Published on October 28, 2009
Boy, oh boy, oh boy! In just three days, it’ll be my favorite holiday of the year! My mom is arriving this weekend and I’m so excited because she’s never experienced a real, storybook New England Halloween – blowing leaves, frigid wind, gobs of people and the entire neighborhood going waaaay overboard with the decorations. It is AWESOME!!!
I’ve been very busy creating horror babies over the past few weeks. What’s that, you ask? Well, here’s a sampling. WARNING – THESE PHOTOS MAY OFFEND SOME FOLKS, INCLUDING YOUNG CHILDREN. (Heh…)
Published on October 28, 2009
Over the past few months, at WritersWeekly.com, I’ve been posting a missive about the common themes in entries submitted for the previous 24-Hour Short Story Contest. We’ve received lots of positive feedback so I’ll continue to do this for future contests.
Published on October 28, 2009
Letters will return next week.
Published on October 28, 2009
What we are witnessing today is the most dramatic fragmentation of the publishing industry to occur within the last 500 years. And when established industries fall apart, something has to rise out of the ashes. Both nature and business abhor a vacuum. As traditional publishing falls apart, a vacuum is being created. People still want to know the news, and they still want to find out how to get hold of a squirrel-proof bird feeder.
Published on October 28, 2009
Last week, one of the people quoted in my story emailed me to let me know that someone else had taken my story, revised it a bit, and posted it on one of those free article websites, under his own name. I emailed the site to complain and a few days later they sent a message that the story had been removed. However, they simply moved it to another page on their website! This is probably the most blatant example of plagiarism I’ve ever seen.
Published on October 28, 2009
writing career advice
The current recession reminds me of why I pursued a freelance writing career and have never regretted my decision.
Published on October 21, 2009
Do I need a model release form if I use a picture of my granddaughter on the cover of my book? I’m the one who took the photograph.
Published on October 21, 2009
Our friends, Scott and Kelly, flew in to visit us for the weekend. On Saturday, we drove to the top of Cadillac Mountain. The boys had to visit the bathroom so Scott said they’d meet us at the top. We helped the boys, and then walked the short distance to the summit. Scott and Kelly weren’t there. I scanned the horizon and saw them way over on another walkway, overlooking Bar Harbor. Then, I saw Kelly jump into Scott’s arms and kiss him. I said, “Oh, look! They’re hugging and kissing!”
Richard replied, “He just asked her to be his wife.”
Published on October 21, 2009
LETTERS REGARDING: Demand Studios – What Their Average Contributors Are Saying…
Published on October 21, 2009
I’ve had a few author friends complain recently about their traditional publishers. It’s important to know as much as possible about your new publisher and what they will offer you before signing the contract. When you get the contract offer, your excitement might cloud your judgment. If the contract isn’t going to work for you, then you need to turn it down. I had to do this a couple of times. It wasn’t easy because I was anxious to have a publisher for my last two books. A sick feeling might be in your gut when you have to say no but you have to make a commitment to yourself and your career path.
