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...…
Angela’s Desk
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! …
Noisy neighbors force a camping family to… Topic, Common Themes, and Winners of the WritersWeekly.com Summer, 2021 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
The campers next to them were noisy, rude, and downright obnoxious. She winced each time more profanity echoed through the woods. The next morning, they packed up their belongings to head to another campground. But, when they were about to pull out... …
If You’re Buying Books for Christmas Gifts This Year, You Should Start Shopping NOW. Here’s Why…
At BookLocker, we use the largest print on demand printer in the world. They sent out an email last week warning us about an industry-wide problem...…
Top 10 Most EMBARRASSING Mistakes Made by Self-Published Authors, and How to Avoid Them – by Angela Hoy
There are many common errors made by new authors and most of these are a clear sign a book is self-published. Check your own manuscript for these blunders before allowing it to go to print! …
When One Co-Author Tries to “Fire” the Other
The publisher recently requested a third edition and the author told me that her co-author wants to exclude her entirely from the third and subsequent editions even though the new edition WILL contain material written by...…
Woman, Raised by Wolves as a Child, Sues Publisher as an Adult…and Then All Hell Breaks Loose!
Frustrated, and with my eyes at the crossing pint, I grabbed my tablet, and turned on Netflix. On occasion, I enjoy listening to documentaries and movies when I'm doing boring tasks. And, I found one humdinger of a documentary!!…
NEVER, EVER Buy THESE Book Promotion Products/Services. PERIOD.
Don't even WORK with a publisher who upsells authors on these kinds of (bleep)...…
World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For August, 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! …
Brutal Honesty, Because You Asked! Why YOUR Book Isn’t Selling – by Angela Hoy
"It is not my intent to soft soap you but I have learned that you have a habit of telling the truth as you see it so please tell me..."…
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...…
LAST CHANCE! THIS SATURDAY!! What Will the Summer, 2021 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!
Will the setting be a sunny beach, a cool lake, or perhaps a fun summer camp? Or, none of the above? How about some fireflies, melted ice cream, or a summer romance? Or...maybe not! Perhaps some suspense, some humor, some mystery, or something else? You’ll soon find out!…
World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For July, 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! …
DISRUPTIVE AND DUMB: Do NOT Lie to Your Publisher About ANYTHING!
When you lie to a business associate, a neighbor, family member, or anyone in the adult world, real life consequences can ensue...…
Large Overseas Book Order? Don’t Get Excited…
While we'd all like to think we're immune to online scams, sometimes our excitement about a large book order can cloud our common sense. …
And, MORE Complaints About Lulu Press!
A small snippet of what’s to follow: "Do yourself a solid and don't use Lulu publishing." "I've spent in the thousands and can't get ANY help!" "I would never buy from Lulu.com again." "Customer Service is a nightmare." "Do not use Lulu publishing." "Worst experience ever."…
Why “Free” Publishing Services Can Quickly Go Belly Up, and How They Can Keep Screwing Authors Years Later
Offering something for nothing is a really dumb business model. While working with a "free" company may seem tempting to some authors, these firms typically go belly-up pretty quickly. And, some end up ripping their former authors off for years after the firm's demise...while holding those authors' books hostage.…
If You Receive a Copyright Infringement Notice by Email, Do NOT Click on the Link!!
We received the following FAKE copyright infringement accusation this week via email...…
Lies, Broken Promises, Ignored Correspondence, and More – Top 10 Customer Service No No’s
If you own a professional writing or editing company, or if you're a freelance journalist or book author, or if your company serves writers, or if you're simply in business at all, there are 10 customer service blunders that can be fatal to your reputation and, ultimately, your bottom line. …
When Market Listings Don’t Match Writer’s Guidelines And Other Tricks Of The Bottom-Feeder Publishing Trade…By Angela Hoy
While most publishers are respectable and provide us with accurate information, some, usually the small or new ones, are so desperate for publicity that they lie on their questionnaires...…
What in the WORLD Did Tommy See in the TREE?! Topic, Common Themes, and Winners of the WritersWeekly.com Spring, 2021 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
After shimmying his way up the tree, Tommy called out, "Oh my gosh! You guys won't believe this!"…
We Honor our Fallen Heroes
Here at WritersWeekly and Booklocker, we honor those who answered the call of their country…
World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For May, 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! …
How to Get Social Media Influencers to Promote Your Book
Whether you like social media influencers or not (I do not), the allure of their numbers of followers has not been ignored by marketing firms...…
Is Your Client Feigning Ignorance? Don’t Be a Dummy!!
Something that really gets my goat is when people pretend to be stupid in order to take advantage of me in some way. After being in business for 23 years, I've seen my share of Faux Ignoramuses...…
Should You Pay to Appear on a Podcast?
I was very interested in one podcast series but the narrator's voice had a twangy tone that reminded me of a screechingly bad note on my guitar...…
LAST CHANCE! THIS SATURDAY!! What Will the Spring, 2021 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!
Will the topic feature include some suspense, some humor, some mystery, or something else? You'll soon find out! We are super excited about this topic!! Grab a fresh cup of coffee, open a window, turn on your laptop, crack your knuckles, and get those creative juices flowing!…
Are Authors REALLY This Desperate for Eyeballs?!
Sadly, some authors will fall for this type of scam. Why in the WORLD would any author pay $500 for THAT?…
World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For March, 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! …
Should Writers/Journalists Let Facebook Host Their Websites and Newsletters? No. Here’s Why.
You can bet that the minute you post something that Facebook (or any of your readers for that matter) doesn't like, you're going to...…
I Need Your Help Understanding This Cancel Culture Thing (WARNING: Contains “offensive” material not suitable for minors)
Before you think that, by being white, I've never been a "victim" myself, read this...…
Promote Your OWN Website, Not Your Publisher’s
Author Andy was so excited! His new book was finished and he'd just approved his print galley. It was time to start selling books! His publishing company put his book up for sale on their website and sent him the URL where he could send people who wanted to purchase his book. Andy didn't have his own website or blog, but he didn't think that would be a problem. Unfortunately, it was, on several fronts. And, while Andy and the other authors below are fictitious, the scenarios are based on real complaints we've received from authors over the years. In every case, had the author had their own website or blog, he or she would have lost few, if any, sales. …
