Ask The Expert

Common Names vs. Trademarked Names

Published on November 17, 2011

Common Names vs. Trademarked Names

I see your point, but how does this really differ from the problem of character names? I write a story, and I make up a name for my character, but with just about any name I pick, say "Phil Walters" or "Susie Kimball" (and I just now made those up), there are going to be dozens of people across the United States with that name. And now the cops are after Phil because Susie is missing and they think he murdered her, or after Susie because her boss says she embezzled $10,000. How does this differ from (a suspected fictious business name) running a sideline in smuggling drugs? Coming up with names and such is enough of a pain when writing, without making it harder. And what if I do check a name/URL/e-mail out today? Somebody could easily start using the name between the time I submit the story to a publisher and the time it is published (lead times of a year are not unusual). Do I have to recheck everything when I get the final galley? My publisher would be *most unhappy* if I made a whole slew of changes that late in the production cycle. You can't be a hundred percent safe on something like this, that's what the usual disclaimer is for. …

“Does That Website Really Own The Photo They Just Gave Me Permission To Use?” Not Likely!

Published on October 19, 2011

“Does That Website Really Own The Photo They Just Gave Me Permission To Use?” Not Likely!

I have found a few pictures on the Internet that I would like to use in my book. I have seen them on several different sites. However, I can't seem to locate how or where to buy the rights to use them and I haven't been able to find them (or anything similar) on the sites that allow you to purchase rights. One website has given me permission to use them but I am not at all comfortable with this because I cannot be sure that THEY have the rights to be using them! …

Do I Need to Copyright My Short Stories Individually? Nope!

Published on October 12, 2011

I am a short story writer, and am putting together a website to market my stories -- at a rate of one new story per month. I have the 'store' set up with PayPal and my 'merchandising' platform close to being ready. However, a self-published author has told me that I need to get each story published through a 'real' publishing house, ISBN number, the works, in order to protect that story. Is this true? …

Does Ingram Distribution Mean Bookstores Will Stock My Book? No!

Published on September 28, 2011

Does Ingram Distribution Mean Bookstores Will Stock My Book? No!

I am still a little confused about the distribution through Ingram. So, does that mean we're guaranteed to at least have a few books in the bookstores Ingram works with? Or, does it depend on how many copies the bookstores want to order from Ingram? …

Is This Publisher / Editor / Literary Agent Legit? NOPE!

Published on September 21, 2011

I was dismayed to receive an email from a publisher this morning that made me wonder if he ACTUALLY read (my manuscript) at all! All of the issues he raised were covered and solved in the writing, so he is either extremely unintelligent or has simply browsed through the book. I wondered what you think might be the motive behind his comments? After receiving some amazing reviews from both professionals and readers alike, I was aghast reading his comments. …

How Much Should I Charge For Ghostwriting?

Published on September 7, 2011

As a loyal subscriber, I've used your expertise in so many different capacities over the years, and for that I'm extremely grateful. To that point, I'm in need again. I have a client who would like me to ghostwrite a non-fiction book and I have no idea what to charge. My research indicates that fees range from $5,000 to $100,000 (depending on factors such as research, page count, expertise, etc.) but I wondered if there were any fee structures that you could point me to and/or if you had any advice/direction from your own experience. Any help in this regard would be greatly appreciated. …

Was I Ripped Off? Yep!

Published on August 31, 2011

I saw an ad in a local magazine asking for writers and article ideas. To my surprise and delight, when I inquired, I immediately got three writing assignments. The editor said that they'd pay me $75 for each, but, after I wrote them (the articles) she was disappointed. She said they weren't long enough, and wanted to bring the price down to $45 each. I actually thought that was fair so I said it was okay. Well, I spent two to three weeks getting the articles ready, even neglecting other things I was working on. I sent the articles in and was asked for my address so they could mail my check. This morning, however, I received an e-mail from the editor informing me that the publisher said that it wasn't in their budget to pay me--not later--simply not at all. I wrote back immediately saying that that was unacceptable (I felt as though I'd been scammed) and that I wanted her to have the publisher get back with me IMMEDIATELY. The bad part is that I threatened to take it to small claims court. I guess I shouldn't have done that. I just was soooooo angry! I truly feel that the entire deal was a scam from the beginning... …

What Are the Odds My Book Will Sell?

