The Latest News from Blydyn Square Books
This month, I thought it was time to do a check-in with one of our most successful and hardworking authors, Everett De Morier, to see what he’s been up to lately and what advice he has for all those aspiring writers out there. Take it away, Everett.
Making Small Writing Projects Pay Off Big
by Everett De Morier
I have been writing for about 30 years, and most of that time has been pushing big projects uphill. First, there were the two books published in the 1990s, then each of the 8 plays we produced, then the novel Thirty-three Cecils, then the nonfiction book that followed, then the documentary that was attached to that nonfiction book. With each big project, you push, you wait, you worry, you hear back, you push some more.
But about a month ago, I realized that I have some writing credentials now and I should be using them. So I looked at smaller, short-term writing projects that would be fun, and in that time I have landed a bunch: a ghostwriting gig, one where I convert an author’s novel to a screenplay, writing the memoir of an 86-year-old woman who is going to be part of a reality series next year, doing a launch for an author out of the Ukraine, an agreement with the producer of the Cecils film to write the novel version of a Holocaust film that he is shooting later this year. They’re all enjoyable, short-term, paying writing projects.
Now, I’m not telling you this to impress you; I’m telling you for a few other reasons. The first is that if you’ve ever been paid to write—if someone has given you a dollar for your poem or article or book—then congratulations: You a professional writer. And there is a big need for professional writers right now. All kinds. Plus, writing is such a solitary effort that these smaller projects are a great way to expand your network, sharpen your skills, and get paid for what you enjoy doing.
So, if you’re a writer, keep pushing those big projects—the novels, films, and plays—up that hill. But also reach out and help the people who need your experience with their smaller projects. Help them, and in return, the experience (not to mention the income!) will help you.
Thanks, Everett! And now back to our regular newsletter.
Blydyn Square Review Free Subscription!
If you’ve been curious about our quarterly literary magazine, Blydyn Square Review, but didn’t want to pony up the $5 to subscribe, you’re in luck! Through March 15 (to celebrate the eighth anniversary of Blydyn Square Books), we’re giving away subscriptions FREE. Just go to the Blydyn Square Review page and log in with the password: BSREVIEWsubscribe
Hope you enjoy it!
Blydyn Square Book Club
Join us for the next meeting of the Blydyn Square Book Club, on April 6, 2023, at 5:45 P.M. (ET). We’ll be talking about Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
The Zoom link is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88512955967
Hope to see you there!
Blydyn Square Happy Hour
Don’t forget to join us for our next Happy Hour on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. (ET), for Happy Hour. We’ll chat about books, writing, working with a small press, and whatever else comes up. Join us on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87206041997
Quote of the Month
It’s not that I don’t like people. It’s just that when I’m in the company of others— even my nearest and dearest—there always comes a moment when I’d rather be reading a book.
—Maureen Corrigan
Brain Teaser of the Month
Congratulations to Mike Vreeland, who won an Amazon gift card. The question was:
Where does the name of the month of January come from?
The answer: The name January comes from the Roman god Janus, who had two heads: one to look back on the preceding year and the other to look forward to the New Year!
Now answer this:
What moon-related fact is interesting about February?
Send us your answer (info@blydynsquarebooks.com) and you’ll be entered in our prize drawing.
That’s it for this month. See you next time!
Tara Tomczyk
Editor in Chief
Blydyn Square Books
blydynsquarebooks.com
