That article has been on my mind after a sort-of-similar breakup: My husband and I left our personal trainer of three years to join another gym.
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\nIt’s not a change we planned on. We weren’t looking for a new routine or trainer. But as soon as this other place appeared on our radar, we realized it was time to move on.
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\nMy husband and I had extended conversations about how to break the news to our trainer, Jordan. When would we do it? How would we introduce the topic? Who would handle the talking? How would we soften the blow? Should we have a long goodbye and keep going with him for a couple more weeks, or make a clean break?
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\nBefore we had barely delivered the first lines of our rehearsed breakup speech, Jordan was asking how we preferred to get our refund for the remaining sessions and wishing us well. Then we were out the door and headed to our car when I realized we’d just had our last workout with him.
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\nOften my husband and I joke that Jordan knows more about us than many friends. We see him more often, he witnesses our aches and pains, hears our complaints, knows why we’re not sleeping well because we tell him. And for our part, we have witnessed him buy a house, adopt two dogs, mature in a committed relationship, and navigate a harrowing death in his family.
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\nIt was a friendship of a kind, but one that only persisted because of an ongoing transaction. We all walked away easily, but I find myself wishing it hadn’t been quite so easy.
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\nJane
\nP.S. Most popular post this month: Dodging the Scarcity Trap | \n\n | \n |
\n Monthly Mentorship: Much More Than a Writing Workshop\nMonthly Mentorship is for advanced writers seeking a fresh approach to the writing life and a renewed sense of creative community. In this seven-month program, dedicated faculty will lead you through an engaging curriculum, helping you become a better writer, deepen your self-reliance on the page, and integrate writing into your life in sustainable ways. \n \nSponsorships support Electric Speed. Learn more. \n |
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\nI’ve long emphasized the importance of websites for writers, even for those without a published book. (Learn why.) But for some people, the tech challenge stands in the way. Or there’s the cost if you want to hire a designer or developer to help you.
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\nWhile I don’t often recommend DIY site-building tools, I’ve been experimenting with two new services that make author website setup easy while following best practices. One is from Tertulia; the other is from BookBub.
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\nFor now, BookBub has more features and functionality and is better suited for authors who are engaged in email marketing and advertising. Tertulia excels in providing a seamless, low-stress user experience. If you don’t have a website, you now have no excuse aside from the cost, which is minimal: $9.99/month for either service.
\nJeremy Caplan at Wonder Tools has put together a collection of his favorite ways to find terrific books. Some of the resources will be familiar to readers of this newsletter, but you might find one or two sites you didn’t already know about. Take a look.
\nThis article from Byrne Hobart offers both historical perspective as well as rational, clear-eyed analysis on how much generative AI will affect the written word. The killer quote is at the end: “There’s already an effectively unlimited supply of people who are writing completely deranged things but can present them with the same design standards and theoretical distribution as a major media outlet (blogging! Substack!) and the same text-level production values, too (spellcheck!). We already implicitly opt out of the overwhelming majority of what we could read.”
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\nWhile there’s no doubt some types of writing can and will be automated in the future, especially summaries and some forms of copywriting, writers should double down on what makes them weird or stand out in a crowded field. That’s not any different from the way it’s always been.
\nThe Association of Writers & Writing Programs is holding their annual conference at the L.A. Convention Center from March 26–29. You can register and attend on Saturday only for $25. Learn more.
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\nIt just so happens that Saturday, March 29, is when I’ll be signing the first on-sale copies of The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition. Come visit me at the University of Chicago Press booth (#622) from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. I’ll have some nice bookmarks for anyone purchasing a signed copy at the show.
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\nOn Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m., I’m moderating a panel on how much writers earn from book sales on the AWP Bookfair stage. (Spoiler alert: not much.) While this session won’t be recorded or otherwise available, the panel outline is available through AWP’s site.
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\nWhen: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern
\nWhere: The Mercantile Library, 414 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH
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\nThe second edition of The Business of Being a Writer releases in April, and Jane’s first public event will be held at The Mercantile Library, a gorgeous and historic member library that first opened in Cincinnati in 1835.
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\nJane will be in conversation with local author and freelancer Jana Riess to talk about the business of publishing today. Copies of the book will be available for sale from Joseph-Beth, with signing after the conversation.
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\nLearn more & register for free |
In the last issue, I asked you to tell me about any print magazines that you subscribe to and receive through the mail. Here’s a selection of what you said.
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\n➡️ I received far too many responses to run here. Browse the full list!
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\nNext question: What book would you have never read on your own if it hadn’t been a book club selection? Hit reply to this message, or head over to Discord to share.
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\nDo you have a question you would like Jane to ask all readers? Offer up your suggestion, and she might feature it.
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\n\n More than 30,000 people receive Electric Speed \n\n |
“At electric speed, all forms are pushed to the limits of their potential.”
—Marshall McLuhan
| \n\n | \n Created by Jane Friedman \nI report on the publishing industry and help authors understand the business of writing. \n\n | \n
109 Dorsey St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
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You are receiving Jane Friedman’s self-study class, How to Earn a Living as a Writer. New lessons release every Friday through April 18, 2025. Browse the archive. Book launch in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 8: If you’re in the neighborhood, I’d love for you to join me at the Mercantile Library in downtown Cincinnati for my book launch event. I’ll be in conversation with local author Jana Riess about the publishing industry. All are welcome, but free registration is required. Week 22: There...
You are receiving Jane Friedman’s self-study class, How to Earn a Living as a Writer. New lessons release every Friday through April 18, 2025. Browse the archive. Book launch in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 8: If you’re in the neighborhood, I’d love for you to join me at the Mercantile Library in downtown Cincinnati for my book launch event. I’ll be in conversation with local author Jana Riess about the publishing industry. All are welcome, but free registration is required. Week 21: The...
Electric Speed is a free newsletter that shares resources for creative people (since 2009!), brought to you by Jane Friedman. | View in browser | Sign up here A note from Jane Every time I make a significant change to my business, there will be someone who reaches out to tell me that I am making a mistake. They aren’t lodging a complaint, but rather expressing concern. It’s tempting to think there is a gendered aspect to this, and maybe there is, but what I see underneath is more interesting...