Published on August 24, 2011

My new POD publisher has published thousands of books so I can expect them to sell lots of copies of my book, right? …

Do Foreign Authors Need a U.S. Bank Account?

Published on August 10, 2011

I'm very interested in your POD services. I know you know what you're doing. One question, Amazon requires a US bank account for Kindle publishers. What happens with your POD? Do you manage the finances? I'm in Australia, so getting a US bank account would be a challenge. …

My Traditional Publisher Abandoned My Book!

Published on August 3, 2011

Several years ago I contracted with a publisher to write a biography. The contract was pretty draconian, claiming all print and electronic rights, but I anticipated good sales and, after some haggling, I signed the agreement. It appears the publisher is no longer actively selling the book. A major indication of that, in my view, is that the book isn't available through the publisher's website now, although others in the same series are. I would like to reclaim electronic rights at least, and wonder what the best approach might be. Does the publisher's obvious lack of interest in the book give me leverage? If I do a re-write before self-publishing, would that shield me from legal challenges? …

Should I hire this spammer to promote my book? NO!

Published on July 20, 2011

I recently received an email from (a book marketing firm) asking me to use their service to promote my book. Do you know anything about them and do you have an evaluation of their service? …

Double Spaces After Sentences? No More!

Published on June 29, 2011

When I was in high school I took a creative writing class. We were taught there were always to be two spaces after a period. I have noticed that is no longer the case, My blog site even adjusts my two spaces down to one. When did the rules change? …

Is That Foreign Website Giving Away My Book For Free?

Published on June 22, 2011

In Googling myself today, I ran across a website called download-free-ebooks.net and I see that all 10 of my books are available for free as a PDF file to anyone who wants to download them. Is this legal? This strikes me as piracy. Do I have any recourse? Should I even worry about it? …

Deadbeat is Threatening to Blacklist Me

Published on June 15, 2011

I was approached about a month ago by a person who said he was referred from a former client. I did not know this client well, but I had worked for him once. The man asked me to write some articles for him on a regular basis, which I agreed to do. He sent information to me regarding these articles and the information did state that he paid after 10,000 words was reached. I agreed to this. During all this time, the man gave the impression he was in the United States... …

Avoiding Pay-Per-Click Meat Markets

Published on May 18, 2011

Could you please give me advice on another avenue to take as a new writer? I want to get my writing out there, but I don't want it to be on a "meat market" - as you put it - that degrades my work. …

What’s a “Blind Ad?”

Published on May 11, 2011

I always enjoy reading your weekly newsletter. (How you manage to come up with topics each week is, to me, miraculous.) My confusion comes when I look at the list of jobs available, and you indicate various ones as a "blind ad." What is the significance of such a designation to us readers? Proceed with caution? …

DO I NEED A DIFFERENT ISBN FOR EACH EDITION OF MY BOOK?

Published on May 4, 2011

With all of the new publishing formats available, what's the rule with ISBNs and ebooks, apps, audio guides, etc. Do you need a new ISBN for each format? For instance, if I have a print version of my book available on Amazon, do I need to buy a new ISBN for an ebook that I might create to sell through Amazon, too? …

Can I Publish My 24-Hour Short Story Entry After the Contest? Yep!!

Published on April 27, 2011

Can I Publish My 24-Hour Short Story Entry After the Contest? Yep!!

Dear Angela, I was a past participant in one of the 24 hour contests and I have a question regarding that. I used the exact prompt for the story as written by WritersWeekly. Now, I want to include that story in a book I plan to publish. My question is, can I use that story as written, or would I need to strike the beginning and change it?* Thanks, Mike …

No, Traditional Publishers Will NOT Wait For You to Get Out of a Long-Term Contract!

Published on April 20, 2011

I am really interested in using BookLocker.com to print my soon to be finished manuscript. I like everything you offer. I just wanted to verify something just in case as I am always one to prepare for the best to happen! If I list my book with you and my marketing efforts help the book sales take off, and sell lots of copies, and if a larger publisher approaches me, can I switch to them? Basically I just wanted to ensure I would have this option if all goes well like I anticipate... …

Should I Scan My Printed Book for Electronic Distribution? No.

