Published on June 11, 2014
Could you be a bit too hasty to blacklist small publishers over fees?
That most recent one was being overwhelmed by online submissions. The only work an ‘author’ had to do was hit send. The receiver had a lot of work to do to separate out the sewerage and sludge to even reach the slush. Couldn’t the authors still send it in by snail mail the old fashioned way and NOT pay a fee?
Additionally, university presses traditionally charge fees due to the low demand academic oriented work they publish.
This cooperative/subsidy publishing is a long established norm in the university world and the only way such work would get published.
It is not the traditional vanity press as the work is vetted. But you recently blacklisted a university publication for the fee issue.
Now you are certainly free to blacklist anyone you want, I wonder if you are really doing it to help people more than you enjoy doing it…
Published on June 11, 2014
As an active member of several writers’ forums, I often answer questions from new writers. I know how lonely the life of a freelance writer can be, and how much difference getting some advice, a helping hand, and sympathetic ear can make.
However, when people started contacting me off the forum, asking longer questions, wanting marketing advice, and asking me to critique their work, I realized that this had gone beyond a helping hand and I was in danger of spending half my working time writing for no pay…
Published on June 4, 2014
Letters will return next week.
Published on June 4, 2014
writing career advice
A friend had recommended me to a curriculum publisher. Could I revise workbooks for fifth-grade science? I said that I would give it a try, and soon a big box appeared on my porch.
I eagerly delved into the materials: course samples, manuals on how to design curriculum, workbooks to revise, and the fifth-grade science textbook. The cover art featured a wise-looking owl. Was I wise enough to rewrite ten science workbooks?
Published on June 4, 2014
I have a manuscript, but am not the author. The author gave me the manuscript personally many years ago but without any written permission. His wish was just to somehow get it published. To make the matter worse, he was a resident of a foreign country and it was there he handed me the manuscript. He is now already deceased for several years. In this case, what should I do in order to prove that I am the rightful holder of the publishing rights, or at least some sort of representative? I do not expect to make any money off the book for myself. If there will be any income from it, it will be spent on worthy causes that the work’s topic is closely related to. I would really appreciate your suggestions and/or recommendations.
Published on June 4, 2014
specialty markets for writing, writing career advice
Each year about this time, a new set of graduates with fresh, new academic degrees embarks on post-academic life. Especially among those who majored in a humanities field, or who earned advanced degrees in creative writing or literature, the road to graduation was likely paved with plenty of course papers and presentations. I’m not sure how many new graduates (or, for that matter, those with degrees earned in years past) realize that this work needn’t simply gather dust – literal or virtual. Sometimes, it can be transformed for publication and payment.
Published on May 28, 2014
Our daughter, Ali, has been dating her soul mate, Justin, for more than three years now. Shortly after they started dating, they were in a bad car accident together and they subsequently recovered together at our house. They’ve been deeply in love ever since.
Early Saturday morning, Frank came into our room, looking for my good camera. He said he needed to take some pictures of his medical records for his new job. I told him to just scan them. He said no, that was too much trouble, and left. I didn’t really think much about it…
Published on May 28, 2014
After 15 years of publishing an ezine for writers, and publishing more than 6,000 print and electronic books for authors, I’d like to say I’ve pretty much seen it all but, unfortunately, I know I haven’t. Occasionally, authors and writers make mistakes, BIG mistakes, that can result in getting blacklisted by a publication or book publisher, meaning that firm will not work with that individual on anything at all in the future, no matter what.
Here are some things you should be careful about when doing business with others…
Published on May 28, 2014
Angela,
Thank you!! Looks awesome!! Again, you guys (BookLocker) are a true blessing and a joy to work with! Todd did a phenomenal job on the cover once again, and Zach did a terrific job on the book page!! Thank you, Angela and Richard, for having a stellar crew!
God bless,
C.J. Peterson
Angels Among Us – The Holy Flame Trilogy
Operation A.N.G.E.L.: The Holy Flame Trilogy
The Call to Duty: The Holy Flame Trilogy
Strength From Within
Published on May 28, 2014
writing tips
A price sheet – a list of specific projects and their costs – is a handy tool for any writer. Creating one prepares you to give “back of the napkin” estimates. And, any experienced freelancer knows that when a prospect calls about a 400-word blog article, you can often win the business by providing an immediate answer when she asks “What’s it going to cost?”
That’s great when reacting to inquiries, but did you know that a price sheet can be highly effective for proactive marketing? Here’s how…
