FYI: You aren't selling your book or article to a publisher. You are selling the publication rights of the work. There are numerous rights that may be sold/negotiated. Here are the top three. More Rights

All Rights: Your work becomes the sole property of the publisher. The writer has no say in the future use or publication of the material.

North American Serial Rights: The right to publish your work anywhere in North America. This could mean only English language publications or whatever you and the publisher agree on.

First Serial Rights: The right to be the first periodical to publish the material. After that, rights may revert back to you.

Writer's block is almost always the result of:

1. Insecurity. Lack of belief in you ability to write on the subject you've chosen.

2. An unrealistic demand for perfection-write it first, correct it later.

3. Not really interested in the subject.

4. Health. Not feeling well, too tired, or too overwhelmed with other duties.

    

   The remedy: Write what you love. Believe in yourself. There are loads of books out there by people with the same credentials as you. Remember, You Can't Afford to Doubt Yourself (read why not). Get enough sleep. Make your writing your number one priority.

LSSU has been compiling the List of Banished Words since 1976. Word-watchers pull nominations throughout the year from everyday speech, as well as from the news, fields of education, technology, advertising, politics, and more. A committee gathers the entries in December and chooses the best . You can view the entire list at the LSSU website: www.lssu.edu/banished.   

Here are just a few from the list to look at right now: banished 

Try Writing Nonfiction

If you haven't thought about writing nonfiction, you may want to give it a chance. Here is some information that just may push you over the hump.

The beauty of writing a nonfiction book is that the field is truly wide open to anyone, regardless of race, sex, age, education, financial background, or personal appearance.

Your chance of publication is high. Of the 50,000 books published every year, more than 47,000 are nonfiction. Look at the kinds of books that occupy the floor space of your favorite bookstore.

The topics are endless. Give it a try. Think of what expertise you have and share it with the world.

There are more than 50 women's interest magazines. Here are a three of the better paying ones:

Bridal Guide covers relationships, sexuality, fitness, wedding planning, psychology, finance, and travel. The editors say, "Writers we work with use at least three top expert sources, such as physicians, book authors, and business people in the appropriate field. Our tone is conversational." This publication pays 50¢/word.

Ms. Magazine pays up to $1/word. The editors say they need "international and national women's news, investigative reporting, personal narratives, humor, world-class fiction and poetry, and prize-winning journalists and feminist thinkers."

Self pays $1-2/word and is aimed at women ages 20-45. The editors say writers can best break in with "an original, news-driven story idea conveyed with lively and compelling writing and storytelling." Query with published clips because this publication does not accept unsolicited manuscripts.