Published on May 19, 2010
I have about a contract I’m contemplating signing. The publication is in print and online, and I’ll be doing blog posts initially, with the potential to do features in the future. I really want to write for this pub, but when they sent me the contract, the paragraph below scared me:
“(The Publisher) will retain the copyrights to all stories, works or photographs published. (The Publisher) may at its discretion resell or republish any stories, works or photographs. (Contributor) will agree that all stories, and works of authorship, including photos, will be considered works made for hire and shall be owned exclusively by (The Publisher).”
My question is this: Is it standard to deprive the writer of all copyright rights from the get-go? I’m inclined to ask for a one-year reversion clause.
Published on May 19, 2010
As writers, we tend to be polite. We do not like to pick fights or burn bridges or ruin contacts that we may need in the future. If we feel that we have been hard done by, it is all too easy to just let it go in order to keep everyone sweet. But we work hard for our writing, and we need to fight for our worth.
Published on May 12, 2010
Richard is feeling a bit better but he’s terribly bored. If I could just get him out to the van and take him for a spin, I know that would cheer him up but he has no desire to do anything that might jar one of his ankle screws loose before the bones are finished healing. Can’t say I blame him.
On Sunday, we decided to celebrate Father’s Day instead of Mother’s Day. Richard needed pampering far more than I and all the kids thought it was a great idea. We were supposed to spend the summer building on our land so Zach and I went to Borders, looking specifically for a book on Yurts and we found one!
If any of you have any experience with yurts (building, living in, staying in, or just knowledge of), please contact me. Richard would LOVE to exchange a couple of emails with you. We’re really leaning toward a yurt instead of a cabin.
For those of you who don’t know, a yurt is cylindrical, tent-like dwelling…but people use different types of materials for construction (not just cloth). No, we’re not going to build a teepee. If we were, it would already be done! You can see pictures of yurts HERE.
Many companies sell yurt kits. We’d like to try to build one ourselves but since Richard will be relegated to the sidelines during his four-month recovery, telling us what to do with construction, maybe a kit is the way to go. Some yurts look like ultra-chic, round, modern homes but we want something far more modest. Then again, if we build our own, we could save thousands of dollars…or maybe not. I’m going to buy Richard a bullhorn so he won’t feel so powerless while sitting with his foot propped up, watching us work. I’ll see if I can find one with a push-button horn in it so he use that if somebody hammers a nail crooked or something. Heh…
This week’s Maxism:
“Next time we go camping, can we build a bombfire?”
Hugs to all!
Angela
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BOOK PROPOSALS THAT WORKED! Real Book Proposals That Landed $10K – $100K Publishing Contracts – Want to read real book proposals that landed these contracts? Simon and Schuster – $100,000; Berkeley Books – $25,000; Osborne-McGraw-Hill – $19,500; Random House $15,000; and many more! See a complete list here: https://www.writersweekly.com/books/3332.html
Published on May 12, 2010
It is SO entertaining to us at WritersWeekly when someone who owes one, two or a few writers money tries to scare us into silence. I could wallpaper my upstairs bathroom with all the cease and desist letters we’ve received over the years. In my opinion, cease and desists are form letters designed to intimidate victims, advocates for the victims, or the press…
Published on May 12, 2010
Angela,
I’m glad Richard is on the road to recovery. He’ll find that using a walker will use muscles he didn’t know he had.
Your mentioning of a gurney brought to my mind a time when I had to have some serious surgery. A large assistant nurse was pulling me down the hall and singing an old gospel song, “Jesus, I’m Coming Home.” I asked her to sing something else, please. She apologized profusely and told me not to take it as an omen.
Everything turned out fine. It’s a story I’ve told to many others and it usually gets a good laugh.
Keep a stiff upper lip, girl.
Stan
~~~~~
Wow! Ang, I learn so much from your narratives. I felt like I was there. You should take your material and create ANOTHER book for how mom’s deal with emergencies at home! So many of the things you did were so important (like mentioning about his first experience with anesthesia so the nurse knew to double-monitor him later).
Like anything else where humans are concerned, lack of communication is a frequent side-effect of dealing with emergencies and having a million things happening at once. We all want to believe that these professionals KNOW they should transfer all relevant details on to the “next dept.”, but it doesn’t always happen – and sometimes a concerned spouse or parent can make him/ herself a pain to the nurses and doctors, but better that than not having all the information available to caregivers who need it so the patient gets proper supervision! Good for you!!
I’ve got you and Richard on my prayer list!
Hugs,
Marie
Warm Fuzzies
Hi Angela,
I just wanted to let you know I read a lot, but the articles on WritersWeekly are by far the best. I mean that sincerely. I have gotten good ideas and they also give websites that are helpful. I wanted to say thank you for all the hard work you put into the newsletter. I know what it’s like I had a Christian newsletter for five years and it is a lot of time and hard work. That’s why I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all you put into your newsletter, I have gotten so much help from your articles and the warnings and the markets. Thanks for giving us the best!
ang dee
Published on May 12, 2010
Some construction magazines are benefiting from the federal government economic stimulus package. This is resulting in more opportunities for freelance writers. Government funding includes large sums for repairing and expanding the nation’s infrastructure. Projects include repairing bridges and roads plus building new high-speed rail lines between cities and light rail commuter lines. Much of this activity is just starting.
Published on May 12, 2010
My first book was published by (a large POD publisher). I paid a few hundred dollars to have the book “returnable” for 2 years. I was told by (their marketing department) that bookstores would readily shelve my book if I did this. However, B&N and Borders will still not carry my book.
Published on May 12, 2010
Like all of you, I’ve been following Angela’s recent battles against people who’ve been illegally printing her writing markets in their own publications. As I read what she was going through, I felt sympathy, as well as anger on her behalf.
Published on May 5, 2010
My oh my, how life’s plans can change!
Published on May 5, 2010
Hi Angela,
I just signed up to write for (a content mill). I increased my writing skills over the past year and felt confident about working for them. I wrote one article. It was accepted the same day. Then I wrote another and was asked to rewrite. The whole article took me about three hours with research the first time. I rewrote it and sent it back. It was rejected, saying that my writing was not clear. I then wrote another one about the same time and it was also sent back for a rewrite and rejected after that. The only reason was that the steps I had listed were not good enough to help someone do what the title suggests.
I then tried to log on today and see if my bio was published. I can’t. It brings me to a page saying that my account is disabled. No notice at all. I sent a letter to the help desk asking why I could not log on. I read the terms of use and they are supposed to send a letter regarding termination unless they felt I violated certain policies. Well I don’t know of any policies I’ve violated so I don’t see what the problem is.
Anyway, I really felt bad for myself regarding my writing after receiving the rejections and then not being able to log in. I write for several other sites and clients with no problem. I certainly agree with many of the statements published in your article from the writers and readers. I am moving on to continue with my writing and learning. Your article helped me feel better and realize that I can find other clients instead of messing with (a content mill) for little pay.
G.
=======
Hi Angela,
I just wanted to thank you for reporting on what really goes on behind the doors of (a content mill). I have been writing for them since last July out of need for money, and am fully aware that the company is a scam and a rip-off. Sure, I am a little disgruntled at the moment as I did get put on probation without warning for writing titles that were similar in nature, but with completely different content. That said I had about $200 worth of work done prior to this probation that has now been published and they are refusing to pay me for it because of my status. Again, rip-off.
So, thank you for calling them out. I do wish more people would.
Best,
P.
