My Daughter Wants To Do a Signing! How Should I Approach My Local Bookstore?
Angela, My 8-year-old daughter is an author. She has received a lot of coverage in our…
Ask The Expert
“How can I sell my self-published book through a large specialty distributor?”
Angela, I want (a large, specialty book distributor) to sell my book on their website, as…
Hmmm… Should I Sign Up for “Amazon Giveaway” to Promote My Book?
According to a website: "Creating a book giveaway function does nothing but increase you and your book's visibilities. Meaning that it is very necessary. Amazon has created a book-giveaway-channel that would allow authors to create reading contests, and choose their winner(s)."…
How Much Should I Pay a Book Illustrator?
Different illustrators charge different rates. The prices are all over the board. I definitely recommend having a work-for-hire contract so you'll own all rights to the artwork in your book - forever. You need to be able to use that artwork not only in the book, but also in marketing and, if the book takes off, you'll want to be able to use it when creating related products in the future as well. You don't want to have to pay additional fees each time you want to use artwork that you paid the illustrator to create. Of course, you may need to pay a bit more up front but it will be worth if you can use it freely in the future.…
“I’m too embarrassed to self-publish!” vs. “I’ll never sign another traditional publishing contract!”
Contrary to popular author assumptions, self-publishing no longer hurts your chances of landing a traditional contract. In fact, if you can prove impressive sales of your self-published book, your chances of landing a traditional contract are greatly increased. Fifty Shades of Grey is one example. It was a successful self-published book and look what happened after a traditional publisher discovered it!…
Another Example of Greed in the Publishing Industry! Editing Existing Book vs. New Edition?
After a new book is released, most authors spend a lot of time promoting their new baby...initially anyway. (Yes, some authors get tired of promotion if they don't have a step-by-step guide to assist them.) In their promotional activities, they will usually include specific links to Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, their publisher's website, etc. If an author publishes a new edition under a new ISBN, the book will receive all new links. So, those old links that the author posted on social media, in comments under news articles, and more will all lead to the old edition of the book.…
How Should I Approach “Regular Folks” (Not Professional Writers) To Contribute To My New Book?
I am looking for real-life hindsight, wisdom and reflections from people who have first-hand experience with the topic I am writing about. I would like a diverse cross-section of people nationally and, even possibly, internationally. …
I Want to Write My Life Story…But Where Do I Start?!
My father and uncle were involved in the 6 day war, and my uncle (a member of the PFLP) was sentenced to 125 years in prison. Long story there. We moved to the USA in 1978 and my father ran the home with an iron fist, became a gang member, and did all that comes along with that life style. He also went to prison for many years. I mean, there is so much to say. Please can you guide me?…
How Does Amazon REALLY Get Print on Demand Books to Their Customers?
Let's say I go with BookLocker instead. Everybody I know buys their books (ebook or paperback) on Amazon. If the paperback listed on Amazon is not POD-created by the Amazon subsidiary, who fulfills the order? Who notifies the POD publisher to print a copy, and who ships the copy to the buyer?…
Four Absolutely Essential Resources For Self-Publishing Authors!
What are the two or three (or more) resources you would recommend as absolutely essential to a self-publishing novelist?…
Help! I Need An Affordable Way To Promote My Book THAT WORKS!
Traditional publishers do little to no promotion for unknown/new authors now. They take a gamble that a book may or may not take off and they run with the ones that do, while generally abandoning the ones that don't. Of course, the ones that do are the ones whose authors are promoting them creatively and consistently.…
ALERT! Has Amazon recently listed your print on demand book(s) as unavailable or out of stock?!
Amazon says they won't list my book as available until they see "demand" for it but, if it's not even "available" on Amazon, how can they see any "demand" for it? What can I do?…
Help! All My Clips Are In Print Only!
When corresponding with writers, most editors only accept electronic communications now.…
I Am Creating A Series Of 100 Books. Should I Self-Publish…Or Not?
I have been on the Quora website and your name was mentioned as the perfect person to contact for a little bit of advice...How do I know if my book is good enough?…
How Can I Find A Literary Agent?!
To sell a book one needs -- an interesting, well edited book, a publisher, and an agent. How does one find an agent?…
If I Send You My Article, Can You Tell Me Who Might Publish It?
I'm just looking for somewhere to publish my work. It's a scientific article about space. Can you tell me which magazines might be interested in it?…
How Can I Keep My Amazon Reviews for the 2nd Edition of My Book?!
I read that my current reviews would not transfer to the 2nd edition's page. What are your thoughts on this? …
“Is A Book Automatically No Longer In Print If It’s Not Selling?” No!
If I do not receive any royalties for my story next year, would the book be considered no longer in print? In other words, if an electronic book is still available on Amazon, is it considered in print, even if it's not selling?…
How Do I Sell My Stories?!
My name is Nicole and I am a writer who is a bit confused about how to get my stories out there so people can buy them. Basically, what I'm saying is how would I make money off of the stories that I write? Some people advise me to go to writing websites to get an audience. It's a bit confusing. Could you help me please? I really hope to hear back!…
How Do I Get Someone To Consider My Screenplay?
How do I get someone to consider my screenplay?…
Can You Help Me Find Some Writing Jobs?
I'm starting my freelance writer business and I want to ask you if you could help me find some writing jobs.…
MIDLIST PURGATORY! Breathe New Life Into An Old Book? Or Publish a New One?
How do I breathe life into my book when it is selling cheap online?…
Should I Pay $500 For A “Class” That Teaches Me How To Sell My Book To Libraries?
I found a $500 online class that teaches authors how to market their books to libraries. Is this something I should consider?…
If You Write About Sex, Will It Sell?
I know you are a busy lady, but since you are the professional in this field, I wondered what the best selling/most sought after books are? What length book and subject would be the best to write? I want to cater to the latest readers' interests if possible. Thanks for any suggestions. …
I Want To Write About My Life! Where Do I Start?
I've been thinking about writing a book about my life...…
Have I Committed Copyright Infringement? Yes, You HAVE!
I'm very impressed of your article on how to create your own anthology. I have almost 250 articles posted online and, honestly, some of them I copied from books but I also include the author and its complete sources. I'm a fan of reading books and I don't have a talent in writing because I didn't earn a degree. My only question is, does my work compromise the law of copyright infringement or plagiarism? If so, can you explain why?…
Should I Sell All My Book’s Rights to This Publisher?
There's a question I wanted to pose regarding current negotiations with my publisher. They offered a buyout of my copyright, and claimed the "industry standard" is: buyout = 3 x average yearly royalties. That seems low for a book that's been in publication for 20 years, and continues to sell 4-5 thousand copies a year, and will never become outdated. What do you know about this so-called buyout formula? Thanks!…
How To EASILY Get Awesome and Honest Book Reviews That REALLY Carry Weight With Readers!
How many of these reviewers will deal with indie authors? Should I pay reviewers for their services?…
Can You Recommend An Intellectual Property Attorney?
I'm seeking an Intellectual Property Attorney. Can you help me? Please.…
How Can I Convince Bookstores To Host A Signing For My New Book?
Hello. I am currently in the process of self publishing and soon I want to have a book signing. I have reached out to a few bookstores in preparation. A few of them suggested I email the owner/manager. My question is what kinds of things should I be sure NOT to leave out when I correspond with them via this first email? …