Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st-Century Writer

by Jeff Vandermeer, Matt Staggs (Contributor), Nathan Ballingrud (Contributor)

The world has changed, and with it the craft of writing. In addition to the difficulties of putting pen to paper, authors must now contend with a slew of new media. This has forever altered the relationship between writers and their readers, their publishers, and their work. In an era when authors are expected to do more and more to promote their own work, Booklife steers readers through the bewildering options:

-What should authors avoid doing on the Internet?

-How does the new paradigm affect authors, readers, and the fundamentals of book publication?

-What’s the difference between letting Internet tools use you and having a strategic plan?

-How do authors protect their creativity while still advancing their careers?

-How do you filter out white noise and find the peace of mind to do good work?



Award-winning author, editor, and Web-entrepreneur Jeff VanderMeer shares his twenty-five years of experience to reveal how writers can go about:

-Using new media: blogs, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, podcasts, and IM

-Effectively networking in the modern era (why it’s not all about you)

-Understanding the lifecycle of a book and your role in the publication process

-Finding balance between your public and private lives and personas

-Creating a brand and identity tied to your strengths and your writing

-Working with your publisher: editors, publicists, marketing, and sales

-Taking the long view: establishing short- and long-term professional goals

-Getting through rejection and understanding the importance of persistence

-Enjoying and enhancing your creative process and more

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Crafts, Academic, Self Help, Cultural

329 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2007

About the author

NYT bestselling writer Jeff VanderMeer has been called “the weird Thoreau” by the New Yorker for his engagement with ecological issues. His most recent novel, the national bestseller Borne, received wide-spread critical acclaim and his prior novels include the Southern Reach trilogy (Annihilation, Authority, and Acceptance). Annihilation won the Nebula and Shirley Jackson Awards, has been translated into 35 languages, and was made into a film from Paramount Pictures directed by Alex Garland. His nonfiction has appeared in New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Atlantic, Slate, Salon, and the Washington Post. He has coedited several iconic anthologies with his wife, the Hugo Award winning editor. Other titles include Wonderbook, the world’s first fully illustrated creative writing guide. VanderMeer served as the 2016-2017 Trias Writer in Residence at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He has spoken at the Guggenheim, the Library of Congress, and the Arthur C. Clarke Center for the Human Imagination.

VanderMeer was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, but spent much of his childhood in the Fiji Islands, where his parents worked for the Peace Corps. This experience, and the resulting trip back to the United States through Asia, Africa, and Europe, deeply influenced him.

Jeff is married to Ann VanderMeer, who is currently an acquiring editor at Tor.com and has won the Hugo Award and World Fantasy Award for her editing of magazines and anthologies. They live in Tallahassee, Florida, with two cats and thousands of books.

Reviews

[Kenny Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is INTENSE! The First half is about your public booklife and the second half is about your private booklife. The first half covers topics about dealing with editors, how to promote you books, Strategic and Tactical planning for your career and the goals you should set. A ton of awesome intel and advice for the Public Booklife of your writing career. This book so far is such an eye opener, a splash of ice cold water on the face. If you are serious about a writing career, a Booklife, it's not just about putting a few words together cleverly that a few people pat you on your back and say, "Good job." - This shows you the reality of what to expect and what you should plan for after the novel is done.

I'm just about to start the Private Booklife - which takes up the last half the book...

well I'll keep the Private Booklife part of BOOKLIFE private. But here are my final thoughts on BOOKLIFE the moment I finished it:

Having just now finishing BOOKLIFE I feel re-vitalized, re-invigorated, inspired. I feel like a freshly plucked violin string, vibrating with my full potential. This feeling is unique and also like an embrace with an old friend long thought lost but now returned to me.

[Matthew Kressel · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Artist's Way" for Secular Materialists.

Heavy on instruction and light on inspiration, this HOWTO book made me feel like I was reading a textbook. Non-fiction should be informative, but it should also be fun to read. This book was informative, but man was it a slog to get through.

There's an enormous amount of helpful information in this book, which is why I'm giving it 3/5, but Jeff could have used some of his fiction chops to enliven the seemingly endless series of bullet points and glossary descriptions. The anecdotes from other writers sprinkled throughout the text make Jeff's dry tone strikingly apparent.

