• Home
  • SUBSCRIBE (IT’S FREE!) AND GET A FREE BOOK!

  • Contact Us
  • Back Issues
  • Site Map
  • Publish Your Book!

  • Post A Job
  • Write For Us!
  • Friend on Facebook Follow on Facebook Subscribe to RSS
  • Search

Search in Site

advanced search

WritersWeekly.com





Fall 2020 24 Hour Short Story Contest



  • Angela’s Desk
  • Articles
  • Home Office
  • Back Stories
  • Ask The Expert
  • In The News
  • Paying Markets & Jobs
  • Marketing Secrets
  • 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
  • POD SECRETS REVEALED
  • Success Story

Angela’s Desk

If You Want Your Book Published in Time for Christmas Sales, You Need to Act Now! It’s Easy!! Here’s How!!! – by Angela Hoy

Published on August 3, 2022

If You Want Your Book Published in Time for Christmas Sales, You Need to Act Now! It’s Easy!! Here’s How!!! – by Angela Hoy

The back to school/fall-is-coming advertisements spur authors to want to get their new books on the market ASAP to take advantage of the impending holiday shopping season. I'm currently being reminded that I will be getting little sleep from now until Christmas week...…

It Happened AGAIN! When Friends Lie to Authors About Buying Their Books…

Published on July 29, 2022

It Happened AGAIN! When Friends Lie to Authors About Buying Their Books…

Do YOU think this author's friend really purchased his book?…

COMPLAINTS about Xlibris

Published on July 21, 2022

COMPLAINTS about Xlibris

Thinking about using Xlibris to publish your book? You might want to think again after reading these angry complaints!…

LAST CHANCE! START-TIME IS THIS SATURDAY!! What Will the Summer, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!

Published on July 14, 2022

LAST CHANCE! START-TIME IS THIS SATURDAY!! What Will the Summer, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!

As with every Summer contest, you can expect some sizzling summertime adventure, a little bit of romance, or suspense, or action...or maybe not! Ha ha ha!! You'll soon find out!!…

Putting Your Publisher at Risk of a Lawsuit is NO SMALL MATTER!

Published on July 8, 2022

Putting Your Publisher at Risk of a Lawsuit is NO SMALL MATTER!

"Nobody will know I used that picture..." "My abusive ex will never know I wrote this book about him..." "I don't have any money so nobody would get anything if they sued me..." "My siblings don't know about my deceased mom's manuscript. I'm just going to publish it under my name..." AND, MANY MORE EXAMPLES!…

HUGE 4th of July BOOK PUBLISHING PACKAGE SALE!! Get $250 off our most popular book publishing packages!!

Published on July 2, 2022

HUGE 4th of July BOOK PUBLISHING PACKAGE SALE!! Get $250 off our most popular book publishing packages!!

You do NOT need to submit your final manuscript yet. You can sign up now to take advantage of this sale, and submit your manuscript for formatting later, when YOU are ready.…

More SCATHING COMPLAINTS about AuthorHouse / Author Solutions!

Published on June 24, 2022

More SCATHING COMPLAINTS about AuthorHouse / Author Solutions!

Thinking about using AuthorHouse to publish your book? You might want to think again after reading hundreds of BLISTERING reviews!…

World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For June, 2022!

Published on June 16, 2022

World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For June, 2022!

There are several to entertain you with today!! As always, I've saved the best for last!…

ARE YA SCARED?! New Author Cold-Feet-Syndrome is REAL!

Published on June 10, 2022

ARE YA SCARED?! New Author Cold-Feet-Syndrome is REAL!

If I had a nickel for every time an author, who's book was about to be published, got cold feet... So, what is a shy new author to do? I'll tell ya!…

A Mysterious Object Found in the Garden Dirt? – Topic, Common Themes, and WINNERS of the WritersWeekly.com Spring, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest

Published on May 28, 2022

A Mysterious Object Found in the Garden Dirt? – Topic, Common Themes, and WINNERS of the WritersWeekly.com Spring, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest

She patiently sifted clumps, making way for the tiny roots her carrots would put down as they sought ancient nutrients left there by their rotted brethren. But, what did she find?…

10 Secret Reasons Why That Publisher Rejected Your Book (That He/She Will Never Tell You About)

Published on May 20, 2022

10 Secret Reasons Why That Publisher Rejected Your Book (That He/She Will Never Tell You About)

The publisher would probably LOVE to share the truth with the author, but he/she will not for very valid reasons...…

“My book is on Amazon so it MUST be selling, right?”

