Write without Crushing Your Soul: Sustainable Publishing and Freelancing

by Ed Cyzewski

Writing is a fulfilling and intensely personal profession that can prove demanding, demoralizing, and soul crushing for those unprepared for its ups and downs. Whether the stress or rigors of a major project invades family time or comparisons to successful colleagues leave us discouraged, writers of faith who invest in their work full time or part time need to plan ahead in order to create a healthy, fulfilling, and sustainable career.

Author Ed Cyzewski shares his ups and downs in freelance writing and book publishing in order to provide concrete practices, spiritual guidance, and career advice for both new and experienced writers hoping to improve their craft and invest in their work, while safeguarding the most important aspects of their lives.

Chapters include:
- Dealing with Adversity
- Writing that Serves God and Money?
- Saving Your Soul from Book Publishing
- Healthy Publicity Practices for Authors

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2015

About the author

Ed Cyzewski is an author and editor north of Nashville. His books include Flee, Be Silent, Pray; Reconnect; Creative Renewal; and the Christian Survival Guide. Sign up for his bi-weekly newsletter for soul care ideas and book updates/discounts at www.edcyzewski.com.

Books by Ed Cyzewski
- Flee, Be Silent, Pray: Ancient Prayers for Anxious Christians
- Reconnect: Spiritual Restoration from Digital Distraction
- The Good News of Revelation
- Hazardous: Committing to the Cost of Following Jesus
- Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life
- Creating Space: The Case for Everyday Creativity

Reviews

[Anne Bogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw that this book was nearly 200 pages, I was surprised. How could this topic possibly support that many words?

Let's just say I was wrong. Though I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about this topic, it turns out there's a lot I didn't even know I didn't know about the world of Christian publishing. Cyzewski has an impressively vast writing and publishing background and shares heavily from his own experiences and those of his peers. If you're a writer of faith, you'll appreciate his straight talk on the ins and outs of the industry, as well as how to save your soul (and your sanity) from the unusual demands of the writing life.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much of what Ed says in this book resonates with me as a writer - the advice he gives about making sales, about the ways comparison can be helpful (and not), and particularly his advice about maintenance and rest time. His writing is lucid and clear, and I value both his honesty and his perspective. A great book for any writer who hopes to sustain her career and enjoy it, too.

[Heather Caliri · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I read Ed's candid, straightforward roadmap to Christian publishing options, weight fell off my shoulders. Ed focuses on the essentials for aspiring writers: whom will we serve? What are our goals? What are our limitations and strengths? And how can we use our voices to minister to other people in a tricky marketplace? I felt such freedom remembering that ultimately, no publisher can magically bestow validation on my work. Likewise, I feel more confident approaching publishers and agents with independent publishing experience under my belt. Rather than overblown promises or simplistic solutions, Ed's advice will steel your spine and set realistic expectations, while awakening you to awesome publishing possibilities right under your nose.

[Ryan Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice!

Ed provides outstanding, down-to-earth advice and gives transparent examples to back up his suggestions. For fellow authors, this book will save you a lot of heartache!

[Katie Andraski · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Feeling a little overwhelmed may be a really good thing. It may be the sign that you're doing something big and important. If you feel a little over your head, then perhaps you're living by faith and trusting God to care for your soul along the way," says Ed Cyzewski in "Write Without Crushing Your Soul". When you’ve felt overwhelmed by your own publishing project, these are very reassuring words, the kind that say, you’ll be fine, you’re walking the right path.

Ed Cyzewski reports back from the current tumultuous publishing scene and offers practical advice on ways to keep your soul intact. With experience in commercial and independent publishing Cyzewski weighs and measures the benefits and risks of both venues.

For years I dreamed of being published commercially. At one point I even had eight agents and four editors wanting to read my work, but my writing and my soul weren’t ready. In the decade it took for me to revise "The River Caught Sunlight" and learn my craft, the industry changed. When I read Jane Friedman’s reports, I felt weary with the changes. Because of too many close-but-your-book’s-not-right rejections and because my dream fizzled with the industry itself dropping out from under me, I gave up the dream. Other than Facebook statuses, I was done with writing.

But when a publisher offered to publish the book, I agreed, thinking it was better off in the world than not. My dreams of publishing commercially have faded because I haven’t found thousands of readers. I have lost money. No publisher will take me now. But Cyzewski offers hope, even to me. “If you’ve done the work of building some sort of foundation for your publishing career, such as building a successful blog or email list. You don’t necessarily need a publisher’s permission to write a book for those readers…Any writer committed to the hard work of book publishing, especially the rigorous editorial process, can create valuable books on their own and potentially even reach more people if they read a few books on marketing.”

"Write Without Crushing Your Soul" is not just about a writer's spirituality as we seek our audience but it's also about practical ways to find that audience. He urges us to focus on the audience we do have, and not look sideways at other authors’ success. He says this is the best antidote to envy. He assures us that we should honor our own voice, our own way of seeing the world, and not try to copy what is currently “selling.”