This might make a good reference book to have on your shelves, but I would not say it was a pleasure to read.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing used to be all about putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). In the 21st Century, there are so many other things for a writer to consider. This book aims to answer some of those questions.

Every published writer needs some sort of Web presence. Will yours be a static website to which you post every week or so? Will yours be an active blog to which you post every day, along with daily Facebook updates, and a couple of tweets daily? Choose which is best for you; every minute blogging or tweeting is a minute taken away from writing. Isn't writing the most important part of all this?

Create checklists and stick with them. For instance, write an entire short story, edit it, and get it ready for mailing, every month. As soon as a story is returned from Magazine A, get it in the mail to Magazine B as soon as possible (the next day, if possible). How do you juggle a full-time job with a writing career? Few writers can make a living from writing. If writing is important enough to you, you will make time for writing (even just an hour a day).

Most writers will have to handle their own marketing and publicity. How good are you at reading a selection from your novel (no more than 15 minutes long), then answering questions from a live audience about it? If you have a hard time with that, then concentrate on podcasts and posting to other people's blogs. Again, choose which is best for you. Along with seemingly every other business book written in the 21st Century, the author stresses the power of networking. That person you casually meet at a literary convention may be a popular blogger, or know a magazine editor who would be interested in a submission from you.

On the personal side, the book looks at the process of editing and revising your stories, and how to re-charge your creative batteries.

This book will not help you get that first novel sale (there are plenty of other books available for that). But when you get that first check from a publisher, one of the first things you should do is buy a copy of this book. It will be of immense help in answering that eternal author question, "How do I get people to buy my book?"

[Alyce Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, a shout-out to Greg, the owner of Between Books in Claymont, Delaware, who recommended this book. James VanderMeer takes a detailed, informative look at the practical realities of the modern writer. Many books have been written about the writing process, but VanderMeer writes from a business and marketing perspective, with hints on how to go from being someone who loves to write to someone whose works are published and read.

His instructions are inspirational and helpful, not just because of specific tips. He also provides a framework for how to think about what sort of writer you want to be, what kind of career you want, and how to achieve those goals.

In addition to the main book, there are a wealth of appendices picking up side topics. One of those chapters I found especially interesting dealt with the despair of not living up to expectations. Not only are many writers solitary folks, but many of us are also perfectionists who place our expectations too high. This often leads to disappointment and disillusionment. A friend recently told me how proud I should be to have my work in books I can actually hold and show to people. Yet, I am not the success I feel I should be: I feel like I should be supporting myself with my writing, not through other work. Apparently, I am not alone in feeling frustrated, and VanderMeer's book provides some good ideas about how to transition to the sort of career I want.

This book gets at the core of essential questions and concerns of the modern writer. It is not only a good resource now but will likely continue to prove useful.

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike so many books about writing, this one is primarily about *how* to be a writer. Everyone knows that a writer writes, but what does a published author do once the book comes out? How do you ask other writers for help? How do you maintain an online presence without pissing people off -- or being so frightened of pissing people off that you mute yourself? How do you deal with envy of other writers' triumphs? How do you deal with failure -- or success?

I found so much food for thought here that I was only able to read the book in small chunks, pausing in between to absorb and consider what I'd read and how it applied to my "booklife." One thing I wish he'd spent more time is the period six months after a book comes out. I mean, I understand the flurry of events and interviews after the initial publication, but what does a writer do after that first storm has passed? How long is it okay to send out review copies? How do you keep your book in print?

Still, there was so much material here that I expect I will need to read it again when my next book comes out. These are lessons that might need to be studied over and again. I'm glad to have them all in one place.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

VanderMeer provides an interesting and useful perspective on writing as both a process and a business. He breaks down everything from public appearances to controlling your image to managing your life to ensure continued writing time (and hopefully success) into bite-sized chunks. What I liked most about it was that it encouraged me to think outside the dreaded "box" in terms of some projects I'd like to be working on. It also got me thinking about how to restructure some of the ways that I'm handling writing time and other demands on my creativity and energy so I found it a very helpful read.

Granted, I'm also reading this book from the perspective of a writer and editor with three books out and one more on the way - I'm not sure what it would be like to read this as a writer just starting out. I could see the wealth of detail as being either overwhelming or inspirational, perhaps some of both. There's so much in here that I think it would be possible for any two readers to have a different range of experiences out of it. Recommended!

