Published on December 18, 2013
self-publishing
At BookLocker.com, whenever I notice a mistake in a book, I alert the author. If I notice a few, I will send them a list. These errors can range from the occasional misuse of a word (their vs. there, for example), or a formatting inconsistency (Chapter 1, Chapter Two, etc.), to something like the author’s misuse of the term Prologue at the end of the book (should be Epilogue).
Since we send the formatted file back to the author for any final changes, they have the opportunity to make any corrections at no extra charge at that point in the process. Alerting the author when we notice an error helps them avoid future reader complaints and, of course, bad book reviews.
Here’s a dirty secret you won’t hear anyone talking about among P.O.D. publishers. Some of them see mistakes, and purposely allow them to remain in the book…
Published on December 18, 2013
Letters will return after the holidays.
Published on December 18, 2013
If Online Newspaper editor says no, is it wrong to pitch it to others who may or may not overlap in coverage area?
Published on December 18, 2013
When I launched my freelance writing career over two years ago, I had no clients and my only clips were from content mills. I needed to start somewhere so I contacted the editors of local newsletters. Finally, one editor gave me an assignment profiling a records storage company in 700 words for $75. The pay was pretty low for the time I’d need to invest, but I said yes. I did my best work, researching the company, asking questions, getting photos, etc. The editor loved the piece and ran it with almost no changes…
Published on December 11, 2013
We were finally able to round everybody up to go get the Christmas tree. Grampa picked out the perfect one and we raced home to decorate it. I cooked honey baked ham (with Justin’s honey coating recipe), cheesy mashed potatoes, and fried okra while the children had fun hanging lights and ornaments. Just before bedtime, I filled up the tree stand to the rim with water.
The next morning, I walked in the living room and, right in front of me, it came crashing down…
Published on December 11, 2013
worst book proposals and query letters
Today, I’m going to share snippets from some of the worst query letters we’ve received over the past couple of months. Yes, we can learn from others’ mistakes! Featured below are real quotes from query letters submitted to WritersWeekly.com…
Published on December 11, 2013
Thanks for WritersWeekly.com – it’s still the best, most-informative ezine for writers!
Michael
Published on December 11, 2013
self-publishing
Millions of writers are pursuing their dreams by self-publishing. While I wouldn’t discourage anyone from chasing their dream, I would like to encourage you to think about your dream in a different way…
Published on December 11, 2013
I had a book published by (a small P.O.D. publisher) in the US and it has been on sale since Oct. 2011, I have received no royalties, no answers to my emails, and now all emails are sent back. The editing was disgraceful (no errors fixed, etc.) and they took a lot longer than my contract stated to publish it. I have seen no advertising as was promised. In fact, they did not adhere to any of their contract. I have cancelled my contract, but they are still selling it on Amazon and other similar sites. I really don’t know what to do about it. I’m completely at my wit’s end.
Published on December 11, 2013
Usually, the moral of a story is told at the end. I will tell you the moral of this one at the beginning: If you believe in your own ability to write for pay and your sense of where to send you work, listen to your inner self and let no one, no matter how experienced and successful in publishing, dissuade you from what you believe will work…
