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Home » Career » Page 31

Career

A Major Money Mistake

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 16, 2014
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Piggy Bank with Bandage on Face on Dramatic Gradated Background.

When I was working for a small company years ago, the extremely reliable woman who cut our paychecks missed the Big Day — a Friday. As it became evident she would be a no-show, one of my co-workers revealed she was upset. “I wrote out and mailed checks for all my bills last night because I thought I was going to get paid today. Now they’ll all bounce.”

I didn’t understand why anyone would write a check for money that wasn’t in the bank and I still don’t today. Yet over the years, I’ve discovered that many writers make similar mistakes.

Publishing contracts list payouts and give a timeline as to when they are to occur. However, things go wrong. Often. With just about every publisher. Sometimes the editor forgets to tell Accounting to release the funds. Sometimes the person who cuts the checks is out sick. Or maybe the Big Boss who authorizes checks of a certain size has left for a month-long missions trip. Or a publisher has a cash flow problem and can’t make your payment.

I’m not saying it’s wonderful and right for funds to be delayed but there are so many things that can go wrong in the process that it’s wise to plan on a late payment. The biggest money mistake a writer can make is to sit down with a contract and say, “Okay, I’ll be receiving $5,000 on July 1 because that’s what my contract says.”

When this happens and there is a delay, sometimes I get frantic communication from authors. Of course, authors are always justified in asking about delayed payments and my job is to investigate. But sometimes I discover the urgency is triggered by a purchase or other financial commitment the author has made based on promised money, not money that is already in the bank. Of course, emergencies happen that can cause debt, but I don’t recommend buying a luxury item until the money is in hand.

Your turn:

What is your favorite way to save money?

What is the worst money management mistake you or a friend have made?

Leave a Comment
Category: Book Business, Career, Money, TamelaTag: Book Business, Money

Overcome the Discouragement of Expectations

By Steve Laubeon January 15, 2014
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Guest post by Erin Taylor Young

This is Henry, our dog. Not my husband.
I love my husband. Really I do. But there are occasions I’m tempted to take a sharp, pointy pencil and stab him somewhere non-fatal. Especially when I’m torqued over my anemic word count, frustrated by a recent edit, or discouraged by yet another rejection.
I’m venting why, why, WHY, and my hubby turns into a fixer. …

Read moreOvercome the Discouragement of Expectations
Category: Career, Guest Post, The Writing LifeTag: Career, Discouragement, Expectations

Two Basic Tips on Budgeting with an Irregular Income

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 9, 2014
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One challenge of writing books for a living is the fact that unlike many other jobs, you don't usually see a cycle of paychecks appearing at regular intervals with predictable amounts. Instead, you may see a whoosh of money, followed by smaller amounts every few months triggered by actions on your part, such as turning in manuscripts and proposals. Only well-established authors will have this …

Read moreTwo Basic Tips on Budgeting with an Irregular Income
Category: Book Business, Career, Money, TamelaTag: Book Business, Budget; Finances; income, Money

Staying Healthy Over the Holidays

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 19, 2013
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Now that we are in the midst of the holidays, it’s easy to lose sight of keeping our bodies in top form. Since we in publishing have sedentary jobs, we must be vigilant about our health. Even though many of us work at home, we still have parties at church, our outside jobs, our spouse’s work, clubs, and other food-laden events. I’ve already been challenged by two events: …

Read moreStaying Healthy Over the Holidays
Category: Career, Personal, TamelaTag: Career, Health, Holidays

Competitive Spirits and Battling Discouragement

By Steve Laubeon December 18, 2013
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Guest post by Roseanna M. White Roseanna M. White is a writer with a passion for bringing history to life. Her most recent historical series, The Culpepper Ring series (Harvest House) has received rave reviews from readers and reviewers alike. In addition to being a writer, Roseanna is the senior reviewer at the Christian Review of Books, which she and her husband founded; the senior editor at …

Read moreCompetitive Spirits and Battling Discouragement
Category: Career, Guest Post, The Writing LifeTag: Career, Discouragement, Encouragement, The Writing Life

So You Want to Be in Pictures?

By Dan Balowon December 17, 2013
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At some point in their careers, just about every novelist will yearn to see their books on the silver screen.

However, the number of authors who are fortunate enough to have movies made and actually like the final film version, are few and far between.  Movies have been found to be a proverbial “good news, bad news” experience for authors.

An illustration of this is Roald Dahl’s children’s …

Read moreSo You Want to Be in Pictures?
Category: Career, DanTag: Career, movies

Staying Sane Over the Holidays

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 12, 2013
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Just because you're a writer doesn't mean you get a pass over the holidays. Many writers are contract-bound by December and early January deadlines, while other writers have self-imposed deadlines to keep their careers moving. The late arrival of Thanksgiving has also put a monkey wrench into many of our plans. I don't know about you, but I just can't get in the mood -- or find the time -- for …

Read moreStaying Sane Over the Holidays
Category: Career, Personal, TamelaTag: Career, Holidays, Personal

Taking the “Dis” out of Discourage

By Steve Laubeon December 11, 2013
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by Nancy Farrier

With over 400,000 books in print, Nancy J. Farrier is no stranger to the ups and downs of the writing life. That combined with being a worship leader and Bible study leader has given her all kinds of valuable lessons on discouragement--and its solutions!

__________

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair…”    II Cor. …

Read moreTaking the “Dis” out of Discourage
Category: Career, Guest Post, The Writing Life, Writing CraftTag: Discouragement, Encouragement, The Writing Life

A Writing Life – Pearl S. Buck

By Dan Balowon December 10, 2013
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Seventy –five years ago today, Pearl Buck became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.  The king of Sweden gave her the award at a ceremony on December 10, 1938 in the Stockholm Concert Hall.  It read:
“By awarding this year’s Prize to Pearl Buck for the notable works which pave the way to a human sympathy passing over widely separated racial boundaries and for …

Read moreA Writing Life – Pearl S. Buck
Category: Career, Dan, Writing CraftTag: Career, Writing Life

Clear Your Brain!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 5, 2013
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When I talk to writers about the day-to-day operations of my office, I usually mention weekends. And that we have them.

I make an effort to stay away from the computer for business on the weekends unless there is some urgent reason to do otherwise. This may sound selfish, and perhaps it is. But I also try not to bother my clients on the weekends because I want them to have weekends, too. …

Read moreClear Your Brain!
Category: Career, Creativity, TamelaTag: Career
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