[Ferio · Rating 4 out of 5]

La trilogía de Southern Reach de este mismo autor duerme el sueño de los justos en la parte baja de mi pila de libros para leer desde hace meses porque siempre encuentro algo más atractivo que llevarme a los ojos. Aún así, opté por la lectura de este manual (que no lo es realmente) porque parecía actual y fresco en un marasmo de libros sobre escritura que huelen a naftalina o, incluso, conseguirán hacerte escribir como todo el mundo ahí fuera. Me estremezco.

Como comentaban en la radio hace unas semanas, en la era de la sobreinformación nos hemos creado la necesidad de que algún gurú nos reafirme en determinadas conductas que, en un caso paradigmático, habrían de llevarnos a la felicidad mediante el estudio compulsivo de materias en vez del trabajo de campo. El ejemplo perfecto de esto es Marie Kondō, que llegó a nuestras vidas para recordarnos, con pequeños giros de tuerca, que nadamos en la abundancia de posesiones materiales que no nos hacen felices; tuvo que pensarlo ella por nosotros cuando solo teníamos que mirar nuestras estanterías y abrir nuestros armarios para darnos cuenta de lo evidente y ponernos manos a la obra. Esto dice mucho o demasiado poco de nosotros.

Me voy por los cerros de Úbeda: este libro, a su manera un tanto desfasada (y eso que es relativamente reciente) explica cómo se desarrolla la vida de un escritor de segunda fila en las cuestiones profesionales: agentes, editoriales, promoción... Sse centra en la parte menos romántica de la idea que tenemos sobre el oficio de escritor, explicando en qué consiste cada concepto, qué debería hacerse con respecto a cada uno y, lo más importante, qué no. Incide bastante en cómo comportarse en las redes sociales, optando por respirar lentamente antes de desatar al troll que todos llevamos dentro, respetando también la opción de no tener presencia digital, siempre y cuando se valore la parte negativa que ello implica en un momento como el actual.

También repite como claves del éxito literario (al menos en la parte productiva) cuestiones que los seguidores de webs como Lifehacker llevamos años leyendo de forma compulsiva: come bien, no bebas alcohol, no fumes ni te drogues, mantente hidratado, ejercita tu cuerpo, medita, pasea por el campo. El autor recela del estereotipo de autor maldito, siempre embriagado y de corazón roto, con la misma fuerza que lo hace de las personas que visten de negro y llevan chaleco y reloj de bolsillo, apostando por las personas normales que ejercitan su escritura por la vía de los hechos y no la de las apariencias. Si era necesario incluir todo esto en el libro me traerá desvelos en estas noches de agosto.

En definitiva, el libro apuesta porque, igual que todos conocemos la historia de que Stephen King siempre es visto leyendo allá donde va, un escritor escriba siempre que pueda, en el formato que pueda, para ejercitar el músculo de su arte, perseverar y llegar, idealmente, a alguna parte con lo escrito. Solo si se desea, claro; si lo único a lo que se aspira es a que le den Like en las reseñas de Goodreads también está bien.

La idea con la que comenzaba me lleva a pensar si no habrá una vasta legión de escritores wannabe ahí fuera, leyendo libros sobre escribir en vez de ponerse a ello. Yo, durante un tiempo, voy a darme mus de leer sobre estas cosas. Lo que haga o deje de hacer ya es otra historia.

[J G · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Booklife, Vandermeer provides examples and rationales for effectively balancing publication, networking, and promotion for internet-age writers. He draws heavily from personal experience and his network of peers--publicists, editors, agents, and other authors--to inform his suggestions.

The book is not a feel-good text about writing-as-expression, nor does it romanticize the profession of a mid-list fiction writer. Instead, Booklife posits that writers in the internet age must approach the business of writing with the same methodical and creative energies they would approach their fiction. VanderMeer uses anecdotes from his career to explain how the "Public Booklife," the facets of writing which are market-facing and focused on bringing in an audience (and sales), can and should work in concert with a writer's "Private Booklife," the facets of writing which involve the discovery, invention, and production of fiction/nonfiction/etc.

