If ever there were a time to use your nonfiction writing skills, it’s now. The world needs you, nonfiction writers!
During times of crisis, like this Covid-19 pandemic, people rely on journalists, bloggers, and authors to provide news, analysis of information, tips, strategies, stories, inspiration, and hope. And you don’t have to be a professional writer or a previously published author to give them what they seek.
Here are three ways you can use your nonfiction writing skills to be of service to your friends, family, co-workers, employees, clients, followers, and the world:
- Write positive and uplifting stories.
- Compose pieces that offer tips, strategies, and tools for surviving this pandemic—personally and professionally.
- Report on or analyze research, statistics, news, etc.
And that brings us to your nonfiction writing challenge for this month.
April Nonfiction Writer’s Challenge
To complete this month’s nonfiction writer’s challenge, share a piece of your written work during the current Covid-19 pandemic and do so with the intention of being of service.
How to Share Your Nonfiction Writing
Since sharing your written work is the actual challenge this month, here are five ways you can do so.
1. Publish your work on your blog.
The easiest and fastest way to share your work is on your very own blog. After all, you control what and when each post goes live.
If you don’t already have a blog, now is a great time to start or add one to your pre-existing website! Begin writing posts and, as each one is published, share the URL to that post on social media.
2. Publish your work on someone else’s blog.
If you don’t have a blog of your own, submit a guest post pitch to an established blogger. If your pitch is accepted, your piece, once submitted, will be featured on that person’s or organization’s website.
Ultimately, you want to pitch popular sites, because these blogs will give you work the most exposure—and, in this case, the most chance of impacting a large group of people.
3. Submit your work to a print publication.
Print publications are always looking for valuable content. However, most have a content schedule that has been set up six or 12 months in advance. In the case of a crisis, like the Covid-19 pandemic, the editors might be scrambling to find relevant content.
Don’t be afraid to pitch a national magazine. But you can also send a query letter to your local magazines and newspapers. Their shorter publication schedule might be able to accommodate last-minute submissions.
4. Submit your work to an online publication.
News-worthy, timely content, like a piece related to the coronavirus, might find a home in an online publication. Sometimes magazines have online versions, while some publications only offer a virtual read. In either case, these online publications have a lot more flexibility in content schedules.
Pitch them in the same way you would a print publication or blog. Send a query, and then…while you wait, send another query or two or three).
5. Publish your work on other websites.
Last, try publishing your work in a place readers already exits. You can “blog” on a site like LinkedIn.com or Medium, for instance.
You can find a variety of sites that allow you to become a member or set up an account and then begin publishing your work. Maybe you can find a topic-specific website for the type of reader you want to reach.
Nonfiction Writers Make a Difference
Novelists can help people escape from the reality of a crisis, like a pandemic. Nonfiction writers, on the other hand, can help people cope in many different ways.
Think about what you know that might help someone in your country or around the world. For instance:
- Maybe you know how to set up a container vegetable garden. Those who are worried about getting organic produce while sheltering at home might find an article or blog post—or a series of posts on this topic—helpful.
- Perhaps you are a business consultant with the ability to advise CEOs and CFOs on how to keep their businesses afloat during a mandated shutdown. An article in a business publication or blog—or even on LinkedIn—might be just what these business people need right now.
- Possibly you are a life coach. You can offer advice on how to keep people’s emotional and mental state healthy while observing social distancing. People who feel feeling depressed and lonely might find what you write the medicine they need.
It’s not opportunistic to put your work into the world now. It’s a way to make a contribution.
How do you plan to use your writing to do good in the world during the Covid-19 crisis? Tell me in a comment below. And please share this post with other nonfiction writers you know so they, too, will get motivated take on this nonfiction writing challenge.
Would you like to write and publish nonfiction work, like articles, blog posts, books, or reports…and become a successful author? Check out the Nonfiction Writers’ University. Get the basic education you need and the coaching to help you succeed as a nonfiction writer. Take advantage of monthly live educational and group coaching events. Enjoy a 30-day trial membership for only $1.
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Photo courtesy of goodluz
Hello Nina! Thank you for your great contribution to remind writers of all genres to make their civic contribution to the rest of the world during this Covid-19 crisis. We, as writers, it’s our responsibilities to help others from our writings, by educating, informing and encouraging-giving hopes to those in great need. As for as I am concerned, as an upcoming Christian book writer; after having observed how many low-incoming families from different cities, where businesses have been shutdown, i have decided to do something. What have i done through my writing capability? I went in front of my laptop, and took about two hours, preparing a two-pages-document, which i was reminding each person, especially Christians, reminding them of their christian responsibilities towards their neighbors, and t the rest of the people. The post was entitled “A CALL TO CHARITABLE ACTION DURING COVID-19 CRISIS (AN EMERGENCY CALL–TO–ACTION). In just couple of hours, hundreds of people, have positively reacted on that post, showing that it has reminded them their religious responsibilities during this time of global crisis. People have later asked me to translated in to other language, that would help anyone, who would like to send it to his/her far-away friends. I have decided to regularly post my encouraging, inspiring posts every Friday, and this I have felt to my contribution to my people on social media during this time. As i am expecting to release my first 720 pages-book this year, my voice to them during this time would signify a lot during my book marketing phase!
In a word, let’s use our talents and skills to improve the lives of the most vulnerable people during this Covid-19.
Sincerely,
Didace, upcoming Christian book author, from Rwanda
Wow, Didace! Good for you! You have made a difference and will cotinue to do so. I really appreciate you sharing that story with me. Keep up the great work!