Electric Speed is a biweekly newsletter that shares resources for creative people (since 2009!), brought to you by Jane Friedman. Sign up here.​

A note from Jane

I’m a competent home cook but by no means a serious cook or aspiring chef. I’m mainly interested in quick tips, best practices, and especially how good can I make this taste with limited time and effort?

I gained tremendous insight into my cooking competence when I witnessed a good friend of mine in the kitchen over many consecutive dinners. He puts considerable time and care into selecting the right ingredients, doing advance prep, and executing the best techniques—things I would consider fussy. And he does it all with a frugal approach: no pricey tools or ingredients when a cheap one will do. (He recently complained to me about the increased price of Diamond salt, which has no cheaper alternative that’s just as good. If you’re like him, you probably know about that.)

All that to say: I cannot compete with him. But I don’t want to compete either, and it’s so helpful to possess that self-awareness, because it helps me relax (even when my friend watches me make something in the kitchen and I literally light myself on fire—I can be a klutz).

I see parallels in the writing world. Some people are competent writers and don’t need anything more than competence to get the job done and reach their goals. Others will spend hours getting each word exactly right, and be exacting with syntax and punctuation. (See: Garielle Lutz.) Neither approach is better; it depends on your goals and what you want to compete on.

Jane

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P.S. Most popular blog post this month: How to Read & Retain Research Material in Less Than Half Your Usual Time​

ISSUE SPONSOR

Jane’s Electric Speed List

Here are some of the latest things I’ve discovered. (I am not paid to mention any of these resources; there are no affiliate links.)

Conduct a search of online communities/forums

It’s a well-known trick these days to find authentic recommendations via Google by adding the word “Reddit” to the end of your search. If you like that method, take a look at CrowdView. It’s a search engine that exclusively looks at forums like Reddit. Another option? GigaBrain. Tip: These sites can be very useful for book marketing research, too.

Custom-designed journals (nice gift for a writer!)

​Denik allows you to fully customize a lay-flat journal of 144 pages. Denik uses thick paper, ideal if you’re using pens and markers. You can choose lined, blank, or dot grid. H/t Recomendo.

Keyboard shortcuts for many apps

If you’ve ever seen an old pro use Adobe Photoshop, then you know that the work goes more quickly if you learn to use keyboard shortcuts for frequent commands. The same holds true for any software—to speed up progress, know your shortcuts. Here’s a site that compiles keyboard shortcuts for some of the most popular apps.

A tool for adding pop-ups to your website

For many years, I’ve been recommending MailMunch as a terrific and free tool for adding customizable pop-ups to any website. However, they have discontinued their free plan. 😢

I recently stumbled on a couple of alternatives that still offer a free tier of service. You’ll be somewhat limited in what you can do, but worth a look: Popupsmart and Poptin. Full disclosure: I’m still using MailMunch because I’m grandfathered in on the free plan. Be sure to check your email marketing service provider to see what tools they offer before paying a third party.

NEXT ONLINE CLASS

Nov. 16: Create an Author Website in 24 Hours or Less with Jane Friedman

In partnership with Writer’s Digest: In this two-hour webinar, Jane will teach you how to use WordPress to get your own website up and running in a day or less! If you already have a website or blog, you’ll learn best practices to ensure you’re getting the most out of it. The good news: you don’t have to know any code, understand technical jargon, or have previous experience with websites or blogs.

Your turn: mail-order catalogs

In the last issue, I asked you to share the mail-order catalogs you love to browse. Here’s a selection of what you had to say:

• While the paper catalogue only goes out to wholesale customers (many of which are bookstores), there’s much for retail customers to browse at Archelaus Cards. —Karla Huebner
• The Vermont Country Store catalog includes a lot of nostalgia, from personal care items to old-fashioned candies, and their German stollen is deadly delicious! —Linda Perlman Fields
• I love the Vermont Country Store catalog. It’s chock full of so many things you didn’t know you needed—or have even heard of! But what I love more is the nostalgia (for me) that the catalog invokes, from Lanz nightgowns and flannel sheets to ribbon candy and crumpets, all cherished things from my past. —Ann Espo
• Regarding mail-order catalogs, I love Garnet Hill and Sundance Catalogs. —Valerie Harms
• Vermont Bean Seed Company: You can get a catalogue online or in the mail. Your choice. —Denise M Testa
• Breck’s Bulbs in Canada: They offer a wide variety of bulbs from spring blooms to blooms which last until the fall. Their photographs of gardens are stunning. Always a welcome sight in the dead of winter —Lorraine
• I always look at the catalog The Folio Society sends me. They make beautiful books and since I’ve purchased a few in the past, I’m on the mailing list. —Carol Michel
• Uncommon Goods is my favorite. I can always find unusual gifts for my and my husband’s parents. Recent purchases included founding fathers bourbon glasses, an herb pot set, and a writing themed scarf! —CC Robinson
• I love browsing through the Lee Valley catalogue. It has an array of gadgets (kitchen, tool, toys, garden, etc.), and the paper catalogue is a great way to find things you didn’t know you needed (or which you need to give to other people as stocking stuffers) —Elizabeth D.
• I love browsing the Title Nine catalog for women-designed fitness clothing. Not only are the products awesome, but the models are inspiring. Many of the photos have a short model introduction, including their profession and their fitness adventures. Plus their workout bra selection and descriptions are excellent. —AM Scott

Next question: Do you have a favored advent calendar? I tried a hot-chocolate advent calendar last year, which seemed like a terrific idea, but we are still drinking that hot chocolate. Hit reply to this message, or head over to Discord to share.

Free resources featuring Jane

• Business Clinic (Nov. 17): Why Isn’t My Substack Gaining Traction?​

Upcoming online classes

• ​Create an Author Website with Jane Friedman, Nov. 16
• ​Hybrid Publish or Self-Publish? with Jane Friedman, Dec. 6
• ​Get Published: Land a Book Deal in 2024 with Jane Friedman, Jan. 4
• ​Compelling Query Letters for Novel/Memoir with Jane Friedman, Jan. 13
• ​10 Steps to a Nonfiction Book Proposal with Jane Friedman, Jan. 27
• ​How AI Is Changing the Writing World with Jane Friedman, Feb. 4
• ​Establish/Improve Your Email Newsletter with Jane Friedman, Feb. 8

Meet Jane at an event

• ​Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop (Dayton, Ohio), April 4–6, 2024
• ​Craft & Publishing Voyage (cruise ship!), April 28–May 5, 2024
• ​Write to Publish (Chicago), June 11–14, 2024

“At electric speed, all forms are pushed to the limits of their potential.”
—Marshall McLuhan

Created by Jane Friedman I report on the publishing industry and help authors understand the business of writing. Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram | Discord​ P.S. I have a paid newsletter, too.

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