Goodreads Choice Awards 2025

Ask the Author: Jane Friedman

“I'm happy to answer questions about writing and the publishing industry.” Jane Friedman

Answered Questions (5)

Sort By:
Loading big
An error occurred while sorting questions for author Jane Friedman.
hello there ms.friedman....i am looking for an editor of my almost completed memoir......would like to talk with u on the phone...... is that possible? thank u
Jane Friedman Hi Desiree - I don't offer memoir editing, but you might check out my resource list for my recommendations of who can help: http://janefriedman.com/resources
flag
You recommend a Goodreads giveaway for one month. What do you recommend for Kindle giveaways on Amazon?
Jane Friedman If you're enrolled in KDP Select, I recommend using your 5 giveaway days all together, in one big promotional push. Make sure to spread the word in every outlet you can. Martin Crosbie keeps a list of where you can promote giveaways: http://martincrosbie.com/authors-tools/
flag
Hi Jane - I really enjoyed your "How to Publish Your Book" in the Great Courses series. I'm trying to add the read to my Goodreads account and don't see it. Is it here under another name, or might it have an isbn?
Jane Friedman Hi Sal: Try visiting and adding from this link? It looks like you may have figured it out already! (It doesn't have an ISBN.)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
flag
How important are short fiction publication credits? As a mom who works full-time, I manage a max of two hours of writing time per day, and an hour or two of reading time. I've had one piece published in an on-line lit mag, but have learned that staying abreast of the lit mag market and submitting can really cut into my already tight schedule. Will this make it impossible for me to find an agent for my novel?
Jane Friedman Short fiction credits are not that important. They can be helpful as far as building confidence (small wins), but they don't necessarily indicate you have a salable novel to an agent. Now, there are exceptions to this, like if you place a short story in the New Yorker. But that doesn't describe the fate of 99.9% of writers!

So, in brief, I wouldn't worry about it; focus on writing and selling your novel (and reading the sort of thing you're trying to publish).
flag
Why bourbon? ;-) (You don't actually have to answer this. Just dropping by to say hi.)
Jane Friedman I think it's from growing up next to cornfields. :-) In my blood.
flag
Jane Friedman
1,884 followers
To ask Jane Friedman a question, please sign up.

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more