Letters To The Editor For January 14th
This week’s letters have been published in Angela’s article on authors who don’t promote their works. Click HERE.
VAMPIRE PUBLISHERS: How to Tell If You’ve Been Bitten by One By Julie Matherly
Like many writers who can’t break through the exclusive ceiling of agents and large blockbuster-thirsty commercial publishers, you might be forced to change tactics. You query smaller houses until you receive every author’s dream – a book contract. The publisher pays royalties and claims not to be a self-publisher, POD, or vanity press. They invite you to ask questions, making you feel safe. You can’t wait to sign while the stars of potential royalties romance your head. Some of the terms seem a little vague, but your hunger for publication convinces you not to expect much with a first published book. You’re grateful to be one of a chosen few while the publisher seduces you to join their sacred family. You surrender to your appetite and sign. Having your first book published is worth almost any risk, right? Sadly, writers who buy into this deceptive myth may face dire consequences. Welcome to Vampire Publishing.
Why Do Some Pubs Offer Such Insulting Pay?
Just a short note to state my opinion about the way writers are paid. Personally I think it is an insult what some magazines offer. How can you ask for 6,000 words and pay between $10.00 & $25.00 for it? I don’t know of any writers who can knock off 6,000 words the first time without several rewrites. Do they think they are doing us a favor by publishing what we write??? They certainly aren’t paying for the privilege of using our work.
This isn’t just a few. It is most of what I’ve come across. It takes me forever to find an editor willing to pay for what they want. They ask for perfection and offer zilch in return. Who works for 10 cents an hour. Writers????
Why do they offer such a piss poor excuse for a payment! I was in business management and accounting. That was the way to support my family. Now I’m disabled and I can do what I love, writing. Maybe I think in dollars and cents because of my previous occupation but I don’t think it’s right to offer next to nothing for hard work. I’ve searched many places and it is an insult to be offered a nothing amount. Why do they do that??
The Pineapple Chutney Following By Alice J. Wisler
When my novel, Rain Song, made its debut, I was eager to promote it with the typical book signings at local stores. I arranged three events and enjoyed each one; people came and bought books. However, I wanted more, something unique, something to stand out. As one friend said, with a wry smile, “You want a following.” I grimaced; that sounded lofty.
Vacation Over – Pooey!
Our holiday was incredibly grand and we sure didn’t like seeing it end! We had friends, family, games, snow, too much Christmas candy and much, much more! As I write this, I can still hear the Christmas wreath outside, tapping against the window in the wind. I need to remember to ask Frank to take those down. While he’s at it, he’ll also take down the outside lights. I’m ashamed to admit those are still up, too!
When Authors Aren’t Willing to Market Their Books
I’m noticing a disturbing trend. At least once a week now, I’m contacted by an author who is seeking a self-publisher that actively markets their book for them…for free.
Thirty-One Writing-Related Resolutions
Hi Angela,
I just want to drop you a note about an article I read. It is by Melissa Mayntz, and about writing resolutions, which I am keeping a copy for future reference. I thought it was great and I’m going to use it to remind myself who I am and what I do! Just a thank you and kudos to the author.
Sincerely,
Ang Dee
The Power and Profit in a Fiction Title By Marion Cuba
As a writer, I am constantly barraged by Internet advice on how to market your book. Unfortunately, most of the suggestions are geared to non-fiction. Many also urge me to “research the market” to find the perfect subject.
I dismiss – and delete – these ideas as NA: not applicable. They hold no interest for me. Nor would they be of any value.
When a Publisher Gets Behind, the Squeaky Wheel Gets Paid First
A local publication owes me $325 and change for several stories of mine it published in October and November (originally scheduled for September, but they cancelled that issue). Over the past six weeks I’ve received probably a half-dozen promises that payment was forthcoming (“at the end of the week”, “next week”, “overnight by Friday”, etc.). Finally, after much frustrated follow-up, I received an e-mail from the publisher saying that advertising has been slow (which I knew), he is owed a lot of money by advertisers, he hasn’t taken payment himself in three months and he hopes things will be better after the new year.
I’m sympathetic, but this doesn’t change the fact that I’m owed money for work I did at his request more than three months ago – and a portion of what I’m owed is even repayment for an expense I incurred at his request.
Do you have any tips for squeezing blood out of a turnip, as it were? What is my recourse? Is there any binding way for me to make sure that when money does come in to him, he pays me before he pays expenses for a next issue?
The Publisher Found Me Online By Pamela White
One not-so-ordinary day, I opened my email to find a request that I write an abbreviated cookbook proposal for a book packager. The book packager planned to use the proposal to attract a publisher; if the cookbook was a go, I was promised the job of writing it.
I had not pitched this idea, nor had I ever worked for this company. I wasn’t even clear on what a book packager did.
What was so extraordinary was that the company found me – online.