I would recommend this book to aspiring writers who lack the contacts or opportunity to find mentorship/guidance within the writing community.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing Vandermeer's excellent Southern Reach trilogy I was excited to check out his guide to "strategies and survival tips for the 21st-century writer". It's great, pragmatic, and straightforward, honest, and not afraid to get a little deep to. there is a lot here that I will revisit, and a page or two that I will probably copy word for word in my notes. It's that good: insightful and practical advice for writers.

It is an up to date how to be a writer manual, that encompasses everything from blogging to doing readings, podcasts, you name it. The best parts of the book are where Vandemeer simply let's you peak at the very strategies and documents he has used in his writing career, stuff like the PR plan he used for a book, and what a 5 year plan looks like for a writer. These kinds of examples are rare, and honest, and helpful.

This book is for a very narrow niche, it seems to me; writer's who have some traction, more so than the total beginner. And if you already have a few published books under your belt you have probably (hopefully) already figured this stuff out. But, if you are a writer somewhere in between naive greenhorn and jaded veteran this is perfect for you. It's just real nuts and bolts practical advice, on a career that is often treated as being too mystical to get practical about.

Bottom line, if you are serious about making writing a career, buy this book. That said, I thought the second half of the book which deals with less practical, more subjective stuff like revision, giving yerself permission to fail, the dangers of success etc. seemed uneven and unnecessary compared to the first half.

[Tom M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to survive and thrive after your book is sold to a publisher and takes on a life of its own.

[Borja Vargas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lo más llamativo de 'Booklife' es que VanderMeer, uno de los más prodigiosos estilistas del fantástico actual, decidiera escribir un libro sobre escritura con un tono plano. No llega a aburrir, pero en ningún momento apasiona. Es un texto algo soso y poco inspirado y, por eso, no demasiado inspirador. Se puede entender como un amigo escritor que te cuenta, medio por obligación, lo que sabe del oficio mientras os tomáis un café. 'Booklife', no obstante, merece la pena por un texto en concreto, comentado en la parte final de esta reseña.

VanderMeer se lo juega todo al interés del contenido. ¿Tiene interés? Sí, claro. El autor lleva ya unos cuantos años en la vida literaria y sabe de lo que habla. Está orientado sobre todo a gente que ya ha publicado algo, o al menos con experiencia seria de escritura. El enfoque se dirige a escritores semiprofesionales, o que pretenden serlo. La propia división del libro así lo muestra: Public Booklife (vida literaria pública) y Private Booklife (vida literaria privada).

La primera parte da consejos sobre cómo centrarse, con el objetivo de conseguir una imagen pública distintiva, una imagen de marca, y en el venderse aprovechando la parte más vendible que uno tenga realmente, es decir, sin caer en el sell out. Cualquier autor interesado en estos temas habrá leído más o menos lo mismo unas cuantas veces, si bien VanderMeer lo explica de manera más convincente y sincera, no como un marketero que quiere venderte su libro sobre marketing sino como un escritor con más tablas que tú y que se presta a echarte una mano. Por eso, algunas de sus sugerencias prácticas pueden tener más efecto que las de otros textos sin alma, siendo las mismas.

La segunda parte, la vida literaria privada, se ocupa de la escritura en sí. No cae en los mismos consejos repetidos mil veces sobre estilo y demás, tampoco se acerca al espíritu de autoayuda y "si quieres, puedes" de otros. Se queda en tierra de nadie, contando su experiencia propia sin profundizar y sin atreverse (es de agradecer) a universalizarse. Es una lectura agradable pero sin nada memorable.

'Booklife' incluye también un popurrí de apéndices. Algunos son interesantes pero, al estar descontextualizados y apilados (el propio autor dice que los pone al final porque no encajaban en la narrativa de 'Booklife'), no invitan a ser leídos. Hay un poco de todo, la mayoría con una orientación claramente profesional, incluidos detalladísimos planes reales de promoción de un libro.

En estos apéndices se encuentra el mejor texto de 'Booklife', un artículo que se puede también leer gratis en el blog de Jeff VanderMeer: «How to Write a Novel in Two Months». En él, el autor cuenta su experiencia de escribir una novela en apenas dos meses. El libro que va a escribir es una novela de encargo para el universo 'Predator'; es decir, algo que un escritor ya establecido y prestigioso como él nunca debería hacer. Explica por encima por qué se anima a escribir Predator: South China Sea, pese a que parte de su entorno le dice que es muy mala idea pero, sobre todo, cuenta algunos truquillos de artesano, atajos creativos y trampitas narrativas que pocos autores reconocerán.

