Letters To The Editor For May 23rd
Letters will return next week.
DO YOU OWE WRITERS MONEY? By “In-Debt Chet”
You know, I don’t really understand why some people in the publishing business don’t pay their debts. I’m not talking about the people who are open scammers. I’m referring to the people who start publications that end up underfunded or unsubscripted and, thus, leave writers unpaid.
When an editor runs a story online, in print, or elsewhere, he has to pay for it. Period. End of story. By publishing the story, he has devalued the writer’s only currency. Once the story is published, first rights are gone forever. It takes a writer’s time and energy to create those first rights and he should be compensated if you use them.
Editors Wants Me to Sign a Backdated, Two-Year Non-Compete!
Basically, I’ve already done some work for this company, the beginning of what seems to be a long-term arrangement, and they’re just now asking me to sign a backdated contract. The contract restricts me from writing about the topic for anyone else while I am working with them AS WELL AS during the first two years after terminating the contract.
Get Out Of The Pits By J. M. Cornwell
An article in “Writer’s Digest” magazine about looking for opportunity in my own backyard put me on track. Following the advice brought me the first of many sales to an alternative newspaper. Full of excitement and eager to write, it was a short step to other newspapers, local and regional magazines, and national syndication. Each step led to a modest career writing newsletters, press releases, speeches, book reviews, web sites, editing and ghostwriting, each sale piling up clips and credits. Editing, blogging and writing book reviews was safe and comfortable and paid fairly well.
Flippies, White Noise and Update on Richard
If you’re looking for a unique gift for grandparents, check out “Flippies.” Flippies are custom flip books. This is one of those “wish I’d thought of that!” products. Very cool.
Mason (almost 11 months old now!) is a very good napper…provided there’s a steady stream of noise in the background, such as television, soft voices, etc. The problem is, we have other children whose voices are anything but soft. Richard recently downloaded “white noise” to his computer and we played that during Mason’s nap yesterday. He slept for three hours!
Can Self-Published Authors Land Traditional Contracts? Heck, Yeah! By Angela Hoy
I keep hearing the same question: “If I self-publish, can I still land a traditional publishing contract?” Yes, you absolutely can!
On Monday, I received a note from a fiction author who said an agent told him he can’t land a traditional contract if he self-publishes. We told him that was hogwash.
Breaking Into Job Hunting And Career Magazines By John K. Borchardt
In today’s uncertain employment environment, magazine articles on job hunting and careers are more popular than ever. Slanted appropriately, these are published in trade magazines such as Women in Business, Minority MBA and Nursing Spectrum, all aimed at working professionals. Other magazines, such as Equal Opportunity and Black Collegian, target graduating college students. Broader interest magazines such as Self and Woman’s World occasionally publish articles covering career concerns.
Thanks!
Thanks, Angela. Your check arrived today! You’re one of the best for paying
promptly!
Dawn
Agent doesn’t/does charge a fee?
Hello.
I’ve read a lot of articles that say agents should not charge fees but I wonder if this one is different. The agency promises to “provide a free evaluation of your entire work.” Then, below the signature is the line. “We charge a $250.00 submission fee if you are offered a contract.” Is that normal? I think that if it goes to contract then the contract should not cost anything. Otherwise it still seems like a reading fee. I’m confused.
Depriving Yourself Of Fun And Profit? By Kristina Seleshanko
I didn’t realize I was depriving myself of fun and profit. Although I considered myself a fairly versatile writer, I avoided electronic publishing…until recently
After 14 years as freelancer under my belt, I finally took the plunge with eBooks. You can read about my success in that area here: https://www.writersweekly.com/success_stories/003705_10252006.html. Pleased with the results, I considered extending my career to blogging…but I wasn’t sure what I could offer that would be different or useful.