In 2003, after 20+ years in the corporate world, I walked away from my well-paying day job with a plan to become a freelance writer. I did so on the merit of one article, sold to a Canadian antiques publication, for which I was paid $75, and a recent correspondence school diploma in Creative Writing. The timing was good; print media was still thriving and there were plenty of paying markets. But I also worked a lot of hours, promoted myself tirelessly to magazines, newspapers, and trade publishers, and as a result, the transition from manager with benefits to freelancer without went pretty well. So well, in fact, that I was offered the Editor’s job at that same Canadian antiques publication in 2005. Suddenly I was juggling freelance writing with editing, but I loved every moment.
It worked well for a couple of years, until the magazine was sold. I wasn’t worried—I still had my freelance writing contracts and was plenty busy, but two weeks had no longer gone by when I was offered the role of Senior Editor at New England Antiques Journal. That was November 2007 and I seized the opportunity. A year later, I was offered the role of Editor for Home BUILDER Magazine, a bimonthly trade publication, and I was able to balance both jobs, along with some freelance article work, until I began writing novels. When The Hanged Man’s Noose was published in 2015, I started to gradually pull away from freelance work, preferring to concentrate on writing more books. Of course, I had the safety net of NEAJ and BUILDER, but when it became too much in 2017, I resigned from Home BUILDER.
Fast forward to today. The November 2018 issue of New England Antiques Journal will be the last print issue. The name and email lists have been purchased by the Editor-in-Chief, John Fiske, and our graphics/design person, Mary Hahn (who also designed this website). Their plan is to go bi-monthly, digital only, as NEAJ DIGITALÂ effective December 1, 2018. They’re working bare bones, not taking a salary…and obviously they have no need for a Senior Editor who specializes in print (and would expect a salary). I wish them every success and hope you sign up to receive NEAJ DIGITAL in your Inbox.
Now, before you feel sorry for me, realize that I knew this day would come. Print media is hurting everywhere, antiques have largely fallen out of favor, and expenses like paper, ink and postage/delivery costs continue to rise. My only surprise is that the publisher (who also publishes other titles) hung on as long as they did; NEAJ hadn’t been making money for quite some time.
Now, the antiques publishing world is a small one, and news quickly spread. I was offered another job by a competitor of NEAJ‘s within a few hours. I turned it down. I have four published novels, three more in the works, an anthology planned…in short, it’s time fo follow this passion fulltime, without distractions, and see where it leads me. After all, I’m not only 15 years older than I was when I left the corporate world, I’m 15 years smarter (or at least 5 years smarter!).
When I told my husband, Mike, he laughed and said, “Congratulations, you’ve officially become a starving artist.” I think that concept may be more romantic in movies than in real life…
I hope you continue to follow me on my journey. Something tells me the best is yet to come.
PS: If you aren’t already, I’d love you to sign up for my [soon-to-be monthly]Â Newsletter.
Congratulations on your next step, Judy. 🙂
Thank you so much, Cheri!
I realized I was getting older when I opted for a print version of my Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine subscription. We Golden Oldies still like our print magazines! I’m glad to hear you are diving full-time into writing novels.
I prefer print too Catherine!
Best wishes for a successful journey!
thank you Mary
Wish you well, my friend. The print market gets slimmer every day. Many of the magazines I formerly contributed to no longer exist. Others have gone digital and, unfortunately, lowered their rates. Being a free-lancer is getting tougher. But we persevere.
Thank you for the good wishes, John. I never wrote fiction for print, only articles on home building efficiencies and antiques, that sort of thing.
I loved this post, Judy! I relate to a lot of what you wrote. It appears you have an internal motivation and a hard work ethic along with the confidence needed to continue to move forward and make this new journey work. The risk is always worth the reward for those with an internal drive, and that is obviously you.
Thank you Jodi. So glad you found inspiration in this.
Congratulations, Judy. You’ve accomplished an amazing body of work already with your novels. In such a short time too! Creating your own press opens even more doors. Good luck!
Thank you Gillian!
You will do well no matter what challenge you take on.
Thanks Grace. I have learned over the years that the harder I work, the luckier I get. I am going to keep working hard and hope that holds true!
Well done you for your determination! It’s worth it – as the late, great Terry Pratchett said, ‘Writing is the most fun anyone can have by themself!’
Love that, Marsali. Thanks for the support.