Ask The Expert

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

Published on March 11, 2015

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

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? …

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? …

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. …

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. …

Can You Pay Writers Via Paypal?

Published on October 15, 2014

I have reviewed your writer's guidelines and I want to write for you. I am not in the United States. Can you pay for articles using PayPal?…

Is This a Real Advertiser or Something That Might Hurt My Blog?

Published on August 27, 2014

Is This a Real Advertiser or Something That Might Hurt My Blog?

I have another question for you regarding ads on blogs. I've been asked by an insurance company to place a monthly ad on my blog. I researched the product and I am okay with that. They want to put their hyperlink somewhere near my title, not on a side bar. I'm okay with that, too. My question is, what is a good monthly rate to ask for? …

Can I Use A Picture I Found Online?

Published on August 13, 2014

I found some old photos on some websites. I want to use them in my book. From their aged appearance, it looks like they're in the public domain. Can I use them without permission? …

Am I About to Get Ripped Off? Yes!!

Published on July 23, 2014

I can see giving up ownership to my work if I was getting paid, but giving up both ownership and pay? Is that wise? …

Marketing to Bookstores – A Lot of Work for Little (if any) Money!

Published on July 2, 2014

I need to please ask you a question. I have started sending a copy of my book to some large bookstores out west. My first response was no, they wouldn't accept it because of my publisher's no returns policy. I'm afraid the other stores are going to say the same. …

How Much Should I Charge for My Writing Services?

Published on June 25, 2014

I have just been offered a part-time job providing book reviews for a charitable organization's website. They asked me to pitch my fees but this will be my first professional gig and I don't know what to charge... …

WritersWeekly Has Blacklisted Another Publication That Charges Reading Fees

Published on June 11, 2014

Could you be a bit too hasty to blacklist small publishers over fees? That most recent one was being overwhelmed by online submissions. The only work an 'author' had to do was hit send. The receiver had a lot of work to do to separate out the sewerage and sludge to even reach the slush. Couldn't the authors still send it in by snail mail the old fashioned way and NOT pay a fee? Additionally, university presses traditionally charge fees due to the low demand academic oriented work they publish. This cooperative/subsidy publishing is a long established norm in the university world and the only way such work would get published. It is not the traditional vanity press as the work is vetted. But you recently blacklisted a university publication for the fee issue. Now you are certainly free to blacklist anyone you want, I wonder if you are really doing it to help people more than you enjoy doing it... …

Can I Publish My Dead Friend’s Manuscript? No!

Published on June 4, 2014

Can I Publish My Dead Friend’s Manuscript? No!

I have a manuscript, but am not the author. The author gave me the manuscript personally many years ago but without any written permission. His wish was just to somehow get it published. To make the matter worse, he was a resident of a foreign country and it was there he handed me the manuscript. He is now already deceased for several years. In this case, what should I do in order to prove that I am the rightful holder of the publishing rights, or at least some sort of representative? I do not expect to make any money off the book for myself. If there will be any income from it, it will be spent on worthy causes that the work's topic is closely related to. I would really appreciate your suggestions and/or recommendations. …

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