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Writers talk about their work in many ways: as an art, as a calling, as a lifestyle. Too often missing from these conversations is the fact that writing is also a business, and those who want to make a living from their writing must understand the basic business principles underlying the industry.

Jane Friedman’s second edition of The Business of Being a Writer offers the business education writers need but so rarely receive.

Friedman is one of today’s leading experts on the publishing industry. Through her website, social media presence, online courses, email newsletters and other media, she helps writers understand how to navigate the industry with confidence and intentionality. This book advises writers on how to build a platform in a way that aligns with their values, how to spot critical mindset issues that might sabotage their efforts before they even begin, how to publish strategically and what it means to diversify income streams beyond book sales.

For this second edition, Friedman has updated every topic to reflect how the industry has evolved over the past half decade. New features include a section on business and legal issues commonly faced by writers, exercises at the end of each chapter and a wealth of sample materials posted on a companion website.

Friedman has spent more than 25 years working in the publishing industry, with a focus on trend reporting and author education. She’s a frequent presenter at writing conferences, including the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop.