World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For June, 2019!
Oh, yes! We know you’re excited!! Today, we’re going to share another installment of our popular column, World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals.…
Angela’s Desk
Topic, Common Themes, and Winners of the WritersWeekly.com SPRING, 2019 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
A violent storm, a blast of cold air, and a furious attempt at escape... Where would YOUR imagination take this topic? …
“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? …
Well-known Book Publicity Firm Refuses to Provide Book Sales Numbers!
I was spammed by a well-known book publicity firm last week so I took that opportunity to ask them a very simple question. All authors who are considering paying a marketing firm upwards of $1,000 or more should ask the same question...…
COMPLAINTS about Dog Ear Publishing – WOW…
From unanswered emails and phone calls, to non-payment of royalties, to the inability to even order copies, the allegations against Dog Ear Publishing are mounting. Yet, their website is still operating, and soliciting new authors!…
GOOD ADVICE OR NOT? Should You Rewrite Your Entire Book Just Because One So-Called Literary Agent Says You Should?
Should this author invest months or years doing what the agent suggests...when he/she hasn't even contacted any traditional publishers yet? Is he/she actually trying to sell expensive services to the author? You won't believe the things this agent suggested...…
DEATH OR ILLNESS OF PUBLISHER? Yet Another Reason to Avoid Publishing Your Book with A Very Small or New Company
I was contacted by another author last week who was in a big bind. His published book was no longer available because: 1. His first publisher got sick and closed up shop; and 2. His second publisher died...…
COMPLAINTS and Comments about Archway Publishing
Archway Publishing is a division of Author Solutions. Often, authors contact many publishing services firms, not realizing that some of those are owned by the same company...…
Karen Wasted a Year Writing a Book She CAN’T Publish. DON’T BE KAREN!
It's astounding how many "authors" think this is a unique thing to do, and an easy way to write a book...…
World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For April, 2019!
Oh, yes! We know you’re excited!! Today, we’re going to share another installment of our popular column, World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals. Pull up a chair and prepare for some belly laughs!…
LAST CHANCE! THIS SATURDAY!! What will the Spring, 2019 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!
Has your yucky, brown snow melted? Are beautiful flowers budding in your yard? Can you believe Easter is FINALLY almost here??? But...all may not be as bright and sunny as it seems! You'll find out what we mean when you see the contest topic in your in-box (and on the WritersWeekly website) this Saturday! Grab a fresh cup of coffee, open a window to enjoy the fresh spring air, turn on your laptop, crack your knuckles, and get those creative juices flowing! WE CAN'T *WAIT* TO SEE WHERE YOUR IMAGINATION TAKES US!…
When Charging a Pain in the (Bleep) Client More Money…is More Than Justified
From Chatty Charles to Indecisive Ian, which clients are you justified in charging more for your services? …
4 Questions to Answer Before Writing “Scathing” Exposés About People
A writer asks, "Can I get sued for writing scathing articles on televangelists?"…
Ebook Sales Continue Their Downward Spiral – Is Anyone Really Surprised?
One major problem with ebooks is the difficulty in giving them away as gifts. Books have long been a beloved gift, both for the gift giver and the recipient. Amazon is the #1 seller of ebooks (of course). If an author (or anyone) "gifts" an ebook to someone (a friend or relative, or even a book reviewer), that person can use that "gift' to purchase whatever they want on Amazon...…
LIES, GUILT, AND COERCION – Dirty Tricks One Publisher Tried When This Author GOT SMART!
These emails were exchanged after the author told the publisher there would be a delay in her signing up...…
BLOGGERS BEWARE: Re-writing “News” Can Get You Sued…for Libel
Some bloggers are News Rewriters and they, too, can be held liable if they distribute incorrect information (libel, defamation, and invasion of privacy)...…
Topic, Common Themes, and Winners of the WritersWeekly.com WINTER, 2019 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
A boy shivering wanders through a snowy forest after his father told him to take care of his mother and sister. Will he make it back home with food from the traps? Where did our Winter, 2019 contest participants take us??? You won't want to miss the top three winners!…
25 Ways to Create a Publishing Company That WILL GO OUT OF BUSINESS! (And, You Just Might Go to Jail, Too!) by Snarky Angela Hoy
Theft, owner narcissism, employee and author abuse, blatant stupidity, and so much more! Here are textbook examples of why publishing companies fail. …
World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For February, 2019!
