Electric Speed is a biweekly newsletter that shares resources for creative people (since 2009!), brought to you by Jane Friedman. Sign up here.​

A note from Jane

This week marks my 9-year anniversary of being self-employed, as well as my husband’s 4-year anniversary of joining my business.

Here are a few things I’ve learned.

• It’s easy to make money doing what people need or want. It’s hard to make money doing only what you prefer.
• Success is the freedom to focus on what you enjoy.
• Diversifying income streams helps protect earnings, but the best business focuses on what you do better than anyone else. (And hopefully enjoy.)
• Rather than trying to beat your competition, look for a model or offering that others can’t replicate.
• Competitors can also be collaborators. And vice versa.
• Quick and efficient refunds save you money plus earn you something more valuable: trust and goodwill.
• Whatever questions people ask you over and over, create a resource or FAQ to address it. Make it free, make it public. It saves you time, brings you business, and/or refers business to people who deserve it.
• Some people think they can only get satisfaction or a response if they express anger/outrage. Treat them the same as everyone else (kindly).
• Whatever your business headaches or pet peeves might be, avoid sharing them on social media. No one cares and it can make you look ungrateful, especially if you’re considered a success.

Jane

​ P.S. Most popular blog post this month: Your Manuscript Has Been Edited By Top Professionals—But You Still Get Rejected. What Gives?​

​Bob Eckstein​

ISSUE SPONSOR

Jane’s Electric Speed List

Here are some of the latest things I’ve discovered. (I am not paid to mention any of these resources; there are no affiliate links.)

How to find an online critique group

When I’m asked by writers how to find an online critique group, I usually link to Inked Voices and Scribophile, but these won’t be a good fit for everyone. Recently, editor and author Laura Portwood-Stacer compiled an excellent list slanted toward scholarly writers, but it includes great options for creative writers, too.

Chill Subs: worth another mention

​Chill Subs launched in January 2022 and was bare bones for a while. But it has become an impressive, free resource to research markets for your work. If you haven’t visited lately, take another look. (Watch out, Duotrope!) They also have mountains of content, classes, and community.

Let AI help you with spreadsheet work

Did you see the story about the Excel error that led Austria to announce the wrong election winner? Oops! If you have trouble with spreadsheets, you will find an increasing number of AI tools to help with formulas and calculations. Here are a few to start: Numerous AI (Sheets & Excel), Asa (Sheets), or Formula Bot (more advanced). If you have a favorite one, hit reply and let me know.

After 7 years, I’m changing website hosts

I’ve been using SiteGround to host all of my websites since 2016. I have few complaints, but over time, my sites have become slower and SG customer service less accommodating. Soon, all of my sites will be moved to Nexcess. It’s made a night-and-day difference in the speed of The Hot Sheet website, which has many logged-in users at a time.

Since hosting companies are among the biggest affiliate games in town, I want to reiterate: You’ll find no affiliate links in this newsletter. I have no financial interest in your choice of hosting company, but when I change services, people often want to know—and know why.

NEXT ONLINE CLASS

June 28: Writing Middle Grade Fiction Today with Mary Kole

Aspiring authors in the middle-grade fiction category face unique challenges when it comes to crafting manuscripts that captivate literary agents, publishers, and—ultimately—young readers. Publishing industry expert and former literary agent Mary Kole will guide you through the essential elements and techniques necessary to create a marketable and relatable middle-grade manuscript. Make your work shine, avoid common pitfalls, and develop a strong middle-grade premise and voice.

Your turn: cheapskate habits

In the last issue, I asked you to share cheapskate habits you’re proud of. The response was overwhelming, and quite a few of these habits involve coffee making! Here’s a selection what you said.

