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Business Essentials for Writers: How to make money in an ever-changing industry
Do you need to sell more books? Do you want to make money from writing? Are you trying to make your living as a writer and struggling? Are you a writer looking to get to the next level in your career? Are you looking to use being an author as a way to further your business, and your career? Business Essentials for authors is your business 101 guide for the publishing industry, whether you have never published at all or are looking to take your professional career up a notch in an easy to read and conversational way. The book covers the five pillars of • Meet all of the people and jobs in the publishing industry, and how they fit together. • Building the foundation of your business and career, including paths to publication (New York publishing, small and mid-tier presses, and self-publishing), answering the burning question, what is an author platform and how to create yours, and how to develop your plan. • Understanding sales and marketing in publishing, how and where to sell books, and developing your personal and author brand. • Establishing all of the operational side of any business from contracts and intellectual property, working with different tools and technologies (including social media), and how to design and build your website. • Learning how money works as an author, basic accounting, and making more money. We look at all this and more from a long-term strategic view, how to get the plan done, and the mindset to make it all work.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2019
4 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 1, 2026
Wonderful book for writers
This was one of the best business self-help books for writers that I've ever read. The writing style was clear and engaging, and overall relatable. I loved that the author included plenty of external examples and metaphors to break down concepts or for further research if desired. I also liked that he was very upfront about when he was sharing his personal opinion, along with an explanation of the why behind it, ultimately leaving the decision on what to do up to the reader. I've seen too many help books where authors conflate their opinion into fact that doesn't need to explained, just accepted, so I appreciated seeing a clear distinction here. I also think the addition of a section on AI was a great idea and helpful as it absolutely has impacted the publishing world. Overall, I would recommend this book to any aspiring authors.
This was one of the best business self-help books for writers that I've ever read. The writing style was clear and engaging, and overall relatable. I loved that the author included plenty of external examples and metaphors to break down concepts or for further research if desired. I also liked that he was very upfront about when he was sharing his personal opinion, along with an explanation of the why behind it, ultimately leaving the decision on what to do up to the reader. I've seen too many help books where authors conflate their opinion into fact that doesn't need to explained, just accepted, so I appreciated seeing a clear distinction here. I also think the addition of a section on AI was a great idea and helpful as it absolutely has impacted the publishing world. Overall, I would recommend this book to any aspiring authors.
September 29, 2019
An excellent primer for writers interested in the business side of their craft!
January 6, 2020
Great resource! Picking up this book and opening it to any section is like grabbing coffee with an expert. I’ll be using this as a handy reference tool for years.
January 31, 2025
I didn't know what to make of this book at first. I expected a "how to manage your business" book specific to freelancing.
No, not quite that.
My next guess was a self-help guide to writers specific to the business of writing.
No, not quite that, either.
Long ago and far away a publisher asked me to help her write a book to help writers deal with the many issues of making a living writing. She considered several co-authors and decided on me due to my background and training.
I was flattered.
I asked if she had an outline.
No.
So I came up with one.
She was blown away with the subjects covered. Everything from literally putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards) to dealing with maintaining physical well-being to dealing with never-ending rejections to ...
I asked her to write an introductory chapter explaining why she asked me to help write the book.
She never did.
I asked her to write a LinkedIn recommendation for me.
She didn't.
What did she want?
By the time I called a stop to things, she wanted about three months of psychoanalysis on how to deal with her own writing and publishing issues.
I decided I would write the book on my own.
Now I don't have to. Jim Nettles has done it for me. I wondered if he read my outline as his topics so closely mirrored what I entered as necessary subjects in my outline.
So, first, thanks for listening to me vent.
Second, ask if you have a concern/issue/challenge/problem with your writing career or the business aspects of writing.
Yes? Go get Jim's book. It's a winner.
Update Jan 2025
This is an addendum to my previous review.
I kept Nettles book on my "handy" shelf because I knew there was more in it than I realized at first. I picked it up again and few months back and (evidently) was ready to absorb the gems I missed the first time around. The book is now dogeared to death.
I don't think you can find a more comprehensive author's guide. There are lots of books which focus deep on one or two aspects of the writing business, Nettles does a grand job of covering all the bases.
A definite must for the serious authorpreneur, this.
No, not quite that.
My next guess was a self-help guide to writers specific to the business of writing.
No, not quite that, either.
Long ago and far away a publisher asked me to help her write a book to help writers deal with the many issues of making a living writing. She considered several co-authors and decided on me due to my background and training.
I was flattered.
I asked if she had an outline.
No.
So I came up with one.
She was blown away with the subjects covered. Everything from literally putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards) to dealing with maintaining physical well-being to dealing with never-ending rejections to ...
I asked her to write an introductory chapter explaining why she asked me to help write the book.
She never did.
I asked her to write a LinkedIn recommendation for me.
She didn't.
What did she want?
By the time I called a stop to things, she wanted about three months of psychoanalysis on how to deal with her own writing and publishing issues.
I decided I would write the book on my own.
Now I don't have to. Jim Nettles has done it for me. I wondered if he read my outline as his topics so closely mirrored what I entered as necessary subjects in my outline.
So, first, thanks for listening to me vent.
Second, ask if you have a concern/issue/challenge/problem with your writing career or the business aspects of writing.
Yes? Go get Jim's book. It's a winner.
Update Jan 2025
This is an addendum to my previous review.
I kept Nettles book on my "handy" shelf because I knew there was more in it than I realized at first. I picked it up again and few months back and (evidently) was ready to absorb the gems I missed the first time around. The book is now dogeared to death.
I don't think you can find a more comprehensive author's guide. There are lots of books which focus deep on one or two aspects of the writing business, Nettles does a grand job of covering all the bases.
A definite must for the serious authorpreneur, this.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews