“My book is on Amazon so it MUST be selling, right?” NOPE! Here’s why…
Just because a book is on Amazon does NOT mean it will sell. Here's why...…
Angela’s Desk
LAST CHANCE! THIS SATURDAY!! What will the Fall, 2019 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!
Why mow the lawn, or run boring weekend errands, when you can HAVE FUN WRITING WITH US?! Click here to read the topics from the last eight fall contests! Grab a fresh cup of coffee, put on your comfy sweats, turn on your laptop, crack your knuckles, and get those creative juices flowing! We can't wait to see where YOUR imagination takes us!!…
Topic, Common Themes, and Winners of the WritersWeekly.com SUMMER, 2019 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
A wife sitting next to her husband by the water, sun spots in her eyes, sees a sexy silhouette approaching, and says, "Not again..." No, he's NOT cheating on her (because we advised participants to NOT write about the first thing that popped into their minds). Read the top three winning stories! They're awesome!! …
Dog Ear Publishing Complaints and an Update
We've been alerting authors about Dog Ear Publishing since May. The excuses posted by the owner of Dog Ear Publishing on the BBB website were, in our opinion, downright absurd...…
Want Your Book Published BEFORE the Holiday Shopping Season? HURRY! Some people have ALREADY STARTED buying their gifts!
As we all know, books are a very popular holiday gift idea! Don't you want as many people as possible to unwrap YOUR book on the morning of December 25th? What do you need to do TODAY to make that happen? …
World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For August, 2019!
Oh, yes! We know you’re excited!! Today, we’re going to share another installment of our popular column. Get ready to chuckle!…
What is a Publishing Ponzi Scheme? And, How Can YOU Avoid Becoming a Victim?
Every month, Publisher Pete is receiving a big, fat payment from his distributor for sales of his authors' books. Now, remember, like Bernie Madoff, Publisher Pete is DESPERATE! He swears he'll pay it all back later. But, for now, rather than sending his authors their royalties, he...…
WHAT ARE THEY REALLY HIDING? One HUGE Red Flag to Watch Out For When Choosing a Publisher!
Some firms claim to "pay half" of the author's publishing fees...but are they really doing that? Three thousand dollars is MORE than enough to pay to publish a book. So, this firm's claim that they would also be paying an additional $3,000 out of their pocket was a bunch of you-know-what.…
SUCK IT UP, BUTTERCUP! How to Handle Bad Book Reviews (Hint: Do NOT Ask Amazon to remove them!)
An author contacted me this week about a bad review posted on Amazon about her book. She wanted advice on how to get it removed. Some ding dong at Amazon told her that...…
LAST CHANCE! THIS SATURDAY!! What will the Summer, 2019 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!
Click here to read the topics from the last eight summer contests! It's HOT! It's HUMID! Get out of the heat! Grab a fresh cup of (iced) coffee, put on your comfy shorts, crank up the ceiling fan, turn on your laptop, crack your knuckles, and get those creative juices flowing!…
From Abusive Swimming Lessons for Children to a Dog’s Collapsed Trachea? Why it’s important to personalize your business writing on occasion!
How to attract readers who wouldn't have found you on Google otherwise!…
LOOK WHAT I DO WHEN NOBODY’S LOOKING! Sneaking Around Behind Authors’ Backs to Make THEM Look GREAT!
Sometimes, you just gotta help stubborn people without them knowing...…
COMPLAINTS about Dreamspinner Press
Read what the author's friend had already found...and what we found. …
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.…
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...…
