26 Comments

Good publishing advice, Bob. Jane Friedman is especially worthwhile.

Expand full comment

Thank you, James.

Expand full comment

Would love to send you a advanced copy so you would consider giving it a review. I don't have hard copies yet but can send a digital file with your okay.

Expand full comment

Hi just ordered a copy and excited to live near one never gone to (Bainbridge Island )

Expand full comment

Dear Sophie, Thank you! I actually hope o return to Bainbridge Island one day (I live in NYC). Please let me know if you enjoy the book. Please share a mailing address at Snowmanexpert@gmail.com I would like to send you a thank you gift. Best, Bob

Expand full comment

Great advice on getting published. Thanks for showing us what's possible in the world of writing and cartooning, Bob!

Expand full comment

Dear Khalid, Thanks for your kind words and support. Best. Bob

Expand full comment

On publishing. I would add that Susan Shapiro's Byline Bible, published by Writer's Digest, is a must-have for anybody writing non-fiction. Also, her classes at NYU and online are wonderful. I've taken the Instant Gratification class on pitching to magazines and newspapers, and it helped me expand my reach and increase acceptances from existing clients. I'm not quite up to thirty hours a week on writing workshops, but I find them helpful. With CNF now gone, Allison K. Williams is doing the CRAFT talks, which are affordable and helpful.

Expand full comment

Dear Amy, Thanks for suggesting this. I didn't know about this and will check it out (surprised as I taught writing at NYU , too). What is CNF? Any thoughts of going overboard on classes and workshops? My opinion is you have to be careful not to use it to procrastinate.

Expand full comment

Good luck with your book!

Expand full comment

Thank you, John!

Expand full comment

Bob, it's come to my attention that I'm recommending you, but you're not recommending me. What's up with that?

Expand full comment

Hi Albert, thanks for recommending me -- I really appreciate it. I did not recognize your name but looked up your Substack. I'm going to started reading your newsletter tonight when I get a break (I'm digging thru my Inbox) and if it's good stuff, will give you some love. Understand, I get dozens of newsletters sent to me a week to check out and just hard to keep track. Best, Bob

ps. I upgraded your free subscription to paid as thanks.

Expand full comment

Oh, thanks, but I only have "paid" because I didn't see a way to make it "free." (I'm going to look again.)

You don't get anything extra for Paid.

Expand full comment

Okay try this: support@substack.zendesk.com You can ask for Betty.

Expand full comment

done; thanks.

Go Free. New post coming out tonight!

Expand full comment

Confused by your response. You don't know how to set your Substack to be free? "You don't get anything extra for Paid." On my or yours? On mine, paid subscribers get deeper writing and cartoon classes and advice.

Expand full comment

after more searching and a contact with their chatbot: I still can't figure it out. I know that I never connected with Stripe, so that explains why I don't get any money from my 8 or so Paid subscribers. I don't know if they even get charged :)

so change it to Free, and thanks for the thought!

Expand full comment

Skip ChatBot (for everything!) Go directly to tech support and ask. They are wonderful and have helped me. I am going to search for you a contact. One moment.

Expand full comment

here's what the chatbot said:

1. Go to your publication's Settings page.

2. Click on Danger Zone in the left navigation bar.

3. Click on “Disconnect Stripe” to turn off paid subscriptions.

There IS no Danger Zone on the left nav bat. There is a section called Danger Zone, which does not have a “Disconnect Stripe” option.

Expand full comment

this blog with its stories and beautiful drawings and spot cartoons has got to be one of the best...a keeper.

Expand full comment

Don, that is so sweet of you to say. Thank you. You're helping stay off the streets, selling caricatures.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Anne, for sharing your thoughts on this. Communicating is necessary if anything is going to change for the better. Bob

Expand full comment

Dear Sophie, Thank you! I actually hope o return to Bainbridge Island one day (I live in NYC). Please let me know if you enjoy the book. Please share a mailing address at Snowmanexpert@gmail.com I would like to send you a thank you gift. Best, Bob

Expand full comment

I can't wait to receive my copy of your book - it was such a pleasure meeting you that day at the MFA. From what I've seen, your drawings are all amazing!

Expand full comment

Bob, That advice is spot on! These panels have now been making their appearance at the Reuben weekends and there is so much advice out there, some of it good, some of it bad, most of it out of date because that worked last week but doesn't work this week etc. etc. etc. It's exhausting. I waver between optimism and crawling back into the closet. I would add that prospective authors really really need to understand contracts - not just with publishers, but also literary agents. There's a lot of fine print, most importantly, the words "in perpetuity". I entered negotiations completely unprepared.

Expand full comment