Angela’s Desk Archive | WritersWeekly.com

LAST CHANCE! START-TIME IS TOMORROW!! What Will the Fall, 2021 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!

Published on September 17, 2021

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!

Published on September 9, 2021

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…

Published on September 2, 2021

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

Published on August 27, 2021

Check your own manuscript for these blunders before allowing it to go to print! …

When One Co-Author Tries to “Fire” the Other

Published on August 26, 2021

Her co-author wants to exclude her entirely.…

Woman, Raised by Wolves as a Child, Sues Publisher as an Adult…and Then All Hell Breaks Loose!

Published on August 19, 2021

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.

Published on August 12, 2021

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!

Published on August 6, 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

Published on July 29, 2021

"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..."…

LAST CHANCE! THIS SATURDAY!! What Will the Summer, 2021 24-Hour Short Story Contest Topic Be?!?!

Published on July 15, 2021

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!

Published on July 8, 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!

Published on July 1, 2021

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…

Published on July 1, 2021

Sometimes excitement about an order can cloud common sense.…

And, MORE Complaints About Lulu Press!

Published on June 24, 2021

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."…

YOUR PUBLISHER WENT BELLY-UP? Six Ways to Get Your Book Back on the Market ASAP! by Angela Hoy

Published on June 21, 2021

After you get past the shock and anger of your book sales instantly vanishing into thin air, what can you do to get that book back on the market ASAP?…

Why “Free” Publishing Services Can Quickly Go Belly Up, and How They Can Keep Screwing Authors Years Later

Published on June 18, 2021

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!!

Published on June 11, 2021

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

Published on June 10, 2021

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

Published on June 7, 2021

Here are some tricks publishers use to lure good writers to bad publications.…

Top 10 Mistakes New Authors Make When Contacting Libraries By Angela Hoy

Published on June 4, 2021

Read advice from a librarian about the common mistakes new authors make when approaching libraries. …

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!

Published on June 2, 2021

After shimmying his way up the tree, Tommy called out, "Oh my gosh! You guys won't believe this!"…

We Honor our Fallen Heroes

Published on May 31, 2021

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!

Published on May 26, 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

Published on May 13, 2021

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!!

Published on May 5, 2021

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?

Published on April 23, 2021

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?!?!

Published on April 14, 2021

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?!

Published on April 7, 2021

Sadly, some authors will fall for this type of scam.…

World’s Worst Query Letters and Book Proposals For March, 2021!

Published on March 25, 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.

Published on March 18, 2021

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)

Published on March 11, 2021

Before you think that, by being white, I've never been a "victim" myself, read this...…

WHO’S SCAMMING GRANNY? Snakes That Prey on Elderly Authors

Published on March 10, 2021

Elderly authors are easy marks for scammers and thieves. Today, I'll share the stories of several (semi-)fictional victims. These represent a combination of horror stories we've heard over the years.…

BLOGGERS BEWARE: Re-writing “News” Can Get You Sued…for Libel

Published on March 8, 2021

Some bloggers are News Rewriters and they, too, can be held liable if they distribute incorrect information (libel, defamation, and invasion of privacy)...…

Promote Your OWN Website, Not Your Publisher’s

Published on March 7, 2021

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. …

WHAT in the WORLD is in THAT BOX?! Topic, Common Themes, and Winners of the WritersWeekly.com Winter, 2021 24-Hour Short Story Contest!

Published on February 26, 2021

A wedding ring? A mysterious map?? A severed finger???…

Yes, We’re Weird! And, That’s Why We’re Still in Business!!

Published on February 13, 2021

I was always a weird (um, naughty) kid. I never aligned myself with social norms. I recognized when something was ridiculous, even if "everyone else" was doing it. I would do things differently, despite the fact that...…