Published on April 13, 2011

I've got a question that I hope you can help me with. I'm the editor for a not-for-profit organization. About 15 years ago a member gave us exclusive rights to sell her book as a fundraiser. We sold out of the books after a couple of years, but recently our office staff found one last copy. We've decided we'd like to make it digital and sell it again. The author has given us exclusive rights to do this. I've scanned the entire 350-page book, and now have PDF files. I had thought to use OCR software to convert the PDF files to Word files and then, using InDesign, create the book. Well the OCR software can't handle the job. I have Greek, Turkish and Serbocroatian characters (along with Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian and English). The PDF files are clear and clean and include some delightful hand drawings - none of which the author has in digital format. Is there a way to make these PDF files directly into an ebook? …

WRONG, RIGHT, ABSOLUTELY WRONG – Angela Responds to More Misconceptions about Traditional Publishers Buying Self-Published Books

Published on April 6, 2011

In your response to the letter you received regarding a person who can't understand why no agent or publisher is interested in his/her self-published book, you didn't mention the fact that the book is already considered "published." Most, if not all, agents and publishers steer clear of already published books. There are rare--very rare--cases when they will take one on. (WRONG, SAYS ANGELA) Also, most self-published books aren't up to par-- grammar, spelling, or interest-wise--of what traditional (commercial) publishers sell. Anyone with some money can self-publish; agents and publishers have seen too many that are not well-written. (RIGHT, SAYS ANGELA) As for marketing, that is not entirely true either. (Commercial) publishers don't up-front ask what a writer will do to market their book. First and foremost is a very well-written, intriguing manuscript. (ABSOLUTELY WRONG, SAYS ANGELA) Best, Anne Hi Anne, I must disagree with you. There are many cases now of traditional publishers giving self-published authors contracts because sales of the self-published version have been proven. At BookLocker.com, we've lost several authors over the years because of this fact. We just lost another one who was offered a $20K advance from a NYC publisher. Before he signed the contract, I referred him to my literary agent, who then managed to get him an even higher amount from another traditional publisher. It's not just BookLocker authors who are landing traditional contracts, either. Click HERE to see an article I wrote back in 2007 about some BookLocker authors who landed traditional contracts. I haven't updated the list since then but there are many more now. I agree many self-published books are horrible but it would be ludicrous to say a book is horrible just because it's self-published. There are many very good self-published books on the market. Many traditional publishers do indeed ask authors up front for marketing and promotional plans and some even ask the authors to provide them with an analysis of competitive books. And, those publishers then expect unknown authors to perform most, if not all, of those marketing activities. Click HERE for an example of one author who was asked last month for his marketing plan. Angela ADVERTISEMENT THE DO-IT-YOURSELFER'S GUIDE TO SELF-SYNDICATION A practical resource outlining the self-syndication process, step-by-step. Packed with detailed information and useful tips for writers looking to gain readership, name recognition, publication and self-syndication for their column or articles. …

Why Aren’t Traditional Publishers Interested in My Book?

Published on March 30, 2011

I have written to several (well, a lot, to be honest) publishers and agents about my self-published books, and the response is always the same; interesting, but not for me ... I was under the impression that self-publishing would prove beneficial in approaching a traditional publisher if the story was intact. …

What Should I Put in My Book Proposal?

Published on March 23, 2011

he other day I wrote a book proposal for a collection of my stories. Yesterday, I sent it to a publisher who once gave a review of a Chicken Soup for The Soul book that I had a story in. The publisher gave the book a bad review, but singled out my story as a shining point in the book. I figured she'd be a good start to send my proposal to. This morning she requested a copy of my completed manuscript and my marketing plan... …

Does “All Rights” Mean I Can’t Tell My Story Again? No!

Published on March 16, 2011

I found a market to sell a personal paranormal experience story but they buy all rights. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with never being able to tell the story to anyone else again. If I were to tell the same story in a different way, so that I am not reselling the same writing, is that in violation of the rights they buy? Would I be allowed to do that? …

Topic Alone Does Not Determine Book Sales!

Published on March 9, 2011

Do you publish many titles - fiction or non-fiction - by African American authors? Or books of interest to an African American audience? Has there been much success with these? …

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