The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition

by Jane Friedman

A thoroughly revised edition of the comprehensive guide to building and maintaining a successful career in writing.
 
Writers talk about their work in many as an art, as a calling, as a lifestyle. Too often missing from these conversations is the fact that writing is also a business, and those who want to make a living from their writing must understand the basic business principles underlying the industry. The Business of Being a Writer offers the business education writers need but so rarely receive.

Jane Friedman is one of today’s leading experts on the publishing industry. Through her website, social media presence, online courses, email newsletters, and other media, she helps writers understand how to navigate the industry with confidence and intentionality. This book advises writers on how to build a platform in a way that aligns with their values, how to spot critical mindset issues that might sabotage their efforts before they even begin, how to publish strategically, and what it means to diversify income streams beyond book sales. For this second edition, Friedman has updated every topic to reflect how the industry has evolved over the past half decade. New features include a section on business and legal issues commonly faced by writers, exercises at the end of each chapter, and a wealth of sample materials posted on a companion website. 

Reaching beyond the mechanical aspects of publishing, The Business of Being a Writer will help both new and experienced writers approach their careers with the same creative spirit as their writing. Friedman is encouraging without sugarcoating reality, blending years of research with practical advice that will help writers market themselves and maximize their writing-related income. Her book will leave them empowered, confident, and ready to turn their craft into a sustainable career.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Business

408 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2025

About the author

I've worked for 25 years in the publishing industry and have a special interest in how the digital age is transforming writing careers, publishing, and storytelling. Rather than taking a dark view of how the Internet era has affected writers' livelihoods, I'm more interested in how revolutionary change can inspire new business models, and how authorship will ultimately evolve. I believe history is on the writers' side: they've been sustaining their careers in ever more innovative ways since the era of Gutenberg. Furthermore, I don't think that business and art must be at odds—I believe they can inform and push each other to flourish.

I sit at the intersection of several communities, which gives me a 360-degree view of the changes now shaping writing and publishing. People working inside the industry see me as an expert in digital and self-publishing, while independent authors see me as a traditional publishing figure. The university and MFA community see me as very commercially minded, while the business people see me as literary and academic. I would have it no other way; I prefer to serve as a bridge.

I earn my living as a freelancer, and my income is driven largely by my own writing and teaching, as well as consulting services for writers. Thus, I consider my interests to be aligned with writers' interests.

Find out more (including the resume detail) at JaneFriedman.com

Reviews

[David Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every author needs this book.

[Tina Panik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Library Journal; full review appears there.

[Kelly Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An expectation-calibrating, must-read for an aspiring author!

Jane's Electric Speed newsletter is a must-open for me. I have the previous edition of this book and thought I'd give the updated version a skim. Much too fresh and relevant for a skim! I didn't stop for 100 pages. Jane is thoughtful and wise. The mix of advice, information and historical context is spot on for what I needed. Highly recommend.

[Russell Ricard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Business of Being a Writer, 2nd ed. Sure, you’re an artist. And at the same time, if you want to put your art into the marketplace, then you are running a business, and would benefit from nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset.

Thinking like a business person can be daunting, but this book will help.
The end-of-chapter exercises, and web links to a wealth of vital resources/samples offer practical usage to build one’s craft in navigating the business of writing.

The nonfiction proposal information is particularly thorough and insightful.

This book provides concrete advice and a vast overview of information—across the publishing spectrum—beneficial to all writers, no matter the positioning in their career path.

I read the first edition, and this is quite an impressive follow up—tons of new and relevant information. I’ll refer to this book again and again.

It’s my joy to help celebrate an author who, for decades of tireless work, insight, expertise, and literary citizenship, has helped and continues to help so many in the publishing world. Cheers Jane Friedman on this terrific book.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition," by Jane Friedman is a comprehensive resource for writers who aspire to turn their passion into a profession.

I read and listened to her audiobook. It was best to absorb the wealth of information she provides in small increments.

Friedman guides writers by offering practical advice on how to build a personal platform, including valuable website information, too.

With her blend of research and practical wisdom, Friedman encourages writers, both beginners and veterans, to approach their careers with creativity and resilience. Her advice is easy to understand. "The Business of Being a Writer" is a keeper and serves as a roadmap for establishing a fulfilling and sustainable writing career.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book strikes exactly the right balance between encouraging and pragmatic. There is SO MUCH practical advice about the business side of writing. It’s chock-full of concrete examples on everything from contract details, to platform-building strategies, to doing your taxes…there’s even a healthy section on self-publishing. I found the tone (practical, “Are you ready for how hard this is going to be?” mixed with gentle, “It’s going to be hard, but you can absolutely do it”) to be exactly what I needed at this point in my writing career. Highly recommend to all writers.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this shortly after reading Write Through It by Kate McKean. These books feel very compatible to each other. Whereas the other was more focused on how to navigate the emotional aspect of publishing (with some business talk thrown in), this is pretty much solely focused on the business aspect of it. It also goes over a lot of topics that weren't touched on in the other book, such as self-publishing, freelance writing, etc.

Because it is so broad in what it covers though, it is a book you probably won't read cover to cover. For example, I skipped most of the section about self-publishing and paid forms of publishing because I really have no interest in ever trying that route. Conversely, if you're the opposite and are only interested in non-traditional publishing, a lot of the book is probably not going to be relevant to you until it gets to those portions.

This is probably more the type of book you would read as a reference and look at specific portions rather than sit down and read like a book like I did. Reading it as just a book for pleasure, it's a bit dry, but it does have a lot of info.

[Mary Ardery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm preparing for my first book's publication in a few months, and I have found this book so helpful! My favorite thing about the way Jane shares her expertise is that she covers topics from so many different angles while still conveying her own opinion. This combination—providing an overview while transparently explaining her stance—makes it so much easier to think through and decide what YOU think is right for YOUR book (or for your career in general).

[Geoffrey Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invaluable for serious writers

Jane covers it all. This book helps writers not just to get their work out but to relax, knowing that Jane has addressed your stress while trying to write a novel. Especially a novel. Buy this book and then check out all the other things from the amazing Jane Friedman—the best writing friend I have ever had.

[Joy Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t finished this yet, but this is every bit as good as the first edition. You may want to read it from cover to cover, but it’s not necessary. It’s like a reference guide so you can go straight to the chapters you want to read most. Jane is truly the expert in the BUSINESS OF BEING A WRITER. If you are or want to be a writer this is a must read.

[Craig Kingsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Business of Being a Writer, Jane Friedman lays out different areas that authors need to be aware of to be successful. Each chapter is a snapshot of advice...that is, each chapter could be a an entire book, but Friedman gives you the basics. Highly recommended for new

[Jamie Siebrase · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone trying to make it as a writer.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review forthcoming.

[Jonathan Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best non-craft books on writing. A must read for any writer trying to expand their business or readership.

[Christopher Kulp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful for authors. I’ll probably need to read it several times to absorb it all.

[Kenneth Chanko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A workmanlike survey, quite instructive.