Just to play devil's advocate, there's another bit about the book-writing-as-a-staffer thing I'd add (from personal experience): sometimes having a longterm outside project actually gets you better scoops for your day job. I remember when I was writing "3 Kings" and "A-List Angels," I found items in my reporting that I knew wouldn't hold the months (or years) until the book came out, so I went ahead and published them for Forbes. Win-win for everyone. Then again, I was never writing about anything/anyone as newsy as 45...
Totally valid. Writing books is great. I only mean that it’s not always a great financial deal for writers. But Woodward’s books have probably done more for him as a reporter than the Watergate articles, all told.
Haha, yes! And also agree writing books is not always a great financial deal for writers, which is why I generally tried to write them on nights/weekends/vacations...
Just to play devil's advocate, there's another bit about the book-writing-as-a-staffer thing I'd add (from personal experience): sometimes having a longterm outside project actually gets you better scoops for your day job. I remember when I was writing "3 Kings" and "A-List Angels," I found items in my reporting that I knew wouldn't hold the months (or years) until the book came out, so I went ahead and published them for Forbes. Win-win for everyone. Then again, I was never writing about anything/anyone as newsy as 45...
Totally valid. Writing books is great. I only mean that it’s not always a great financial deal for writers. But Woodward’s books have probably done more for him as a reporter than the Watergate articles, all told.
See how I answered your comment? Engagement!
Haha, yes! And also agree writing books is not always a great financial deal for writers, which is why I generally tried to write them on nights/weekends/vacations...