Business Plan for Writers

Comments: 4

In the past, I had agents ask for a marketing plan to accompany my query, synopsis and sample chapters. Maybe, for writers, that would be about the same as a business plan. So, I think if I were to write a business plan for my writing it would look something like this:

1. Write the novel - Done
3. Join a critique group - Done
3. edit the novel and rewrite it - Done
4. edit the novel and rewrite it - Done
5. edit the novel and rewrite it - Done
6. edit the novel and rewrite it - Done
7. Write query and synopsis and find an agent or editor - Done
8. edit the novel and rewrite it - Done
9. Revise query and synopsis and find an agent or editor - Done
10. edit the novel and rewrite it - Done ad nauseam
11. Revise query and synopsis and find an agent or editor - ad nauseam

And finally, once I find an agent or editor who is willing to publish it:

12. edit the novel and rewrite it
13. Create web site with blog
14. Create catchy trailer
15. Talk up book on web site and blog
16. Talk up book on FaceBook, Twitter, and any other social network
17. Reap the meager rewards of all that effort.

At least that's what my business plan would look at from my experience so far. I hope your experience won't be so dragged out as mine has been.

I suppose you could put dates as goals, but expect them to be shattered.

Happy Writing!!!
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About Paul West

Paul West is a freelance writer and novelist. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Paul claims to be a "Prune Picker," though he now makes his home in Taylorsville, Utah.

You can follower him on Twitter: @PaulWWest

Published: Thursday, February 03, 2011

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4 comments

  1. Paul, what a story. If it wasn't so true it would be funny. I hope that you get your day in the sun. Hang in there.

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  2. LOL it is funny because it IS true! It seems that is the way it goes for all of us. At least you are a few steps ahead of me, since I cannot mark done even on the first step . . .

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  3. Thanks, both of you. Your day in the sun will come, and I'll probably still be here working on the first half of my plan, LOL

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  4. Very well, that well comes to an end.

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