La mayoría de escritores los practican, cada cual los suyos propios, aunque tienden (tendemos) a racionalizarlos y justificarlos sin enfrentar lo que suelen indicar: limitaciones (propias, humanas o circunstanciales) o vagancia. VanderMeer explica, por ejemplo, que no copia de otros escritores pero sí copia de otros medios, como cuando transcribe el montaje casi exacto de una secuencia en una película, con resultados no solo efectivos sino también de cierto valor literario. O explica que utiliza un escenario limitado para no tener que describir demasiados, o que tira del repertorio de personajes arquetípicos. Es cierto que puede parecer más justificado en una novela sin pretensiones artísticas, más aún una novela de acción como esta, pero no es menos cierto que incluso grandes obras de ficción toman atajos de los que sus autores fueron sin duda conscientes. Y no hay que estar avergonzado de estos recursos; no de algunos, al menos. Porque son decisiones y tomarlas como lo que son, aceptación de los límites humanos y de la imperfección de toda creación, suponen un derroche de sinceridad y de humildad. Por eso, este breve texto honra a Jeff VanderMeer y todos los autores deberían escribir y hacer público al menos uno así.

[Luke Dylan Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A-/A

Though this book is already at least somewhat dated, I really enjoyed the experience of reading it and did find it pretty damn edifying and wise. VanderMeer comes across as very equanimous and aware that the strategies that worked for him may not work for others. Also, just like everything else I’ve read by VanderMeer, the whole thing is just super well-written, thought out, and meticulous.

All of that being said, I definitely wish VanderMeer was more granular and open about his rise to literary fame. Things that seemed to have helped his career a lot, like his blog and his ability to network, are never fully explored or explained. I mean the book is already somewhat long so I get it, but I could’ve used more advice for up and coming writers… I kinda doubt that a lot of the advice written for established writers did or will ever reach actually established writers. Also, a lot of the advice falls under the purview of common sense: don’t be a dick, be as genuine as possible, et cetera… these are common tropes in self-help books, and VanderMeer doesn’t add a whole lot that you can’t find in other self-help type books.

I do wish I had read this earlier in my journey as a writer, like back when it first came out, though I had literally zero idea who VanderMeer was back then. I have, admittedly, already made some of the mistakes that VM warns his readers against, and those mistakes do haunt me a good amount.

I also wish the goddamn publishing industry didn’t come across as so insular and backwards in this book. I mean that’s the reality of the situation, yes, but I wish VM was a bit more positive and/or welcoming.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for any writer! Whether you're unsure how to publicize your work, need ways to bust writer's block, or simply looking for tips and tricks along the way, Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st-Century Writer is your go-to reference!

Jeff VanderMeer walks readers through his experiences and provides a guide for many aspects of the writing journey. From creating a goals list for each day, week, month, year, and even five years down the road, to discussing how to handle PR, VanderMeer goes step-by-step through his strategies, offering encouragement along the way. This book can either be read section-by-section or cover-to-cover, and offers even the most seasoned of writers a new perspective on the age-old relationship with words.

Pick up Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st-Century Writer today to get your Booklife started!

[Aro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginners with zero novels finished may find this book intimidating; its focus is mainly on what to do once you have a text to offer for publication, and how to create and manage your budding career. However, VanderMeer has many intriguing thoughts about writing and writers, and gifts the reader with valuable insights into the actual process of publishing.

The second half of the book is about your "Private Booklife" and more concerned with creativity, time-management, and the hurdles and pitfalls writers face. It is not a guide to writing fiction, though the author provides a list of recommended works in case that is what you need. The appendices, mostly written by guest authors (which I think was a smart move), go into detail on some of the previously discussed topics.

[Ronel Janse van Vuuren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers everything from managing your public life (blog, marketing, interactions, etc.) to your private life (writing, staying focused, etc.). And though a bit dated (focusing on physical books and ignoring ebooks as a viable income) it still holds valuable insights.

“Providing yourself with positive structure is one way of affirming that you respect your own imagination and creativity enough to set yourself up for success.”

Very detailed, but focused on the traditionally published author. There are some pieces of advice, though, that can be used universally (some things I did even before reading the book).

“Develop a message and stick to it.” Great marketing advice.