Published on May 12, 2022

“My book is on Amazon so it MUST be selling, right?”

I often hear from authors who want to alert me that their publisher is ripping them off. The emails usually go something like this...…

World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For May, 2022!

Published on May 7, 2022

World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For May, 2022!

We've been savings these for a few weeks now so there are a LOT to entertain you! As always, I've saved the best for last!…

And, Even MORE Complaints about Amazon KDP!

Published on April 29, 2022

And, Even MORE Complaints about Amazon KDP!

Considering using Amazon KDP to publish your book? You may want to read these numerous complaints first. From cancelled author accounts, to royalty issues, to printing/binding problems, to bad (or non-existent) customer service...and much, MUCH more!…

Any Writer Who Sends Me This Kind of Filth Will Be Reported to the Authorities

Published on April 21, 2022

Any Writer Who Sends Me This Kind of Filth Will Be Reported to the Authorities

I opened a hand-written letter this week, unsolicited (of course!), that contained a graphic short story. The punctuation, spelling, and writing were extremely poor. When I got to page six, I almost vomited...…

Have You Been Denied a Writing Gig Because of Your THOUGHTS on Sexual Orientation?

Published on April 15, 2022

Have You Been Denied a Writing Gig Because of Your THOUGHTS on Sexual Orientation?

"The editors wrote back, specifically asking about my sexual orientation. I replied that journalism is only about accuracy, presenting facts in an understandable manner, and leaving readers with lasting memories about the presentation...."…

LAST CHANCE! START-TIME IS THIS SATURDAY!! What Will the Spring, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!

Published on April 7, 2022

LAST CHANCE! START-TIME IS THIS SATURDAY!! What Will the Spring, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!

As with every Spring contest, you can expect some beautiful flowers, warm breezes, and a little bit of romance, or suspense, or action...or maybe not! Ha ha ha!! You'll soon find out!!!…

The Most Unprofessional Request I’ve Ever Received from an Author

Published on April 1, 2022

The Most Unprofessional Request I’ve Ever Received from an Author

This week's humdinger was from a new author who has not yet signed up at BookLocker. In fact, she hasn't even submitted a manuscript for consideration. She actually asked me to....…

“WHY WON’T YOU PUBLISH MY BOOK FOR FREE?” – A Behind the Scenes Look at a Publisher’s Expenses

Published on March 30, 2022

“WHY WON’T YOU PUBLISH MY BOOK FOR FREE?” – A Behind the Scenes Look at a Publisher’s Expenses

We are often asked why we can't offer our publishing services for free. After all, the publisher gets some money each time a book sells, right?  …

ON MY SOAPBOX AGAIN! – Trigger Warnings ON BOOKS?!?!

Published on March 24, 2022

ON MY SOAPBOX AGAIN! – Trigger Warnings ON BOOKS?!?!

Take it a step further. What if people start cancelling authors and publishers after they were triggered by something in a book? Think that's impossible? Take it further still. What if authors and publishers start getting sued for not publishing trigger warnings, or the right trigger warnings? Think that won't happen? Look around you!…

World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For March, 2022!

Published on March 18, 2022

World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For March, 2022!

Oh, yes! We know you’re excited!! Today, we’re going to share another installment of our popular column!…

A Snowstorm, a Coffee Shop, and a Mysterious Item Under a Coat… – Topic, Common Themes, and WINNERS of the WritersWeekly.com Winter, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest

Published on March 10, 2022

A Snowstorm, a Coffee Shop, and a Mysterious Item Under a Coat… – Topic, Common Themes, and WINNERS of the WritersWeekly.com Winter, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest

Twinkle lights threaten to break the window in the wind, a blunt fingernail tapping a coffee cup, and a bell on a door that won't stop ringing...…

Complaints about SPS / Self Publishing School / Chandler Bolt

Published on March 4, 2022

Complaints about SPS / Self Publishing School / Chandler Bolt

An author contacted me about Self Publishing School, a.k.a. SPS. Oh yeah, I'd heard of them...…

AN OPEN LETTER TO AMAZON: Please stop putting garbage books on the market!

