Published on January 29, 2014
Contemplating my success as a writer, I could talk about how I published my first book, Ballet Music For the Dance Accompanist, which has been carried in bookstores all across the country, and has sold overseas. Or, I could talk about Solfege Town, an exciting method for teaching children of all ages about the musical scale, which is in print, and has also done extremely well as an e-book, continuing to net me a check every couple of months.
Maybe that’s what prospective authors are waiting to hear but that’s not success to me anymore…
Published on January 23, 2014
Ali was cleaning the bar area recently, and noticed droppings of some sort in a neat little pile in the corner. I assumed we had a rodent, and immediately chastised the cats for being lazy. I then picked up the phone, and called our organic exterminator. He said, “We don’t do mammals.” (Yes, those were his exact words.) He then referred me to another company.
The next day, Joe, the mammal “and everything else” exterminator, showed up, and examined the droppings. He turned to me, and said, “That’s no mouse, ma’am. Looks like you have a lizard, and quite a big one at that!”
Published on January 23, 2014
Wow! That nice P.O.D. publishing house representative wants to hear “more about your book!” Is it finished yet? Did you need to have it edited? Are you going to included pictures? What’s your target market?
Do you think that “nice” P.O.D. publishing house rep really gives a hoot about your book? Don’t fool yourself…
Published on January 23, 2014
worst book proposals and query letters
I NEVER tire of your World’s Worst Book Proposals and Query Letters columns…
Published on January 23, 2014
writing career advice
No matter what type of writing you do, you can find a writer’s conference that will help you learn more about your craft. While the price tag on some of the conferences may seem daunting, keep in mind that the impact of a writer’s conference can continue far beyond the few days the conference lasts…
Published on January 23, 2014
I live in India and, while we have many biographers for famous people and achievers, we do not have legacy writers, at least that I know of. I have figured out the process, identified printers, etc., but I am stuck at how to charge my customers. I want to start soon and this is the one aspect that I am unable to figure out…
Published on January 23, 2014
by Tara Johnson
Writers love words and stories, and working alone to do our typing, research, and editing. We can even enjoy interviewing subjects, because we’re talking about them. But, sometimes, we have to talk about ourselves, which for many means going outside their comfort zones. It may not be easy, but often, it’s necessary – to get published, to get an agent, to interact with our readers, and to get jobs…
Published on January 15, 2014
Most of you remember Matt, who worked for us for years. He graduated from Columbia, and is now an actuary. He still does ebook conversions on a contract basis on the side. Well, Matt’s getting married!
Published on January 15, 2014
worst book proposals and query letters
Today, I’m going to share another installment of our popular column, World’s Worst Book Proposals and Query Letters. Yes, we can learn from others’ mistakes! Featured below are real quotes from book proposals and query letters submitted to us over the past few months.
Published on January 15, 2014
Hi Angela,
I’m still disgusted by the apparent lack of concern expressed by the public over the plagiarizing of someone else’s creative efforts. Perhaps the scariest part of the whole scandal is the quote I read today that was attributed to Ubuweb founder Kenneth Goldsmith:
“It’s not plagiarism in the digital age – it’s [re-purposing]… Our notion of genius – a romantic – isolated figure – is (bleeping) outdated. An updated notion of genius would have to center around one’s mastery of information.” He added: “Should God sue me if I paint a river?”
If Goldsmith really said this, I would avoid using the Goldsmith website. He is an alleged poet, which is why I find it hard to fathom that he could make a comment like the one above. I have to wonder how he would feed if I “re-purpose” some of his work to wipe my behind.
Being a writer is hard enough without some famous actor stealing another’s work, but when you have the founder of a website alleged to be dedicated to education appearing to say that it’s open season on the creative works of artists of every ilk for re-purposing, someone has to draw a line.
JW
Editor’s Note: Profanity in the quote above was bleeped out by WritersWeekly.
