The Writer as Entrepreneur by Mar Preston

You already know most writers aren't extroverts. If you're like me, you find picking up the phone to promote yourself second in dread only to finding yourself scheduled for a spinal tap, a baby shower, and a financial audit - all on the same day.

But if you're not going to tell the world about your murder mystery, who else will? I've taken the usual steps with a debut novel, but something happened that changed the way I think about myself.
I'm an entrepreneur. That's what I am.

Me, who couldn't imagine my livelihood not arriving in the form of a steady paycheck. I am learning how to earn a modest income as an author who is in business for herself.

But wait - the bucks haven't startred rolling in yet. NO DICE, my first mystery, was published only a few months ago.
I found Women's Economic Ventures - an organization here in Southern California "Dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women." I know they must have opportunities like this in Canada.

Twenty-seven budding entrepreneurs, both men and women, and none of them authors, have met now four times. The initial ripple of uneasiness and plain fear has been transformed into a can do optimism at the end of every class. We leave on a high.

A consultant has gently guided me on the path of assembling the rudiments of self-promotion. That includes a blog (not this one) embedded in a website, and supported by busienss card and bookmark, an e-newsletter, a Facebook fan pages and a clear plan for initial marketing efforts. It's all there at marpreston.com

A graduate of the class warned us that we would struggle to finish the 14-week course. We will visualize and write a detailed description of the business we are in, create a marketing plan, a management/operating plan, produce financials (do a cash flow projection for three years, figure out start up costs, break even analysis and historical financial statements) Whew! Scary.

Some of us in the class will learn that our business idea is not feasible.
One of the things that has already helped me the most is focsuing on techniques of time management. Last week I found myself combing the fringe on the rug to delay writing the next chapter. That has to stop.

The material covers what your learn in MBA school, but with this entrepreneurship class the emphasis is on us as ordinary people, not corporations. It takes into account the emotions that go along with assuming the huge risk of indenturing yourself to the vision of being your own boss.

We are in business. Publication is only the first step.