Marathon Author: A creative career is a marathon, not a sprint

SW 027 - Goodbye Google

Admitting to major screw ups makes them less major, right?

Digital hoarding is still hoarding.

I think I actually do want to delete most of my email from 2004. 

Thanks for listening!

James

jamesaaron.net/books

SW 026 - Digital Storage Plan

My Google Drive plan expired this week, and OneDrive is cheaper... so I've been doing a lot of thinking about how I'm backing up my data, how I organize my files, and if I really need to hang onto email from 2006.

Other things mentioned this episode:

Goliath by Matt Stollar

How Long 'Til Black Future Month by N.K. Jemisin

Thanks for listening!

James

 

SW 025 - Getting Your head Back in the Game

Jumping between series is hard! I feel like a toddler being forced to eat broccoli.

In order to get the engine running again, I have to find ways to keep pulling the cord, hoping it's going to start.

I discuss some strategies I've been using to get my head back into a series after a long break. 

Journaling might be getting in the way of my fiction.

RPG for Authors: 4theWords.com (Apparently if you use this referral code, I get magic crystals or something: WESBB70639)

 

Secret Powers of the Author Mastermind by J. Thorn

 

Cover Your Book by R. Haskell

 

Goliath by Matt Stollar

Patreon: patreon.com/jamesaaron

SW 23 - Co-Writing Pros and Cons

You may have heard authors talking about co-writing... what is it? Is it right for you? How do you even find co-writing opportunities? 

In this episode I talk about what I've learned from three years of co-writing with Mal Cooper in Aeon 14. Spoiler alert: it's been a great experience that has taught me a lot during this phase of my writing career. 

However, there are pros and cons, like any business relationship.

If there's anything I didn't cover, shoot me an email at james@jamesaaron.net

Thanks for listening!

SW 13 - Accentuate the Positive

Whoa now, what happens when you have a terrible couple of weeks where you don't meet your goals? Well, I try to figure that out.

But I did sell a short story!

Books discussed this episode: 

The Books of Babel by Josiah Bancroft

Free: The Future of a Radical Price by Chris Anderson

American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America by Colin Woodard

SW 012 - Damn You Streak, WizardCon for Authors, Nebula Award Thoughts

In this episode I talk about what a sad sack I am because I finished a short story, was feeling good about myself, and then didn't write for a week. . . so the universe sent me a snow storm and a three day power outage so I could think about my sins...

...while not writing. 

So I talk about getting back on the horse after a break. I also share some thoughts about what looked like successful author tables at the Portland Wizard Con event, and then some thoughts on the current Nebula Award dust-up and where I'm choosing to focus as an author, while also wishing the best for my friends caught up in all this. 

Thanks for listening, and shoot me an email at james@jamesaaron.net with any thoughts or feedback.

SW 10 - What Author Info Should You Trust?

In this episode I talk about places to find info on indie publishing, and how to vet the info you find. There's a tsunami out there, and things are changing all the time, so how do you determine what's relevant to your books? 

Mentioned in this episode:

AI Superpowers by Kai Fu Lee

The Revolt of the Public by Martin Guri

Kboards

Science Fiction and Fantasy Marketing Podcast

The Career Author Podcast

Creative Penn Podcast

20Booksto50k on Facebook

Question: How do you sort through the chaos of info out there to find what works for you?

SW 009 - Should You Choose SF Trad or Indie?

In this episode I talk about why you might want to pursue a traditional publishing deal, starting with short stories in magazines, (and SF has many opportunities to get published in magazines) or develop a following as an indie publisher.

I think the main takeaway is that you don't have to choose one or the other. You're going to write more than one book in your career, and each new project is a new decision on the best path forward.

I'm doing my best to understand how these markets are different, how readers consume them, and what the future might hold.

Also, what does all this mean for the "field" of science fiction when established taste-makers don't seem to acknowledge that the indie market exists and is rapidly outpacing the traditional market?

Mentioned in this episode:

Blackfish City by Sam Miller

AI Superpowers by Kai-Fu Lee

Thanks for listening!

SW 008 - Are you a Dinosaur Author?

In this episode I riff off some thoughts Michael Sullivan posted in /r/fantasy on Reddit:

"People are quick to note that traditional publishing doesn’t have a good track record with regards to innovation. But can’t the same be said about the traditionally published AUTHOR who keeps operating as they always have (signing contract after contract even though the pay is less and there are other avenues that produce more income)? This seems like dinosaur behavior to me."

 (https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/afmkie/some_insights_on_author_income_in_the_wake_of_the/)

I do my best not to rant here or specifically call people out. I'm talking about behaviors I've seen in writers as they try to navigate a very confusing time of transition in the publishing industry.

One thing I forgot to mention is that having a clear idea of your goals as a writer will help you determine what path you want to take... but being open to all this change will help you recognize opportunities when they arise -- and they will.