Goodbye, day job …

• Posted in About Books, On Writing

Well, if you read the title of this post, you know that I no longer have a day job. Unfortunately, this was not my choice. Like so many other folks, I was the victim of job cuts.

I worked as a features page designer at a daily newspaper. Basically, my job involved designing feature pages for publication, editing stories, working with freelancers, posting stories/photos to the newspaper’s website, etc. There had been rumors that there would be job cuts (they called it copy desk consolidation) at my newspaper since the summer of 2009. If there’s an industry you don’t want to be in right now, it’s newspapers/journalism. Newspapers across the country are dying a slow, painful death, which is sad. If newspapers are still being printed in five years, I’ll be very surprised. They’ll either be online — or not exist at all.

But nobody at my newspaper ever really confirmed anything about the job cuts, and all the rumors I heard kept pushing the date back and back. Plus, the newspaper won a Pulitzer Prize in 2010. Well, on Nov. 8, 2010, the axe finally fell. I and several other folks (other copy editors/page designers) got called into an office and were each given a letter telling us our last day at work would be Dec. 13.

Happy holidays, huh?

So I am now unemployed as far as the day job goes. I thought a long time about writing this post because my personal life is just that — personal. I don’t talk about it very much, if at all. But there are so many folks who are out of work out there — I thought posting this might help someone, if only to let folks know they are not alone. (And the reason I waited so long to post this is that I was waiting for all the final paperwork to go through.)

I have a lot of mixed feelings about losing my day job. Obviously, losing that steady paycheck and insurance is the most troubling thing. I don’t think the job cuts were handled well either, but I’m not going to get into that here. I’ll also miss a lot of the folks I worked with. People always talk about the stages of grief. I think I’ve been through all of them at this point. LOL.

But part of me is also really excited by this change, and I’ve decided to look at this as my chance to see if I can make it as a full-time author. I have four books coming out in 2011 — Tangled Threads, Touch of Frost, Spider’s Revenge, and Kiss of Frost, plus an Elemental Assassin short story in The Mammoth Book of Ghost Romance anthology — so I’ve already got enough work with revisions, copy edits, page proofs, blogging, and promotion to keep me busy for the year.

Honestly, the book stuff had been getting to be more than I could handle and still work full-time too. I was super-busy and super-stressed all the time, so much so that I’d been thinking about trying to cut back and only work part-time at the newspaper. (I asked about working part-time after the job cuts were announced, but that was not an option.)

So one good thing about losing my day job is that I will hopefully have time to do some book stuff that I’ve been wanting to for a while now. For example, I have an idea for a new urban fantasy series that I’d like to write. I also want to do something with the fourth Bigtime book that I’ve written — maybe post it on Amazon or get it published through an e-press. I want to write some more short stories and maybe even try my hand at something new — like writing category romance for Harlequin.

I’m treating writing as a full-time job, and I’ve been working 40 hours a week (and more) ever since I was laid off. There’s always something to do, whether it’s blogging or revisions or looking over page proofs. I’ve been busy, but so far, it’s been a lot of fun. I’m not nearly as stressed as I was before, which I think is a good thing.

Some folks have asked what they can do to help. Well, if you like my books, I hope that you’ll tell your friends or your local libraries about them. Hopefully, I’ll sell enough books that my publishers will want to continue my Elemental Assassin and Mythos Academy series. Fingers crossed.

I’ve been sending out resumes — lots and lots of resumes — in hopes of finding a part-time job. I currently do some freelance book reviews, and I’m thinking about using my writing/design skills to offer a promotions package to authors — a press release, a bookmark design, and a flyer design. Maybe even do some book editing. We’ll see.

So don’t cry for me, Argentina. I’ll be all right. I’d seen the writing on the wall for a while, and I’d been planning accordingly. It’s a brave and scary new world, but I’ll land on my feet.

