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How I position myself (and, my business)
As an author seeking trad publication (then, trying to sell my books) I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of different spaces and people. Some I get along well with. Some folk have a few edges. Some have business models or ways of being in the world that have made me take a step away. We need to know ourselves and our values and live these. I am constantly learning and evolving. I commit to listening and improving myself and my position every day.
Living my values:
- I am an author who supports other creatives. My behaviour online, my business and buying habits, my actions each week, should reflect this.
- I like to work with business spaces and people who are supportive to other creatives. Their business model, behaviour online and actions through the week should reflect this.
- I will avoid or promptly exit spaces, businesses or working with people who have damaging, exclusionary, toxic or predatory practices.
- Where I decline to partner with, or withdrawn partnership because my values do not align with another person/business/space, I will not be creating drama just to increase views on my material (ie rage-baiting, pity marketing). Where feedback is appropriate, I will do so to that person/business/space. I will not exploit others for views, even folk who are not behaving in a way that aligns with my values.
- Where I begin to exit, or exit a collaborative space with a person or business, I will work hard not to drop my baseline of professionalism, behaviour or kindness.
- I will not accept any sponsorship or payment or deal that requires me to promote a product that I feel is harmful or damaging, or which I genuinely feel does not work. This includes promoting creative works just for the sake of endorsement/payment/returned promotion. Being a full-time or part-time writer is important to me, but not at the cost of producing, selling, promoting or marketing things for profit/income. I create, say and position myself in alignment with my beliefs, always and at all times.
- I will not engage in pity marketing. I will not support others who engage in pity marketing.
- I will not be part of bullying behaviour, witch-hunts or piling-on behaviour. I have very strong opinions about a wide range of things. People I do business with and know me get to enjoy this every single day (lol). I am not going to sling half-baked criticism at complete strangers on the internet. In most cases I am open for a coffee, a collaboration, an interview or a serious chat. Any discussion of values, of opportunities for them or myself to learn, should happen in a two way conversation that is about listening, learning and mapping the edges of our conflict/things we agree on.
- Relating to item 5, there are some issues we will not be aligned upon. Our spaces and niches sit side by side. I have no interest in debate, conflict or drama.
- I am very much a learner as a writer, author and business person. I am actively leaning into and listening to other people's perspectives. I am learning every day and will reposition myself, my business and my practice accordingly.
- Feedback? Concerns? Questions? Contact form here (below newsletter sign up): https://nicolewalshauthor.com/contact-and-newsletter
Relating to this, my position on Generative AI: https://nicolewalshauthor.com/position-on-ai