Ask The Expert

You May Own the “Copyright”…But You DON’T Own the Book Rights!

Published on January 7, 2016

Could you give me your opinion? Last summer, I sold a short story to a publisher who put it into an e-book anthology. The contract I signed said that I retained the copyright, but the publisher had exclusive rights to publish the story in hardback BOOK form, paperback BOOK form, electronic BOOK form, and audio BOOK form. I found somewhere that pays well for previously published stories, and sells them as e-stories. My husband said it would be the same as an e-book, and would violate my contract. I say that it is like an old 78 rpm single--just one song from a record album. What do you think?…

My Relative Died. Can I Have Their Book Republished Elsewhere?

Published on December 17, 2015

My son self-published several Christian books with (I think) Lulu and Amazon carries them. On June 24, my son died suddenly from a heart attack. My question is...is there some way I can get copies of his books made through your company, BookLocker.com??…

After Writing for Free, Nobody Wants to Pay Me! Am I Blacklisted?!

Published on December 9, 2015

I am a contributing editor for a small Catholic newspaper but it's an unpaid position. I am hoping that one day to be paid for my writing. It's like I'm black-listed or something, know what I mean? I have tried women's magazines, religious magazines, etc., but no luck. Do you have any tips? …

Outdoors, Fishing, And Boating Paying Markets For Writers

Published on December 4, 2015

I love the outdoors and writing about the outdoors. I did so for several years for The Milwaukee Journal, now the Journal Sentinel. How can I find paying markets for these types of topics on your website?…

Have You Paid Authorhouse, Xlibris, Iuniverse, Trafford, Etc. More Than $10K For Marketing Services? This Law Firm Wants To Hear From You.

Published on November 27, 2015

I haven't been paid by Author House Indiana (for) approx. 8 years. Please advise by email if possible.…

A Newspaper Stole My Last Idea and Assigned It to Someone Else! What Can I Do?

Published on November 10, 2015

Recently I submitted a 1,400-word interview to a local newspaper after confirming that the editor would like to see it. I did not hear back from them for six weeks, and sent a polite e-mail last week asking if he still wanted to use the story. I received no reply. Today, a story ran about the same person, written by someone else...…

Editing Your Own Book for Financial Reasons? When Authors Can’t Afford an Editor…

Published on November 5, 2015

Angela, How do I access a WritersWeekly article from October 22, 2014? The title is “How…

Book Proposals – What Am I Doing Wrong?!

Published on October 29, 2015

I truly believe a literary agent is the best way to market your work, but someone said send queries directly to small publishers. Do such publishers consider works for publication and where do I find them?…

Is This Guy About to Scam Me?!

Published on October 21, 2015

A guy wants me to write an article daily. He'll take full rights and he sells articles to other sites. And, he says he'll pay me in a week. I requested a retainer but he declined. He hasn't asked to see any of my work ...…

I Got Scammed!! I Submitted My Articles, and the Publisher Disappeared!

Published on October 15, 2015

I was writing for a publication and they stole my articles and kept them. I have an invoice that I sent over and over again but no response. He was paying me and we had a verbal and written contract. What rights do I have and what should I do? Thanks for any help appreciated.…

HELP! I’m Failing at Social Media Book Promotion!

Published on October 8, 2015

Despite taking an e-course in "Social Media," I am only selling a handful of books. I have two Facebook groups and a web site/blog by the same name as my published book. I am tweeting. I am meeting contacts on LinkedIn. Yet, STILL I am not selling.…

Does My Non-fiction Book REALLY Need a Disclaimer?

Published on September 30, 2015

My publisher inserted a disclaimer in my book. I got upset and asked that it be removed. They refused. I don't understand why I have to admit to readers that I'm not a licensed financial advisor ...…

Should I bid on writing jobs??

Published on September 23, 2015

I contacted an old client a few weeks ago as I'm officially back in the freelancing game. My contact there said they no longer work directly with freelance writers, but outsource all their content to (name removed). I checked out this website, feeling that my old client's recommendation might mean it was actually a legit place to find paid writing work. I was, instead, sadly disappointed to see ...…

I need help writing serials!

Published on September 16, 2015

I recall an article about writing serials but cannot find it anymore. Can you help? Thanks,…

Who should authors contact about AuthorHouse complaints?

Published on September 9, 2015

I haven't been paid by Author House Indiana (in) approx. 8 years. Please advise by email if possible ...…

Who owns the rights to your 24-hour short story contest entry? You do!!

Published on September 1, 2015

Hello. Was wondering, if I did not win the contest, can I submit my story to a magazine or other publishing company? …

My traditional publisher won’t promote my book! What’s an easy, affordable way to do it myself?

Published on August 25, 2015

In 2002, my book was published by (a traditional publisher). It's a book on creative writing for teachers. I don't think the publisher could afford marketing and I did not have time with my job at a museum. Any ideas for how to promote?…

Paying for Press Releases = Throwing Your Money Away?

Published on August 18, 2015

There are lots of publishers (and other firms) that will gladly and greedily ask you to plunk down a lot of money to create and distribute a press release (that they know will likely cost you more than any resulting book sales) ...…

Book Signings? More of a (Flattering) Time-Waster Than a Money-Maker!

Published on August 12, 2015

My friend (who is a marketing major) and I are trying to organize a book signing. We are considering various things to make more sales. However, to do that, she said Barnes and Noble told us that the book has to be sold in that store in order for them to host my signing ...…

I Think My Social Media Posts Might Be Hurting My Professional Reputation

Published on August 5, 2015

As I move towards higher paying (read: corporate) markets, I am wondering what impact of my social media posts might be on editors at these markets. For example, could an editor take a look at my Twitter page and decide my tweets are too controversial for their magazine to feature my byline?…

My Publisher Wants All Rights to My Edited Manuscript….THAT I’LL BE PAYING THEM TO EDIT!

Published on July 29, 2015

Can you send me the list of freelance book editors you recommend? My publisher's contract says if I pay them to edit my book, they'll then own the rights to that version of my manuscript. No way!!!…

Somebody Stole My Photos…And They Ended Up In A Book!

Published on July 22, 2015

Someone gave an author my photographs, and claimed that they belonged to them. The author then used my photos in their book. Who do I contact regarding copyright infringement?…

Can I Use Materials in My Book, without Permission, for “Educational Purposes?”

Published on July 15, 2015

Online, I found two polls and a graph I want to use in my book. I believe that since it is for educational purposes, the fair use doctrine would apply. Is that right?…

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? …