Who knows? Maybe this time next year, I’ll be glad that I lost my day job because it will have led to an opportunity that I might not have had otherwise. It’s a nice thing to hope for, anyway. 😉

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32 Responses to “Goodbye, day job …”

  1. Erin says:

    Oh, I’m so sorry for your job loss. My husband lost his job over a year ago, and he just got a real job a few weeks ago. (He was working temp places ever since.) It’s been rough not having the stability of a steady income. Some months I don’t know how we made it through!

    I really hope you can manage being a full-time author. What a dream that would be! (Who knows maybe your YA series hits it off so well movie contracts come your way!!! ^.^)

    Always in your corner,
    Erin

    • Jennifer Estep says:

      Thanks. I’m sorry for your situation as well, and I’m glad that your husband finally found a job. It’s a tough time to be out of work and trying to find a job no matter what profession you’re in.

  2. Elie says:

    Jennifer, sorry to hear about your job, change can be tough. I am glad to hear you will be writing full time. You are very talented and have what it takes be successful.

    Think of what Fletcher would say.

  3. Susan Helene Gottfried says:

    You’re gonna be all right, girlfriend. Heck, you already are. Keep spreading that PR machine and keep writing those books and you’ll be better than all right. (and so will the reading public!)

  4. Danielle says:

    Hi Jennifer,

    I am sorry to hear about your day job. Totally Sucks! And you’re right, I think the newspaper industry is dying a slow, painful death and will be pretty much phased out in the near future. On a positive note, you are a FABULOUS author, and I think you will do brilliantly as a full time author! AND while I was browsing through my local bookstore the other day, I saw a lady who was holding a copy of Spider’s Bite….she looked unsure about it, she kept reading the back and then looked like she was about to put it back. I told her it was an amazing book/series and that she wouldn’t regret buying them. She bought all three!! 😉 Thought that might cheer you up!

    Dani

    • Jennifer Estep says:

      Yeah, I doubt that newspapers will be printed much longer. They’ll all be online or for e-readers.

      Aw, that’s so nice of you to say. And thanks for recommending the books. I appreciate that. 😉

  5. Shelley says:

    Jennifer, sorry to hear about your job loss as well, but in my opinion, you have a seriously bright road ahead of you. You’re series (Elemental Assassin) is loved by many many people. Unfortunately, I’ve been one of those unemployed for nearly 2 years now (living in Florida seriously is a pain in the rear right now).

    • Jennifer Estep says:

      Thanks for the nice words about my books. I appreciate that.

      And I feel your pain. I live in one state, but my day job was in another, which seems to make the taxes, unemployment, etc. twice as complicated. Sigh …

      Good luck in finding a new job.

  6. Alex Hughes says:

    Hey Jennifer,

    I’m so sorry about your job and it ending badly. That’s a tough emotional journey, and I wish you all the best working through the stages.

    On a purely selfish note, however, I’m excited to hear you’ll be doing this full time. I think you’re a brilliant writer and would be excited to get more books (hopefully).

    Have you thought about teaching a writing class or classes? Or doing a mentorship (like Lori Wilde, https://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/showevent.php?eventid=676)? I for one would love to learn from you 🙂

    • Jennifer Estep says:

      Thanks. I appreciate the well wishes.

      And thanks for the link. I hadn’t heard of that group, but I’ll check it out. I’ve thought about trying to teach a creative writing class at one of my local colleges, but right now, I’m just trying to get caught up on everything. I love having four books out this year, but there are lots of deadlines. LOL.

  8. Liz Kreger says:

    Well, that totally sucks about losing your job, Jennifer. I guess you can view it as fate stepping in. If you were that stressed trying to juggle a full time job and writing … perhaps this is your opportunity to explore writing full time.

    Best of luck with that. I’m really enjoying the ARC Edie forwarded to me. Thank you so much. I do plan to do a review of it on Magical Musings when I finish it and will let you know when.

    Take care and hang in there.

  9. Peter Millane says:

    Thanks for making the decision to update us on your real life situation, I understand it can be tough to decide what to share with the world.

