Ask The Expert

Agent Finding

Published on November 7, 2007

Dear Ms. Hoy, I have been receiving your newsletter for a short time.I am getting a little confused about the process of getting a book published. I have two very silly children's books that have been read to two second grade classes and they seemed to really enjoy them. I want them out there. If not for any other reason than to make my dream a reality. May I please bother you for your time and expertise where publishing two little books are concerned? I want to be a genuine author and I know that I will succeed, once pointed in the right direction. Thank you and enjoy your day, Malissa …

“Vote For My Book!” Contests May Hurt Your Credibility…and Your Pocketbook

Published on October 31, 2007

I have kind of an odd-ball request: I entered a novel into a contest - kind of an American Idol contest for novels. It's doing pretty well. It made the semi-finals, unofficially in 10th place out of 296 entries. Unfortunately, only the top 5 have a shot at getting published. One of the top five will be published by (name of company removed). That's where you might come in. If I get published, that would (a) Be a big boost for my self-published book and (b) Be a nice little thing to mention in my advertising. Given that, I was wondering if you might be willing to pass the word around to friends, family, employees, contacts who like to read, etc. that my novel might be worth a look. Anyone can comment and vote as long as they register with (the website hosting the contest). -S …

Pen Names

Published on October 24, 2007

Do you think Pen Names are necessary and is it an easy process to get one? I am asking this because I knew that there was an alternate name you could use, like the stage names, but never knew the term to search for. Any thoughts on this subject would be helpful. Thanks in advance, G. …

Using Real People/Places/Events in Fiction

Published on October 17, 2007

Hi Angela, I am currently writing a novel (Adventure/Fiction). My characters, plot, etc. are fiction; however, I am planning to include real places. Do I need to ask permission from the business establishment my characters would be attending? Ex: I am researching (a popular event in Alaska). I won't name the event in my novel, but if anyone has been there it's pretty clear to what I'm referring. Of course, each of my characters won't be the same in their responses, so some of them won't like/enjoy/might have bad things to say about their experience at the business establishment. Is that okay? I don't want to be sued for defaming their establishment. …

How Should I Handle Fan Mail?

Published on October 10, 2007

What is the best way to handle fan mail? Should I reply and thank them for their support? Or should I accept it and forget it? I really would appreciate some feedback. Connie …

If Mag Buys A Piece And Folds, Who Owns The Piece?

Published on October 3, 2007

If you sell an essay to a magazine that purchased all rights (and you were paid) and that magazine folds before your piece is printed, what are your rights in terms of placing it elsewhere? …

On spec? No pay or pay?

Published on September 26, 2007

Dear Angela, Another writer suggested I contact you. What a magazine wants from me doesn't sound quite right to her. I wrote an article, on my own, and then queried a large Canadian magazine and asked if I could submit it to them. The editor responded right away and asked me to submit it 'on spec' since they haven't dealt with me before and because the article is written in first person. She wants me to submit 750 words. …

Some Naughty Companies Are Reselling Single ISBNs

Published on September 19, 2007

Hi Angela, I can't afford to buy a block of ISBNs from R.R. Bowker ($275 for 10). I found a company online that is selling single ISBNs. I didn't think that was allowed? …

What does “ibid” mean?

Published on September 12, 2007

What does "ibid" mean? I've seen it referenced in footnotes in books. Lisa …

Is this Newspaper Trying to Pull a Fast One?

Published on September 5, 2007

I get your ezine every week and really enjoy what I read and have learned a tremendous amount. I've written you on occasion and thought you'd be a good one to bounce this situation off of... I started writing professionally about four years ago, at age 41, starting with a small weekly newspaper that has grown from about 8000 copies to about 21,000 copies now. I write all sorts of feature stories and news writing and sometimes take my own photos. …

Can I Post My Clips to My Website?

Published on August 15, 2007

Hi Angela, Kinda new at freelance. I have sold a few articles, and now wish to build a web page, rather than e-mail clips with queries. Once an article is sold to a publication, can the author of the article post a clip of the article on the author's web page? Is the entire article necessary? Do you think a web page for editors to visit is a good idea? Any advice you can give would be appreciated. Sincerely, Jerry …

Can I Use This Old Newspaper Photo?

Published on July 25, 2007

I want to use a photo I found in an old newspaper in my book but I can't find the copyright owner and the newspaper is now out of business. How can I determine if it's in the public domain? …

When Editors Assume Your Article is a “Donation”

Published on July 18, 2007

A legit, well-respected publisher just accepted an article that I wrote and will be running it later this year. How long should I give them before asking about payment? Thanks …

Is She Ignoring Me…or What?

Published on June 27, 2007

This may not be the correct venue, but I wanted to reach you. I followed a "market" ad from your listings,and submitted an article to a magazine. The ad stated "payment upon publication", and the item was published. I have yet to be paid, and wonder what to do next. I wrote two "gentle" e-mails to the editor asking about payment, and suddenly no one's home. …

Confused About Rights…

Published on June 13, 2007

Hi Angie, I was looking at the ad from Blue Mountain Arts, Inc. in your latest issue .I have always considered greeting cards as a potential place to sell, but need some clarification. This statement, "Buys exclusive rights for all greeting cards. If a work is used only in an anthology, the writer keeps the copyright." is the one that confuses me. If they buy my idea, does that mean that I can't sell it anywhere else or just to another card company? Thanks, Sandy …

Literary Agent Inquiry

Published on June 6, 2007

Dear Angela, A new subscriber to your weekly. You had a similar request for info about paying to have work critiqued. I tried that URL and couldn't access it, so again the question is...I've had one dealing with the Literary Agency Group (LAG) in New York; I paid them to critique a stage play and now they seem to be looking for more money to help get this stageplay ready. Sound kosher? Many thanks, Charlie Gourlis …

Editors Wants Me to Sign a Backdated, Two-Year Non-Compete!

