Ask The Expert

Threats of Tortuous Interference

Published on July 26, 2006

A magazine owes numerous writers thousands of dollars (yep, me included). I want to warn other freelancers to avoid this firm, but I was told that if I complained, I could be sued for "tortuous influences" (i.e., driving away their business). But if i give you info (or, well, anyone), I can't stay anonymous. Do i really have to bite my tongue? Is there anyway I can warn writers under an assumed name, or is that impossible? It seems so unfair to the people they are scamming. …

Question About Copywriting Course

Published on July 19, 2006

I recently saw an ad for a class on copy writing and I need some reassurance that the claims are accurate. I get things like this in the mail all the time, usually claiming that they can lead me down the golden road of fabulous riches. That in itself is enough to raise my eyebrows suspiciously. Nothing comes that easy. …

Hourly Rate Or Flat Fee?

Published on June 28, 2006

I've been approached by a medical communications company to look over a four-page word document on a type of surgery, rework the copy/edit and add my "own stamp to it." They plan to use it on a web site. However, the company would like to know how much I charge to do this beforehand. Is it better to give them an hourly rate or flat fee? …

How Long Should I Wait to Submit Elsewhere?

Published on June 21, 2006

When submitting fillers, how long should I wait without hearing before submitting to another market? Am I under any obligation to tell the first magazine that I am withdrawing the filler and submitting it to another publication? …

Explaining Kill Fees

Published on June 14, 2006

What happens to my article if they decide to kill it. Do I get it back, whether they are paying a kill fee or not? Can I publish it somewhere else? …

Publisher Won’t Give Me a Contract!

Published on May 17, 2006

A publisher seems to be resisting writing an agreement/contract for my article, which he has already accepted. It was written on spec, and accepted for publication, probably in June. I have requested an agreement/contract more than once. All he does is quote the guidelines, which I know are notoriously unreliable and that writers cannot claim compensation based on them. What should I do? …

Posting Excerpts Online – What If Someone Copies My Work?!

Published on May 10, 2006

Maybe I am impatient or just a rookie wanting his stuff to be read but is there an acceptable, safe way to begin posting, in a serialized sense, my book onto a website? I would like to begin getting readers' reactions but am afraid of someone stealing either the premise or one of the characters of the book (it is character driven). …

How Do I Post An Interview Request On Writersweekly.Com?

Published on May 3, 2006

I always, always, always enjoy each edition of Writer's Weekly. In fact, I've successfully published several articles thanks to your "Paying Markets". My question now is this...how do I get an interview request posted? Is there a fee? What is the process? …

When Authors Die…What Happens to Their Books?

Published on April 26, 2006

At your advice, I am preparing a clause for my publisher which will be retroactive (as the publisher said I could do) to include all my book contracts. My lawyer confirmed, too, that such an arrangement was between me and the publisher. …

Did This Publisher Forget My Advance Or What?

Published on April 19, 2006

I have a book contract. However, while I received the first part of my advance, I did not receive the second half. Nevertheless, the book is already for sale. Now, I have another manuscript that I submitted to the publisher, and he said it was too long, but, that he liked the writing and the work, so he broke it up into two works. He has indicated the second will be coming out on his next list. I am gratified to have such a reception, but, the second work has no written contract, I have not been paid the second part of my advance on the first, and there has been no discussion about money on the second. I do not know what to do. I know I need an agent, but, I am in a bind. My work is already sold! However, I need money to live as well! I have no "new" work to present to an agent. …

What To Charge For Second Rights?

Published on April 5, 2006

Is there a guide of what to charge for second rights? One-time use? I've been told that one should try to get half of the first print, but honestly who can afford $1000 for a story on counter top surfaces? …

Should I Bid on Writing Jobs?

Published on March 29, 2006

As a freelancer, I am used to editors and publications stating that they will pay flat fees for a certain word count or pay so much per word, but I have come across a situation that is new to me and my circle of writing friends. A local business with international contacts is looking for freelance writers. This business does quite a bit of work with government and commercial contracts and the freelance work is for a company publication which will go out to employees and retirees. I have submitted a resume and clips to them and now the department which solicits bids needs to contact me. At this point I will be asked to submit bids regarding the articles possibly based on word length or even number of sources. How should I approach this as I am unfamiliar with what would be a good market rate and what if they want a bid based on something other than word length or type of article? …

How Do I Know If It’s Selling or Not?

Published on March 22, 2006

There are some writing sites where you can purchase a writer's story, and the site owner gets a cut, and so does the writer. Well, I put one of my previously sold stories up at the site, but I am getting very suspicious of the site owner/editor just because of some things that I will keep to myself for now. …

I Didn’t Sell All Rights!

Published on March 15, 2006

Occasionally I freelance for the local newspapers and, per my contract, I retain the rights to the story. However, I've found my stories on "research" sites. Can I approach these sites for unauthorized use of my work (it's the "research" part that's throwing me off)? Until I started freelancing full-time last year I was pretty lax on rights, but now that it's my sole livelihood, I'm trying to be more vigilant. Any light you can shed on the topic would be appreciated. …

How Much Do Ghostwriters Charge?

Published on March 8, 2006

A chaplain I know has approached me about ghostwriting a book on his experience in overseas last year. I've never ghostwritten professionally before, and I'm concerned that websites I've surfed for information on ghostwriting may be money-making businesses rather than true ghostwriting sites for real writers. Do you know where I can find some valid information on going rates for ghostwriters, how they get paid, if the proposal costs extra or should be included in the total cost, etc.? …

Something We All Wonder About On Occasion…

Published on March 1, 2006

I enjoyed reading your excerpts from the world's worst book proposals and it brings up again for me the question of why writers who write badly think they write well. As I've participated in writer's conferences and workshops, I've encountered a number of people who fit this category, and it boggles my mind how people can write for years and produce any number of book-length manuscripts without a clue as to their lack of ability. Agents, editors and self-publishing services such as yours must be constantly inundated with queries from people like this. What gives? …

Can You Recommend An Editor?

