2018 STC Summit: Attendee Comments Re: the Technical Writing Book

Posted on May 28, 2018 by

As noted on Thursday, I attended the 2018 STC Summit last week, with the dual purpose of learning what the tech writing community was talking about as well as collect additional information for my tech writing book project. I received some interesting inputs! Continue reading →

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2018 STC Summit: Programming & Priorities

Posted on May 24, 2018 by

Because I had vacation plans overlapping with the 2018 Society for Technical Communication (STC) Summit, I only attended briefly on Tuesday, May 22, and the half day on Wednesday, May 23. However, I got a strong impression from the overall program and exhibitor list of what STC membership is focused on. I also spent a little time seeking out some additional inputs on the book. Today I’ll talk about the overall Summit; on Monday, I’ll share the inputs I received for the book.
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Work-Life Balance

Posted on May 21, 2018 by

Taking some time off again this weekend, so I’m returning to a familiar question: Does work-life balance really exist? Some people live to work, others work to live. Your perspective on the question is determined by which you prefer. Continue reading →

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Reader Response: My Customer Isn’t Organized!

Posted on May 17, 2018 by

A reader named Larry posted a comment on my personal blog, but the response really belongs here. Let’s see what he has to say.

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Book Proposals

Posted on May 14, 2018 by

While I’m waiting back to get some more feedback on my query letter, I’m also working on the proposal for my book. This is the more formal document that explains to a publisher what they would get if they bought the rights to purchase my book. Like a government or business proposal, I’m laying out the outline of what my product would be. I’ve covered some of this topic before (specifically, audience analysis and competitive analysis), but there’s always more to learn. Continue reading →

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Query Letters

Posted on May 10, 2018 by

Having narrowed myself down to three best-fit publishers, I now have to start selling my manuscript. The most common tool in the process is the query letter or email. A query letter is just what it sounds like: a question document (“Do you want to look at my book?”). It’s more than that question, though: you’re also providing a marketing document. What I’ll share here is my personal wisdom-drawn-from-experience, some inputs I received from friends, and advice offered up on Writer’s Digest. Continue reading →

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Using the Writer’s Market 2018 to Find a Publisher

Posted on May 7, 2018 by

As I now have a complete book manuscript to sell, it’s time for me to find a place to sell it. The most indispensable tool a professional writer can have, in my opinion, is the Writer’s Market, which is published annually by Writer’s Digest Magazine. Why do you need it? Quite simply, it provides an up-to-date listing of magazine outlets and their editorial points of contact (for articles); publishers (for books, fiction and nonfiction–my immediate need); literary agents; and tips for selling your work in the U.S., U.K., and Canada.  Continue reading →

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