Ask The Expert

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? …

Should I Quit My Job? NO!!!

Published on March 2, 2011

I am still considering the book but unfortunately I am wracked with fear. I can't live off my savings and can't afford the health insurance to allow me to quit my depressing job where the morale is at ground zero. I am making some extra cash as a freelancer but am losing my creative spunk. In addition, I have developed a myriad of health issues. MY MD told me yesterday to retire, but I help support a handicapped relative. At this point, I just don't know where to turn. …

Should I Pay for a Digital Book Review? NO!!!

Published on February 23, 2011

I recently heard from "Foreword Digital Reviews" that our book won't be reviewed by ForeWord Magazine since they only have space for a few book reviews...but that there's plenty of room at Foreword Digital Reviews on-line. Their fee for writing and posting the review is $99.00. What are your thoughts on this? …

The Elephant in the Room – When Publishers Don’t Admit Having Money Problems

Published on February 9, 2011

For years, I've been dealing with the editor of a pub. who has always paid me. Sometimes, she needs to be politely "reminded", but things have worked out in pretty timely fashion. In Nov., she published my work and I got paid. In December, the trouble started. She published my article for her Dec. issue, and even emailed me telling me around Dec. 13 that the issues/payment were being sent, which is actually early for her, as she usually pays late in the month. I got nothing from her, and didn't get any email replies over Christmastime. Right after New Years, she emailed me saying it would be taken care of. Nothing, and she didn't respond to my emails after about a week of waiting. I called her on January 12. She was nice and again said she would take care of the payment. Nothing again. I called her again on January 20, and she took my call and acted "surprised" that I've gotten nothing yet, claiming to have sent it Priority Mail, and again said she'd take care of it last week... …

Screenplay vs. Novel?

Published on February 2, 2011

I have a screenplay I wrote a few years ago that may have some market value. Do you have a position one way or another on publishing screenplays? …

Should I Hire This Outfit to Promote My Book?

Published on December 15, 2010

Just a question. I am getting a lot of email from (an online marketing firm) regarding book fairs, library shows, putting my book in front of appropriate people through magazines, and access to overseas rights. What is your opinion of these avenues of marketing? …

Should I Bid for Writing Work Online?

Published on December 8, 2010

Can you tell me anything about (a new freelancer's bid-for-work site)? (Another bid site)'s fees are adding up to way more than I'm happy about so I'm trying to find some other freelance writing job sites. Tried yet another one, and they do have a free level, but you can't bid on any decent jobs unless you pay for the higher levels (sneaky!). I also tried (another bid-for-work site) and it's sickening how little the clients there are offering. Plus, every time I was on that site I got flooded with spam. …

Should I Pay to Have My Book Reviewed? NO!!!

Published on November 24, 2010

I received an e-mail from Get Book Reviews.com suggesting I go with them to receive a book review. Do you know anything about them and if so what? Any advice? …

Are Publishers’ Marketing Packages Really Worth It?

Published on November 17, 2010

Angela, I'm ready to publish my book now. But, I believe I need a LOT! of help marketing it. I am not at all good on the computer.I don't know where to get a computer email list of potential buyers, or how to go about comtacting them if I did. Are the marketing packages these other self publishing companies offer really working? …

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