Ask The Expert

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? …

How Fast Do Ingram and Apple Pay Publishers?

Published on November 10, 2010

How long does it take Ingram to pay POD publishers? My friend bought my book from Amazon last month and it's still not showing up in my earnings. And, how fast is Apple paying publishers for their iBookstore sales? …

HOW MUCH SHOULD I CHARGE FOR REPRINTS?

Published on October 27, 2010

How much should I charge as a reprint rate? I received $175.00 from the original zine for each published article, so is a reprint rate a certain percentage of what I had received originally? …

Marketing to Bookstores – Still a Waste of Time?

Published on October 20, 2010

I have been repeatedly frustrated that I cannot get books on big box or independent bookstore shelves. My book is "up" on many of the store websites for online sales (including many of the top independent booksellers), BUT I still can't get the actual book in front of potential readers. I have a big radio interview coming up and I have no place to direct people (other than my publisher's and other websites) to go buy a copy. I can't even wiggle into the University bookstores and I can't help feeling a bit embarrassed about it. …

Can I Use Artwork on My Cover Without a Contract?

Published on October 6, 2010

I purchased artwork for my book cover. Nothing was agreed between myself and the cover designer. Do I own the rights to the artwork so I can use it to publish my book? Do I need to ask for permission from the artist? …

Don’t Get Cutesy With Book Titles

Published on September 15, 2010

I'd like to play with the words in my title, using Whole instead of Hole. Even though it will be grammatically incorrect, it implies a double meaning to readers. I am afraid if people try to order it they will not know what to type in, or may misspell the real title. What should I do? …

Can You (or Should You?!) Sell Your Self-Published Book to a Traditional Publisher?

Published on September 8, 2010

A writer friend told me a story and I'd like your take on it. She said she was told by a prominent publisher that her book had merit, but they didn't have room for it and suggested that she self-publish the book to see how it does. If it sells well, then they would reconsider it as long as she was taking all the risks first. She lives in the UK and maybe that's how they do business, but this seems wrong. Is this what publishers are doing now, expecting the writer to take the risk before contracting a book? Just curious.. …

Can Your Put My Ebook in the Apple iBookstore? Yes!

Published on September 1, 2010

Hi Angela, I want my ebook listed in Apple's iBookstore but the ePub file conversion and submission process looks really confusing. Is anyone offering a service to help people with the process? Janet …

Get Quality Writing Jobs…the Old Fashioned Way!

Published on August 25, 2010

After reading your articles about content mills, I am now left wondering what place is suggested to get started in freelance writing. Writing sites give a lot of info., pro and con, but........what is the answer? What places are the best? …

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