Published on May 23, 2007

Basically, I've already done some work for this company, the beginning of what seems to be a long-term arrangement, and they're just now asking me to sign a backdated contract. The contract restricts me from writing about the topic for anyone else while I am working with them AS WELL AS during the first two years after terminating the contract. …

Agent doesn’t/does charge a fee?

Published on May 16, 2007

Hello. I've read a lot of articles that say agents should not charge fees but I wonder if this one is different. The agency promises to "provide a free evaluation of your entire work." Then, below the signature is the line. "We charge a $250.00 submission fee if you are offered a contract." Is that normal? I think that if it goes to contract then the contract should not cost anything. Otherwise it still seems like a reading fee. I'm confused. …

What Do I Say When They Say “No Pay”?

Published on May 9, 2007

Angela: What do you say to the claim of many literary editors who say "Since we don't carry advertising, we can't pay our contributors." Cheers, Roy I simply tell them I won't contribute my valuable time to their hobby. …

Do *Not* Edit A Chapter As A “Test!”

Published on May 2, 2007

Hello Angela, My friend recommended I contact you. I found a freelance copyediting position (online). I emailed them expressing interest and with some questions about the company and they emailed me back with a sample chapter to edit. All of that is fine. But... They are a new company, they claim. They didn't answer any of my questions. I don't know what the pay rate would be. They don't have a website, but submissions guidelines are online with an address. When I called information to get a phone number, so I could find out some more about this company before I did any "test" or free editing, the operator didn't have any company listed. I'm a little nervous to say the least. I would greatly appreciate you help. Thank you so much in advance. J. …

Add a Contingency Clause to Your Freelance Contract

Published on April 25, 2007

It's interesting that I read last week about having a contingency clause in a pays-on-publication contract because I signed one of those about six weeks ago without that kind of clause. I suppose I naively assumed the article would be published sooner than this fall. …

A Foreign Company Published My Book Without Permission!

Published on April 11, 2007

Hi Angela, I periodically search my name through Google and check out any new hits on my name. I found a copy of my book, new cover and all, in what appears to be Hungarian. The only English words on the cover are my name and Fiesta at the top. I have NOT sold any foreign language rights. It's officially out of print by my publisher, so it's my problem. I don't know where to begin! Sharon …

Should I Pay These Companies for Their Book Promotion Services?

Published on April 4, 2007

Hi Angela, I am wondering if you or Richard have an opinion on two book promotion possibilities: 1) Paying [a company] to help get me on radio talk shows, etc. 2) Having [a website] post an interview and book review on their website for $250.00 Thanks! Lynne …

Unauthorized Reselling Of Articles

Published on March 28, 2007

Hello, Angela. I've been getting your Writers Weekly e-mails for quite a while, and think you do a terrific job. I have a question I'm wondering if you could help me with, or if you know someone who may be able to help. I am a freelance writer and I've been writing for a west suburban paper for nine years. Recently I noticed that my stories are popping up on Findarticles.com, www.questia.com, www.highbeam.com, goliath.ecnext.com, and maybe other sites, which charge a fee to read the complete stories. Now, none of these sites have ever gotten permission from me to post these articles, and I do not make one cent off the articles I wrote which they are "selling." Is what their doing legal? If not, what can I do? Although my articles appear in that large newspaper, I still retain the rights to what I've written. Is that meaningless, in the Internet age? Can anyone take what I've written and use it, even sell it? Sincerely, R …

Editor’s Procrastination Shouldn’t Be Your Problem

Published on March 21, 2007

Hi Angela, What do you do with difficult editors? I just ran into two situations with two different editors that have set my teeth on edge. It's one of these situations where their procrastination becomes my problem. Essentially, I messed up by agreeing to do an article with a very short deadline, but I did let the editor know that I was concerned about my interviewees not cooperating with me in such a short time period. …

Help Leaping from Newspapers to Magazines

Published on March 14, 2007

Angela, I have been reading your newsletter on and off now for ages now and I'm always amazed at your fluid personal style, but this was absolutely the cutest thing so far..."As her emails came faster and with more anger, she stopped using any capital letters at all. Can you imagine how embarrassed she would be if I published her emails?" …

Add A “Publish-By-Or-Pay” Clause To Your “Pays On Publication” Contracts

Published on March 7, 2007

Angela, A publication pays upon publication. Now, it could be months before they publish the piece...but in the meantime, they don't pay the writer, but have yet to publish the work after three or so months. Is the pub considered a deadbeat in your view ONLY IF they publish the work and don't pay? Please advise. Roy …

How To Respond To Negative Rating?

Published on February 28, 2007

Since I started writing for this site's clients, my rating has been at the highest level, as I treat each client's project with extreme care and respect, and give each one 100% effort. My problem involves the rating I was given by a first-time client from Europe who wanted an ebook written about her unique business. I estimated that the project would take about one month. After accepting the project, my client became ill and couldn't send the necessary material for me to begin working. Two weeks passed, and finally I received her material. I communicated regularly with her throughout this period and until I completed the project, incorporating her edits and comments. I also advised her that I would not meet the proposed deadline due to not receiving her material on time. You can imagine my surprise and shock when she wrote in my rating that I was late finishing the project. …

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