Six States in Five Days
Except for a severe storm that rocked the RV for hours, Navarre Florida was perhaps the most relaxing stop we’ve had while RVing.
How to Test Your Publisher’s Sales Reports By Angela Hoy
Last week, we heard from yet another author (I’ll call him Author Al) who is accusing his distributor of theft because his Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com rankings moved. A few years ago, another author claimed she was owed millions because her Amazon ranking was…in the millions. As you’ve probably guessed, this is a common problem. New authors often try to use bookstore rankings to estimate their sales.
Payment vs. Art
Kudos to Lynette Reese for saying what every thinking writer should be, well, thinking. Payment and art aren’t mutually exclusive. Just ask Picasso or, for that matter, any successful actor or musician.
Linda
Beyond the Guidelines: Calendars, Calls, and More Material for Writing Success By Erika Dreifus
The wisdom that rests behind checking a publication’s guidelines is self-evident. One is more likely to encounter success by following a publication’s stated rules and meeting its declared requirements than not. Sending a completed manuscript by e-mail attachment when the guidelines clearly state that only postal queries are welcome is an excellent strategy – if your goal is to dramatically reduce your chances of freelance success.
Secure Interview Before Query or Vice-Versa?
I have several ideas for interviews and the magazines they would be great for. However, I don’t know the potential interviewees personally, so should I ask for an interview before I have an actual assignment, and take the chance that I won’t get the job? Or should I query the magazines first, and take a chance that I won’t get the interview?
Persistence and Networking! By Ramona Richards
Five years ago, I faced a heart-wrenching dilemma. My daughter Rachel, who is severely disabled, was going downhill in a hurry. I was working as an in-house editor, and our days were long, grueling, and stress-filled. I’m a single mom, and although I have a nurse who works with Rachel at night, my deadlines and my concerns about my daughter were pushing me to a breaking point.
Whispers and Warnings For April 13th
This Week:
- The Writer’s Desk – They’ll pay you for your article…IF they sell 50 copies of the pub. Ha!
- Terry Porter, agent – Ouch!
- St. Mary’s Today – Receives $435K settlement after accusing county police of seizing copies of the paper to suppress unflattering stories about two county officials.
- Winners of the Muzzle Awards Announced – The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression publishes this year’s list of winners.
- The All State, the Austin Peay State University campus newspaper – Reports disappearance of 1,500 school newspapers that reported unflattering information about their leading basketball scorer.
- The Beast, a bi-weekly Buffalo, NY newspaper – Tom Cruise’s attorney sends a retraction demand.
- Inland Valley Daily Bulletin / MediaNews Group Inc. / MediaNews Group Interactive, Inc. and four of their employees – Sued Wednesday by Bo Jackson over article claiming he used steroids.
- The Globe – Editor acknowledged sending investigator photographs of his long-dead mother but denied it was an effort to pressure the detective.
Ali Saves A Toddler’s Life
On Monday, a toddler, tall for his age, was walking down the road toward the bay here (we’re on Navarre Beach in Florida). A van drove right past him, steering around him, but didn’t bother to stop. He kept walking and was obviously alone. Ali hollered to me and then went to the toddler, who was almost to the water by then. He walked right past several people on the beach and nobody noticed. He was almost to the water…and still, nobody noticed.
More Writers Reporting Success Collecting From Deadbeats
A few weeks ago, I posted an article that contains a sample, no-nonsense letter for writers to send to deadbeat editors. I’m happy to say that, for those who have reported using the letter, almost 100% have subsequently reported being paid (and paid quickly!) as a direct result of using that letter.
Letters To The Editor For April 6th
This Week:
- Writer Used our Sample Letter and Got Paid!
- Loved the WritersWeekly Course!