The Golden Pencil: The Freelance Writer’s Resource

Turning Happen Chance Into Opportunity

by Anne Wayman on July 26th, 2007

Early this week I let an author know I’d be happy to review her book. She said she’d arrange a copy for me.

Yesterday a marketing person from her publishing company called to confirm I wanted the book. Then, because I had a real live publisher’s marketing person on the line, I asked what else they published.

We gossiped a bit about their type of books and then I asked if they published anything in 12 step recovery. (Remember my book proposal series?) He told me about a “secret project” he’s working on that may open that market for them. I gave him the title and subtitle: Powerfully Recovered! A Confirmed 12 Stepper Challenges The Movement

He liked the concept enough to invite me to submit a proposal, which goes out today.

You know what? It was easy. Easy to ask what he was up to, easy to ask what specifically they publish and easy to ask if he had any interest in another area. People, for the most part, like to be helpful.

I have no idea if they will buy my book, but I have two new names in my contact list and who knows… if not this book, perhaps another.

The take away from this? Chat people up, particularly when you run into someone who is in any part of the publishing business.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Share This

Related Stories

• Talking Turkey: Count Your Freelance Blessings
• 7 Ways Writers Can Help Stop Global Warming
• Ooops!
• Top 10 Writing Posts - 10 - Ahhhh, Negotiation!
• Why Clients Think They Need To Be Face-to-Face With Writers

POSTED IN: Book Proposals, Marketing Your Writing