As writers, we must often protect our time so that we can get our most important writing done. On the other hand, being agreeable and saying “yes” more often can lead to meaningful opportunities—even publication.
Author Matthew Salesses (@salesses) discusses the pros can cons of being agreeable in the latest Glimmer Train bulletin:
Being open to opportunities, and saying yes to those requests, is part of participating in the literary community, I think. My novel would not have existed without that community. It is a book written-on-demand. I am lucky to have been asked, but I remind myself that it was up to me to say, “yes.”
Read Matthew’s entire essay “Being Open to Opportunities.”
Also, don’t miss these other essays on writing in the newest bulletin from Glimmer Train:
- Literary Fabric by Vi Khi Nao
- On Revision by William Luvaas
Jane Friedman has spent her entire career working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals; in 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.
Jane’s expertise regularly features in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, The Today Show, Wired, The Guardian, Fox News, and BBC. Her book, The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (The University of Chicago Press), is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs. She reaches thousands through speaking engagements and workshops at diverse venues worldwide, including NYU’s Advanced Publishing Institute, Frankfurt Book Fair, and numerous MFA programs.
I do like this! I think it’s true, we need to say yes to opportunities and try to be part of the writing community. If you don’t, you’ve got nothing.