Published on February 25, 2022

AN OPEN LETTER TO AMAZON: Please stop putting garbage books on the market!

Dear Amazon, It's been awhile since we last spoke. Remember when we sued you for anti-trust violations? Wasn't it fun meeting face-to-face in that courtroom, and...…

I Believe Children Shouldn’t Be Exposed to Sexual Content and Now I’m a HOMOPHOBIC RACIST? HA HA HA!

Published on February 17, 2022

I Believe Children Shouldn’t Be Exposed to Sexual Content and Now I’m a HOMOPHOBIC RACIST? HA HA HA!

I have several screenshots of drawings from the book that are so offensive that I can't post them here. If you want to see them, let me know and I'll send them to you via email. What you didn't get to see in the comments under my article were the supportive emails I received from people who were too afraid to post comments (because they were afraid of the cancel culture mob). I also received several emails that were very disturbing...…

Keeping Certain Books Out of the Hands of Children is NOT Censorship! – by Angela Hoy

Published on February 10, 2022

Keeping Certain Books Out of the Hands of Children is NOT Censorship! – by Angela Hoy

When I was nine years old, I managed to get my hands on "Forever" by Judy Bloom. I devoured it. And, I came away a much more "knowing" 9-year-old girl. I won't go into details but, at my maturity level back then, I had no business reading graphic teenage sex scenes and part of me changed during and after reading that book...…

2022 Self-Publishing Price Comparison!

Published on February 2, 2022

2022 Self-Publishing Price Comparison!

Considering self-publishing? Check out this price comparison featuring 17 of the most popular Print on Demand publishing service providers! …

Should You Update Your Old Book, Or Write a New One?

Published on January 27, 2022

Should You Update Your Old Book, Or Write a New One?

If nobody knows your book exists, you can update it until your fingers bleed but that's not going to sell copies. Does YOUR book need a promotional re-boot? …

LAST CHANCE! START-TIME IS THIS SATURDAY!! What Will the Winter, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!

Published on January 20, 2022

LAST CHANCE! START-TIME IS THIS SATURDAY!! What Will the Winter, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!

Is it cold there? It's downright frigid here! In fact, we've had 9 inches of snow in NW Georgia in the past 2 weeks! What better way to stay warm than by entertaining US with a fantastic story on this cozy weekend?!…

12 Ways to Avoid Getting Sued When Writing Your Memoirs by Angela Hoy, WritersWeekly.com and BookLocker.com

Published on January 15, 2022

12 Ways to Avoid Getting Sued When Writing Your Memoirs by Angela Hoy, WritersWeekly.com and BookLocker.com

A book you'll be publishing for the masses is NOT the place to settle a score, even if you think you're doing it anonymously...…

If You Can’t Get Writing Work Right Now, You Have Only Yourself to Blame

Published on January 13, 2022

If You Can’t Get Writing Work Right Now, You Have Only Yourself to Blame

In our 20+ year history, we have never seen so many freelance opportunities ripe for the picking. If you're having a hard time finding writing work, here's what you're doing wrong...…

Publishing Other People’s Non-fiction Stories Can Get You Sued!

Published on January 8, 2022

Publishing Other People’s Non-fiction Stories Can Get You Sued!

Unfortunately, she can't publish the book as-is because it comes with a great deal of legal liability. Here was my response to her...…

RANT! You Better Darned Well THINK Before You DEMAND I Work for YOU for FREE!

Published on January 6, 2022

RANT! You Better Darned Well THINK Before You DEMAND I Work for YOU for FREE!

