Ask The Expert

“Should I pay for a print cover AND an ebook cover for my book?” NO!

Published on April 4, 2017

If your publisher has already created a print cover for your book (paperback or hardcover), and if they are now trying to upsell you on ebook cover design, you're getting ripped off. Putting a cover on an ebook is as easy as copying and pasting the front cover only from the print cover file, saving it as a different file, and using that in the ebook, as well as on retailer websites, like Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, and others.…

How does Archway Publishing compare to BookLocker?

Published on March 28, 2017

Can you guess which large firm owns Archway Publishing?…

“If I write about someone who’s in prison, they can’t sue me, right?”

Published on March 21, 2017

Just because someone is in prison doesn't mean they can't, or won't, sue you. If they find out about your book, read it, and don't like what you've written about them...…

Is Your Book Suddenly “Unavailable” on Amazon? Are They Up to Their Old Tricks Again?!

Published on March 16, 2017

Has you print on demand book suddenly been listed as "out of stock" or "unavailable" on Amazon? Or, does it now have a ridiculous lead time - like "Usually ships in 1 to 2 months?" You need to read this and you need to immediately contact your publisher...…

“I’m afraid that self-publishing company is going to steal my manuscript!”

Published on March 7, 2017

How do I know they won't take my rights, or steal my manuscript from me altogether?…

“Angela, what’s your opinion about publishers and authors hiring ‘sensitivity readers?'”

Published on February 28, 2017

The practice of hiring "sensitivity readers" is absolutely RIDICULOUS! Books are supposed to challenge readers' thinking. They not only entertain readers, but also disturb, offend, spur people to action, expand our thinking, teach us about things, people, and societies that we would otherwise never be exposed to, and so much more! This is pre-publication censorship, plain and simple...…

Victim of defunct Tate Publishing doesn’t want to pay Tate’s (unfair) $50 for her production files. Can she just use the files they sent her for approval before the book was published?

Published on February 22, 2017

"I don't want to ask Tate Publishing for my files. Can I get my book to you without notifying them of my change? I don't want them to sue me. Should I ask my attorney about this?"…

“How can I turn my blog into a book?”

Published on February 16, 2017

Q – Hi Angela, I have hundreds of blog posts on my website and I’d like…

We don’t use foreign call centers…so now we’re racists?

Published on February 8, 2017

"Your stand on outsourcing to third world countries is admission of your being racist. Would you mind explaining why you detest dealing with such a huge chunk of humanity?"…

“Can I publish pictures of people’s (private parts) that they’ve texted to me?”

Published on February 1, 2017

"My friend and I have been collecting (bleep!) pics that men have been sending to us by text. We want to make a coffee table book out of them. How would we go about doing this?"…

“I want to publish an anthology that includes stories written by others. Where do I start?”

Published on January 24, 2017

I'm interested in writing an anthology. …

“Should I pay Xlibris $6,000-$17,000 to promote my book?”

Published on January 18, 2017

Dear Angela, (A relative of mine) wrote and self-published a book with Xlibris. She is a…

When a Vanity Publisher…Pretends To Be Traditional

Published on January 11, 2017

I have been offered a contract by a regular publisher but, because I am not a known author, they want me to commit to purchasing copies up front for a total of $4200. I realize that they want to get all of their costs back up front but that seems kind of high to me. What do you think?…

Ask The Expert – “If our publisher doesn’t abide by our contract, can’t we just have our books published elsewhere?”

Published on January 3, 2017

It's much easier to move a book elsewhere if a publisher has a non-exclusive contract. Unfortunately, yours does not.…

Q & A – “I’m looking for a publisher. How do I know I can trust you?”

Published on December 29, 2016

“I’m looking for a publisher. How do I know I can trust you?” I receive…

Should I offer credit to bookstores, libraries and others who want to purchase my book?

Published on December 21, 2016

The answer is probably not. Here's why, from experience.…

“CreateSpace has put us in a very bad light with our customers! I’m at my wit’s end! Can BookLocker get my book published right away?” YEP!

Published on December 14, 2016

CreateSpace has put us in a very bad light with our customers now. This book was a Kickstarter campaign and we are now six months late. The complaints are coming daily.…

“Where can I find a sample copyediting contract?”

Published on December 7, 2016

Hi Angela, I’ve just landed my first copy editing job through your recommendation. I’m wondering whether…

“My Dad Abused Me, And May Have Killed My Mom. Everyone Tells Me I Need To Write A Book About My Life! Where Should I Begin?”

Published on November 29, 2016

***There are millions of people with fascinating stories to tell. Unfortunately, many of these survival stories…

“How can I make some extra holiday $$ with my writing?”

Published on November 21, 2016

Angela, A few years ago, you published an article on how to make extra holiday money…

“My book hit the market and I’m now being bombarded with sales calls and spam…from another publisher!!”

Published on November 16, 2016

I am not sure how this happened, but ever since my new book hit the market, a different publisher has been calling my office, and sending emails.…

“Are print book sales really making a comeback?” Yep!

Published on November 9, 2016

"Physical book sales have rocketed by four million this year, fighting back against the digital revolution. Predictions, a few years ago, that the printed book would die appear to have been greatly exaggerated."…

DIY Publishing Services – Are Any of Them Really “Free?”

Published on November 1, 2016

I see your claim that it is less expensive to publish with BookLocker than with CreateSpace and I don't understand why you think so. All over the Internet, information about CreateSpace makes authors think their services are free. Their homepage even says "free." What gives?…

“This website ripped off my book! Help!”

Published on October 19, 2016

"I found a website that ripped off my book. Help! Can you get them to take it down?"…

“How much should I charge to ghostwrite someone’s life story?”

Published on October 13, 2016

I've been approached to write and collaborate on a book of someone's life story. They've agreed to list me as the co-author, and asked what type of payment I desire. What should I charge?…

“Where can I find a list of writing contests?”

Published on October 6, 2016

Could you suggest books, websites, etc. that have real poetry contests? Not the type that publish your poem and then want you to pay $100 for a copy. Also, where can I find lists of magazines that pay you for poems?…

“Can I Use Somebody Else’s Photo/Artwork if I Flip it Horizontally?”

Published on September 29, 2016

I am still working to get my illustrations for my book. Can you advise on something I was told by my illustrator? She told me that most photos copied from the Internet can be flipped horizontally to alleviate concerns of copyright infringement. For example if a mountain appears on the left side of the photograph, flip the photo so the mountain is on the right side. I also wonder if applying artistic effects to a photo (pencil sketch, smooth pastel, etc.) would eliminate concern of issues. I was given five websites for Royalty Free photos and images that are free of charge. Do you have any recommendations for me?…

My Daughter Wants To Do a Signing! How Should I Approach My Local Bookstore?

Published on September 22, 2016

Angela, My 8-year-old daughter is an author. She has received a lot of coverage in our…

“How can I sell my self-published book through a large specialty distributor?”

Published on September 15, 2016

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?

Published on September 9, 2016

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)."…