Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
Some of you know I share my income online every year. And I know many authors and aspiring authors take part in Poetry Friday, so I want to give you a heads-up that I’ll be doing a virtual event via Zoom on the evening of Monday, December 7, at 7pm Central Time. It’s a free thing for a local picture book salon that used to be held in person. So there will be lots of Minnesota folks there, but anyone is welcome! Despite the first paragraph of the description, it’s not JUST about writing picture books, though. It’s about cobbling together an income as a writer:>) It’s also NOT any kind of get-rich-quick talk. This is just me, sharing a few numbers and thoughts and answering questions. Hope to see some of you there!
At our December Salon, we’ll talk with author Laura Purdie Salas about writing picture books “For Love or Money.”
Nobody writes for kids in order to get rich. But if you’re willing to work hard, be flexible, and do various writing-related tasks, you can cobble together an income so that you can pay bills and keep doing what you love: writing. Laura will share a bit about her income history, some income streams for kidlit writers, and the strategies and mindset can help build a career as a working writer. (As opposed to, you know, a starving writer.)
Picture Book Salon is FREE and public, and usually meets on the first Monday of the month. Please RSVP here or to mollybethgriffin@gmail.com. Find more info about Salon here: http://mollybethgriffin.com/events/
Zoom details will be posted here a few days before the event.
And now for a poem. I don’t think I’ve ever written a poem related to money! But here’s a bit from one of my favorite poets, Billy Collins.
from “This Much I Do Remember”
Even after I have forgotten what year it is,
my middle name,
and the meaning of money,
I will still carry in my pocket
the small coin of that moment,
minted in the kingdom
that we pace through every day.
–Billy Collins (click here to read the complete poem on his Facebook Page)
Although I must earn enough money to pay the bills (hence the sharing of income reports, etc.), I also know that the moments I make–with words, with books, with poems, with readers–reward me in a meaningful way that a paycheck can’t. Totally different kinds of rewards!
The Poetry Friday Roundup is with Linda Baie, who always inspires from Teacher Dance!
Hi Laura, thanks for sharing this Billy Collins poem, it’s as if you could reach out and touch it, that’s the picture he paints. I also love the stanza before the one you shared, the lining up of moments, and these three lines too:
“the small coin of that moment,
minted in the kingdom
that we pace through every day.”
Thanks also for the heads up about your talk.
Happy Thanks Giving!
The students you work with and encourage are rewarded in meaningful ways as well. I have yet to make enough money to even claim it on income tax, but I do love writing and will continue as long as I am able.
“I will still carry in my pocket
the small coin of that moment,
minted in the kingdom
that we pace through every day.” — what a beautiful image! Thanks, Laura. xo
What powerful lines:
carry in my pocket
the small coin of that moment,
minted in the kingdom
that we pace through every day
Writing is an art and I am grateful that I met and collaborated with you. I have learned from your wisdom, Laura.
Carol, thank you:>) I have learned from you, too!
I know you love your work, Laura. It shows in every thing you write and share! Thanks for the beautiful poem by Billy Collins. He gives us lovely gifts, too!
Laura, as Margaret said, those of us who have been fortunate enough to learn from you have been rewarded in so many ways. Thank you for all you do for those of us still trying to find our way. Happy Thanksgiving! xo
Thanks Laura – ‘the small coin of that moment’ indeed.
Thanks too for talking about money. It can be hard to talk about earnings, but it helps to raise awareness of the realities of making a living as a writer.
Knowing what I know about ALL you do to stay afloat with a writing CAREER, I love that the poem you’ve chosen to share is about the “small coin” of a moment, because you capture moments so perfectly in YOUR poems!
Your wisdom and talent are priceless, Laura. I love learning from you in any capacity available. Will there be a recording of your talk for those of us outside the timezone? If so, I’d be interested… 🙂
Thank you, Bridget! No, no recording. I’ve learned from experience that I might say, shall we say, less-measured comments about money and publishers and things, when I talk about financial issues. Things I wouldn’t necessarily want certain folks/companies to hear/watch. Nothing horrible, but just those candid comments you make in conversation with other writers, ya know? So, we won’t be recording this one–live only. Sorry :>(
Laura, you know how I love Billy Collins. I can never get enough of him. 🙂 I would love to attend your Dec. 7th event. I’ve got it on the calendar and I don’t currently see any conflicts, so I should be there. Yay!