There are many times in my writing career that I am very, very thankful for the support, interest and opportunities that are presented to me. I really am enjoying my life at the moment, and the beautiful people I share it with.
Practice what you preach
I have finished writing my author packs, giving advice to the next generation of writers (hopefully). One of tips I drilled home is the importance of media contacts and networks, and free work experience. Honestly, they are important. So many of my opportunities have come through work experience, and forging and maintaining relationships:
- My first run in publishing film industry articles (3 editions!) came from my keeping in contact with the boss of the magazine I did work experience for.
- Offered a cadetship at a newspaper by an editor I worked for to cover materinty leave.
- Chance to submit a brief for my books through someone who worked with the publisher. My writing was recommended by another person. My 8 books were then born.
- Volunteering to edit the university law journals led to paid work and valid experience for my present role.
- Volunteering to edit a website led to a very well-paid job as a legal writer at my present company. Based on my work and eagerness to write articles, I am now the head legal writer with first choice of what topics to cover!
- Through a seminar, I met a colleague from a department I would never have contact with and briefly mentioned my food blog. Based on the alpha dinner entries, and known writing experience, he offered me a copywriting role for his print material and website! I am most excited about this, watch this space for entires about it.
- My book tours are known through word of mouth, either through teachers I have met on the book tour or my friends who are school teachers. My mother has also been a great PR manager with her friends who have children in my books’ target market.
- Volunteering to write press releases for marketing at my present company led to a journalist role in climate change being offered to me [I'm still in negotiation in whether to take it].
Which grape tattled???
“I’m a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” ~Thomas Jefferson
Eating: Craisin and pitaschio shortbread, looks very festive with the green and red!
Drinking: tea mmm tea!
Listening: to my colleagues laughing. Not at me I hope!
6 comments
bare says:
December 9, 2009 at 10:17 am (UTC -5 )
i like.
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Keira says:
December 9, 2009 at 6:09 pm (UTC -5 )
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Follow my tweets @: keirawong
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Iniptwemnenia says:
May 17, 2010 at 4:38 am (UTC -5 )
Just want to say what a great blog you got here!
I’ve been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!
Thumbs up, and keep it going!
Cheers
Christian, watch south park online
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Keira says:
May 17, 2010 at 12:25 pm (UTC -5 )
Thanks! Means a lot!
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Follow my tweets @: keirawong
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bike racks says:
June 2, 2010 at 4:25 am (UTC -5 )
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bike racks says:
June 4, 2010 at 1:21 pm (UTC -5 )
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