How do I use the book I just ghostwrote to get shorter-term projects?

I spent a lot of my career doing developmental editing on college textbooks. The longer I did it, the more restless or burned out or something I became. So I called an old friend and talked about stuff. The end result of that mentoring was I ghostwrote a book, which was just published on July 7. The author and I enjoyed working together--she is quite a remarkable woman. But how well a book will sell is always an iffy proposition.

Update: I just learned on Wednesday 7/20 (or maybe it was Tuesday) that the book is the #1 new release in entrepreneurial business on Amazon.

My question: I'm still learning how to write for myself. I enjoy ghostwriting. In September, I'll start working on another book with the author of the book that just published. In the meantime, I need to support my family and myself.

How do I use the work I've done so far to get some shorter-term projects that will generate income between now and September (or when I can get paid for work on that book)? And I'll probably need some small projects to fit in and around the new book given past experience.

Best regards,
Mi Oh (Marilyn)

P.S.: This was actually the 2nd book I ghostwrote. The first was back in 1996 and wasn't published because of the company's overall business strategy. I have that book on Inkshares, and I need to figure out what to do with it next.

Well, I think I'll just answer my own question. Elsewhere in these environs someone started a topic "I can't even imagine how to get started." (But maybe it was "...how to begin.") At any rate, Old Hack replied as follows:

"Here's how I did it, years ago. I've shared this with several friends over the years and so long as they put the work in, it always worked for them.

I listed what I did for fun, the things I knew about, the places I felt secure. So several years ago I was keeping a lot of poultry, living in a big house which was a renovation project, and looking after my young children. I knew a lot about those three things. Then I looked for specialist magazines which dealt with similar subjects, and I bought a few copies of each. I worked out a list of ideas for each subject, and pitched them to the editors.

I got work. It didn't pay much. Perhaps £50 per thousand. But within a year I was writing for the national press, and earning £350 to £500 per thousand. Much better work.

I did work hard at it, I invested time in my research, and I always delivered good work, on time."

I asked essentially the same question. /blush

Now, I am off to find out a way to get directed practice in writing queries. Learning goes slowly for me without feedback, and at my age, there is no time for trial-and-error based on guesswork.

Marilyn