What Happened To Freelance Words?

Sometime, within the last decade, I had this idea for a writing service. I've had many ideas. This one seemed like a good one.

I would provide writing for advertising, filling web pages, writing press releases and resumes. I would work for anyone, but I really worked for myself.

This new business would go along with the articles I was writing for fine, fine, super-fine magazines such as BACK ISSUE Magazine, Hogan's Alley (where I'm still listed as a contributing writer), and a few others, while doing a great deal of transcription work for TwoMorrows Publishing, Charlton Spotlight, along with some individual clients.

There are times I wish I'd written down where I got the idea to call my operation "Freelance Words." I seem to recall it kinda popped into my brain when my subconscious figured the time was right. The name summed up what I did ... I was a freelance wordsmith.

Fast forward to when I lost my nine-to-five and while I sought a new gig, I'd hit the writing. This led to writing Bloodshot: The Coldest Warrior for Kindle Worlds and my new path lay before me.

I am privileged to call Trevor Erick Hawkins my friend. He volunteered to lend his painting and designing talents to Santastein: The Post-Holiday Prometheus simply to show his parents that he could be published for a wider audience than he had previously (NOTE: Trevor's work has appeared on the cover of GEORGIA MAGAZINE more than any other artist's) Just being published was reward enough for Trevor ... but not for me. As soon as I sold the first copy of the book, I set aside a percentage of the price realized for Trevor. When I saw him at the following Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois, our annual meeting place, I pressed a wad of cash in his hand. "What's this?" he asked, wide-eyed. "Your royalties,"I stated with a smile. And when we set up in Artists Alley in Metropolis every year, I make sure we are settled up for the weekend. It helps him and it makes me happy. It's all good.

Later, I told Trevor about my newest creation, Vulcana. He loved the concept of the adopted daughter of the Fire God and tossed in some concepts of his own (some of which were hinted at in the first book and will be fully revealed in the next). By the time we fleshed out my original plot together, he asked, "Do I get the 'Santastein' deal?" I told him, "Nope." He muttered something about understanding when I added, "You're a full partner in Vulcana." Now, he loves to help me plot and guide the art direction of the books, providing a unique identity to each new release. He also likes running through potential plotlines with me. He's a wonderful collaborator and friend. Along the way, I've tried to be kind to promoters, to other creators, to my treasured customers (and if I'm not to certain people, you can only imagine how badly they've cheesed me off). Just as the Bible said about casting one's bread upon the waters, the kindness I've given -- without an expectation of a reward, usually -- has come back many times over in numerous blessings, for which I'm grateful. I tell you, there's something to this karma thing.

I think it was around six years ago, I was reminded of a quote often attributed to the late President John Kennedy, "A rising tide raises all boats." Over the next few months, I realized the blessings I received were often reflected onto others of a similar ethical makeup, who in turn passed them out to others.

And those who have operated selfishly or tried to take advantage of others' kindnesses have seen the Karma Bus drive them into the metaphorical bad part of town. I've also seen people get a leg up from just being KIND and receiving blessings without having to ask for them.

Since I started this gig full-time in 2012, I've tried to pay it forward as much as possible. It's paid off in friendships and opportunities aplenty. So why not have my philosophy become my business since I'm running my business according to my philosophy?

After discussing the matter with Cookie (my wife, business manager, and pimp) and Trevor, we all agreed that Rising Tide Publications would become the new name for the company. For a time, I thought Freelance Words could be used for more non-fictiony types of publishing, but we just agreed that we were already in for a penny, so we might as well be in for a pound.

So the Freelance Words page has been unpublished on Facebook. If you want to follow what we do on FB, then please give that page a LIKE. Also you can sign up for my monthly newsletter. Last month, I GAVE AWAY FREE COPIES of the Bachelors Grove book, but only for 24 hours. So sign up because you never know when I'll feel generous again.

So Freelance Words is dead ... long live RISING TIDE PUBLICATIONS.

And may the Rising Tide always lift you up.

NEXT WEDNESDAY: Now Here's Where You Make A Decision ... (Traditional Publishing Vs. Self-Publishing)

NEXT THURSDAY: Is Genre Blending Painful?

SPECIAL NOTE: My newest book, The Haunting Scripts of Bachelors Grove, is currently on sale. It's part memoir, part grimoire. The first half deals with my entry into writing indie comics and joining Silver Phoenix Entertainment. I print four of my comic scripts for The Haunting Tales of Bachelors Grove, three of which have not been produced yet. Then I add four horror prose tales, three of which are NEW. All this behind a great cover by my Art Sherpa, Trevor Erick Hawkins, over 300 pages of terror and history for only $19.95 in paperback, $2.99 in e-book (FREE if you belong to Amazon Prime).

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See you tomorrw! Take care and be good!

#TrevorErickHawkins #NevermindtheFurthermore #Bloodshot #Writing #Royalties