This week, I want to share a query letter l I received:

Dear Angela,

The biggest market that I write for is the (a national book review publication) and they currently pay $22.00 plus for a 250-word review. I do about 4 reviews for them per month, as I read a lot. They are always looking for new freelancers. Also, there is (name removed), who does history books reviews, and he pays $30-60.00 per review, about 700-800 words. He will send a list of books from which the writer can choose what to review. I know this is not much money, but for a beginning freelancer/writer who wants to break into the industry, this might be a good way to get clips. Please consider my article for publication.

Of course, I rejected this writer’s query and I told her why. After the writer takes the time to read the book, and then write the review, they are likely earning far below minimum wage for their hard work. Getting published for what amounts to less than minimum wage should NOT be considered an honor. On the contrary, it’s insulting.

The reason publications that use book reviews pay so little is because there are so many so-called writers willing to work for pennies. Writers should have more respect for themselves. The sooner they stop writing for peanuts, the sooner pay rates will increase for all writers. If a publication can’t find good help for the piddly wages they offer, they may very well raise their rates to get better content in the future.

Don’t demean yourself or our industry by writing for insulting pay!

Got questions about Print On Demand and Self-publishing? Ask Angela Hoy.

About The Author

Angela Hoy is the publisher of WritersWeekly.com, the author of 19 books, and the co-owner of BookLocker.com (one of the original POD publishers that still gets books to market in less than a month), PubPreppers.com (print and ebook design for authors who truly want to self-publish), and Abuzz Press (the publishing co-op that charges no setup fees).

Angela has lived and traveled across the U.S. with her kids in an RV, settled in a river-side home in Bradenton, FL, and lived on a 52 ft Irwin sailboat. Angela now resides on a mountaintop in Northwest Georgia, where she plans to spend the rest of her days bird watching, gardening, hiking, and taking in all of the amazing sunrises.

WritersWeekly.com - the free marketing ezine for writers, which features new paying markets and freelance job listings every Wednesday.

BookLocker.com - According to attorney Mark Levine, author of The Fine Print, BookLocker is: "As close to perfection as you're going to find in the world of ebook and POD publishing. The ebook royalties are the highest I've ever seen, and the print royalties are better than average. BookLocker understands what new authors experience, and have put together a package that is the best in the business. You can't go wrong here. Plus, they're selective and won't publish any manuscript just because it's accompanied by a check. Also, the web site is well trafficked. If you can find a POD or epublisher with as much integrity and dedication to selling authors' books, but with lower POD publishing fees, please let me know."

Abuzz Press offers FAST and FREE book publication, but only accepts a small percentage of submissions, and only works with U.S. authors.

PubPreppers.com - "We Prep, You Publish!" Print and ebook design for authors who truly want to self-publish. Offers formatting and design services only, and then provides simple instructions for authors on where to sign up to have the print and ebook editions printed/listed/sold. Cut out the middle man. Keep 100% of what bookstores pay for your book!

Angela's POD Secrets Revealed Series can be found HERE.

Have a POD Book with another publisher? See if BookLocker can give you a better deal. (BookLocker offers "disgruntled author discounts" to those who want to move from other POD services.)

See BookLocker's publishing packages HERE.

ANGELA ON TWITTER https://twitter.com/AngelaHoy

BOOKLOCKER ON FACEBOOK - Provides links to free excerpts!
https://www.facebook.com/booklockerbooks

ANGELA ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/angela.hoy.750

ANGELA ON LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahoy/

Angela is the creator of the Original 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
https://24hourshortstorycontest.com/

Read More Of Angela's Articles HERE