A Karen gets a smackdown after demanding I CALL her IMMEDIATELY to give her free advice. …

2021 BEST OF WRITERSWEEKLY! Our most-read articles of the year!!

Published on December 31, 2021

2021 BEST OF WRITERSWEEKLY! Our most-read articles of the year!!

This week, I’m sharing our 30 “most clicked on” articles for 2021. Some of these were published before 2021 but they remain popular, and two aren't related to writing at all, but show that posting personal items can attract more people to your publication. Enjoy!…

COMPLAINTS About Stratton Press and Their Pathetic Sales Tactics

Published on December 17, 2021

COMPLAINTS About Stratton Press and Their Pathetic Sales Tactics

IS SHE SERIOUS?! "I'm actually excited to work with you and it hurts me so much. Your decision made me sad right now"…

When An Author Dies, The Vultures Will Rise!

Published on December 14, 2021

When An Author Dies, The Vultures Will Rise!

She said she didn't yet know who to leave her intellectual property to but that she knew who NOT to leave it to... …

1 2 3 … 23 Next »

Trivia Question!

WritersWeekly Trivia Question for 08/05/2022

August 5, 2022 5:27 pm

According to Angela in last week’s issue of WritersWeekly, what happened AGAIN?! ***Please answer the trivia question using our contact form HERE. Do not post your answer in the comments section below.  You must be a WritersWeekly.com subscriber to participate in the weekly contests. Subscribe today. It’s free! NOTE: ONLY ONE WINNER PER HOUSEHOLD PER CALENDAR QUARTER, PLEASE. THIS WEEK’S PRIZE: A free print or ebook of your choice from Booklocker.com!           Read more →

 

Get Paying Markets for Writers AND A FREE BOOK!



Check your inbox now to confirm your subscription.



It's FREE!
(We won't sell your address, or spam you.)

After clicking "SUBSCRIBE" above, check your email to confirm your subscription.

Once you click on the link in your email, you'll be taken to a page on our site where you can instantly download your free book.

Yes, it's that easy!

NOTE: If you don't receive our email, please check your spam filters. Please whitelist emails coming from writersweekly@writersweekly.com.

How Many Copies Of Your Book Would You Have To Sell In Order To Break Even?




POD Secrets Revealed!

SELF-PUBLISHING IN 2021? – How Many Book Sales Needed to Recoup Your Investment?

UPDATED: 03/04/2021 EDITOR’S NOTE: Please also see the Self-Publishing Price Comparison HERE. Considering self-publishing? Are you wondering how many books you will need to sell to recoup your investment? LISTED IN ORDER …
Read More

POD SECRETS REVEALED: Book Contests for a Publisher’s Authors? Pppfffttt!!! By Angela Hoy

Playing on an author’s vanity is one of the most common marketing ploys used in the publishing services industry. From promises of wealth and fame to ridiculous “your book can …
Read More

POD SECRETS REVEALED: “Free Publishing Guides” Are Used To Harvest Your Email Address, Phone Number, And More!

When I see the words “free publishing guide,” I think somebody is going to send me a free ebook that is an actual, factual, non-biased guide about the publishing industry, …
Read More

RIDICULOUS RED TAPE!! When POD Publishers Charge WAY Too Much to Make Changes, and Take WAY Too Long to Make Them! by Angela Hoy

We often hear from authors who are upset with their current POD Publisher. One in particular is currently moving his AuthorHouse book to BookLocker, which is never a surprise. We …
Read More

POD SECRETS REVEALED! – “100% Royalties?!” Don’t Be Fooled! By Angela Hoy

What are royalties? According to the I.R.S.: “Royalties from copyrights on literary, musical, or artistic works, and similar property, or from patents on inventions, are amounts paid to you for …
Read More

P.O.D. SECRETS REVEALED: “Free” P.O.D. Services Can Be Very Expensive!

PRICES WERE UPDATED IN THIS ARTICLE ON 7/13/17 NOTE: BookLocker.com offers a D.I.Y. option that costs $78. That includes the cost of the print proof (the first printed, bound copy …
Read More

P.O.D. SECRETS REVEALED: Ridiculous Contract Clauses!

