Published on May 30, 2012
On Memorial Day, we worked in the morning and relaxed in the afternoon. Richard spent most of the day in the kitchen and outside by the grill while I spent the afternoon in the pool with the kids, batting around a volleyball, tossing a Frisbee, and teaching Max and Mason how to play Marco Polo…
Published on May 30, 2012
There are many content mills out there that have a confusing, vague, or buried clause in their contract that states contributors won’t receive a check until the amount owed meets a specific threshold. In many cases, contributors never reach that threshold. They end up terminating their contract, hoping to receive payment for the paltry amount they are owed…but then realize the contract terms prevent them from EVER receiving a payment until/unless that threshold is met. That means the writer has done all that work – for free…
Published on May 30, 2012
Dear Angela,
I owe you the biggest apology. Several years back, I dissed you for your stance against Demand Media Studios. I felt that you had done a hatchet job on them, but the fact is, you didn’t go nearly far enough in exposing them for the terrible company they are. Please accept my most heartfelt apology, and feel free to share this letter that I wrote to them today:
https://tempetempest.blogspot.com/2012/05/latest-disrespect-to-writers-at-demand.html
You have my full permission to quote me.
Sincerely,
A wiser, contrite Jane M. Smith
Published on May 30, 2012
Tradeshows offer a unique marketing opportunity for freelance writers. Many industries and trade associations ranging from the oil, chemical and food industries to home builders and restaurant owners have tradeshows to exhibit the latest in equipment and services to their members.
I tried out my new strategy at Houston’s May 6-9 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). This is a major annual tradeshow. In 2012, there were more than 2,500 trade show booths and 89,400 attendees. So far my payoff from attending the tradeshow and marketing there is $6,000…
Published on May 30, 2012
I have a question about first electronic rights. I have a writing blog where I “publish” a lot of my writing, including short stories, articles and poetry. If I’ve published something on my blog, can I no longer submit it to anyone requesting first electronic rights? My blog is set to public, but I don’t have a ton of followers or anything. Do you know the legal ramifications on this?
Published on May 30, 2012
Amazon – Settles with Independent Publishers Group (IPG). Terms not disclosed.
University of Missouri Press – Shutting down.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co. – Files for bankruptcy.
Published on May 23, 2012
Grampa is in town so Mason wanted to celebrate his birthday a month early with a trip to SeaWorld. It was a lot of fun and very educational for the boys. They got to feed sharks, feed and pet dolphins, learn about rescuing sea turtles and so much more! They both agreed that Sea World is WAY more fun than Disney World.
There are more friends coming into town this week and then we’re going to have a nice, quiet summer…or at least that’s what we’re aiming for. 😉
Published on May 23, 2012
Letters will return next week.
Published on May 23, 2012
My success story isn’t what you would call glamorous by any means.
When I was a girl, I considered myself a writer and felt my personal reflections could change the world. As a teenager, I discovered acting and modeling and sometimes I believed I could be successful combining these loves into a career. Unfortunately, I got derailed when I became a stripper and nude model. I stopped believing I was valuable…
Published on May 23, 2012
ESPN – Sued by Bernie Fine’s wife, Laurie Fine, for (alleged) libel
The Wrap (a blog) and writer Steve Pond – Sued for (alleged) libel, defamation and invasion of privacy