Marketing to Libraries – A Waste of Time?
It should come as no surprise that having your book on a shelf in a library isn’t likely to generate any sales. Here's why...…
Angela’s Desk
BLACK FRIDAY MORNING! Our EXTREMELY POPULAR Annual Half-Price Book Publishing Package Sale Begins!!
BEGINS: 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Black Friday, 11/25/22 - CLICK HERE FOR THE DISCOUNT CODE!…
When Purchasing Images for Your Book’s Cover, READ THE FINE PRINT
Read the fine print before purchasing an image for your book cover.…
How I Got a Quarter of a Million Views on My TikTok Video – in Just 3 Days!
QUICK UPDATE: I started writing this article last week. My TikTok video is now up to 462,000 views.…
The Knots on the Old Stick Matched Her Gnarled, Arthritic Knuckles… – Topic, Common Themes, and WINNERS of the WritersWeekly.com Fall, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest
"It's yours now," the elder said as she handed over the thick stick, its knots and bumps matching her gnarled, arthritic knuckles. "But, be warned..."…
World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For October, 2022! – by Brian Whiddon, Managing Editor
We've been savings these for a few weeks now so there are a LOT to entertain you!…
The Old Amazon Best Seller Scam is Still Happening! Don’t Be Sucked In!!
Best seller lists are meant to portray an honest reflection of what the public in general is buying, not a façade of who is best at cheating the system. If anyone tells you his or her book is an Amazon best seller, you should know this...…
If You Address Me as “Yo Angela,” You Will NOT Receive a Response
That's not all, however. A couple of weeks ago, a writer pitched an article for WritersWeekly, calling publishers and editors bigoted if they reject an article or a book manuscript that has poor grammar and incorrect spelling...…
Which Publisher Spammed Me 4 Times in 22 minutes? Meet VEDERE PRESS…
If I'd received one email, I probably would have ignored it. But, they wasted my time so I figured I'd check them out...…
A JERK Tries to Sell Me Scanned (Illegal) Copies of Books, and Ends Up Looking Like a Fool!
You don't want to miss this one!!!…
LAST CHANCE! START-TIME IS THIS SATURDAY!! What Will the Fall, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!
As with every Fall contest, you can expect some some chilly air, beautiful leaves, perhaps some haystacks, apples, or pumpkins, maybe something cozy or creepy...or maybe not! Ha ha ha!! You'll soon find out!…
This inn looks NOTHING like the brochure! – Topic, Common Themes, and WINNERS of the WritersWeekly.com Summer, 2022 24-Hour Short Story Contest
As they turned away from the desk, room key in hand, the unkempt clerk muttered, "Ya both need to know there are paths in these here woods. Whatever ya do, do NOT..."…
ALERT: Five Star Publishing to Close
Another one bites the dust...…
Yes, You CAN Be Sued for Libel, Even If What You Wrote “Is 100% True”
An author included detailed information about a fight between neighbors, and included their names. I sent her the same message I send to all authors who are (likely unknowingly) putting themselves in legal crosshairs. She wrote back, "They can't sue me because it's 100% true." And, that's when my lips pursed, as they do each time an author says that because I hear those same words ALL the time. I had to explain to her that ignorance can lead to bankruptcy...…
World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For August, 2022!
There are several to entertain you with today!! As always, I've saved the best for last!…
AUTHORS: Take Some Advice from a Do-It-Yourselfer… Know What You CAN’T Do Yourself – by Brian Whiddon, Managing Editor
I've learned to do a lot of things for myself. It's not just about saving money, although that's a big bonus. It's more about the satisfaction I get from being as self-sufficient as I can be. But, that pride must be tempered with a humility that allows me to accept my limitations. There are some things that I simply don't have enough knowledge or skill to accomplish...…
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…
Do YOU think this author's friend really purchased his book?…
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?!?!
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!
"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!!
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!
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!
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!
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
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)
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?”
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!
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!
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
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?
"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?!?!
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!!!…
What’s a Book Marketing Cheat Sheet?
Online book promotion is not only simple but, if you have a step-by-step, day-to-day marketing plan (the book 90 DAYS OF PROMOTING YOUR BOOK ONLINE), it can also be a very artistic endeavor, which makes it fun for creative folks like you and me! Yes, online book promoting can be EASY and FUN! Let us show you how, from Day 1 through Day 90...and beyond! …
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
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? …
