Ask The Expert

When Your Editor Becomes Your Co-Author…Without Asking

Published on October 25, 2006

I wrote a travel piece for an online website, which I had heard good things about. Although the pay was low, many postings about this site said they paid on time and that writers had no problem with the editor. I wrote an article for them about a ghost tour I took. My article appeared on the website at the beginning of October. But it wasn't really my article. I expected some editing - buried lead moved to front of story, etc. But they actually added paragraphs of detail that were not mine, including a location and ghost story that I neither visited nor heard. I would say about 50% of the story is actually mine. I have had editors make changes before. One of my editors even added a paragraph to my article, due to some last minute information I received. But I provided her with the information and she sent me back the manuscript to review and approve what she added. I am not sure what to do. I don't care at this point if I receive the $25. I am worried that I won't be able to resell this article with all the changes. And I haven't been using this as a clip; I don't want to explain why the clip is so different from my manuscript. …

Copy Tests

Published on October 18, 2006

I heard through the grapevine that a major retail chain store here in my hometown was looking for a full time copywriter. I sent over my resume and writing samples to their inside ad agency. The creative director said that they would be sending over a little exercise "to see what their applicants could do with a pair of assignments that we might actually take on." With marketing in mind for two states (where they are planning on opening stores), for the "test," they want one :30 second grand opening TV spot and one :60 second radio spot. In addition, for another campaign, they want one :60 second radio spot targeted at teens. Sounds to me like a lot of work for free. I'm not going to do it. I don't need the work that much but want to reply in a dignified way. What are your thoughts? …

Should I Charge Or Not?

Published on October 4, 2006

Recently I wrote a few articles on writing--for free, just for the fun of it--and put them on my site. The other day, two writing resources (small-time and non-paying but respectable) approached me and asked if they could reprint the articles. I was about to say yes, but then I wondered whether there might be any problems attached to it in the future. I don't mind them being reprinted for free but I'd hate to lose rights to them. My question is, should I actually offer them some rights, or jot down some sort of contract, or maybe do something else to prevent any damage to my rights? They're honest people but I'd rather be on the safe side. …

A Blog Hosted By Google Stole My Copyrighted Material!

Published on September 27, 2006

I recently found an article of mine on a blog located at blogspot.com. The title was changed but the rest was verbatim, with no credit to me, the copyright holder, or the magazine it appeared in, and certainly no permission from me. (There were other articles from this same magazine on the site.) This "blogspot.com" seems to be powered or hosted by something called "Blogger," but I can't find a link anywhere on their site to complain about copyright infringement. On top of that, it appears the blogger makes money from advertising clicks. Have any suggestions how to stop this? …

They Didn’t Provide Me With Payment Details

Published on September 20, 2006

Dumb question. I recently submitted an article to a magazine, and it was accepted. At least, they offered the measly sum of $15 via PayPal upon publication (date unspecified). Do I 1) send them a bill? 2) monitor their online mag for publication? 3) wait around and monitor my Paypal account since I gave them my Paypal email address? What is proper etiquette in this instance? …

Should I Submit To Anthologies?

Published on September 13, 2006

Dear Ms. Hoy: I would like to know what you think of writing for Chicken Soup for the Soul, A Cup of Comfort series, etc. Is writing for them worth my time and effort? …

Word Counts In Contests

Published on September 6, 2006

In regards to word counts for contests, are there rules for what constitutes a word such as "a", "the," etc? Two letters or less are not words, Or is basically everything that is typed considered a word. …

Should I Self-Publish?

Published on August 16, 2006

I am a produced screenwriter and have just recently completed a novel that I was thinking of self-publishing. (After going through the five-year headache of getting a screenplay made into a movie--I'm not sure I want to start over with the tradional publishing venue!) My question is, does this give me any kind of advantage in self-publishing? I would be very good at book-signings, etc. but I'm not sure how well I'd do on the Internet marketing side of it. (i.e. building websites, etc.). …

George English Answers The Question: What Is A Watermark?

Published on August 9, 2006

I just read George English's Creative Client Cons. Great article! I just have one question. George suggests that "Another way freelancers can protect themselves is by never sending out work that has not been paid for. Instead, send watermarked proofs." I have coffeemarked notes and lipstickmarked cups, chocolatemarked cookbooks and perfumemarked lovenotes, but what are watermarked proofs? …

Advantage In Self-Publishing

Published on August 2, 2006

I am a produced screenwriter (Lost Junction) and have just recently completed a novel (fiction) that I was thinking of self-publishing (after going through the headache of getting a screenplay made into a movie for five years, not sure I want to start over with the tradional publishing venue!) My question is - does this give me any kind of advantage in self-publishing? …

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? …

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