Published on February 16, 2012
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
Published on February 16, 2012
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?
Published on February 8, 2012
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…
Published on February 8, 2012
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…
Published on February 8, 2012
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
Published on February 8, 2012
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…
Published on February 8, 2012
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.
Published on February 8, 2012
My journey from non-published writer to regularly published journalist in a local paper began by responding to an advertisement posted by Lebanon Daily News looking for a freelance writer…
Published on February 1, 2012
Last Saturday night, we drove up to Anna Maria Island to see Ali and Justin. This time of year, the weather is perfect there, with temperatures in the 70’s and a brisk sea breeze blowing. We slept with all the windows opened, and woke up the next morning to the sound of their neighbor’s waterfall. Heaven!
Published on February 1, 2012
In December, I wrote about an author who thought it was okay to use a deceased person’s work simply because that person had claimed to want to write a book with him someday. In that article, I explained why he could not do that.
This week, I wanted to share the rest of the story with you…
