Published on January 21, 2009
Everyone loves to peek inside the lives of the successful, the intriguing, the ones who made the world spin to their whim. That’s why interviews are great cash cows for those freelancers who can spot a personality and turn him into a neat guest spot in a feature. Name a magazine that doesn’t accept a snappy interview?
Published on January 21, 2009
I have a question, in a guideline I received it said that the submissions should be in “AP” style. I have looked all over the place or places and I can find no reference to AP style. Do you know what that means? Please help!!
Published on January 21, 2009
If you plan to publish any type of book, you must have a plan to promote it. If it’s not in the public’s eye, sales won’t escalate. Books sitting in a box on a shelf don’t sell themselves. It’s like winking at someone in the dark – no one can see it.
Published on January 21, 2009
Tailored Net Design / TailoredNetDesign.com / Denice Short – Don’t miss this one!
Published on January 14, 2009
Just after Christmas, while feeling jealous that all the relatives got to see my new nephew while I haven’t yet met him in person (I did meet him when he was still in my sister’s tummy), we planned a trip to Virginia to see their family. I even convinced my mom to fly there and meet us. We would have a grand time, my sister, my mom and me, along with the boys (her baby and husband, and my hubby and the two youngest boys). I was so excited! We made our hotel reservations and my mom bought non-refundable plane tickets.
In the meantime, we’ve been waiting for a few months for the judge to make a decision in our lawsuit against Amazon. We were alerted this week that the court has requested oral arguments from our side and from Amazon.
Published on January 14, 2009
Last week, I wrote about the new trend of authors who “just want to sit at home and write” and who don’t want to market their own books. Many hopeful authors mistakenly believe a traditional publisher is going to pour marketing bucks into their book. This just doesn’t happen.
I wrote, “I’d love if some of you who have traditional contracts would contact me and tell me what your publisher did or didn’t do to promote your book vs. what you had to do to promote your book. It’s rare to meet an author who feels their publisher has adequately promoted their book.”
Of all the responses I received, only one author claimed he was happy with his publisher’s marketing efforts.
Here are some of the emails I received…
Published on January 14, 2009
This week’s letters have been published in Angela’s article on authors who don’t promote their works. Click HERE.
Published on January 14, 2009
Like many writers who can’t break through the exclusive ceiling of agents and large blockbuster-thirsty commercial publishers, you might be forced to change tactics. You query smaller houses until you receive every author’s dream – a book contract. The publisher pays royalties and claims not to be a self-publisher, POD, or vanity press. They invite you to ask questions, making you feel safe. You can’t wait to sign while the stars of potential royalties romance your head. Some of the terms seem a little vague, but your hunger for publication convinces you not to expect much with a first published book. You’re grateful to be one of a chosen few while the publisher seduces you to join their sacred family. You surrender to your appetite and sign. Having your first book published is worth almost any risk, right? Sadly, writers who buy into this deceptive myth may face dire consequences. Welcome to Vampire Publishing.
Published on January 14, 2009
Just a short note to state my opinion about the way writers are paid. Personally I think it is an insult what some magazines offer. How can you ask for 6,000 words and pay between $10.00 & $25.00 for it? I don’t know of any writers who can knock off 6,000 words the first time without several rewrites. Do they think they are doing us a favor by publishing what we write??? They certainly aren’t paying for the privilege of using our work.
This isn’t just a few. It is most of what I’ve come across. It takes me forever to find an editor willing to pay for what they want. They ask for perfection and offer zilch in return. Who works for 10 cents an hour. Writers????
Why do they offer such a piss poor excuse for a payment! I was in business management and accounting. That was the way to support my family. Now I’m disabled and I can do what I love, writing. Maybe I think in dollars and cents because of my previous occupation but I don’t think it’s right to offer next to nothing for hard work. I’ve searched many places and it is an insult to be offered a nothing amount. Why do they do that??
Published on January 14, 2009
When my novel, Rain Song, made its debut, I was eager to promote it with the typical book signings at local stores. I arranged three events and enjoyed each one; people came and bought books. However, I wanted more, something unique, something to stand out. As one friend said, with a wry smile, “You want a following.” I grimaced; that sounded lofty.