The fun part of writing is just that, the writing. Putting words to paper, building storylines, seeing your characters come to life. It doesn't get any better than that. And this is perfect if you are simply writing for yourself and possibly a few close friends you share with.
But if you, like many of us, would like to earn a living doing the kind of work you love, then you must turn your creative genius into an efficient business mogul. Right brain creativity and left brain efficiency??? Yikes.
First of all, you have to learn a whole new language in order to communicate with your editors and publishers - the people responsible for your checks (which we will discuss later). Terms like “work for hire”, “one time rights”, and “payment on publication” will run through your sleepy brain instead of sheep jumping a fence.
You will begin negotiating terms and learn how to read contracts. Talk about the rights… are you selling one-time rights, first time rights, reprint rights, or (shudder) all rights? These are not all of the terms you need to know, you also have to understand electronic rights, serial rights, anthology rights, and CD-Rom or other media rights. Make sure that you and your client are on the same page, before your work is actually on the page.
The term copyright is going to be bantered about. Once you have put your words on paper, you own the copyright. Copyright registration is a protective step and usually only done for full-size books, collections or anthologies, photography, artwork and music. Claiming a copyright on a work is easier to prove when it is registered. Remember that ideas cannot be copyrighted but their implementation can be. Many book publishers will handle the registration of copyright for you, this is something that needs to be made clear - don't assume.
My absolutely least favorite part of the writing business is billing my customers and actually getting them to pay. Getting them to pay in a timely fashion is even better. Prices and payment terms should be settled upon when the piece is first contracted. While you should never undervalue yourself and figuratively give away your work, you also have to be cognizant of and reasonable about your client's budget restrictions. If you price yourself too high, then the client simply cannot afford you no matter whether they want to or not. You and your client need to decide BEFORE-HAND if payment is to be made upon acceptance or upon publication (or specified days after). And if the client assigned you the work and you did it, and it was submitted on time and as per your agreement, and then the client decides not to print it… then you are entitled to a kill-fee which is usually between 20-to-50-percent of the agreed upon price. You are entitled, it varies whether you can expect it or not.
In addition to being a writer (possibly a photographer or artist, too) and a business manager, you also have to be a salesman - the product you have to sell is YOU. You should be out there contacting new clients, making queries, and making submissions. Provide “clips” of your published work; clips are most often photocopied already published work. If you don't have published clips, provide a potential client with a few relevant writing samples. You have to show them a reason to hire you for the job. But just like the old adage “Make new friends but keep the old…”, don't forget to keep your current clients happy so that they will continue using you.
A magazine or book publisher will often ask for an author's photo and or bio to run with the article or book. It's a good idea to have a few good headshots on hand (digital seems the most usable these days) along with a brief bio-blurb to send in without delay if you are asked. As far as the photo goes, use any good headshot that shows you as the type of person you want to portray as the author.
Don't get so stressed out by all of the business aspects that you forget to have fun writing. Just know, it is all part of the same deal.
