Write on the Button By Wendy Dager
The thought pops into your head. It’s brief but it’s funny. It makes you laugh out loud. It’s a slogan that says it all. Why not see if a button company likes it enough to pay you for it?
Should I Serialize My New Novel BEFORE It’s Published?
Q. The editor of the local paper, who serialized my first book after it was published, suggests I serialize my next book as it progresses, BEFORE publication. What do you suggest?
A. The original star of electronic book serialization (not newspaper) was famous novelist Doug Clegg. Years ago, long before Stephen King took a shot at it, Clegg was distributing a free chapter of his book to his fans every Friday, via email…
Pet Writing – A Great Way to Earn Extra Kibble By Diane Sonntag
My father-in-law once told me that the reason he didn’t have grandchildren yet was because I was wasting my maternal instincts on my pets. I had to laugh at his comment, even while I admitted it held some validity.
Like many people, my pets are like my family. So when my cat, Tigger, developed a serious medical condition, I was willing to do whatever it took to make him well again. As I wrote the bigger-than-my-mortgage-payment check to cover Tigger’s surgery, the writer in me was already thinking of a way to use the experience – and recoup some of that cash.
Mason is “FREE!”
Mason turned three years old this week. When you ask him how old he is, he yells, “I’m FREE!!!” Seems like just yesterday when he was hospitalized at just 12 days old. I still shudder when I remember that day. We are so very blessed that Mason is so healthy today!
“I Just Landed a Traditional Contract…Or Did I?”
WARNING – So-called “traditional” publishers are fooling authors into plunking down dough!
Residual Income from Examiner.com? Uhhh…
Angela
One of your examiner.com posts said:
I write for a number of these sites because it’s residual – when I retire, these articles will still be making money for me.
Sorry, Mary. Not true with examiner. If retirement means quitting, then you won’t see a penny more than the few pennies you’re getting now. I asked them about that – if people quit, what happens to their articles and their pay? Examiner said they continue to run the articles, but once writers quit, they are no longer paid. So, no residuals from them.
Examiner pays one penny a click and they do not pay for repeated clicks from a single computer, accidental or short visit clicks (you must stay on the site for a full minute or however long their software determines is necessary to actually read each article), or repeated clicks from a single IP address. So, if you and your roommates all use the same IP address, only one click counts. Not that three pennies from a single ISP is really any better than one penny.
Pathetic is four articles totaling 6000 words and getting less than $5.00. Even more pathetic is seeing that your four articles were viewed 450 times in a given week, but only getting paid for 400 of those views-or $4.00. So, (you’re) out 50 cents because some 50 or so people read fast, and didn’t stay on the article/site long enough to earn that “one penny” a visit. That’s when I quit.
They do have a few well known, professional writers, but check back in a year – I’d bet my next (real) paycheck that they’ll all be gone, moved on to jobs that pay real wages.
D.
Can I Copy This Without Permission? Nope!
In writing my autobiography, is it okay to incorporate material one sees on the Internet if there are no conditons such as; “cannot be copied, etc., without the author’s permission?”
Write What You Know? Or Not By Michele Howe
When two of my closest friends became single moms over sixteen years ago, I had no idea that their trials, tribulations and challenges would become the touchstone of my writing career. What began as a therapeutic way to tell my friends’ stories (and to help other single moms) has grown into multiple articles, four books, and a column. All because my dear friends were willing to share their stories, first with me, and then with others.
Getting Excited!!
We’re taking our official “summer vacation” with Richard’s dad and step-mom again this year. I’m quite sure this year’s trip to West Virginia won’t quite compare to last year’s trip to Key West but I know we’ll have a blast just the same. Richard’s dad is an ex-hippy, and is super cool. The kids worship him. His step-mom isn’t much older than we are and I consider her one of my best friends. She’s a school teacher but you’d never know it when you get her out of the classroom. Heh…
Gripe, Moan, Groan…
I have lots of software programs, which are required for what I do (publishing). I don’t buy software updates every time an upgrade comes out because, if it’s working just fine for me, why pay hundreds to thousands more per year for something I don’t need? I think it’s a huge conspiracy anyway. And, whenever I do get an upgrade, seems something always go awry anyway.