Quit Your Day Job!: How to Sleep Late, Do What You Enjoy, and Make a Ton of Money as a Writer

by Jim Denney

Book Overview

A candid, no-nonsense appraisal of the daily grind to the writer's life. Lays out a sound, strategic plan for building a career as a full-time writer. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1884956041
• ISBN13: 9781884956041
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Quill Driver Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Is it the topic or the writer?

This books earns the four stars by being interesting and helpful. It's well-written (naturally!) and puts what could be very dry business information into a format that creative types will be able to stomach. My biggest problem, the reason I can't give 5-stars, may not be the authors fault really. The title and the synopsis lead you to believe this book is going to provide practical, how-to information about becoming a writer that makes enough money writing. The reality is laid out quite early on in the book. The first step, the unescapable step, is poverty. And not just any poverty, but poverty that you buy in to with a small fortune. His map to success starts with saving up an entire year's worth of your current salary (!!!), then living like a pauper for 1 to 2 years. During that time, you may not receive enough correct feedback to discover if your books are not selling because you are a bad writer, or simply haven't sold YET. Now granted, this could be the reality. Perhaps he is just telling it like it is. But really, does such a dire starting point merit such an upbeat title? How to quit your day job boils down to saving up enough money to pay your own salary to yourself for an entire year. Nice work if you can get it, but I don't know many people that can store up a years salary in any reasonable amount of time. Can you?

Practical, Usable Help for Any Writer

Based on his 20-plus years experience as a writer who has supported himself and his family writing books from his home office, Jim Denney offers us, in his own words, "a combination of encouragement and motivation on the one hand and a bucket of cold water in the face (reality) on the other." In page after well-written page, he presents the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about this often mysterious, unseen realm that connects writer to reader. The author of more than 60 books, many of which have been collaborative efforts, Denney lets us in on the secrets of pleasing publishers, working with other creative minds, contract negotiation and more. Wondering if you need an agent? Denney gives you the tools to make an informed choice. Need guidelines for structuring your writing day? Turn to chapter 5, "the Seven Essential Habits of a Working Writer," and you'll know just what to do next. If your "real job" gets in the way of your dream to write for a living, you'll learn how to make the transition in "Taking the Leap." When writing is your passion, your gift and your calling, it's good to know you aren't alone. If you identify with the kid Denney describes in "A Holy Calling," as I did, you'll benefit from the fellowship of his final chapter, "Soul Survival." Whether your personal demons are named Finances, Deadlines, Self-doubt or Rejection, he'll teach you how to knock each one of them down and press on toward the mark of excellence in writing.

For anyone considering any full time writing career

Quit Your Day Job! by Jim Denney is a no-nonsense instructional guide which is strongly recommended reading for anyone seeking to pursue writing as a full-fledged, moneymaking, professional career. From the seven essential habits of a working writer (such as "write daily" and "set ambitious but achievable goals"); to the do's and don'ts of submitting one's work; professional relationships in the writing biz; learning how to write as quickly as possible without undercutting quality; and more, Quit Your Day Job! is a superbly presented, quite accessible and thoroughly "user friendly", reference resource for anyone considering any full time writing career.

Quit Your Day Job

More Stars Please!! This is a 10 star book! Extremely educational and inspiring! It's a must read for anyone dreaming of a writer's career. If you want a precise and direct map from idea to publication -- this is it!

I AM WRITING AGAIN!

I thank the tree who gave its life for this book! I couldn't read fast enough to soak in all the information. And this book is loaded with plenty. It lays out the truth about the life of a writer. At the same time I was inspired and motivated. The author should have charged double for this gold mine. Thanks for the boost I needed to start taking my writing career serious. I am loving every mintue I spend in front of the keyboard. See you at the top!