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...…
Angela’s Desk
“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!!!…
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? …
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!
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
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
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!
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!
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
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!
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?
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?!?!
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?!…
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...…
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!!
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
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!
She said she didn't yet know who to leave her intellectual property to but that she knew who NOT to leave it to... …
Why Your Publisher Doesn’t Care if YOU Get Sued
It's pretty pathetic when a company is happy to take hundreds or thousands of dollars from you, knowing all the while that YOU might get sued some day for something you included in your book...…
Why You Should NOT Hire Just Any Old Tahm, Dikk, or Herry to Edit Your Book
Email from an author: "I am planning to send the whole manuscript to another editor because the prior one failed in doing a proper job..."…
BookLocker’s Half-Price Black Friday thru Cyber Monday Publishing Package Sale IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!
Our full-service book publishing packages will only be $437.50!!…
If You’re Not Going to Promote Your Book, Why Did You Even WRITE It?
I am always stunned when authors flat refuse to promote their books. When I first hear this from an author (and, I do hear it a lot) I'm not sure if it's ego, laziness, or apathy...…
Need Your Book Published By Christmas? You Only Have ONE Option Now…
There are only 51 days until Christmas. That's 36 business days. Most full-service print on demand/publishing services firms take around 4-6 months to get a book to market. Some offer rush services but NONE of them offers a 2-week publishing program...except BookLocker...…
Don’t You DARE Trick or Treat THERE! – Topic, Common Themes, and WINNERS of the WritersWeekly.com Fall, 2021 24-Hour Short Story Contest
Flying leaves and candy wrappers, an aging mansion, a magician, and a very worried town! Do NOT miss the top three winning stories!!…
Diva Debbie Stops By for an Insult -or- NARCISSISTS NEED NOT APPLY!
My email was (horrors!) insulting and the dastardly diva sure showed me! She wrote back, saying she was...…
SON OF SAM LAWS: Is Nike Jordan Chairman Larry Miller Using Story of Murder He Committed to Sell His New Book?
A few years ago, a felon contacted us. He wanted to publish a book about how…
MORE Complaints about Balboa Press!
It's been four years since we've checked up on Balboa Press. We decided to revisit them after we yet received another complaint about Balboa Press from an author just this week. Things are definitely NOT looking any better!…
“Online/Virtual Book Fair?” Don’t Bother….
I was spammed this week by an organization that hosts book fairs. Of course, it's all online again this year. No in-person meetings. No people walking around viewing books laid out on tables. Nobody shaking hands with literary agents. You know. It's really...nothing of value to authors AT ALL.…
World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For September, 2021!
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've been savings these for a few weeks now so there are a LOT to entertain you! …
LAST CHANCE! START-TIME IS TOMORROW!! What Will the Fall, 2021 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!
Are the leaves changing yet in your neighborhood? They are here! And, what better way to entertain yourself than by entertaining US with a fantastic story on this cozy weekend?! Will it be there be pumpkins, hay bales, and beautiful falling leaves? How about some crisp apples at an orchard? A cold wind, or an early snow perhaps? Maybe something dark and creepy awaiting unwary trick or treaters! Or...maybe not! …
