Why Tod Goldberg Writes

Tod Goldberg I once had a real job. Actually, I once had two real jobs. My first real job went something like this: 7:30am. Arrive at office. Drink coffee. Add non-dairy creamer. Turn on phones. Listen to voice mail messages from temps calling out sick from the only job they will ever get from me. … Read more

Can You Make a Living as a Writer?

I’m starting to get more mail, and more questions, than the Playboy Advisor. I  received this email yesterday: Dear Mr. Goldberg,   I’m a young, unpublished writer who’s been fortunate enough to get the attention of a couple of agents.  Since I might one day find myself published (it does seem so far off, though), … Read more

Postage Due

Bestselling mystery writer Diane Mott Davidson told the Richmond Times Dispatch that she has an unusual method of staying in touch with her characters.  She writes letters to them… and they write back to her. "The way that I get into the voice of Goldy is to write, ‘Tell me what happened when you went … Read more

Publish America

The book industry trade publication Publishers Weekly is outing Publish America as the scam we all know that it is… it seemed only the desperate, aspiring authors who "sold" their books to the publisher couldn’t see it. Until now.  A group of authors wronged by the vanity press have mounted a grassroots campaign to garner … Read more

I’m Glad This Isn’t MY Agent…

I got an email today from an agent who is having trouble selling his client’s crime thriller screenplay. Every development exec he submits the script to says they aren’t interested in the project unless there is “some talent attached.” The agent wanted to know “if you have any suggestions how to get around this” and … Read more