“How can I encourage my teenage granddaughter’s fire for creative writing?”
"I was wondering if there were any websites that you would recommend to her. It would be a shame to see her creative fire snuffed out before it could..."…
Ask The Expert
Amazon published his book, but it’s not “in stock” at Amazon…
Never assume that having your book published by Amazon KDP will mean that your book will be stocked by Amazon...…
“I ordered copies of my own books from Amazon but my publisher never paid me for those sales…”
I don't see those sales in my publisher's reports. I know I've been ripped off repeatedly throughout the years with this book...…
“Will you publish my (bleep) book that makes you want to (bleep)?”
I have never been so offended by an email from a writer. EVER!…
My publisher is out of business but Amazon is still selling the ebook, and sending THEM the money!
My book (title removed), was published in 2005 by Rainbow Books Inc. It is still selling on Amazon...…
“Can I use the name of a real building / mall / hospital / etc. in my novel?”
Should I make up a fictitious hospital name for use in my novel? Yes. Read why.…
COMPLAINTS about JustFiction! Edition
"JustFiction! has contacted me about issuing an edition with different cover art that would..."…
“Should Amazon be notified about my upcoming author event?”
I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but it's the truth...…
“How Can I Get on TV Shows?”
My book is the perfect book for promotion on some radio/TV talk shows. Do you have any suggestions on how to get myself on, or my book promoted, on such shows? …
A Fake Literary Agent + a Fake Movie Studio = Another Scam Targeting Authors
I know it's tempting. Like a lottery ticket...except FAR more expensive in the end!…
“Can you publish my book, and get me copies by Christmas, which is NEXT WEEK?”
When procrastinators spew profanity at me because I can't perform a Christmas miracle...…
Reader Angry Over Source We Used About an Author Who Was an ISIS Kidnap and Rape Victim
A reader turns a tragic situation into a ridiculous political one. …
“A major newspaper published an article that has the exact same title as my book. Can I sue them?”
"I came up with that title. I own it. My book is copyrighted! Can I sue them?"…
The NERVE of Some People!!!
Is that not absolutely ABSURD?! And even a bit stalker-ish? …
Why Nobody Reads Press Releases Anymore
"I was recently published by a local magazine. I'm thinking about hiring a press release service to spread the word about my article..."…
Can I use your 24-Hour Short Story writing prompts to create a book of short stories?
I would like them to write short stories for NaNoWriMo...…
“Publisher” Wants Author’s Illustrator Friend to Give Up ALL Rights???
"I recently was commissioned by a friend to paint one of my acrylics on canvas for her book. Now, her online publishing company has asked me to sign over the copyright for my work..."…
SCAM ALERT: No, Netflix did NOT just email you about turning your book into a movie!
"I just received this email and wanted to run it by you? If it's legit, that's great and I'm in!"…
Another Reason Authors Must Own and Control Their Own Websites? CANCEL CULTURE!
If you let any other person or company host your website, they have the power to "cancel" you if they don't like something in your book, something you wrote online, or even some of your social media posts. You may think you're safe from this garbage right now but you never know which way the politically correct tide is going to move in the future...…
“I’m 15 years old. Can I still write for you?”
"I've read your writer's guidelines and I'd love to send you some article ideas. However, I don't know if you have an age limit..."…
INSULTING! “Can you send me a free critique of my short story/article/poem/book manuscript?”
I admit I get a bit miffed that so many people assume that I will drop everything, and spend several minutes to several hours reading their work, and giving them a list of things that are good and not good, and details about how they can improve their writing. Some of them are downright rude...…
Angela Shares a Brutally Honest Review of an Author’s Book Description on Amazon
"Your publisher, an author meat market, CLEARLY doesn't care about their own reputation...nor yours."…
Email From “Major Movie Studio” Didn’t Fool THIS Author!
"Thought you might like to see an email I received yesterday regarding my book. They even asked for the PDF! I've never heard of these guys before, and..."…
“Can I re-publish a deceased relative’s book that’s been out of print for decades?”
"My husband’s great grandfather wrote an amazing regional book decades ago. It is no longer in print. I’ve tried to contact the publisher, (name removed), but I can’t find any information..."…
“Amazon has the wrong author on my book’s page!”
"I've already had a couple of people tell me they bought his books instead of mine..."…
“Should I publish one very large book or three smaller ones?”
"I am finishing up a novel that has three distinct parts. Each part is as long as a book..."…
“Am I supposed to collect sales tax when selling my books directly to readers in my state AND others?”
In talking to many independent authors, there is a growing awareness of the penalties of not collecting Sales Tax. In several states, if you exceed the tax threshold, you must register and file financial documents with the tax authorities of those states...…
Book Reviews – Great for Blurbs…Not So Great for Sales?
"I'm a bit disappointed in (my book sales) because I got a good review from (a book review publication). I had four more good reviews at (book review websites). Two more are due out next week..." …
“Should I post my business videos to YouTube or to my own website?”
"Should I my how-to videos on my own website or should I use YouTube. I know YouTube gets a lot more traffic than I ever will..."…
What Does ‘sic’ Mean and When Should You Use It?
"My book contains speeches by others that have grammatical errors. What do I do?"…
