Help! I Can’t Find The Copyright Owner Of This Piece But I Need To Use It!

Published on July 8, 2015

I want to write a book and it would feature an old story from a 1956 periodical. I have been trying to get a copyright permission to include this short story. However, the publisher was bought out a couple times. The new company put me on hold while they searched their records further, and told me that the "rightful owners" are a completely different firm in New York. I cannot find them on the Internet to contact them to get the needed copyright permission so that I can proceed with my book.…

Publisher Won’t Show Me Their Contract! Arrrggghhh!!!

Published on July 1, 2015

I am very interested in using a particular POD publisher for my book. But, I can't find a link to their contract anywhere on their site. When I ask them for a copy, they just send more advertising mumbo jumbo. What should I do?…

Weird Spaces Between Words in MSWord? We Have An Easy Fix!

Published on June 24, 2015

I'm using MSWord on a PC. Why are some of the spaces between words in my fully-justified manuscript uneven? There are normal spaces between most words, and weird, long spaces between others...on the same line of text! It doesn't make any sense. Can you help? …

Did You Include Work-For-Hire In Your Contract? No? You May NOT Own All Rights!

Published on June 17, 2015

You can't assume work for hire unless you have a contract that specifically states it.…

Can I Mention Old Characters In My Fiction If The Original Copyright Has Expired?

Published on June 10, 2015

My query is to ask if the restrictions you quoted in your article would also apply to mentioning or quoting characters from older fiction, which is now in the public domain, e.g. from writers such as Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and other similarly antiquated sources? …

Beware Of “Book Marketing” Telemarketers!

Published on June 3, 2015

I just received a call from a company called (name removed) and they say they want to promote my book. What do you know about this company? …

How Can I Make Money Giving Away A Free E-Book On Amazon?

Published on May 20, 2015

Is it sensible for me to promote my latest book by giving away some free ebooks on the Kindle? How can I avoid pitfalls about poorly-formatted MOBI formatted ebooks (I've heard horror stories), and what costs should I expect for publishing my ebook, and for promoting it? …

How Do You Get Started Writing a Book?

Published on May 13, 2015

I have wanted to become an author for more than 20 years. This dream has always taken a backseat to everything in my life. I would like to know if you can offer me any advice on getting started. …

Sending A Book To Large Institutions

Published on May 6, 2015

What are your thoughts on sending a book to large institutions that I plan to pitch to? For example, I am going to pitch to colleges to include my book as recommended reading for psychology/sociology programs. …

Sending A Book To Large Institutions That I Plan To Pitch

Published on April 29, 2015

What are your thoughts on sending a book to large institutions that I plan to pitch to? For example, I am going to pitch to colleges to include my book as recommended reading for psychology/sociology programs. …

Do I Need Permission To Quote Others In My Book?

Published on April 22, 2015

If I reference a book and/or the authors of that book, do I have to get written permission from them? Is it enough just to list them in my reference section? …

Why Is BookLocker So Inexpensive Compared To Other POD Publishers?! The Answer Is Simple…

Published on April 15, 2015

I am interested in speaking to someone about publishing my children's book. I ran across the page advertising BookLocker's (color-interior program) and would like to know a little more about this company, especially why is the pricing so inexpensive compared to some of the other publishing companies? …

Did That TV Show Steal My Idea? Probably Not…

Published on April 8, 2015

I started writing a book on my computer about ten years ago, but never finished it because life has been very busy for me. Recently, I watched this new show that started last year that is exactly the same as far as storyline and characters. Could it be coincidence? …

Why Does Amazon Have My Book Listed At A Fraction Of The List Price?!

Published on April 2, 2015

I was just wondering if you have any insight into why Amazon is selling new copies of my book for $3.13 when the list price is $19.95. …

Sample Anthology Contributor Contract

Published on March 25, 2015

I am publishing an anthology book for my project, and read your article, HOW TO COMPILE AND PUBLISH AN ANTHOLOGY. I found it very insightful. I was wondering if you might be willing to share the contract that you use. I would be willing to pay for it. …

What’s Your Opinion About Those Marketing Services with “Bestseller” in Their Name?

