Published on November 30, 2005
I’m curious. What happens to the unpaid (except in signed copies of the book) contributors when a well-known celebrity publishes a book with the stories and “wisdom” from ordinary writer folk? Do the ordinary folk get any publicity or press in the ensuing publicity tour? Does it hurt/help a writer to have their selections published in someone else’s best seller? I’ve been selected to have a story I wrote published in a celebrity’s book and folks are asking ME what happens and I have to say, I honestly don’t know! Can you clue me in?
Published on November 30, 2005
It’s been almost eight years, and I can still feel the gut wrench. Up to that day, I’d been contributing tens of thousands of words to a prominent how-to publisher’s books, all at a handsome per word rate, for an editor I’d met only by phone but adored.
Now, the voice on the other end of the line was telling me she would be in charge. This Ms. LB would give me a small sample assignment at the usual per word rate, but no promises.
Published on November 23, 2005
Isn’t technology great? We can watch TV shows from all over the world now. Case in point? Postman Pat. Here in the U.S., HBO airs this darling children’s show each day. Max adores it and we even hear him talking in a British accent sometimes when mimicking lines from the show. (He also uses a Texas accent when mimicking lines from King of the Hill). Anyway, Max really wants a Postman Pat Doll (and his kitty, too) for Christmas. The problem is, I can’t find anybody in the U.S. who sells Postman Pat products. Oh, I found tons of people and companies in the U.K. with the dolls, but nobody will ship to the U.S. – not even amazon.co.uk!
Published on November 23, 2005
This Week:
- Comment On “When Authors Die…”
- Dick Learned Makes Us Smile Once Again!
Published on November 23, 2005
How much do you make PER HOUR writing articles? $100? $50? Less than $10? Here are two critical questions: How much do you need to make every day, week or month to run a profitable full-time or part-time freelance business? How does this income requirement translate into an hourly rate?
Published on November 23, 2005
My book was first published by another Print on Demand company. I’ve since had it printed elsewhere.
Just this morning whilst searching the Heathrow Airport website for book retailers to contact in the course of my marketing strategy, I came across my book title, the old version, on Amazon.com, selling for
Published on November 23, 2005
I love it when someone asks what I do, and I reply that I am a writer. Because predictably, the next question they ask is what my “real” job is. Then I get to tell them that I actually do support my household as a writer, and have for a long time – and still have running water, eat out, own a home, and do all the other things that normal people do.
After a hushed silence, people then often ask, “How do you do it?” Glad you asked! Here, in summary form, is how I make a real livelihood as a writer…
Published on November 16, 2005
We were shopping one night late last week and heard another customer tell the clerk that it was snowing outside. The children got very excited and Max (age 4) yelled, “I want a snowball!!!”
We walked outside with our purchases and were delighted to see beautiful, graceful snowflakes floating to the ground.
Published on November 16, 2005
Unfortunately, when you own a company that has more than 800 clients (authors), you’re forced to deal with the sad loss of a few of those clients each year. While it is sad to lose someone I’ve exchanged dozens of professional and often personal emails with over the months or years, the aftermath can get pretty ugly. You see, authors of published books leave behind a legacy. And, that legacy is an asset that is often bringing in some money. What’s more, most people tend to think all authors are rich (ha ha). And, any asset that is bringing cash in each month will likely send the survivors in that family into a frenzy.
Published on November 16, 2005
This Week:
- Writing Collaborations: Are Two Heads Better Than One?
- When PR People Make Dumb Mistakes
- Another Type Of Author Fraud…