This week, we’re going to show you why reading contracts is imperative when considering a P.O.D. publisher. Did you know… 1. AUTHORHOUSE OWNS YOUR PRODUCTION FILES…AND SO DOES ALMOST EVERYBODY …
Read More

Paying Markets For Writers, Photographers, and Artists

NEED WRITERS, BLOGGERS, EDITORS, AUTHORS, OR OTHER CREATIVE FOLKS?? We’ll post your ad on WritersWeekly FOR FREE. Please complete THIS FORM.

  • It Happened AGAIN! When Friends Lie to Authors About Buying Their Books…

    July 29, 2022 12:36 pm

    By: By Angela Hoy - Publisher of WritersWeekly.com

    2 responses

    Do YOU think this author's friend really purchased his book? Read more →

    An author contacted me this week saying a friend had purchased his book, and that the sale wasn’t credited to his author account. I went through my regular checklist, and confirmed that sales were getting credited to his account correctly. In 20+ years of being in business, we have never had any book sales credited to the wrong author’s account, nor have any transactions failed to be credited to each author’s account – ever. But, I still do my checklist…just in case something has gone awry.

    As my next step, which is what I always do after determining there was no database error, I asked the author for his friend’s name. He gave it. The friend was not in our customer database. In other words, nobody by that name had ever purchased anything from our website.

    I told the author this, and asked him to ask his friend if he’d used his spouse’s credit card. It’s not unusual for someone to purchase a product with his or her spouse’s credit card, meaning the spouse’s name would be on the order.

    No, the person had not done that, either.

    I explained to the author that I could not chase a ghost – an alleged order from someone who isn’t even in our database. I needed a copy of the customer’s receipt.

    The author wrote back saying that the customer never received a receipt. Yeah, I was starting to suspect what you’ve probably already figured out after reading this far.

    The author then said that a friend of that friend used the first friend’s credit card to try to place an order. I had a VERY hard time swallowing that. Why would friends be swapping credit cards like that? That second person allegedly reported receiving an “order confirmation” but not an email receipt. We don’t send out one or the other. Every customer receives an instant email receipt. Of course, the customer did not provide a copy of the non-existent “order confirmation.”

    As a last resort, I asked for a screenshot of the customer’s credit card charge showing our company’s name.

    Crickets.

    I sent the author the link to this article:

    EMBARRASSING! When Friends and Family Lie About Buying Your Book

    I haven’t heard anything since. This author was actually very civil. I have had authors believe their lying relatives and friends, and become irate with me, even when their loved ones can produce zero proof of any purchase (and certainly not a copy of the book!!).

    It’s embarrassing when this happens to an author but it’s also extremely time-consuming for the author and the publisher (we exchanged 17 messages about this incident!) who are trying to find a NON-EXISTENT order. I imagine the person most embarrassed of all is the “friend” who lied about purchasing a copy of the author’s book.

    I wish the world was a more honest place…

    RELATED

    • AWKWARD HOLIDAY GATHERINGS! When Relatives Say They Bought Your Book (But They Didn’t)
    • Attn: Authors and Their Ex-spouses – Please Keep Your Publisher OUT of Your Marital Problems!
    • Is the Culprit Your Sp*m Filter…or Your Spouse?
    • Heck, Yeah, I’m Mad! Is That a Problem?!
    • Lies, Broken Promises, Ignored Correspondence, and More – Top 10 Customer Service No No’s


    Got questions about Print On Demand and Self-publishing? Ask Angela Hoy.

    About The Author

    AngelaPortrait72dpismall_400x400

    Angela Hoy is the publisher of WritersWeekly.com, the author of 19 books, and the co-owner of BookLocker.com (one of the original POD publishers that still gets books to market in less than a month), PubPreppers.com (print and ebook design for authors who truly want to self-publish), and Abuzz Press (the publishing co-op that charges no setup fees).

    Angela has lived and traveled across the U.S. with her kids in an RV, settled in a river-side home in Bradenton, FL, and lived on a 52 ft Irwin sailboat. Angela now resides on a mountaintop in Northwest Georgia, where she plans to spend the rest of her days bird watching, gardening, hiking, and taking in all of the amazing sunrises.

