Letters To The Editor For May 26th
This week:
- One-Shot Book Marketing Does NOT WORK – But THIS DOES!
- Readers Take Issue with Writer Who Worked Without Knowing Payment Terms
The Malicious Reaction of a Resentful Copyright Infringer By Ruth Barringham
I recently had a bizarre run-in with a copyright-infringing web site owner who went crazy when I found that they’d illegally published one of my articles. But their extreme response taught me a valuable lesson that I now want to share with you. It’s a lesson about making sure you keep your private information private – always.
Facebook, Twitter…or a Blog?
I want to have a site where people can find out about the book and post comments. I’ve been trying to make a Facebook fan page and can’t figure it out, I looked at Twitter and don’t think that is what I want either. I really don’t want to build a website. Do you have any suggestions of where I can have readers go to post comments that can be seen by anyone?
One Lawyer’s Freelance Article is Another’s Syndicated Column By Jill Pertler
I’m a self-syndicated columnist, but that’s only the tip of my writing iceberg. You have to buy groceries, you know? And, I’ll be darned, but my kids have this weird idea they need to eat every day. So write, I must.
Romance Is In the Air!
Many of you know our recent trip to Wisconsin was canceled because Richard broke his leg and needed surgery. We were traveling there to attend the wedding of our good friends, Scott and Kelly. They got engaged last October, at the top of Cadillac Mountain, while visiting us here in Maine.
On that day, I was able to take a picture of them just moments after Scott proposed. A few weeks ago, I printed a copy of that picture and, using it as a guide, painted a large picture on canvas with acrylics for their wedding present. Max (age 8) is the most visually artistic in the family and he helped me with the rocks. I posted pictures of what we did HERE. I think you’ll agree…the rocks are the best part! 😉
This week’s Maxism:
“When I grow up, I’m going to be a brain surge.”
Hugs to all!
Angela
One-Shot Book Marketing Does NOT WORK – But THIS DOES! By Angela Hoy
Perhaps a dozen times a week, authors ask me some variation of this question:
What is the best way to promote my book online?
It’s quite simple, really. This is all you need:
- An audience
- A vehicle to reach that audience
Trying to Scare Us Into Silence With a Cease and Desist? Pshaw!!!
Hi Angela,
First, many, many thanks for the amazing resource you provide through WritersWeekly.com and related services.
Second, my kudos and thanks to you for shining light on, and not backing down from, organizations such as Shakespeare Squared. Without your site, I would have likely contacted them in response to any of their many ads for writers and may have well ended up on the long list of writers who remain unpaid, or who waited out months and months of frustration before getting paid.
Again, thanks on behalf of all of us!
Best regards,
JS
—-
Dear Angela,
It has been many, many, many moons since I’ve actually written. I’ve been a subscriber, except for a year or so when I was moving around, since you were in Texas and before moving to Maine. It appears to me that you have taken WritersWeekly to new heights and it should be the benchmark for other writing magazines. But alas, instead of using you as an example, others try to imitate. Not a good thing in my book.
I just wanted to say thank you and keep up the good work.
John in Colorado
Getting Pooped Upon…and Six Other Reasons to Reject a Client By David Geer
Editors and clients come and go who want too much for too little, have never before hired a writer, do not pay, or are otherwise too difficult for you to waste your time. By quickly recognizing and rejecting these people, you can move quickly on to customers who will pay handsomely and are a pleasure to work with.
Avoid Publishers With Greedy Rights Clauses
I have about a contract I’m contemplating signing. The publication is in print and online, and I’ll be doing blog posts initially, with the potential to do features in the future. I really want to write for this pub, but when they sent me the contract, the paragraph below scared me:
“(The Publisher) will retain the copyrights to all stories, works or photographs published. (The Publisher) may at its discretion resell or republish any stories, works or photographs. (Contributor) will agree that all stories, and works of authorship, including photos, will be considered works made for hire and shall be owned exclusively by (The Publisher).”
My question is this: Is it standard to deprive the writer of all copyright rights from the get-go? I’m inclined to ask for a one-year reversion clause.
Know Your Worth By Kirsty Logan
As writers, we tend to be polite. We do not like to pick fights or burn bridges or ruin contacts that we may need in the future. If we feel that we have been hard done by, it is all too easy to just let it go in order to keep everyone sweet. But we work hard for our writing, and we need to fight for our worth.