THE FRUGAL WRITER’S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING
When I talk with aspiring authors, their first question usually is, “How do I get an agent?”— which is a lot like asking for directions to Carnegie Hall, when you think about it. But after that, a frequent and rightly pragmatic question is, “How do I do everything I need to do without spending a small fortune?”
After 20 years in the business as both a traditionally published and self-published author, I’ve learned a few things about economy. Though it’s not wise to scrimp on everything (more on that soon), you can absolutely do a lot with a little. Even if you’re not on a beans-and-rice budget, why spend more than you need to?
THE BASICS
WRITING MATERIALS
Many of us write notes and some draft material by hand. Big-box retailers and online sellers are your friends here. Buy in bulk! Trust me: If your writing really starts to flow, those 12 yellow legal pads will become two in no time.
Midweight printer paper is nice, but today’s machines don’t jam on the flimsy stuff like they used to, so you can go cheap with the thin, 20-pound weight. A case of 10 reams is heavy; some of the American office-supply chains will deliver free to your door. I break the box open on my doorstep to save my back. If buying a whole case seems extreme, a writing pal
