How do you market your writing?

[serenebabe]

I'm curious to know how many of you simply advertise yourselves as
"writers," or if you use certain phrases to show that you specialize in
particular areas (grant writer, poet, short-story writer, reporter...)?

Or, do you wear certain hats at certain times? If you do, what does your
business card or website say that you are/do?

--Heather

**
Heather Denkmire

http://www.serenebabe.net/ (column returning in July)
http://www.grantwinners.net/ (a full service grant winning company)

[David M. Harris]

serenebabe wrote:
> I'm curious to know how many of you simply advertise yourselves as
> "writers," or if you use certain phrases to show that you specialize in
> particular areas (grant writer, poet, short-story writer, reporter...)?
>
> Or, do you wear certain hats at certain times? If you do, what does your
> business card or website say that you are/do?
>
> --Heather
>

There isn't much point in "marketing" yourself as a writer of fiction or
poetry. No one is going to hire you as such. You market the individual
pieces to publishers and agents, but not yourself in the ordinary sense.

dmh

[Casey Wilson]

"serenebabe" <hea...@serenebabe.net> wrote in message
news:BEF883A8.76DE%hea...@serenebabe.net...

>
> I'm curious to know how many of you simply advertise yourselves as
> "writers," or if you use certain phrases to show that you specialize in
> particular areas (grant writer, poet, short-story writer, reporter...)?
>
> Or, do you wear certain hats at certain times? If you do, what does your
> business card or website say that you are/do?
>
> --Heather

My business cards and stationery say "Freelance Writer."
When asked what I write, I have the flip answer, "Words," always on the
tip of my tongue but I use that only in casual circumstances and always
follow it up with, "I'm a word prostitute, I'll write anything for money."
When interviewed or in a proposal, I pretty much say the same thing in
more polite terms. A few esoteric genre have eluded me, but I can brag about
writing most anything and show samples [clips] to back it up -- including
speeches.
In terms of fiction work, I hardly ever mention that except in casual
conversations and usually only with other writers. I don't know any fellow
artisans who have been commissioned to write fiction.

Sail On!

Casey
Freelance Writer and Photographer
Member, California Writers Club
CalWriters.org

[Casey Wilson]

"serenebabe" <hea...@serenebabe.net> wrote in message
news:BEF883A8.76DE%hea...@serenebabe.net...
>

> I'm curious to know how many of you simply advertise yourselves as
> "writers," or if you use certain phrases to show that you specialize in
> particular areas (grant writer, poet, short-story writer, reporter...)?
>
> Or, do you wear certain hats at certain times? If you do, what does your
> business card or website say that you are/do?
>
> --Heather

My business cards and stationery say "Freelance Writer and
Photographer."

[Bruce Atchison - author]

Greetings;

When I query an editor for a freelance article, I just write a regular
business letter. As for my books, I give people pens and bookmarks that say
I'm an author and list my contact addresses. Unfortunately, websites and
e-mails change frequently. I learned that the hard way when I ordered a
thousand pens in 2006. This is why it's wisest not to order a ton of
stationary, even if the price seems good.

Sincerely,

Bruce Atchison - author of Deliverance from Jericho (Six Years in a Blind
School) and When a Man Loves a Rabbit ((Learning and Living With Bunnies).

Please visit my blog at the
http://canadianauthors.ning.com/profile/batchison page.

[Don Stauffer]

There are a number of books on the business of writing that include
sample query letters and tips on them. I believe even Writers Market
discusses queries.