For What It’s Worth By Ami Hendrickson
Talking about both time and money is difficult for many writers and other artists. The difficulty is not one that only newbies face.
Should I Write “Test” Articles For This Firm?
You’ve given warnings in your newsletter about writing for companies that require “test” articles. I received the following email from (a website). I sent a six-page pubs list of links to numerous published articles and manuscripts, so I know they know my writing style. Then they sent me an email mentioning test articles. A red flag went up inside me; but then again, this may be a legitimate request on their part. I haven’t come across this before, and though the pay isn’t great, I’m retired and I have no desire to get burned.
My question is: Have you come across this company and do you have anything positive or negative to say about them? Any other advice about dealing with them or others like them?
A Job with No Rules By Jodi M. Webb
My career as a writer followed a predictable path. I began writing for local magazines “for fun”, did a stint as a stringer at my local newspaper, then began moving up the writing chain to larger markets, and more well-known publications. I was willing to try any kind of writing
We’re Outta Here!
On Sunday, I checked the weather and it looked like we were only going to get sporadic snow showers for the next 10 days. I told Richard, “Good news! No snowstorms are expected before we leave on our trip!”
On Monday morning, we woke up and it was snowing pretty hard.
Amazon Backs Down! Settles Antitrust Lawsuit Filed By BookLocker
We suspected Amazon would want to settle before discovery began and we were right.
Letters To The Editor For January 20th
We announced the Amazon Settlement to our BookLocker authors this morning. Here are just a few of their responses.
Tickler Files Increase Your Success By Robert Moskowitz
There are many differences between successful and unsuccessful freelance writers that have nothing to do with their relative abilities to write. One of the most important is how well they manage the critical business functions that are essential to surviving in the writing game.
Should Authors Risk Doing Business with Overseas “Publishers?”
I saw an ad online for a company claiming to give authors a “great opportunity.” They’re hiring people to write textbooks. Have you heard of these guys?
Deaf Writer At Work By Dawn Colclasure
As a rule, I don’t say it. Yet, when a source, editor, or publisher wants to talk with me on the phone, it’s got to come out: “I’m deaf.”
When Your Kid Gets Ripped Off…
One of our adult children (I won’t say which one) needed some very expensive auto repairs performed. We try not to step in and help if they want to take care of something themselves but we are always here to offer advice. In order to save money, they hired a co-worker, who I will call Dimwit Don. Dimwit said he ran a small auto repair shop out of his home garage on the side. After being paid in cash up front, Dimwit then kept the car for four months, after originally quoting “2-3 weeks” for the repairs to be done. During that time, the entire family was shuffling while sharing our two remaining vehicles. With so many drivers in the family now, you can imagine how much of a pain that became after just the first few days. After two months, it was ridiculous. After four months, and one excuse after another, Dimwit was fired from his regular job (for other reasons)…meaning our adult child no longer had daily contact with this individual. That was more than worrisome for us…especially since that’s when Dimwit stopped returning phone calls…