Articles

50 simple rules for making it as a writer

A veteran author of a dozen nonfiction books distills the lessons he's learned
By Harvey Rachlin
Published: June 8, 2010
To succeed as a writer in the world of publishing is no easy task. A plethora of writers—many of them seasoned pros or people famous from other fields—compete for the precious space in magazines and newspapers and for the limited number of book contracts offered by publishing houses. A writer needs talent, drive and dedication to break into the game or stay in it, not to mention a little bit of luck.

But opportunities abound. Industry folk are always looking for strong new voices, and the writer with respectable credits often has a leg up on the competition. Still, writing for publication is a challenging endeavor—a bit like shooting three-pointers from half-court. And for all writers, new and experienced alike, there are some basic rules that may serve as a blueprint for success. Here are 50 of them:
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