A good primer for newbie authors.

[Adam Windsor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is over a decade old now, so it's already looking rather dated in some places (an inevitability that the author acknowledges in the text), but it's still a solid introduction to all the parts of being a writer that are not about getting words on a page: what editors do; what agents do; how you can build a public persona; how to protect your private persona; how to help promote your work, etc. Well worth a read if you're at all interested in pursuing a writing career.

[Jennifer Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear eyed advice for living a life centered on books. Some of the portions on technology are a bit dated, but Vandermeer acknowledges the inevitability of that in the text itself. The use of technology, if not the commentary on particular platforms, is still handled usefully regardless. The portions of the book on a work life balance are very useful, as well as the discussion about how to work well with editors, agents, publicists, etc.

[Claire]

thoroughly skimmed through. what an excellent reference; may I specify there are several sections dedicated to the physical and mental health of writers, particularly working writers? I haven't seen that in a long time.

further, his art references made me, the art history major, squeal. it is so nice to be seen.

[Falynn - the TyGrammarSaurus Rex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dense book, with plenty to absorb. Parts of it are a little dated (MySpace!), but the principles are sound and apply to the current crop of social media replacements.

Definitely something I will return to as my writing progresses

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Your one-year plans should support your five-year plan. Each five-year plan should build on the last, if possible. It also shouldn't result in the equivalent of crop failures or massive purges, like most of the Soviet Union's five-year plans."

[Dana Blythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good reference for writers in the 21st century. Helpful. I'm not a fan of Sci-fi, so I haven't indulged in Vandermeer's work. The same goes for S. King. However, I appreciate their advice on writing, craft, and dedication.

[Anthony Vicino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think I would enjoy this nearly as much as I did. There is a ton of useful information in here.

[Omar Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about the business of Public and Private life of writing a book in the 21st century. And something about MySpace.

[Jesse G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good advice about what life is like as a modern working writer and very transparent about it all.

[anonymousreader]

to-read

[Shenoa Carroll-Bradd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of information, some of it outdated, some of it eternal.
I appreciated the inclusion of other perspectives, as the author can be a bit arrogant (by his own admission).

[John Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone with a genuine interest in writing, with a view to not only getting published but also making a career of it, if you might call it that, invariably reads one or more books on writing. There are many books on writing out there, many of them good, several of which I’ve read. But I haven’t come across a book quite like Jeff VanderMeer’s Booklife.

Most books on writing focus purely on the craft of writing, how to make your story the best it can be so it presumably has the best chance of getting published. I say ‘presumably’ because most books on writing correctly make the assumption that the writer wants to be published (a given if you have bought the book) and therefore spend very little time discussing the publishing side of the equation.

Booklife looks at the equation the other way round; VanderMeer assumes the writer is doing his/her best in terms of the quality of the writing (although he does spend some time discussing how to get the best out of characters and ideas). The primary focus of this book is how to build a sustainable career in writing, accepting the likelihood that you’ll never make a living at it. What lends the book real value is the knowledge VanderMeer brings to bear on the modern realities of marketing yourself and networking to best advantage, knowledge gained the hard way over twenty-five years in writing, editing and publishing.

Booklife is divided into two main sections, one devoted to the public side of a writing career (i.e. marketing and networking), the other to the private side (i.e. the actual writing), with a short section in the middle that talks about how best to handle the plethora of normal daily demands on time and remain physically and mentally healthy. The public section discusses the development of strategies for building a career in writing, reviews most of the major platforms that can be used in making people aware of your existence (Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, YouTube, etc.), and outlines potential levels of involvement (i.e. just how much time you want to spend of this side of your writing life). The private section discusses how best to ring fence and protect the time you spend writing, strategies for dealing with rejection, and approaches to keeping your work fresh and vital. There is also a substantial appendices section, mostly written by friends and colleagues of VanderMeer’s that detail aspects of the publishing industry such as what agents expect/hope for in a writer, how to outline a PR plan, write a press release, how to manage your reputation, etc.

There is a point about midway through the first section where things start to sound, briefly, very much like any number of corporate strategy development books I read in a previous life, but I can’t stress how important it is to keep reading. Because the fact is that VanderMeer is right. If you seriously want to create the best chances to make a career for yourself you can’t ignore the need to tackle the modern realities of the publishing industry almost like a military campaign (although he does stress that managing the public side of your writing life can and should also be fun). I should say here that despite my corporate strategy quip, Booklife is immensely readable, with VanderMeer’s enthusiasm and dedication shining through.

