Today I’m the featured contributor at Writer Unboxed, where I talk about copywriting:
The No. 1 Overlooked Skill for Every Author
I’m not quite ready to admit that headline is hyperbole—I’d rather say it’s brilliant copywriting.
When it comes down to it, every writer—if they want to earn a living from their craft—must learn how to sling words persuasively, whether for a query letter, book jacket copy, or a grant. Click through to read my take, plus find best resources for improving your copywriting skills.
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.
