getting on a major TV show, or being profiled in a magazine, or invited to speak with a nice fee and expenses paid.

So repeat after me. It’s just one little word. And the word is, “No.”

Once you figure out how to say it graciously, you’ll be able to create the results YOU want.

And you deserve it after all of your hard work.

Photo by antwerpenR

If you are part of a creative couple and you both have creative ambitions and kids and extended families and pets and civic responsibilities, how are you going to make it all work? I mean, we don’t exactly live in a country that provides enough resources for everyone to express their deepest creative longings. If you are going to have a creative career, you’re going to have to build it and support it yourself.

So what makes creative partnerships work?

I’ve always wanted to write about creative couples. I’m an author/teacher/speaker and my husband is a teacher/director/producer and sometimes I wonder how normal our weekly workload is. For example, right now he’s mounting a production of “Guys & Dolls,” which means he’s working ten-eleven hours a day (and we haven’t even hit what we call “hell” week yet, which means he works day and night for about ten days).

I also work a lot of hours each week. It’s a little harder to add mine up because I often grab more time in the wee hours of the morning or on the weekend to add onto my usual 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. office hours. I typically get up early and work for an hour or two before my daughter gets up and then add a couple of hours on after she gets home while she decompresses or does her homework. All in all, I’d say I work about the same number of hours my husband does when he’s mounting a musical.

Keep in mind that I’m not merely writing. If I were only writing, I could work about half as much time but only after cutting out teaching, speaking, traveling, coaching, blogging, volunteer work, and social networking. And there’s no way I’d do that because I enjoy all of the other things I do. (Although when working on a book, I necessarily cut back a bit.)

Fortunately for us, we both enjoy our work. My husband puts up the best non-professional musicals I’ve ever seen with the help of some other really amazing professionals and an army of volunteers who work with the kids. And I’ve been fortunate to have steady, modest success in the things that I do.

So what makes it work? I think I’d have to say that mutual support is key to a happy partnership. I was the one who encouraged Jason to go back to school for theater. Some people think pursuing a career in the arts is impractical, but for people who are meant to work in the arts pursuing an advanced degree in the arts can be the most practical thing a person can possibly do. By adding a teaching degree on to a masters in Theater, my husband has balanced his creative talents with a reliable job.

And by combining writing with the other things that I do, I’m not sitting at home, idle, while my husband is having cue-to-cue rehearsal, tapping my foot and looking at the clock. I’m occupied with my own work. And there is no one I would rather share my latest successes or frustrations with than my husband, when he gets home after a long day at work.

How supportive are you of your partner’s creativity or creative career ambitions?

I’d love it if you’d comment here or write a post in your blog and link back. Thanks for sharing.

~Photo by Phil Gyford

I’ve talked a lot about how I’ve streamlined my career for 2010. And even though, you’ve heard plenty about how I’ve cut, cut, cut back, I haven’t really offered a through-line of the constructive steps I took to relaunch my new identity as The Prosperous Writer. So let’s take a look at that.

Choose A Time When You Are Not Frantically Busy

I have learned the hard way, that it’s difficult to make solid decisions about my future when I’m moving too fast. In fact, I would go so far as to say, that if you can’t create a lull in your usual workload then maybe it’s not really a good time to change directions. Changing directions smoothly for me this New Year has had everything to do with the fact that I could create something of a trough where, free from the pressure of a lot of deadlines, I could hunker down and concentrate on the major shift at hand. The year before, I’d wanted to make changes at the New Year but I was so busy and had so much momentum going under my new book that, I can see in retrospect, it really wasn’t the best time for making changes. Waiting for a quiet time, like over the holidays, was a good plan.

Take Your Time, Do It Right

I didn’t make any impetuous decisions. I spent a good nine months just getting ready to make the change, studying what was going on in my niche, noticing the folks who were setting the most integrating examples, and being clear that I would not get mixed up in any way with those I either don’t trust or who I perceive as not acting with integrity. I’ve worked too hard and too long to follow the example of people who are making it up (sometimes questionably) as they go along.

Zoom In On The Essence of Who You Are & What You Offer

Of course, how to get to the crux of who you are and what you offer is outlined in detail in my book, Get Known Before the Book Deal, Use Your Personal Strengths To Grow An Author Platform (Writer’s Digest 2008).  I sure did not expect to have to use my own tools to refocus my career so soon after the book coming out. But I did and fortunately they work just as well for refocusing as they do for focusing.

