Are These Images in the Public Domain? Probably Not…
Do you know of a good outlet for photos and artwork that are in the public domain? Once I find something, how can I be sure it’s really okay to use?
Selling Self Therapy By Pamela Crowe
Personal essays should resonate with readers and offer some take-away value. I’ve found that writing about my experiences provides me take-away value, when it leads to self discoveries and personal growth. When I sell one of my personal growth essays, I get paid for my own self therapy…
Key West, Here We Come!
On Friday night, I told Ali (age 21) to drive herself to the Urgent Care Center because she had such a bad toothache. She lives 90 minutes from us so I couldn’t just race over there and drive her myself – though I sure wanted to!
Should I Send Queries Via Certified Mail? No!
Hi Angela,
Your response to the writer who submitted an article via certified mail was good, but missed the second part of the problem: submitting via e-mail. The editor asked the writer to submit the article via e-mail. Instead of jumping for joy and hitting send, the writer e-mailed back to point out the guidelines say not to submit via e-mail!
Writers need to know that the guidelines refer to initial contact, what we used to call “over the transom.” Once you have established that contact, if the editor asked you to send it via e-mail, for goodness’ sake, don’t argue about it!
This writer missed a possible sale by being too concerned with the letter of the law, rather than the spirit.
Olive Sullivan
Pittsburg, KS
Freelance Writer Does NOT Mean Free Content! By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
The details and pitch of the “copywriter wanted” ad sounded too slick but I applied anyway. I sent a cover letter, CV, resume and links to purchased, published works. I spent a good 15 minutes crafting the right approach and selecting the ideal links.
A few weeks later, I received a bulk e-mailed form letter inviting me to send them a 500-word blog entry. Doing so would enter me into the next round of the selection process.
Excuse me, second round? Is this a reality TV show or an employment opportunity?
Made Of Offer On A House But…
Last week, we made a list of houses we planned to drive by that weekend. On Friday, I received an automated email from our realtor that said one of the houses on our saved list had a price drop of $25K. We gave the realtor a call and he met us there later that afternoon…
This Online Class Could Get You Sued…Or Worse!
Dear Angela,
A friend is taking an online course on how to write ebooks. At one point the instructor told the students that they could write a book on a subject they know nothing about simply by reading several books on the topic written by others, and compiling the information. I was shocked when she told me that he then suggested creating a pseudonym that sounds like an expert in the field, and purchasing a portrait from a stock photography website to go with the name…
90 Days of Promoting Your Book Online
Your book, 90 Days (of Promoting Your Book Online), is excellent, and is at the heart of my marketing plan. It is clear, easy to read and to follow. Thank you again!
– Harold Thomas
BUILDING YOUR BOOK-REVIEWING PRACTICE: FIVE TIPS FOR FINDING TITLES TO PITCH By Erika Dreifus
As a frequent (and frequently paid) book reviewer, and a former teacher of courses in how to establish a book-reviewing practice, I was pleased to see a recent WritersWeekly.com article spotlighting this work. But I’d like to expand the discussion…
Should I Send Queries Via Certified Mail? No!
I sent a story (to a magazine) via the post office, certified mail, to make sure it got there, and no one claimed it. It was sent back. I sent an email asking for their mailing address and it was where I had mailed it to. I sent another email asking about it, and in the email I got back, I was told that certified mail is not accepted, and to send the story via email. The guidelines specifically state that emailed stories are not accepted. I sent another email stating that, and never heard back.