If you've spent most of your writing life focused on the craft and left the business stuff for later, you're not alone. Most writers do. The problem is that "later" has a way of becoming "never," and in the meantime, contracts get signed without being read, money gets left on the table, and avoidable mistakes accumulate. (Jane knows from first-hand experience and realized some of her mistakes when she went to apply for a mortgage as a self-employed writer!)
Most writers never receive or pursue a business education. They don't know what they can negotiate—or that they even have the right to. They're uncertain whether they should set up an LLC, what expenses they can deduct, or what to do when something goes legally sideways.
These are not exotic concerns for advanced writers. They're the nuts and bolts that affect writers at every career stage, and not knowing them can cost you money and opportunities. This live webinar offers essential, often-skipped knowledge: contract language that you’ll see over and over again, common legal issues writers face, and business and tax considerations. There’s no need to be intimidated; most writers simply lack information. You have all the smarts and skills you need to handle the business side of your career, and Jane will make it clear when you’re better off hiring other professionals to assist you.
Disclaimer: Jane is not a lawyer or an accountant, and nothing in this class constitutes legal or financial advice. What she can offer is a practical, plain-English orientation that will help you ask better questions, advocate for yourself more confidently, and know when to seek professional help.
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Meet the instructor
Jane Friedman
Jane Friedman has spent her entire career working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals; in 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World. Jane's expertise regularly features in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Today Show, Wired, Fox News, and BBC. Her book, The Business of Being a Writer (The University of Chicago Press), is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs. She reaches thousands through speaking engagements and workshops at diverse venues worldwide, including NYU's Advanced Publishing Institute, Frankfurt Book Fair, and numerous MFA programs.
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