Oh, yes! We know you’re excited!! Today, we’re going to share another installment of our popular column, World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals! We really CAN learn from others' mistakes!…
AUTHORS: Are you a victim of royalty theft? Here are the signs!
Is your publisher feeding you one or more of these ridiculous, unbelievable excuses?…
What is a “Book Re-publisher” and Why Should Authors Avoid Them at All Costs?
Book re-publishers are expanding across the globe. Don't fall for their false praise and promises!…
WSJ Claims Amazon’s “Publishing Business” is NEW…But It’s Over a Decade Old and They Are STILL Having Problems!
Amazon's Self Publishing division is not a new thing. Neither are the dirty tricks they employ...…
Considering Indie Writers Support/Paradon Books? You Might Want to Read These Posts First!
I found the following complaints posted to a variety of websites about Indie Writers Support/Paradon Books...…
UPDATED – 2019 Self-Publishing Price Comparison!
Considering self-publishing? Check out this price comparison featuring 17 of the most popular Print on Demand publishing service providers! …
LAST CHANCE! THIS SATURDAY!! What will the Winter, 2019 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!
You do NOT want to miss it! Participants RAVE about how much fun this contest is!…
Lots of Imprints and Lots of Complaints! Could You Unwittingly Crawl into Bed with Author Solutions?
The first big Author Solutions lawsuit was denied class-action status so the plaintiffs must sue on their own. But, the second lawsuit, which also seeks class-action status, is still winding its way through the legal system. …
If You Are “Sympathy Pitching” Editors and Publishers, PLEASE STOP! by Brian P. Whiddon, Managing Editor
Believe it or not, I get pitches from writers using these angles almost every day. And, these pitches don’t sell writing any better than they sell cars...…
IS AMAZON REJECTING BOOK REVIEWS FROM YOUR READERS? We Found a Work-Around! by Angela Hoy
We are receiving increasing numbers of complaints from authors about Amazon rejecting legitimate reviews for their books...…
How a Lone Bookkeeper Killed a 49-Year-Old Literary Agency
It feels like we've been watching an episode of American Publishing's Most Wanted. Not many news stories have had me fired up as much as this one!…
Can You REALLY Trust Your Secretary, Webmaster, or Publishing Consultant to “Sign” Your Publishing Agreement?
An author recently asked his webmaster to complete a publishing contract on his behalf (which was, of course, not legally binding). What the author learned later, however, was quite disturbing...…
Did Amazon “Give” Your Buy Button to a 3rd Party Seller and is Your List Price Way Too High? WE HAVE A TIP FOR YOU!
Amazon may still be selling your book directly, and it may very well be in stock at Amazon, listed at the correct price, AND eligible for Prime (free) Shipping! But, where do you find that listing?! We'll show you!…
Do YOU Offer a Unique Service for Authors? May We Promote It??
There are countless editors, cover designers, website creators, and others offering their services to authors online. But, there are other unique services available to authors that may very well benefit them, their book, and their profits in the long-run! Are YOU one of these individuals? Or, are you seeking these types of services? …
World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For November, 2018!
Oh, yes! We know you’re excited!! Today, we’re going to share another installment of our popular…
ROYALTY REFUSAL? A Charity Gets RUDE After I Try to Fulfill an Author’s Last Wish
I hated to be snarky (actually, I didn't hate it that much) but I had to tell her that...…
WritersWeekly’s 2018 Readers’ Favorites!
Our 2018 Top 25 Articles!…
Topic, Common Themes, and Winners of the WritersWeekly.com FALL, 2018 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
For the past six weeks, we’ve spent every spare moment judging the hundreds of entries submitted for WritersWeekly's most recent 24-Hour Short Story Contest. In case you’re not familiar with our quarterly contest, this is how it works...…