As a full time writer, Cyzewski talks often about sustainability because a writer has to find a way to avoid burning out, especially if they’re working full time and supporting a family. He also talks about the importance of putting family first and taking a day off. He offers practical advice around setting boundaries, so writing, and its promotion doesn’t take over your life. While this is a temptation, it’s a sure fire way to dry up your writing.

While this book offers advice specifically for the Christian market, Ed Cyzewski offers insights into how to develop your audience, how to self publish and how to avoid emotional habits like envy that are nothing but draining.

Write Without Crushing Your Soul has taken its place beside Anne Lamott’s "Bird by Bird" and Julia Cameron’s "Right to Write" on my bookshelf because I found it so deeply encouraging.

[Michelle DeRusha · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my son saw this book sitting on our kitchen counter, he said, "Wow, things must be bad, huh?" That made me laugh, but the truth is, I do sometimes struggle with the soul-crushing aspects of being a professional writer - from the push to be on social media to the seemingly endless rejections to my own personal tendency to compare myself and my successes/failures with other writers. I appreciate Cyzewski's no-nonsense approach and his pragmatic advice on everything from navigating social media and publicity to dealing with adversity and the tendency to compare. He also offers ample encouragement and inspiring wisdom that will lift your beleaguered writer's spirit.

Whether you're a seasoned freelance professional or just stepping a toe into the freelance waters, do yourself a favor and add "Write Without Crushing Your Soul" to your resource shelf.

[Alise Chaffins · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are lots of books that tell us how to write. Information on how to find agents, tips for picking a good editor, ideas on how to write more effectively. This book includes all of that information in a way that is easily accessible for both novice and experienced writers. He addresses information that is necessary for those who wish to publish in the traditional manner, and also for those who wish to publish independently.

But where this book separates itself from the rest of the noise is in the way that Ed offers advice for keeping your true self through each of these steps. As writers, we want to offer our best selves up so that we're able to write in an honest and convincing way, and Write Without Crushing Your Soul offers practical ways to keep yourself whole through a process that often wants to pull you apart. I'm so grateful for the wisdom provided in this book.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ed Cyzewski's writing, and I was thrilled at the chance to find out what I thought might be "the keys to the Kingdom" (in this case, how to be a working writer. I got much more than I bargained for, and I'm delighted when that happens. He talks about being grounded in our faith as we attempt to pursue a writing way of life. He talks about how to interact on social media (and how not to), and he helps us know how to deal with rejection letters and all the other pitfalls of trying to publish books in today's writing world. This one and Pray, Write, Grow are my favorites.

Please keep writing, Ed!

P.S. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I didn't have to like it. It was just a bonus that I loved it!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for writers who want to be in it for the long haul. Ed offers practical advice for soul care in the midst of building a writing career, as well as plenty of "been there" anecdotes about life as a freelancer and independent publisher. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my review.) His experiences are a gift to others following the same path, helping us avoid some of the mistakes and pitfalls that are easy to make along the way. And far from being a blueprint for the way things should be done, Write Without Crushing Your Soul leaves room for individual choices about the best ways to build a sustainable writing career.

[Tanya Marlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Ed’s writing on writing, and this book was no exception. He spends a lot of the book taking a useful realistic look at what it means to have a career in writing (hint: it’s not glamorous), and towards the end of the book he offers some brilliant advice on how to write for the long-term, so that your rhythm of work is sustainable and feeds your soul. I have read many of Ed’s books, and yet I still find fresh gems of wisdom in each new book he releases. For those who are starting out, I would recommend his book, ‘A Path to Publishing’; for those more seasoned, I would opt for this book.

**I received an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review, which this is**

[Kelly Santana-Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Write Without Crushing your Soul should be a must read for any freelance writer, especially newbies. While teaching us on how to cultivate a healthy and productive writing practice, Ed Cyzewski is candid with his own writing experiences, including discipline with the practice, money, and the business aspect. For those who want to publish their work, his views on both self-publishing and traditional publishing are not only helpful, but it can save writers time and eventually headaches down the road. I can’t get enough of this book. I’m already reading for the second time.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a new author and in the midst of trying to make sense of the world of publishing. This book spoke to me on both practical as well as spiritual levels. All of the unsettling feelings that I have had toward traditional publishing and ideas on how to approach this from an entirely different perspective were offered. It is definitely written from a Christian point of view though there is a lot to take away even if someone doesn't approach life in that way.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated Cyzewski's honesty and transparency and especially his encouragement to make room to nourish your spirit as a writer and avoid getting caught up in all the social media and marketing that seems like such a necessary evil to "succeed" as an independent author today. Great content, but the e-version could have benefited from another proofreading.

[Gina Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so encouraged by this book as I'm in the process of trying to get a book published, as well as increase my blog readership. Ed gives great, practical advice about many aspects of writing and publishing, alongside reminders to hold perspective and give ourselves grace. Highly recommended for any writer!

[Marylou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

As an aspiring writer I received lots of good information from this book. I especially liked that it was slanted towards those who want to write Christian blogs or books. My own blog is about creative moments but the advice applies to me as well.

[Amy Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I've come to many of the same conclusions as Ed over the years, I wish this book would have been available earlier so I could have come to them sooner :). A must read for Christian writers.