We LOVE manatees! The first wild one we saw in Florida was in our very own backyard, the day we closed on this house. We’ve had a special affection for them ever since. There are three at the local museum and Max and Mason love visiting them.
Last Sunday, we had cabin fever so we threw on shorts and t-shirts (it was 90 here!), and headed north on I-75. Just half an hour away is the Manatee Viewing Area in Apollo Beach…
You’re an author with two or more manuscripts ready to go (or books you want to re-publish), and several more in the works. After you go through a publisher’s process the first time, the second time is naturally easier, for both you and for the publisher. You know what to expect, and what they expect, and the publishing process goes much more smoothly.
Shouldn’t you be rewarded for this by receiving a deep discount on setup fees for your second and subsequent books? Yes, you should!
Which P.O.D. publisher offers deep discounts to “returning authors?”
I sure appreciate all your excellent help with publishing my book! You are so kind, considerate, quick and thorough!
Gratefully,
Elizabeth Smith
Twin Strokes
How can we fix the glaring inconsistency of expecting writers to work for free while everybody else receives payment? Well, editors can either pay the writers or writers can move on to publications that do pay. Sometimes, editors do not seem to understand the unfairness of this policy or, at other times, writers sell themselves short. I wrote the following allegory to expose the issue, and to encourage fairness for the work that writers do…
What is your view of publications that charge a fee just to submit work through their online submission portals? I notice many of the literary journals are now charging around $3 to submit, justifying that it’s what it would cost for postage, administrative fees, and to help pay writers, like this quip from a lit journal:
“We charge a $3 submission fee, which is the postage that would be needed for a submission. This helps keep us in business…”
Most author advice suggests getting out in the world and getting up in front of your book’s real-live audience. I am not going to contradict this advice because I know the benefits of public speaking, making appearances, and teaching workshops at conferences first-hand. If you are a first-time author you need to get out there, get seen, and mingle with your audience, period…
I was kind of hoping one of our adult children would eventually buy a boat. Turns out my patience paid off…
Uh oh! You’ve been invited to speak at a conference in four weeks and they’re going to sell your print book to attendees. What do you do?! Most POD publishers don’t offer a rush or expedited print publishing service but a few do. Who gives the best deal? And, more importantly, will you get your books on time?!
I used four BETA readers for my new novel, choosing two writers and two book club members. All are voracious readers and know me, and they don’t pull punches. From all of them I got different, but equally insightful comments. I paid them with thanks in person and sent Thank You notes after the revise expressing my gratitude for the individual’s unique contribution. Each also will be mentioned in the Acknowledgements. I am wary of paying BETA readers, and would not use one unless recommended by a trusted writer friend.
Sarah Bates
https://www.sarahbatesauthor.com
TWITTER: @Bateswriter
Craigslist, often vilified, if treated with respect, can make you money. In a double-barreled approach, a freelancer can post ads soliciting business or respond to ads seeking freelancers. The cost – only the time spent managing your account.
