An author submitted a manuscript to us a couple of weeks ago that contained numerous letters he had exchanged with a lady friend. I, of course, assumed it was his wife but, just to be safe, I asked.
He responded that she’d lived overseas and that she died. On further questioning, it appears he assumed, since the woman stated in her letters that someday she wanted to write a book with him, that meant he owned her work…
Letters will return next week.
Writers are primarily words people, so it surprises many to discover that editors of magazines and newspapers often want writers to supply artwork to accompany articles, too. A photo, chart or other illustration makes an article more appealing to readers, and helps break up long stretches of text…
Here’s a message I received via email today:
“I’m still absorbing your book and all its resources – my only real comment is that I’d like it in a smaller format with more pages – this is hard for me to use.”
That reader is a magazine editor who sees perfectly well with glasses. She’s been reading the book for about 2 months. I’m kinda stunned at her remark, as the publication is a WORKBOOK with fill-in-the-blanks material.
I suppose I could do a Facebook and/or blog survey about the issue. But first I want to know what Booklocker has to say about reader reactions and YOUR gut instincts as publishing pros.
A few years ago, I decided to get back into serious freelancing after a five-year hiatus. One of my first goals was to write for the newspaper that had kept me busy with regular assignments throughout the 1990’s. I assembled a resume package with an upbeat cover letter and some of my best clips. Then I mailed off the packet and waited for my phone to ring. And waited.
And waited…
It was a pretty hairy Thanksgiving holiday! Guests started arriving on Tuesday night, and left on Saturday. Ali and her boyfriend, both professional chefs, served up a five-star gourmet feast and we all later pushed back our chairs in gleeful, gluttonous agony.
We also played some rowdy games of Rock Band for two nights in a row and that was a hoot! I had no idea how many talented singers we have in the family!
Hi Angela,
I’ve been a WritersWeekly subscriber for a few years now and we have corresponded.
As I sit on the brink of self publishing my first book, I have to take a moment to reach out to you today to say thank you and here’s why. I’ve watched and listened. I’ve seen how cut throat this industry can be. I’ve seen people who offer help at exorbitant prices and then don’t deliver. I’ve seen people who prefer to watch others struggle than to offer advice or give direction. I guess it’s the nature of business…
And then there is you. We don’t know one another personally, but I can tell from WritersWeekly and Booklocker and your responses to my random panicked emails that you genuinely care about helping the writer succeed. That is so rare. In fact, you are one of two people I have come across in the publishing industry with this kind of heart [the other is my favorite author, Marita Golden]. Heading in to Thanksgiving and Christmas – if no one else tells you, I want you to know very appreciated you are.
Sorry to be so long winded about it, buy hey, I’m a writer – anyone can just say “thanks!”
You and your family have a wonderful holiday season and you will be hearing from me in the next couple months via BookLocker.
Yours in writing,
Isunji
Blog: https://www.isunjiisat.blogspot.com
The key for both engaging historical fiction and history is that they both should be about people so that readers have someone to identify with…
What began as a hunt for work as a yoga instructor six years ago has continued as a career path in writing. A simple search on CraigsList.org with the key word YOGA pulled up a website looking for writers. Within 2 weeks I was a paid writer for a spiritual website…
Angela is running around like a turkey about to be plucked, hosting a crowd of 20 for the Thanksgiving holiday week. News From the Home Office will return next week.
ADVERTISEMENT
HOW TO REMEMBER, WRITE AND PUBLISH YOUR LIFE STORY! by Angela Hoy
Using Angela’s MEMORY TRIGGERS, recall memories that have been dormant for years, and record those memories in chronological order in your memory notebook. Using the memory notebook as your outline, write your autobiography! **Also works for biographies and memoirs.**
