Misdiagnosed…
After posting about my recent diagnosis of diverticulosis and diverticulitis, many of you wrote in and kindly told me you thought I perhaps had something else and that I should consider a second opinion. Well, you were right!
Writer’s First Hate Mail
Hi,
I just wanted to let you both know that July must be “attack a writer month” as I experienced my first “hate posts” last week.
It came out of the blue for me, too. I
When Snobby Authors Pretend to Be Traditionally Published By Forthcoming Fred
I belong to a very active writer’s association that oversees and sponsors a number of writing groups and workshops in the area. My involvement in the local group has been limited in recent months, only attending meetings when a guest speaker visits to discuss a topic of specific interest to me. This may sound a bit selfish, but I prefer to avoid a handful of pompous, published blowhards whenever possible. Recently I discovered a little secret about a pair of these folks that could send both of them rushing off to therapy, but no names or associations will be mentioned.
Unsolicited Promotional Email Plan
I received a call from (a certain POD company) today asking me to participate in a promotional email plan for my book. The web address they sent me to look up specifics of the plan is (link removed).
What do you think?
Always Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open By Susan Johnston
Recently I attended a networking event for women entrepreneurs. Now, I’m not an entrepreneur in the traditional sense. I’m not looking for venture capital and I don’t need a manufacturer who can produce purses or kitchen gadgets inexpensively. But something told me that it would be a worthwhile event.
Paranoid Mommy Syndrome…
While my hypochondria is usually a stressful annoyance (that’s probably an understatement), sometimes it’s good to be extra cautious but sometimes it can get a bit ridiculous. They should ban people like me from medical websites…
Some POD Publishers: “Buy a Manuscript Evaluation So We Can Upsell You on Our Editing Services!”
Last week, I received an email from an author who was perturbed that we didn’t offer something similar to what he received via email (spam!) from another POD publisher. What was it? A $199 manuscript evaluation. If you paid and then decided to use that POD publisher later, you could deduct $199 from your setup fees. They could (probably do!) then upsell you on their expensive editing services that their manuscript evaluation very likely will say you need. Now, come on. Do you really think they’re going to tell you your manuscript is perfect? No way…
Letters To The Editor For July 16th
Letters will return next week.
Profiting from Pets: Writing for Animal Magazines By John K. Borchardt
Animal magazines target pet owners and animal businesses and cover a wide spectrum of animals and topics. These range from common pets such as dogs (Bark, Dog Fancy, etc.) and cats (Cat Fancy, I Love Cats, etc.), to fish (Aquarium Fish International, Tropical Fish Hobbyist), to less usual pets (Reptiles, Miniature Donkey Journal) to quite large animals (The Horse, Equus, etc.). Some magazines note in their guidelines they are not pet magazines but are intended for people breeding and selling animals.
Should I Send My Money to this Go Freelance?
I am a writer that receives your WritersWeekly newsletter. Thank you for being so on top of these fake jobs, and menial rewards for writers. I enjoy reading your comments.
I was wondering if you have ever heard of a company called “Go Freelance”, which posts jobs for freelancers, as well as other jobs. It’s $2.95 a month subscription charge with the supposed option of dropping the subscription at any time. If you have, I would appreciate your response.