Published on August 26, 2009
The article is good as far as it goes.
But it presumes throughout that deadbeat publishers are out there, hoping against hope for a reversal of their fortunes.
It doesn’t report in full on serial scamming deadbeats who with malice aforethought hoodwink writers and advertisers.
Writers should be alert to the special warning signs attached to serial scammers.
One, for example, is a publisher with whom one has never worked before who nonetheless requests more than one article for a single issue of a publication.
What the scammer is trying to do is to accumulate content, to attract advertising dollars. Then, surprise surprise, the multiple articles don’t get published in the issue for which they were commissioned; lots of luck collecting the money you’re due from the serial scammer.
Unless one has worked with a publisher and consistently been paid on time, one should never accept multiple article assignments for a single issue of a publication without receiving at least one half of the fee upfront before work begins. If your existing work is of such conspicuous high quality that the publisher is sure they’ll want to publish two, three or four articles by you in a single issue, they should be willing to pay at least half up front.
Scott Rose
Published on August 26, 2009
All budding writers dream of the day they can proudly announce to the world they are now an ‘author.’ Well, after 20 years, I can finally say it. However, I wish someone had told me just how much work I was letting myself in for. Phew, is all I can say.
Published on August 26, 2009
I have completed a business book. It was written using Word and I have converted it to pdf. The front and back covers are designed and saved as Word files along with the spine design. I have an ISBN and have assigned a number to the book. I am considering going to a standard printer, but would like to consider going with a POD publisher instead, or maybe also. Does this make sense?
Published on August 26, 2009
I devoured every page of my favorite magazine–the one I dreamed of seeing my byline in. Since divorcing and entering a new, sizzling relationship, even the Dear Amy column intrigued me.
A reader asked, “How can I get my boyfriend to stop kissing me in public?”
The answer I read would change my writing career.
Published on August 19, 2009
Max and I stopped at the pet store to get crickets for Max’s lizard, Cool, yesterday. When we left, Max said, “Look at the cute puppy, Mommy!”
I looked to my right and there was a small puppy resembling a tiny Beagle in the car next to us. He was scratching on the window. I said to Max, “Come on.” We both immediately got out of the truck.
Published on August 19, 2009
Every once in awhile, I write an article with the sole purpose of having a place to send people later on, when a specific situation arises. This one’s for the deadbeats who try to silence their victims.
If you’ve ever threatened to expose a publisher for non-payment, you’ve probably heard this one.
Published on August 19, 2009
This Week:
- Whoo-Whee! Now, That’s One Snotty Librarian!
- Internship or Indentured Servitude?
Published on August 19, 2009
You’ve decided to write your memoir, anticipating the writing of mud pies, toilet papering the high school Principal’s yard on Halloween, that first kiss, a wedding day, births of kids, and so on. You will write about dad’s alcoholism, brother Billy dying in the war, or other sad memories.
Then there are secrets; dark secrets which might have impacted our lives forever. Secrets that our loved ones might not know exist. You often hear after someone publishes their memoir that it was “so cathartic.” There are others not so lucky. You need to consider how writing about dark times might affect you.
Published on August 19, 2009
Have a Freelance Success Story to share? We pay $40 on acceptance, non-exclusive electronic rights only. Success stories run around 300 words but we’re very flexible. Our guidelines are here: https://writersweekly.com/misc/guidelines.php
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Writing for Trade Magazines
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Published on August 12, 2009
We went to the rheumatologist last week because Richard’s vasculitis is still coming and going, despite the fact that he’s on Prednisone. The rheumatologist and the emergency room doctor had the same diagnosis, which we had to look up online.
