Business Savvy

For some of us, the business side of writing either makes our hackles stand upright or sends us off to the take refuge in our favorite comfort "thing" – eating great gobs of Belgian chocolate, sipping a robust Pinot Noir by candlelight, taking a calming walk through the woods. But after that stamina-inducing indulgence, it's back to the trenches to deal with the dreaded necessity of our writing life: business.

So, to sharpen your acumen, we've crafted this little quiz where you simply answer the questions and send them on to us. 

1. When in business for yourself, there is one major thing you should do four times a year – what is it?

2. It's okay to have all your money – personal and business – in one bank account. (Answer true or false).

3. Name one thing you should do to appear professional when dealing with prospective agents, editors, and clients. (There are quite a few, so pick one and put it down).

4. How often should you reconcile your income and expenses?

5. As a writer, there are all kinds of unusual things you can deduct on your taxes besides the typical office supplies and equipment. Name two of those "unusual" things.

Submit your answers in an email, and make sure to include your name, address, and country in your entry. Send your answers to: puzzles@writer-on-line.com

The winner will receive $25 of writing software and his or her name published in our next issue of Writer Online.

DEADLINE:midnight, Thursday, May 12, 2005

Answers to the Magazine Matcheroo! Puzzle In Our 04/19/05 Issue

We all had some fun with this one. The object was to match the theoretical and most obscure magazine article title with the appropriate magazine. Here's what the correct answers are:

And for our winner??  Ta da: Congratulations go to B. Lynch Black of The Bronx, New York USA!!  Your prize will be on its way shortly.