Published on March 18, 2015

What is your opinion of the (name removed) organization and their bestseller program. The fee is $20 and they will purchase (a few) copies for reviewers to evaluate my book and potentially increase my sales dramatically. I would like your opinion. I would have to provide a copy of my book for them to utilize and have an opportunity for someone to win a free copy. …

My Novel is Based on a True Story. Can I Be Sued?

Published on March 11, 2015

I want to publish my novel with BookLocker (it's my nature) about liability, as the novel is based on a true story. I've read your articles, as well as many others, about this issue, but am hesitant to proceed even after doing the obvious--changing characters' names, appearances, and facts, so they don't resemble the real people or exact events. Some of the principles of the true story are deceased, but at least one that I know of is still living. I think you mentioned that a lawyer should vet a novel, but I can't afford that. My question: Am I worrying needlessly? …

Website Publishing Article Without My Permission

Published on February 26, 2015

I came across a website that has published one of my articles on their website without my permission or my knowledge. What should I do? …

How Can You Help Me Find Writing Work?

Published on February 19, 2015

My name is (removed). I have an interest in writing, especially the commentary/opinions/short stories variety. I have been told by a friend that your organization could be helpful in getting some of my installments published. Could you advise me how to proceed? …

How Do I Get Magazine Editors To Respond To Me?!

Published on February 11, 2015

Over the last two months I've sent out close to fifty emails to different magazines, pitching ideas for articles and features and, to date, only three have responded. One declined my idea. Another said they would consider it late. A third said they already had something similar planned for their own in-house staff to write. I'm a good writer. I know my ideas have merit and are entertaining, topical and newsworthy. Yet, I feel like a complete non-entity when magazines can't even be bothered to reply to me. As heart breaking as it can be to be met with a 'no,' at least saying 'no' means that someone at least took the time to read your email and reply. Complete silence time after time after time is just soul destroying. Is there a way to address such problems? …

Can I Submit My Previously Published Book To Agents?

Published on February 4, 2015

I attempted to get an agent for (my novel) but they were only accepting things not previously published. Is that normal? …

Can I Estimate Book Sales Based On A Website’s “Wish List?”

Published on January 28, 2015

Lots of people have clicked to add my book to a wish list on a website. I haven't received any sales reports for my book yet. How can I estimate sales using the wish list information from that site? …

Should I Pay To Have My Book Reviewed?

Published on January 21, 2015

I have one question that I hope you can answer. What is your feeling about spending personal funds on book reviews? …

A Magazine Editor Rewrote My Article, Inserted Mistakes, And Put My Name On It!

Published on January 7, 2015

I recently received a copy of a magazine that contained one of my articles. It was unrecognizable. Parts of it were mine but it was overworked by the editor to such an extent that my voice was lost. Worse, she inserted errors! My name is on the article and it's awful. What can I do? They did pay me. …

Do Ebooks Make Good Children’s Gifts? Not Really…

Published on December 10, 2014

Will my children's chapter book make a good EPUB and/or MOBI (ebook) candidate? It has lots of pictures. I'd like to try to get some Christmas sales. …

When Using A POD Publisher, Can I Use My Own Publishing Company Name In My Book?

Published on December 3, 2014

Can I use my publishing company name if I go through BookLocker or another print on demand firm? …

Can I Publish My Late Father’s Stories? Maybe, Maybe Not…

Published on November 25, 2014

I have a short story written by my late father. He was a talented writer and had many short stories he had written. I would like to submit one of his stories for publishing under my father's name. I didn't know if there would be any legal reason I would not be able to. …

IS THIS MAGAZINE HOLDING MY ARTICLES HOSTAGE? Probably!

Published on November 19, 2014

I submitted my articles to (a well-known magazine) and, after repeatedly requesting payment, this is what they said: "I had a number of issues with your articles. They need a lot of editing and rewrites before they will be ready. And until I have time to do the editing work needed, I have to put a hold on these articles. I'm writing six articles at any given time for several magazines who are happy to pay me at 40 to 70 cents per word so I'm guessing this is just a sleaze move to not pay. What do you think? …

How Much Should I Charge For This Writing Project?

Published on November 7, 2014

I hope you understand what I'm asking, basically what would be a fair price to charge a friend to write her book, when I know I will be writing it from her verbal accounts. …

How Do I Obtain Review Quotes Before My Book Is Published?

Published on October 30, 2014

I'm still not 100% clear on just how do I get reviewers to review my book - before its even been published or seen?…