Take Advantage Of The New Technology, Because It’s All At Your Fingertips

Once you are committed to integrity and you know who you are and what you are all about, it’s a lot easier to appraise the vast array of technology at your fingertips and decide which tools will best serve you. For example, I am currently using blogging as a primary tool for creating a centralized online presence. Having studied the examples of other people for many months, Wordpress.org emerged as a highly recommended host. I also noticed that the people who are really informed about blogging, like Chris Brogan, use a template called Thesis which was touted as offering ease of use and great SEO. So far, so good.

Making Smart Choices Takes Patience

If you are in a hurry while you consolidate, you are going to get frustrated. One stumbling block I encountered was that all of my previous websites were hosted by a provider that was no longer working out. My old provider had been sold about a year and a half ago and I hadn’t had the time to decide what the next best move was with my many websites. After repeated technical problems with the new provider, I knew I was leaving. I did some polling on Twitter and Facebook, and narrowed the choice of my new provider down to two. Ultimately I chose the provider I felt would allow me the most ease of use because it is the most popular provider on the Web. Since I do everything web-related myself, I wanted the provider with the best DIY tools and customer support. That’s why I ultimately went with GoDaddy.com. (For the record, the other host I’ve heard lots of good things about but chose not to go with was Bluehost.com.)

To Be Continued…

Before writers establish an author platform, they typically establish a writer platform. Over the past decade, thousands of writers have parlayed established influence into traditional book deals. Landing a traditional book deal is still an effective way to exponentially increase your credibility and visibility.

Your “platform” refers to what you do in the world with your professional expertise that makes you visible and influential in the world. Having friends on Facebook or followers on Twitter is not your platform, unless the majority of those people know who you are, what you do, and are enthusiastic about your work.

I thought I would offer some advice about how to slowly and steadily establish a lasting platform. You may note the lack of fanaticism in this advice and the emphasis on enduring success instead. I’m a mother and a wife, a freelancer, a speaker, a teacher, and a blogger, so aiming for balance is the only way I can afford to work if I plan on sticking around for the long haul.

This advice has worked consistently for my students over the past several years. I think you will find that a grounded, step-by-step approach works just as well for you if you choose to follow it:

1. Develop a platform topic that you love and can work on tirelessly for the next few years. Your passion of the moment should come in second to the topic you could delve into deeply for a good, long time. Prior professional education and a depth of personal experience are going to be a boon to your platform if you have an eye on a future book deal.
2. Hang back from establishing a blog on your topic until you have cultivated a wealth of content and experience working with others on specialty-related activities that lend credibility and trust to your name. Others will tell you to start blogging immediately, but don’t, if you want to be efficient with your time and money.
3. Instead, gain authority by seeking publication in established, highly visible publications both in print and online that serve your target audience. Avoid the kind of publishing that anyone can accomplish, like posting on article sites, and work on your professional communication skills instead. By all means, avoid the content mills offering writers slave wages with the promise of future earnings.
4. Don’t begin any kind of marketing campaign for any product or service offerings until you have established yourself as a go-to person on your topic, again saving you time and money. Before you look at ways to serve others directly, channel your expertise into the best service methods possible based on your strengths and weaknesses. This is a meaty topic that is covered in-depth in my book, Get Known Before the Book Deal, Use Your Personal Strengths to Grow an Author Platform (Writer’s Digest Books 2008).
5. Then, develop a product or service that can become one of several multiple income streams over time that will support your goal of becoming a published author. For example, teaching classes over the years has allowed me to re-invest more of the money I earn from writing books back into book marketing. Make sure any offerings you produce are released conscientiously and are integrated into the professional writing you already do. Otherwise, you will seem like you are all over the place and just trying to score a buck.
6. Don’t expect your platform to support you financially for at least one or two years, as you micro-invest in it, re-invest in it as it grows, and expand your visibility.
7. Once you have a professional publication track record in your niche topic, then it’s time to hang your online shingle. I’ve seen this accomplished in as little as six months by exceptionally focused students. Take a portion of the money you’ve earned writing and invest it in a professional quality online presence.
8. A low-cost way to do this is to purchase your name as a URL and use a hosting site like GoDaddy.com to host a Wordpress.org blog. I use the Thesis Theme, which you can see in action at my blog. In this way, a blog can also serve as your website where you post your published clips, offerings and bio. If you don’t have a ton of money to invest in the look of your site, you can always pay a designer later.
9. Delay partnering with others on joint ventures until you have a clear idea of your own strengths and weaknesses in and around your topic. And when you do partner with others be extremely discriminating. Make sure the partnership is going to be win-win-win for everyone involved.
10. Start an e-mail newsletter or e-zine with those who are most interested in your topic. Build your list by invitation and then grow it into a permission-based following over time. Create an expected, ongoing dialogue that is mutually beneficial to everyone involved and your list will grow.
11. Now you are ready to start blogging. And yes, I mean while you continue to do all the things we’ve already discussed. Be sure to zoom-focus your blog on what you have to add to the conversation that is already going on about your topic. Don’t just share information; make an impact. Make your blog a go-to, up-to-date resource for your audience.
12. Partner selectively with others who serve the same general audience that you do with integrity and humility. Spend time getting to know folks before you decide to partner with them. You can’t afford to taint the reputation you have worked so hard to establish by partnering with just anyone.
13. Now that you have an established niche and audience, definitely participate in social networking. I like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn because they all offer something unique. The best way to learn is to jump in, spend an hour online each week until you are up and running. Follow the instructions for getting started provided by social media expert Meryl K. Evans.