    On a side note, is there a retailer you would prefer we buy your books from? As in, would give your publisher more incentive to give you more money (lol). For me in Australia, it is much cheaper to buy online from the book depository @ $8.07 vs $21.95 in a chain book store locally. I always wonder who is getting shortchanged when I buy online, and I hope it is not the author!

    • Jennifer Estep says:

      Thanks. I appreciate that.

      You know, I never know how to answer that question. Honestly, I don’t care. I’m just thrilled that folks are even interested in my books in the first place. Where you get them and how much you pay for them is your business. I know money is tight everywhere these days, so I’d say order online if that’s cheaper for you.

      When I need copies of my books for giveaways, I’ve been known to go to Amazon and do their 4-for-the-price-of-3 deal on paperbacks. So it’s all good. 😉

  10. Jill says:

    It’s great that you have such a good attitude about the loss/change. With more time to devote to your writing I bet you’ll have time for even more ideas. I can’t wait to read more of your books!

    • Jennifer Estep says:

      I’ll admit I didn’t have such a good attitude at first … unless you think the Hulk has a good attitude about things. LOL.

      I do have an idea for a new urban fantasy series I’d like to explore, but I have to get my other projects out of the way first.

  11. Indigo says:

    I’m so sorry to hear about your day job. My husband works as a teacher’s aide (while working another part time job and as a guitar teacher). They’ve been talking about making cuts in school all around NY. Of all the places to cut back, education in my opinion is the last place to start, but apparently the easiest solution. Paul worries constantly what each day will bring.

    Here’s to hoping things work out on both our ends. (Hugs)Indigo

    • Jennifer Estep says:

      Ugh! That sucks. I hope he’s able to survive the cuts or finds another job. And you’re right — I don’t think education cuts are the way to go either … I have a friend who’s a librarian, and she’s told me many times how drastically her budget just keeps getting slashed every single year …

  12. Tabitha says:

    I’m really sorry to hear about your job loss. I can’t even imagine how tough it must be for you. Hang in there. I’m glad you have things to keep you busy and more time to devote to writing. I hope that you will be able to make it as a FT author. Honestly though, I can’t imagine that you won’t make it. I love your writing and know many other readers who love your writing just as well. Can’t wait for your YA series. Your writing rocks. As long as you keep writing I’ll keep reading your works.

  13. Erin Eusanio says:

    Jennifer,

    I am so sorry about your day job! But, it sounds like you have a good plan and are definitely going to land on your feet! Good luck with the search for part time work, but I have the feeling you will be way too busy being a successful writer to worry long. Can’t wait for Tangled Threads and look forward to Mythos Academy!

    • Jennifer Estep says:

      Thanks. I appreciate that. Oh, I’m plenty busy with book stuff already. Sometimes, it seems like I’m busier now than when I was working full-time. LOL.

      Cool. Hope you enjoy the books. 😉

  14. Tia says:

    I was sorry to hear about your job loss, but I KNOW you will do great. I like your ideas for doing other things. Who says we only get to do one thing in life? (It might make for a complicated tax year, however!)

    Best of luck!

  15. Sal says:

    Jennifer, I’m sorry to hear about your job loss. But you’ve got an incredibly bright future with your book writing. I know you’ll go far.

    I too was part of downsizing. I worked for Borders, who recently declared bankruptcy. My store is one that is closing down, more than 40 employee’s have lost their jobs and it’s a sad time for us as well. B&N isn’t hiring and it’s hard to find an independent book store to work in.

    Either way, your books are such a success I’m sure things will go great for you.
    Sal.

    • Jennifer Estep says:

      Thanks. I appreciate that.

      Aw, I’m sorry to hear about your job as well. I knew the Borders bankruptcy would affect a lot of folks — especially since some of the areas where the closings are don’t have any other bookstores at all. Good luck to you in your job search. I hope you find another book-based job you love!

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