Yes, You CAN Be Sued for Libel, Even If What You Wrote “Is 100% True”
They can't sue me because it's 100% true. That is a very common misconception among authors and the general public.…
Angela’s Desk
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!
While it may be tempting to take shortcuts, and "borrow" from others without permission, don't do it. EVER.…
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.…
When Your Computer Ruins Your Online Marketing Activities By Richard Hoy
Have you ever submitted text to be posted online, and later discovered odd characters in the place of punctuation? …
Is Your Defunct Publisher Still Selling Your Book, and Pocketing All the Money?
Here's how to get Amazon to remove your book from their site.…
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...…
SCATHING COMPLAINTS about Balboa Press
From accusations of (alleged) unpaid royalties to anger about unanswered correspondence, there's no shortage of complaints post online about Balboa Press.…
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!…
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...…
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.…
“WHY WON’T YOU PUBLISH MY BOOK FOR FREE?” – A Behind the Scenes Look at a Publisher’s Expenses
Offering free services is a sure-fire way to go out of business.…
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...…
Did Your Lawyer Say, “You Can’t Be Sued?” BEWARE! – by Angela Hoy, WritersWeekly.com and BookLocker.com
"My lawyer says I can't be sued because everything in my book is true." I'm always shocked when I hear this... …
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 then...…
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...…
Should You Update Your Old Book, Or Write a New One?
Without consistent promotion, updating a book will be a complete waste of time.…