Kern Carter's Blog, page 155
March 15, 2020
My Passion for Writing is Enough
Existential dread plays a part, but if I was guaranteed never to find success, I would still write.
March 14, 2020
Who will purchase Simon and Schuster?
You may have heard by now that Simon and Schuster, one of the “big five” publishers, is up for sale. About twenty inquiries have already been made, but only a small amount of those are expected to be considered, including publisher HarperCollins.
This story is important because these are the people and companies in charge of giving a voice to the authors whose words coarse through culture, particularly in North America. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with this potential for influence and we need to know that whoever is leading these businesses understands the gravity of that reality.
We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks. We’ll send another update once more info comes through.
CRY
PREVIOUS LETTERSA link to popular writing contests for the yearTo elevate your creativity, diversify your experiencesShould short stories be getting more attention?
Who will purchase Simon and Schuster? was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
March 13, 2020
March 12, 2020
March 10, 2020
March 9, 2020
Call for submissions — What keeps you motivated?
The emotional life of a writer and creative can be difficult. With the endless rejections, not earning enough income, not being heard; it’s a wonder we all don’t just pack it in and go hide under a table.
But we’re still here, so my question to you is this: What keeps you going? Why do you keep writing or creating? What’s inspiring that voice in your head that’s telling you to never give up?
Submission rulesIf you’re already a writer for CRY, all you need to do is submit your story.If you’re not a writer for CRY but want to submit, simply respond or comment and I’ll add you to our writing team.Deadline for submissions is next Friday, March 13.Please read the submission guidelines before submitting.Looking forward to reading all of your inspiring stories!
CRY
PREVIOUS LETTERSHow much do traditionally published authors really make?New trend alert — Podcasters are getting book dealsThe Atlantic is back to publishing short fiction
Call for submissions — What keeps you motivated? was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
March 7, 2020
To elevate your creativity, diversify your experiences
If there’s one thing you can do right now to elevate the way you write or create, it’s diversifying your experiences. As creatives, what we expose ourselves to influences what we create and those same experiences are what ignites our imagination.
And it doesn’t necessarily take jumping on a plane and heading to Bali, although if you can do that then go for it. What I’m saying is that it’s important to change your daily habits and incorporate different experiences into your routine.
For example, if you normally come home and watch TV, try going outside for a walk. If you normally end your night by scrolling through social media, try listening to music or reading a book or magazine. Go to events that are a bit left of your interests. Say yes to things you normally say no to. If going out by yourself scares you, do it. This shift in your behaviour will change your input which will inevitably change your output.
As writers and creatives, we have to continually find ways to generate ideas. This is a simple way to make that happen.
CRY
MORE FROM CRYHave you read my novella Thoughts of a Fractured Soul? If you haven’t, here’s a short description:
Corey is reflecting on his life as a teenager who has just had his first child. He relives his story through a series of fragmented memories, pieces of sporadic thought capturing moments of his life as he tries to care for his family. But Corey is failing, and as he continues to struggle he realizes how easily the world can fracture his ambitions and force him to settle for a life of mediocrity. Thoughts of a Fractured Soul pushes the reader to piece together these fragments themselves, and decide on what part of Corey’s conflicting tale can be trusted.
Get a copy today.
To elevate your creativity, diversify your experiences was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
March 5, 2020
New monthly fiction column accepting submissions
The online publication Them is now accepting submissions for both fiction and poetry.
Them produces and accepts content geared towards the queer community. This new column they’re starting is looking for stories or poetry that speaks to or is written by writers from that community.
Each month will be a different theme and the theme for April is time. Submissions are due by the end of March. Follow this link to submit.
CRY
MORE FROM CRYHave you read my novella Thoughts of a Fractured Soul? If you haven’t, here’s a short description:
Corey is reflecting on his life as a teenager who has just had his first child. He relives his story through a series of fragmented memories, pieces of sporadic thought capturing moments of his life as he tries to care for his family. But Corey is failing, and as he continues to struggle he realizes how easily the world can fracture his ambitions and force him to settle for a life of mediocrity. Thoughts of a Fractured Soul pushes the reader to piece together these fragments themselves, and decide on what part of Corey’s conflicting tale can be trusted.
Get a copy today.
New monthly fiction column accepting submissions was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
March 3, 2020
How much do SELF-published authors really make?
You probably already know how hard it is to earn a liveable income from selling books. More than likely, you’ll need to find ways of supplementing your income if you’re a self-published or even traditionally published author.
According to the Author’s Guild, the median income for self-published authors is $1,951, which is actually close to double what it was in 2013. While it’s still significantly less than what traditionally published authors earn, this shouldn’t be discouraging. If you combine all author earnings — self-published, traditionally published, full-time, part-time — the median income is still only $6,080.
Writing and self-publishing your book should be a step in your overall plan of promoting and marketing yourself as an author. It’s certainly the most important step, but it can't’ be the only action you take if you hope to sustain your writing career.
Think about what it takes to build a fanbase, nurture that fanbase and continue to have it grow. Experiment with ways to draw attention to yourself and your book. As you saw in the last letter, this type of attitude is necessary whether you’re self-published or traditionally published.
CRY
PREVIOUS LETTERSHow much do traditionally published authors really make?New Trend Alert — Podcasters are getting book dealsFreelancers — better time management means more money
How much do SELF-published authors really make? was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
March 2, 2020
How much do traditionally published authors really make?
As an author, I know many of us dream of the day we become published. Even with all the ways it’s become easier and more acceptable to self-publish, there’s still unique esteem associated with the traditional route. It’s acknowledgement and validation we all crave.
But when thinking about the practicality of being a published author, the grass isn’t exactly greener on the other side, at least not when it comes to earnings.
A study by the Author’s Guild in 2018 showed that the median income for traditionally published authors is about $12,400. Only 21% of full-time, published authors make 100% of their income from “book-related” activities and close to 20% reported earning zero income.
Take this information however you will. For me, it simply means I really have to get focused on building my own audience and on finding ways to make sure I’m continually engaging that audience in between books. If the day comes when I do get traditionally published, I’ll come fully prepared with a base of readers who have been supporting me for years.
The next CRY letter will focus on what self-published authors really make.
CRY
MORE FROM CRYHave you read my novella Thoughts of a Fractured Soul? If you haven’t, here’s a short description:
Corey is reflecting on his life as a teenager who has just had his first child. He relives his story through a series of fragmented memories, pieces of sporadic thought capturing moments of his life as he tries to care for his family. But Corey is failing, and as he continues to struggle he realizes how easily the world can fracture his ambitions and force him to settle for a life of mediocrity. Thoughts of a Fractured Soul pushes the reader to piece together these fragments themselves, and decide on what part of Corey’s conflicting tale can be trusted.
Get a copy today.
How much do traditionally published authors really make? was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
