the craft. building your writing profile.

I wish that writing was all about the actual words on the page. How well they go together. Word choice. Style. Voice. Ultimately, those things will give you longevity, however, every creative craft has been affected by the new era we’re in that involves our public persona.

This manifests in different ways depending on if we’re journalists, fiction or nonfiction writers but it’s important in all aspects of writing. Gone are the days of getting the dream job at a publication that is going to help sell your career. In these times, publications are relying heavily on their writers anyway. But I digress. Even with a book deal, a huge amount of your success is going to rely on your own personal marketing savvy. The reality is that I know promotion can be the hardest part for writers, but it’s so integral to the process these days.

Now, the first thing I know you’re doing is thinking of all the writers we never hear from that are still successful. And I say, kudos to those writers. Personally, I’m working as hard as I am to be able to disappear from the internet eventually, but that time has not come yet. Until then, here are a few important tidbits I’ve incorporated into developing my public writing persona:

Community building. You know I heard a music executive say that artists are community leaders and it blew my mind. I believe the same can be said for writers. That community is going to show up and show out when it comes time to support your work. Whether it’s clicks on an article or purchasing your books. This is where your audience begins so unless you’re writing for yourself, your community is where it starts.

Along these lines you have to talk to people. I know all the introverted writers are screaming inside but it’s the truth. There are two aspects to this. The first and maybe most important is just making conversation. This is about building a connection. I think especially online there are opportunities to build a rapport when you interact with people’s content. The other side of this is being able to speak eloquently about who you are and what you’re doing. It’s the book pitch. It’s the “I’m in the querying stage.” Or “I’m hoping to pivot to TV/Film.” A lot of people think it’s TMI to share about your work, but you have no idea what opportunities can await if people know you know what you know.

Content creation. Another dirty word I feel. But this feeds into building your community. What do they want to see from you outside of your book being for sale? Can you give them a peak behind the curtain of how your work is done? Are you sharing a great planner you bought or the music you’re listening to? Maybe you share archives from your research. I think life is full of content opportunities that help your audience buy into your writing.

Whether you are building this community via social media, in-person, or through an email newsletter, it’s important to build it. Look, I’m no expert. We have Dhayana Alejandrina to lead our Branding Your Writing Profile Masterclass on Feb. 25th. However, I know that signing my book deal wasn’t solely about the book I’d written. It was about genre, probably a little diversity, and evidence that I might be someone willing to do the work of selling books. Please don’t think an acquiring editor is not checking out your socials before drafting a contract.

Not saying it’s the end all be all. Please know this. But I need you to understand that everything is a product. I know we get very sensitive about our art being seen that way, but no one is giving you a commission or an advance in hopes that no one engages with the content. So it’s up to us to do our small part in making sure that we’ve exhausted our own options.

***If you’d like to attend the Branding Your Writing Profile masterclass live, please use the promo code: PGMEMBERWINTER for 50% off registration.

Writing/Job Opportunities

a big february reminder that i am always looking for pitches for i_D and I commission mainly opinion, internet culture, film, books and my email is roisin.lanigan@i-d.co and you can read a guide on pitching here: https://i-d.vice.com/en/article/wxqd44/how-to-pitch-to-i-d

The Rumpus is accepting fiction submissions through 3/15.

Blue Stoop is accepting proposals for their summer 2023 class schedule. Submit by 3/1 at 5pm for consideration.

The Washington Post is hiring a Pop Culture Editor. They are also hiring a Fashion Writer.

Bloomberg is hiring an Audience Development Editor - Markets and Breaking News ($70-95K).

Associated Press is hiring a Music Journalist. (NY or LA. $80-120K).

New York Focus is hiring a Capitol Reporter. ($60-70k)

Rolling Stone is hiring a Multimedia/UX Editor. ($65-80k)

Block Club Chicago is hiring a Managing Editor. Apply by 3/3, ($100-120k).