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? …
What do you think about Demand Studios? …
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? …
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. …
Angela answered this week's reader question in her feature article today. …
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? …
What is the best website to locate an Agent? …
I had an exchange with an author this week about email marketing... …
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? …
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.. …
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 …
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? …
I got a call from an online company selling website optimization. The caller promised first page advertising for my books on 100 plus search engines...for a fee, of course. I didn't bite. What's the story on these companies? …
We decided on a title for our book but there is another book from 1994 (with the same main title). One of the co-authors thought we would have a problem with copyright infringement. I thought we would only have a problem if we used the exact same title of another published book. Do you think our title would be okay? …
Does using a writer's work in a work-for-hire project mean the person or company who hires the writer can claim it as "original"? What rights can writers/researchers of articles claim? What can the buyer of those articles rightfully claim about the writer's work? Are the pitfalls the same for a ghostwriter who writes a celebrity book? …
THE PROBLEM: I recently exchanged a few emails with a young author. It was difficult to read her emails because every single word started with a capital letter. I finally got a bit frustrated because reading her emails made my eyes water. I wrote: "May I ask why your email program capitalizes every word of your email?" HER EXPLANATION: "The Capitalization Of Every Word Is My Doing. It's Something I Have Been Doing Since I Started Typing (September I'll Be 26).I Must Confess... My Mother Told Me Not To Write A 'Business' Letter In My Fashion But I Believe Each Word Is Just As Important As The Next..." …
I hired a designer to create my cover and to format the interior of my book. She just finished. What are your specs?…
I published my book with a company that offers "templates" for formatting an author's book and cover. Can I just send you those files for you to print from? …
I am confused about the whole content mill thing. As part of my book promotion and research, I came across an article advising authors to send articles to content ezines as a way to promote a book. I took the bait. Seemed reasonable. I submit short pieces, include my bio and book info., and get more exposure. …
I'm wondering if you've heard of this outfit (email removed by WritersWeekly) and their offer. What you think of it? Does it look legit to you? …
I want to copywright the name of a blog I've started. How do I know if that name is already taken? …
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I know you are busy and most likely get asked for a good deal of advice. I currently finished my first novel and I have been contemplating going through a traditional literary agent or using Print on Demand (POD) publisher. I was greatly impressed with your company for taking on the big guys for us little authors. I've read through most of your FAQs and reasons to and not to use POD publishing, and am coming down on the side of POD publishing. Additionally, I've found fantastic reviews of BookLocker. Before heading forward, is there anything else you think I should know about the system or any relevant informational sources I should be steered toward? I realize this is a very general question but any knowledge I can gain now should help me to avoid pitfalls in the future. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you. …
I want to have a site where people can find out about the book and post comments. I've been trying to make a Facebook fan page and can't figure it out, I looked at Twitter and don't think that is what I want either. I really don't want to build a website. Do you have any suggestions of where I can have readers go to post comments that can be seen by anyone? …
I have about a contract I'm contemplating signing. The publication is in print and online, and I'll be doing blog posts initially, with the potential to do features in the future. I really want to write for this pub, but when they sent me the contract, the paragraph below scared me: "(The Publisher) will retain the copyrights to all stories, works or photographs published. (The Publisher) may at its discretion resell or republish any stories, works or photographs. (Contributor) will agree that all stories, and works of authorship, including photos, will be considered works made for hire and shall be owned exclusively by (The Publisher)." My question is this: Is it standard to deprive the writer of all copyright rights from the get-go? I'm inclined to ask for a one-year reversion clause. …
My first book was published by (a large POD publisher). I paid a few hundred dollars to have the book "returnable" for 2 years. I was told by (their marketing department) that bookstores would readily shelve my book if I did this. However, B&N and Borders will still not carry my book. …
I have a (specific term from my book title) trademarked and the word will be part of my forthcoming book's title. I recently noticed a church using my trademarked term on a project they're promoting. How do I delicately handle this? Do I gently ask them to stop? It's a church doing really good things but not in the way that I've used my book. The name has been officially trademarked and I really want them to stop using it. …
I found a story of mine on Gather.com - copyright infringement. I am so glad you published your article. I saw the response you received, which of, course, sounded like a run-around. I would like to be paid for my story on their site. I love your idea of invoicing. What shall I charge for a 600-word humor column? That's what was filched. …
Hi Angela Regarding this statute: (1) Except as provided by clause (2) of this subsection, the copyright owner may elect, at any time before final judgment is rendered, to recover, instead of actual damages and profits, an award of statutory damages for all infringements involved in the action, with respect to any one work, for which any one infringer is liable individually, or for which any two or more infringers are liable jointly and severally, in a sum of not less than $750 or more than $30,000 as the court considers just. For the purposes of this subsection, all the parts of a compilation or derivative work constitute one work. The WritersWeekly invoice to Anne Wayman stated: "We are invoicing you $750 for each week you published WritersWeekly.com's copyrighted material." You will note that the highlighted sentence reads "in a sum...", that mean total, which cannot exceed 30,000.00. Your invoice is for more than 30K. MR …
A competing newsletter, (name removed), has been republishing your stuff. Thought you'd want to know. Aside from waiting for someone else to notice your material has been stolen, what's the easiest way to catch copyright infringers? …
Angela, What can you tell me about author submission services? R.M. …
