Krystal Hammond

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The INDIE FILES: I’m Selling Books, but Am I Making Money?

Mar 19, 2024 | sfwa.org | William Tracy |Krystal Hammond

by William C. TracyEditorial note: This is the first in a two-part series from William C. Tracy. Part 1 will focus on publishing and release costs, comparing traditional and indie publishing. Part 2 will present marketing resources, including a Google Sheets template, to help authors calculate their book costs. How much do you make from a book? Depending on the method of publication, answers will vary.
Work-for-Hire in Short Fiction: An Overview

Aug 29, 2023 | sfwa.org | Rachael Jones |Krystal Hammond

By Rachael K. JonesWork-for-hire writing jobs are common in novel-length work, especially in the world of tie-in fiction, but rarer in short fiction. If you’re primarily a short fiction author, you might be caught off-guard if approached with this kind of work. You may not have an agent who can give you advice. You might not know how much money to ask for, or how to tell a valid offer from a scam.
Using Sensory Triggers to Prime Your Brain for Writing

Aug 22, 2023 | sfwa.org | Holly Henderson |Krystal Hammond

By Holly HendersonAs much as science fiction and fantasy writers love wandering the vast worlds that exist in our imaginations, the journey there can be difficult when we have the weight of daily life to carry with us. Forge a shortcut by creating a writing ambience that’s custom-made for your story. Getting all your senses involved when setting up your writing space means that as soon as you enter it, you’ll be immersed in the feeling of your story.
The LGBTQ+ Speculative Experience: Part 2

Jul 11, 2023 | sfwa.org | Krystal Hammond

(Kind of like the Star Trek Experience—lots of diversity that some accept, some fight, and others never see)by Elle IreContinuing MissionOur exploration of the experiences of various members within the LGBTQ+ spec fic community continues in this blog post. Please see Part 1 for an introduction to the series, disclaimers, and why I began this quest.
The LGBTQ+ Speculative Experience

May 11, 2023 | sfwa.org | Krystal Hammond

(Kind of like the Star Trek Experience—lots of diversity that some accept, some fight, and others never see)by Elle IreBlog Series MissionTo boldly explore the experiences of a variety of LGBTQ+ speculative fiction writers with regard to how they first came to spec. fic., how that may or may not have affected their publishing paths, how their choices received them, and finally, where they landed with regard to professional writing organizations.
Belying The Belly Dancer: Misconceptions of Raqs Sharqi That Need to Be Corrected In Your Writing

Mar 7, 2023 | sfwa.org | J.D. Harlock |Krystal Hammond

By J.D. HarlockIntroductionThe “belly dancer” is one of the most prevalent tropes western media has of Middle Easterners, and it’s often used as a cheap source of fan service in Middle Eastern and Arabesque settings. However, not only is this an insensitive portrayal of a revered traditional dance, but the inaccurate dress has become the de facto costume of Middle Eastern women in historical fiction, completely misrepresenting what Middle Eastern dress is actually like.
Diamond in the Rough: How to Shine in the Slush Pile

Feb 21, 2023 | sfwa.org | Krystal Hammond

A.J. CunderAs an editor, I’m tempted to say there’s a certain magic when it comes to submissions that catch my eye in the slush pile: an ethereal feeling when the story just clicks, an almost intangible quality to the author’s wordsmithing.
THE INDIE FILES: Balancing the Indie Workload

Feb 15, 2023 | sfwa.org | Anthony W. Eichenlaub |Krystal Hammond

By Anthony W. EichenlaubYour time has value. That’s it. That’s the lesson. If you’re looking to save a few minutes, you can skip the rest of this article and just keep that one thought in mind. Your minutes have worth, and how you spend them is as important as how you spend your money. As indie authors, we tend to have a strong do-it-yourself attitude. After all, we’re responsible for the entire product, from outline to the complete marketing plan.
Safety Dispatch: How to Secure Your Author Website

Feb 9, 2023 | sfwa.org | Krystal Hammond

by SFWA Safety CommitteeNumerous user-friendly options exist for authors to set up and manage their own websites, from single, static pages to actively updated blogs. They can be built with templates or custom designed, self-hosted, or placed on a managed hosting service. Regardless of format or complexity, an author website is a perennially useful information hub that is under your control. Social media sites may come and go, but you can always link back to your website.