Your Journey to Earning Money by Writing Starts Here!
A clear map of how this publication will propel you to a writing business that you will grow and sustain
Hello! I'm Maryan Pelland, and I have been a full-time working, producing, earning writer, editor, and mentor for about four decades. I retired comfortably because of it.
With this article, I intend to give new readers (Welcome! Thanks!) a clear idea of what you've signed up for—there's real value for you in this community. If you've been here a while, I'll continue to keep my promise of never wasting your time.
First, here's who this pub is NOT intended for:
Those who don't think of writing as a human creative craft and those who dislike the process of writing.
Those who think every writer should write intellectual, tow-the-line material and follow rules without reflecting on their own voice and style.
Those who think there is a formula, algorithm, bot, or scams that can make writers rich without engaging your personality, your experience, or your audience.
You won't connect with my voice or ideas if those things fit your perspective. Everyone else will find something here to help you earn more, enjoy your craft more, grow your audience, and feel less stressed. You can do this. I'll help you if you want to know more about
Marketing your work and growing your audience
Resources to speed up your success
The business of creative writing from someone who has been there, done that, and found satisfying success for nearly half a century (That's ME! And my talented guest writers.)
Writing today
I have placed my writing with major outlets, ghostwritten six books that sold well, wrote six of my own traditionally published and self-published, and working on staff at major newspapers and magazines. I also built and marketed several subscription-based websites—and I loved every minute of all of it!
I retired (mostly) a decade ago, and concentrated on my ceramic art, miniature building, and 15 grandkids. I wrote about those things, too. Then I tripped over Medium and Substack and found my tribe! My focus shifted back to writing every day, and I built an audience of 10K+ readers.
My mission:
Pen2Profit takes joy in empowering writers who seek to increase their earnings and grow a sustainable writing business or avocation. We avoid useless advice— "write everyday, find a niche, pay influencers"--like the plague.
What should you expect?
The unexpected, that's what. Outside-the-box advice. Coloring outside the lines. Engagement. Connection. Interaction. Opportunities. In a recent post, we looked at a dozen resources where writers can find art and images free-to-use that are way, way better than AI-generated pap.
In Pen2Profit you'll read quality stories that explain the problems we all share and provide actionable solutions. Example: Have you ever worried about whether your writing is authentic and provides a good user experience? We looked at how NOT to grow your audience.
You can call me out if you evercatch meI side-stepping an issue or failing to provide help you can use. You can trust me not to waste your time and definitely not to nag you with sales and marketing ploys that fatten my bank account but do nothing to move you ahead.
Sure, I might offer an ebook, a class, or a download outside Pen2Profit, but no pressure, no hype, and every single one will have high value. You won't find me hawking livestreams or Zoom meetings in the newsletter. I don’t like to be spammed with products, and you shouldn't have to wade through that from me.
Welcome to my writing life
Mostly I write what I wish I would have known when I began writing professionally (I was 16!). Yes, I got lucky and had some excellent editors and managers (sometimes really mean ones!) who challenged me to always do better, but it took time.
My career extends back to the days of print and ink, and I didn't stagnate there. I have been on the cutting edge of the Internet and digital writing from the beginning right through to the present moment. I keep up-to-date and up-to-speed. For example, I attended a series of webinars with the US Copyright Office when they wrote new laws for AI-generated properties about a year ago.
I'm right on top of the newest writing trends, problems, and challenges, and I write about them with humor, a little irony, and verified fact.
There are lots of places to get advice about writing, Substack, the Internet, and success. But if you browse Pen2Profit, you'll see why readers tell me there's a difference here. It's fun to read and serves up original advice and ideas you don't find elsewhere.
Before I go, here's a recap of what you'll get from me:
Monday and Wednesday newsletters with lessons and action items to advance your earning power
Special Sunday edition for paid subscribers—resources, jobs, calls for submissions
Monthly writing job and writers market listings vetted specifically for Pen2Profit readers, along with tips for finding and accessing paying markets
An opportunity to guest post in our newsletter. We pay a stipend if your story brings just one paid subscriber. Subscription fees underwrite those stipends.
Free ebooks — A free copy of Pen2Profit Complete Guide to Copyrights for Creatives and POWER UP YOUR WRITING CAREER: 1001 Brilliant Ideas for Any Writer to Steal. Once you sign up for a paid annual subscription, your ebooks are sent automatically.
Oh yeah, and access to me and my experience—and that could include a review of one of your stories. I regularly invite new subscribers to submit a piece to me for review.
You can't lose! I will always give you more than what you pay for. Plus, I'm really fun to know :)
If you want to get to know me a little better, here's a favorite piece I wrote about my early days (read for free!):
An Ocean Voyage, a Pinched Butt, and Yugoslavian Sailors Changed My World
What a wonderfully clear and specific "bio". Reading this - I just got a free lesson on how to improve mine!