Published on February 15, 2006

I love your site. It's very fun and informative. Do you know of a good manuscript editing service? …

What’s The Secret To Selling Books Online?

Published on February 8, 2006

While I consider myself a fairly good salesperson, I am eighty years old and wonder if self-marketing is for me. I wonder if I have the physical energy to get involved in self-publishing. At the same time I have come to trust WritersWeekly in a number of areas. But I still wonder, Can an old man market a book? …

Where Are Your Archived Paying Markets?

Published on February 1, 2006

I was wondering if there is a way to access markets older than last week? I recently saw a listing for a trade magazine looking for articles about good employee management practices but now I can't find it! …

This Writer REALLY Got The Shaft…After 5 Years!

Published on January 25, 2006

In 2001, I signed a contract through my agent, and began working with an editor at the publishing house that accepted my proposal. After I delivered the manuscript and received half of my advance, the editor told me that she proposed my manuscript to the company as a hardcover rather than the gifty small book I'd proposed. Great, I thought. The bad news was that it would have to wait another season. Then it was pushed back again because she claimed that she hadn't figured out what the art should be yet. At that point, we were talking two years. But I didn't think that meant never. …

Where’s that DeadBeat Editors Letter Again??

Published on January 18, 2006

Dear Angela, I am an avid reader of your newsletter and it has inspired me to get back into the freelance game this year. I recall seeing a letter for writers who have deadbeat clients who try to get out of paying. However, I've searched your site and can't locate it. I need it now and wonder if you could direct me to it's location. Thanks so much! Dawn It's here: https://www.writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/002330_01122005.html

Copyright Questions

Published on January 11, 2006

Can you answer copyright questions, or refer me to someone who is knowledgeable? I have two questions: 1. I write information articles for a corporation, under an executive's byline. Most of the work is done through email, with no contract. If the company refuses to pay for a particular article - let's say they claim I failed to do adequate research or did not submit a second rewrite - can I claim copyright infringement because of their use of my material of someone else's byline? (Or do they protect against that by thoroughly revising the final draft?) 2. I write press releases for a nonprofit org as a volunteer, and submit to the PR manager via email attachments. The releases are published online (and in print) with the PR manager's name, not mine. Sometimes they are revised without my knowledge before publication. I discovered the org used entire paragraphs from "my" releases in a monthly magazine. Should they 1) give me a byline and/or 2) pay me for the additonal use? My request for information about this was ignored. The magazine does not hire freelancers - articles are written in-house. …

Who Provides Your Medical Insurance?

Published on January 4, 2006

I searched many different ways in your newsletter to find your information about the family medical insurance. My friend needs insurance to span the gap between now and Medicare. …

MJ Rose Helps Author With “Reel To Market” TV Program Question

Published on December 28, 2005

I've loved your newsletter and website for years -- you're a great authority on the writing life. I have a book coming out in the spring, and my publicist has asked my co-author and I to create a reel to market to TV programs. Have you any suggestions for resources for writers wanting to create such a thing? I have no sense of the necessary production values, how long it should be, format, etc. I have searched and searched and can't find any information on the web. Any wisdom would be much appreciated -- an E-book, an article, a regular book - I'm just seeking some pointers on this. Thanks so much! …

Should I Pay To Enter A Writing Contest?

Published on December 21, 2005

My question has to do with entry fees to contests. Are they now standard when you see a contest that you might consider entering? I'm slightly confused by that, because essentially isn't that just another roundabout way of paying to get your writing read or published? …

A Letter to the Editor Criticized My Article!

Published on December 14, 2005

I recently landed two articles in a mid-sized magazine, and when reviewing the second noticed a letter to the editor tearing apart my first article. The letter was quite vitriolic, there were no counter-opinions expressed, and I was never contacted for any rebuttal. I have to admit to bruised feelings since even though everyone is entitled to an opinion, I had hoped I might have been backed up with a balanced opinion or even a chance to respond to letter writer. …

That All-Too-Common “Life Threatening Illness” Excuse from a Deadbeat Publisher or Editor!

Published on December 7, 2005

That All-Too-Common “Life Threatening Illness” Excuse from a Deadbeat Publisher or Editor!

I sent a magazine a story a couple years ago now, and after repeated follow-ups (I'm a pretty patient person still working toward my first print fiction clip), I got word this summer that they had accepted my story for publication in their next issue. The e-mail said that their publisher had been in a life-threatening accident and was recovering, but they thought the next issue would be out soon. That was in July. I sent them an e-mail again in November to request an update as to when that issue would be coming out, but I haven't received a response yet. In the past, I always got a response within a couple days. I can't find any info about them when I do a web search, but they are listed in the 2006 Novel and Short Story Writer's Market. …

Should I Contribute To This Celebrity’s Book?

Published on November 30, 2005

I'm curious. What happens to the unpaid (except in signed copies of the book) contributors when a well-known celebrity publishes a book with the stories and "wisdom" from ordinary writer folk? Do the ordinary folk get any publicity or press in the ensuing publicity tour? Does it hurt/help a writer to have their selections published in someone else's best seller? I've been selected to have a story I wrote published in a celebrity's book and folks are asking ME what happens and I have to say, I honestly don't know! Can you clue me in? …

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