• My cheapskate habit is making my own, sugar-free, cold caramel mocha lattes at home. I brew some coffee and add a quick squirt each of SweetLeaf Sweet Drops Caramel and Chocolate. Stir and chill immediately with ice cubes or store in fridge until chilled to enjoy later! —Angela L. Eckhart
• Clear glass pot lids in varying sizes are versatile for food storage and microwaving purposes other than precisely intended. Super easy to grab one and stick on top of a plate or bowl to put in the fridge or microwave, and avoids the need for plastic wrap or foil. —Wendy Lyons Sunshine
• This is obvious but my wife thinks I’m daft: I like the Zen of filling Keureg-ish filters. I buy organic decaf pre-ground then fill about 10 pods at a time. It saves some dough, and there is something soothing about it. To go all the way, I fill the pod to the top and get two uses out of it. Takes away some of the pain of buying a box of 12 cups for fifteen bucks. —Dennis Mitton
• I print draft material using the reverse side of paper that has already been printed on (whether by me or more likely a solicitation I received in the mail). —Jim Jackson
• I tell my friends: “I don’t say I’m frugal, I say I’m cheap because it saves a letter.” I once worked with a fellow who showed definite signs of extreme frugality: his wife made him ketchup sandwiches! (They were saving to buy their first home.) —Mark Alcamo
• I wash aluminum foil sheets (and occasionally plastic cling wrap) to reuse several times before recycling. —Teresa Robeson
• Dental floss. I know what you’re thinking, but why is it so different from a toothbrush? Floss, rinse, repeat. And, anyway, we won’t talk about how many times I wash and reuse plastic zip-top bags. —Elizabeth Beggins
• Whenever my subscription to an app that costs money comes up for renewal, I send an email asking if I can get the next year for free. It literally always works. —M. Nelson
• I am super annoyed that in a new Kleenex box, the first tissue is a double one. I very carefully separate them to make sure I only get one of them and don’t lose 3+% of them in a box of 30. 😂 —Lary Kirchenbauer
• I reuse cinnamon sticks. I will throw in a stick when I am cooking oatmeal, take it out at the end, rinse it off and place it somewhere in the fridge until the next morning and I repeat the process.—Ellen Wells
• I usually eat at Taco Bell once or twice a week and I always plan my visit from 2 to 5 p.m. because they have happy hour drinks for a dollar. If I miss the window of opportunity then I won’t get a drink because they cost too much. When driving by Taco Bell, I always glance at my watch to see what time it is!! The Baja Blast Freeze is the best. —Doris S.
• I tear cotton pads in half. I’ve been known to tear them into quarters. 🥴 Not sure I’m proud, either. —Nicol Wright
• Buying secondhand clothes definitely tops [my] list. I just bought a silk shirt that retails for $500 for $8. It’s in like-new condition and wearing it makes me feel like $500! —Jolyn Young
• Why carry tissues when you can buy a cheap pack of ladies handkerchiefs? They are washable, last forever (it seems), and the best thing…if you forget to take it out of your pocket before you wash your pants, it won’t shred and leave a mess in the washer and dryer. —Carol Michel

Next question: I need your secrets for avoiding bug bites and soothing bug bites. (Mosquitos travel for miles to feast on my ankles.) Hit reply to this message, or head on over to Discord to share.

Free resources featuring Jane

• Video: Making Tough Decisions with Nell Wulfhart
• July 16: Spotting Scams & Bad Deals with Jane Friedman

Upcoming online classes

• ​Writing Middle Grade Fiction Today with Mary Kole, June 28
• ​Write Powerfully in Deep Third POV with Tiffany Yates Martin, July 12
• ​Establish (or Improve) Your Email Newsletter with Jane Friedman, July 13
• ​The Author Platform Accelerator with Catherine Baab-Muguira, July 26
• ​Writing Irresistible Picture Books with Mary Kole, Aug. 9

Meet Jane at an event

• ​An Evening with Jane Friedman (Cincinnati), June 26
• ​Midwest Writers Workshop (Muncie, Ind.), July 19–22
• ​Into the Springs Writers Workshop (Ohio), Aug. 4–6
• ​Writing in the Ozarks (Eureka Springs, Ark.), Oct. 12–14

“At electric speed, all forms are pushed to the limits of their potential.”
—Marshall McLuhan

Created by Jane Friedman I report on the publishing industry and help authors understand the business of writing. Connect on Twitter | Instagram | Discord​ P.S. I have a paid newsletter, too.

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