    WritersWeekly.com - the free marketing ezine for writers, which features new paying markets and freelance job listings every Wednesday.

    BookLocker.com - According to attorney Mark Levine, author of The Fine Print, BookLocker is: "As close to perfection as you're going to find in the world of ebook and POD publishing. The ebook royalties are the highest I've ever seen, and the print royalties are better than average. BookLocker understands what new authors experience, and have put together a package that is the best in the business. You can't go wrong here. Plus, they're selective and won't publish any manuscript just because it's accompanied by a check. Also, the web site is well trafficked. If you can find a POD or epublisher with as much integrity and dedication to selling authors' books, but with lower POD publishing fees, please let me know."

    Abuzz Press offers FAST and FREE book publication, but only accepts a small percentage of submissions, and only works with U.S. authors.

    PubPreppers.com - "We Prep, You Publish!" Print and ebook design for authors who truly want to self-publish. Offers formatting and design services only, and then provides simple instructions for authors on where to sign up to have the print and ebook editions printed/listed/sold. Cut out the middle man. Keep 100% of what bookstores pay for your book!

    Angela's POD Secrets Revealed Series can be found HERE.

    Have a POD Book with another publisher? See if BookLocker can give you a better deal. (BookLocker offers "disgruntled author discounts" to those who want to move from other POD services.)


    See BookLocker's publishing packages HERE.


    ANGELA ON TWITTER https://twitter.com/AngelaHoy


    BOOKLOCKER ON FACEBOOK - Provides links to free excerpts!
    https://www.facebook.com/booklockerbooks


    ANGELA ON FACEBOOK
    https://www.facebook.com/angela.hoy.750


    ANGELA ON LINKEDIN
    https://www.linkedin.com/pub/angela-hoy/78/719/390


    Angela is the creator of the Original 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
    https://24hourshortstorycontest.com/



    Read More Of Angela's Articles HERE



    90+ DAYS OF PROMOTING YOUR BOOK ONLINE: Your Book's Daily Marketing Plan by Angela Hoy and Richard Hoy

    Promoting your book online should be considered at least a part-time job. Highly successful authors spend more time promoting a book than they do writing it - a lot more.

    We know what you're thinking. You're an author, not a marketer. Not to worry! We have more than a decade of successful online book selling experience under our belts and we're going to teach you how to promote your book effectively online...and almost all of our techniques are FREE!

    Online book promotion is not only simple but, if you have a step-by-step, day-to-day marketing plan (this book!), it can also be a very artistic endeavor, which makes it fun for creative folks like you!

    Yes, online book promoting can be EASY and FUN! Let us show you how, from Day 1 through Day 90...and beyond!



    Fall 2020 24 Hour Short Story Contest






    Categories: Angela's Desk

    Tags: author, book marketing, Book Reviews, promotional pitfalls, writing career advice

How Many Copies Of Your Book Would You Have To Sell In Order To Break Even?




  • SUBSCRIBE (IT’S FREE!) AND GET A FREE BOOK!

  • Contact Us
  • Back Issues
  • Site Map
  • Publish Your Book!

  • Post A Job
  • Write For Us!
  • Angela’s Desk
  • Articles
  • Home Office
  • Back Stories
  • Ask The Expert
  • In The News
  • Paying Markets & Jobs
  • Marketing Secrets
  • 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
  • POD SECRETS REVEALED
  • Success Story

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Check your inbox now to confirm your subscription.



About Us

WritersWeekly.com is one of the oldest and most respected sites on freelance writing. It has been published continuously since 1997. It’s part of the BookLocker.com, Inc. family of businesses, which includes POD and ebook publisher BookLocker.com, Abuzz Press and Pub Preppers.

The company’s contact information is:

BookLocker.com, Inc.
12441 N. Main Street, #38
Trenton, GA 30752
Fax: 305-768-0261

privacy policy

© 2022, ↑ WritersWeekly.com

Log in - Powered by WordPress - Designed by Gabfire Themes

Show Buttons
Hide Buttons