In light of the unprecedented and scary year we've had, we thought it'd be a good idea to share our 2020 in regard to how the year affected our writing and our lives.
Today, Terry Whalin shares his
experience:
By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin
As we end this strange year of
2020, I've turned to my writing more than ever.
I began the year with lots of
conferences on my schedule and travel plans. As an editor, I find many authors
at these events and they are productive for my career in publishing. In February
I spent five intense days at a Book Funnel Bootcamp and learned a great deal
plus built this
site for my 10 Publishing Myths book.
In March, I traveled to Nashville
for a red carpet event with my Morgan James authors and colleagues. The worldwide pandemic
was just beginning and my wife questionned whether I should attend—but I did. It
marked my last time to travel for the year since my other events were cancelled.
On the way home, my plane backed up from the gate and the pilot announced they
were closing all of the ski resorts in Colorado. They gave the passengers one
opportunity to get off and stay in Nashville. My plane was loaded with parents
and children headed to ski and about half of my airplane left the flight and
stayed in Nashville—and the airline would have to straighten out their baggage
later.
Throughout the months that
followed, I continue to find new authors and sign them at Morgan James but I was
less active than in years past because of the pandemic. With the additional free
time, I turned to my writing and producing books for others. One of those books
has been completed and a second one is nearing completion. These books are ones
I write for others (and my name may or may not appear on the printed book). It's
just one of the pivots that I've experienced during this “different”
2020.
My Writing
Tip:
Publishing is still active and
books are selling. At Morgan James we published and launched over 200 new titles
this year. Editors and agents may be working at home but they are still actively
reading and responding to pitches and proposals. I encourage each of us to keep
our fingers on the keyboard and keep pitching our projects. The more you knock
on the doors, the more they will open for you. There are many opportunities but
these opportunities will not come to you. You have to be actively looking for
them.
Tweetable:
W. Terry Whalin is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. His work contact information is on the bottom of the second page (follow this link). He has written for over 50 magazines and more than 60 books with traditional publishers. His latest book for writers is 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed. Get this book for only $10 + free shipping and over $200 in bonuses. One of Terry's most popular free ebooks is Straight Talk From the Editor, 18 Keys to a Rejection-Proof Submission. He lives in Colorado and has 190,000 twitter followers.
