“There are Two Kinds of Self Publishing Companies…”

“There are Two Kinds of Self Publishing Companies…”

Dear Angela,
I want to drop you a quick note to sing the praises of BookLocker, and perhaps more importantly the people who make up your team. I first learned about your company by reading Dan Poynter’s Self Publishing Manual. A few months later, I was ready to publish Barnstorming – Live as a Pilot, Not a Passenger. With your help and support, the book is now being shared with the world, and the comments I get most often are about how great the book looks and feels. It makes a great impression and presents the content with credibility and professionalism.
In my research about self publishing, it became clear there are two kinds of “self publishing companies.” One kind makes their money off of authors and would print a stack of debit card receipts if they were being paid to do so. The other kind has a business plan based on selling books, and that means working with authors to create the best possible product. BookLocker is definitely the latter, and you have exceeded my expectations. Considering my lack of experience when I started this project, you have helped me to become comfortable and confident quickly.
I am currently working with a bookstore to schedule my first signing. I’ll let you know how it goes, and you can be sure that anyone who wants to talk about the process will be hearing about my great experience with you. Thank you.
Scott Westover, Author
Barnstorming – Live as a Pilot, Not a Passenger

Promoting Your Freelance Business via Direct Mail By Angie Papple Johnston

As freelance writers, most of us have to advertise our services. Spending $100 to make $125 isn’t worth the effort – but spending $100 to get a few long-term clients (and their referrals) is a really big deal. The key to effective marketing is to reach the right audience. If you don’t, you’re watching your hard-earned money circle the drain…

Selling Self Therapy By Pamela Crowe

Personal essays should resonate with readers and offer some take-away value. I’ve found that writing about my experiences provides me take-away value, when it leads to self discoveries and personal growth. When I sell one of my personal growth essays, I get paid for my own self therapy…

Key West, Here We Come!

On Friday night, I told Ali (age 21) to drive herself to the Urgent Care Center because she had such a bad toothache. She lives 90 minutes from us so I couldn’t just race over there and drive her myself – though I sure wanted to!

Should I Send Queries Via Certified Mail? No!

Hi Angela,
Your response to the writer who submitted an article via certified mail was good, but missed the second part of the problem: submitting via e-mail. The editor asked the writer to submit the article via e-mail. Instead of jumping for joy and hitting send, the writer e-mailed back to point out the guidelines say not to submit via e-mail!
Writers need to know that the guidelines refer to initial contact, what we used to call “over the transom.” Once you have established that contact, if the editor asked you to send it via e-mail, for goodness’ sake, don’t argue about it!
This writer missed a possible sale by being too concerned with the letter of the law, rather than the spirit.
Olive Sullivan
Pittsburg, KS

Freelance Writer Does NOT Mean Free Content! By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

The details and pitch of the “copywriter wanted” ad sounded too slick but I applied anyway. I sent a cover letter, CV, resume and links to purchased, published works. I spent a good 15 minutes crafting the right approach and selecting the ideal links.
A few weeks later, I received a bulk e-mailed form letter inviting me to send them a 500-word blog entry. Doing so would enter me into the next round of the selection process.
Excuse me, second round? Is this a reality TV show or an employment opportunity?

Made Of Offer On A House But…

Last week, we made a list of houses we planned to drive by that weekend. On Friday, I received an automated email from our realtor that said one of the houses on our saved list had a price drop of $25K. We gave the realtor a call and he met us there later that afternoon…