The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Business

As an author, what expenses can I deduct?

by

word cloud tax deductionsAs an author/business owner what deductions can I take on my taxes?

In the coming months, I’ll be going through my all my paperwork, ensuring I have listed all my income and all my expenses, ready to submit to my certified public accountant (CPA).

If you’re like me, you cringe at all this number-crunching stuff and whether you’re doing it right for the IRS.

An accountant friend, as well as my own CPA, advised I use the IRS Schedule C (Form 1040) to guide how I track my business revenue and expenses. It is the same advice I’m giving you, along with some added details.* [Read more…] about As an author, what expenses can I deduct?

If You’re an Author, Are You a Business Owner?

by

Hobbyist or Business Owner?

In a recent survey of my blog subscribers, I asked how interested they were in learning about the business side of being an author. “Not at all, somewhat, or very.” Sixty-five percent said VERY.

So today is my first post focused entirely on being a business owner.

When you read the title of today’s post, how did you answer the question? [Read more…] about If You’re an Author, Are You a Business Owner?

A New Perspective on the Cost of Freelance Editors

by

a pile of $50 bills, editing costs“I can’t afford to hire a professional editor,” you say.

But you can’t afford not to hire one. The quality—or lack thereof—of your story directly impacts your ability to land a traditional publishing contract. If you publish indie, it impacts your sales. And who doesn’t want lots of sales?

I don’t say this just because I’m an editor. Even I send my own work to a writer friend to edit. That’s because it’s hard for us see the mistakes in our own writing.

That’s why I encourage you to hire an editor.

We all know professional editing costs can add up, but I often get the impression that writers expect it to start at $5000 and go up from there. Even $1000 is a lot when that same amount pays the mortgage for a month or two.

Let’s take a look at the industry standard fees given in Writer’s Market 2017. [Read more…] about A New Perspective on the Cost of Freelance Editors

Writers’ Rights: Understand What You’re Selling

by

Writers' RightsToday’s guest post is by author Tracy Crump.

Tracy enjoys teaching writers through her Write Life Workshops and webinars as well as at conferences, and she serves as registrar for the Mid-South Christian Writers Conference. Tracy edits The Write Life, a popular writers newsletter that includes story callouts, and her latest foray into fiction netted her a finalist spot in the Southern Writers Magazine 2016 Short Story Contest.

Writers’ Rights

by Tracy Crump

First rights, reprint rights, all rights. Rights, rights, rights! How can I keep them straight, and what if I do something wrong? [Read more…] about Writers’ Rights: Understand What You’re Selling

Should I Indie Publish?

by

In a day when publishing is at our fingertips, the question whether to publish independently or traditionally is one many writers consider. Both routes have their benefits and drawbacks.

Indie publishingMaybe you are struggling with this very question right now. I hope today’s interview with author Janice Dick gives you some insight into making your decision.

Janice, what was the impetus behind your decision to go indie? [Read more…] about Should I Indie Publish?