This start-up plan for a writer platform will eventually blossom into an author platform. From start to finish, implementing a solid platform following this advice should take you about a year. By the end of that year, you will have established yourself as a serious contender in both professional and online circles, without killing yourself for some huckster’s promise of overnight success.

Have a plan. Leave a legacy in words, connections and professional influence. If you are consistent, by the time the year is done, you will have made effective use of your time and money in 2010.

I wish you the best of luck in your platform-building efforts!

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Every year, Ali Edwards, a blogger I follow, talks about the practice of choosing one word.

Something I’ve learned about the one word game is that the word has to be the kind of word that will set me back on track, if I start to stray.

I was going to choose the word “amaze” for 2010. There are so many new things that I want to test and try and play with and I thought if I chose “amaze” it would remind me to inspire myself and others.

But on second thought, I’m choosing “prosperous.” Yesterday I purchased the URL for theprosperouswriter.com and redirected it back to this blog.

Yesterday the first issue of The Prosperous Writer went out to thousands of subscribers and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

What does prosperous mean?

According to Webster, prosperous means favorable, marked by success or economic well-being, enjoying vigorous and healthy growth, flourishing.

Vigorous and healthy growth to the point of flourishing over and over…now when I talk about a prosperous writer, that’s what I’m talking about.

This year, I’m going to introduce you to writers I’ve worked with who fit this description, each in their own unique way.

If you’d like to work with me, I’ve got two classes starting on January 13th: Writing & Publishing the Short Stuff and Turn Your Specialty Into Course Curriculum. And I’m looking for prosperous writers, who want to dig in and get growing.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Happy weekend!

Photo by Tassiesim

Today at five after midnight Pacific Time, I launched the premier issue of The Prosperous Writer.

If you missed it, e-mail me at christina katz at earthlink dot net and I will be happy to send it on over to your inbox. (Please check your inbox first, if you were a former subscriber of mine, then you should have received it.)

Unlike in the past, the e-zine will not be posted in this blog. This blog will carry original content of its own. Ditto the e-zine will carry original content.

As an exception, I want to share some announcements I made in the e-zine. I also want to provide a space for folks to comment on the decisions I’ve made. If you have anything to express, please feel free to comment. Here goes:

Breaking News: Time to say goodbye to…

• Writers on the Rise
• The Writer Mama
• Get Known Groove

So all three monthly e-zines are being wrapped up into this weekly communication, which will deliver timely, relevant tips and insights for writing prosperously through changing times, including breaking news and how you can contribute. And every single thing I’ll ask you to do is like a mini-lesson in how to thrive in the new gig economy.

A few more things I am saying good-bye to:

• #platformchat
• The Writer Mama Back-to-School Giveaway
• The Writer Mama Anniversary Book Tour

All three of the above involved large contributions of time and energy, not just from me but from everyone involved. In order to pave the way for new and exciting ventures, I need to prune back the tasks that overtax me. So adieu, adieu, adieu! We had so much fun!

And then, just when I was lightening my load, I made a false start:

I said I would launch a Writer Mama Book Club in 2010. But once I got christinakatz.com up and running, I quickly realized that this would be unsustainable. So there won’t be a Writer Mama Book Club in 2010. But I hope you will still come by on January 5th and bring your questions for Therese Walsh about her wonderful debut novel, The Last Will of Moira Leahy.

I want to thank everyone who has contributed to all of these wonderful celebrations of learning and sharing over the years. We really created some cool stuff.

Please join me in bidding a fond farewell to all of these wonderful endeavors…and in saying HELLO to a new year!

Next week , I’ll share the list of all the new offerings I have for 2010. Can’t wait. More soon!

If you’d like to stay in the loop, please subscribe to The Prosperous Writer in the upper right-hand corner of the blog.