For anyone confused by the sheer vastness of avenues for marketing yourself and networking, this book is a must. For anyone struggling to make time for writing, this book is a must.

[Book Calendar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Booklife Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st Century Writer by Jeff Vandermeer



Booklife is about the process of becoming a better writer. It is not as focused on how to write, although there is an essay called How To Write A Novel In Two Months. The author suggests
you should have a blog, be part of social media, and participate in online activities.





The language is very clear and concise. We learn about what an agent does, the process of how a book goes from a submitted manuscript to a published book, how book public relations and marketing are done, and many other skills a writer needs to understand to succeed.




The book is not just about the public aspects of writing. It is also how about how to manage your time as a writer, keep healthy and focused, and have good relations with other writing professionals like librarians, booksellers, editors, and agents.




I enjoyed reading the book. For those interested in learning what a writer does, or who are seeking a better understanding of how social media and new media changes a writing career this book would be a useful tool.




In order to get the full benefit of the book, I think it is necessary to take a little time to look at the blog as well, Booklife Now, http://www.booklifenow.com . Jeff Vandermeer includes many useful tools which are not in the book in the associated blog including a blogroll and numerous additional essays on writing.




The main complaint I have about the book is that there is no index in the book. This made it hard to backtrack to find certain subjects. The layout of the book was excellent. It had wide paragraph breaks, bolded headings, and many bullet pointed suggestion lists.




Jeff Vandermeer invited a variety of guest writers for the appendices. The two essays which I liked were Marketing Versus Publicity by Colleen Lindsay and Additional Notes on New Media by Matt Stagg.




This is well worth reading. Jeff Vandermere has a blog at http://www.jeffvandermeer.com . He has written many fantasy novels including Finch and edited a variety of anthologies including Steampunk which he co-edited with his wife, Ann Vandermeer

[Shedrick Pittman-Hassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my blog: http://serialdistractions.com

Most writing books focus on technique–the nuts and bolts of writing. Some even detail the ins and outs of publishing. But what sets Booklife apart from these other books is its focus on the writing life. It is decidedly not a how-to book, but more of a written coach on the creation and maintenance of, for lack of a better term, your Booklife.

The first third of the book focuses on your public life as an author: leveraging social media and other forms of 21st Century communication to get your “book” (be it a novel, a non-fiction book, a blog, a podcast, whatever project you’ve devoted your creative energies toward) out there; the do’s and don’ts of self-promotion; publicity and marketing in publishing; creating networks of contacts; and other advice focused primarily on the work. The second third of the book discusses your private life as an author: dealing with despair, envy, and other distractions; finding inspiration and being receptive; testing your work; and other important practices for creators. The final third of the book is made up of the appendices, which are mostly essays by various experts and experienced folks that reinforce the topics covered in the main portion of the book.

One of the biggest themes of the books is BALANCE. VanderMeer emphasizes repeatedly the need to strike a balance between the public and private Booklife–and to err in favor of the private. This sense of moderation and balance is a through-line for the book. It is also important to note that most of the advice given in the book boils down to common sense approaches to dealing with people. Your Booklife, despite the many hours spent alone churning out words, is a collaborative effort requiring the support of a network of people–treat them shabbily at your peril.

For both novice and experienced writers, Booklife is highly inspirational, thought-provokingly humane, and highly recommended.

[Kate Padilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my experience there are two levels of books written about writing. The first is to establish the writer within himself, the second is to establish the writer within the community. Level one is neither better nor worse than level two, it simply reflects the comfort that the writer has with her craft.

Keeping this in mind, Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st Century Writer is a level two book. It does assume an expertise from the writer. It is meant more to gently guide the writer into something more, rather than show the writer the realm of personal possibility. This is why the subtitle is added: "Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st Century Writer." VanderMeer expects that his reader is at the very least a writer. A writer, by career definition, not only writes but knows about herself because of her writing. Just as a poet is only able to define himself as such because he knows he writes poetry, a writer is able to define herself because she knows what she writes. A poet can define himself as a writer, to be sure, but a plumber will not call himself a writer because he can make a to-do list at the beginning of the day.