A lot of companies and service providers take rights from employees. There are so many positions I have turned down and devices that I do not use because I can pretty much lose everything, including things I might have written a long time ago... …
Angela, While proofreading my book "Notes Toward A New Rhetoric" before submitting it to BookLocker, I had my Mac read the entire book out loud to me. I don't know whether a PC can do the reading aloud. On a Mac, it can be turned on under System Preferences=>Speech=>Text to Speech. They give you a variety of voices to choose from. I like Bruce and Veronica. Donald Stewart NOTES TOWARD A NEW RHETORIC: 9 Essays for Teachers …
Hi Ang: As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed this week's mailing. Regarding your response to that teenager (or are you tired of hearing comments on that post?) I wholeheartedly agree that your 'tough love' approach was the right one. I can always tell when graduation day is coming close for the public relations students at the community colleges up here in the Toronto area of Canada. In addition to my book and article writing, I also have a few small PR accounts that keep the wolf from the door (very few Canadian writers can make a living out of books and freelance writing) and my name is in several publications indicating I do PR work. Every spring, I get employment query letters from graduating students and I make a point of answering every one of them, telling them that I'm a one-person operation. I can't recall one instance where I haven't also had to point out that if the person is applying for a job in public relations, he or she should at least send out a query letter that isn't riddled with typos and spelling mistakes. I recall one letter where the person suggested he just wanted a temporary job until he could get established as a "real writter". And, by the way, I have NEVER received a follow-up letter thanking me for my advice. I once taught Media Writing for a semester at one of the colleges. I knew from Day One that I wouldn't be renewing the contract when one student, not atypical of the rest of the class, put up his hand and said: "Sir, I want to be a PR man. Why do I have to learn how to write?" When I asked him what he thought PR people did, he said: "Take people out for drinks!" Cheers, Tom Douglas https://www.tomdouglas.typepad.com …
Hi Angela, Back in November my son's school sent me this form to sign and I refused. They wanted claim not only over my son's work - but mine as well! Everyone laughed at me and called me paranoid, but then you posted your article. Not so paranoid anymore. Thank you! Here is the language the district used: "Consent to the use, release, and/or publication by the District of my and/or my child's name, image (in any form) and creative work through any medium whatsoever, including but not limited to, the internet, written publication, and broadcast for any educational, editorial, promotional, business or other purpose without prior notice or compensation. The District may exercise its rights as it deems appropriate for its productions, for advertising, and for other purposes. By signing below, I intend for the District to rely upon this Release" Scary stuff, huh? Best regards, Rissa …
Hi Angela: There is a New York Times report on how Michael Jackson fans who had not read a book by Randall Sullivan about Michael Jackson effectively sank the book's sales by attacking it in Amazon's so-called "Reviews." This once again illustrates my two biggest concerns about Amazon's "reviews." 1) If a retailer has accepted to partner with a publisher and author, then the retailer has a duty to both publisher and author to promote sales of the product. If the retailer thinks the product is not worthy of being sold, the retailer should not partner with the publisher. 2) Reviewing books is a professional activity. When Tom, Dick and Harry post online comments that are not professional reviews, Amazon should not call their comments "reviews." Scott Rose Death in Hawaii Mr. David Cooper's Happy Suicide …
Dear Angela, I really liked the article 10 Ways to Respond to Non-Paying Pubs' Excuses. I realize that publishers will try any excuse not to pay writers, but the problem is that even the public feels writers shouldn't get paid. They foolishly give me the dopey answer that "It's always been that way, so why should they start paying you now?" I remind them that everyone gets paid for working and writers should get paid too. I also add, "Why don't you work for free?" All I get are weird looks--as if something is wrong with me. Martin …
Angela, Your reply about the letters regarding the treatment of your query letter writer was perfect. No one is doing that person a favor by coddling him; how is he to learn even the fundamentals of writing if he's allowed to skim on every basic? He is best positioned to gain by your direct answer, which was simply that: direct, and not unkind. Good stuff, Tom B. ------- Dear Angela, Regarding your response to the presumably teenaged person writing to you using text acronyms: I think you were perfectly correct in your response. First of all, if this person has aspirations of becoming a writer, he/she needs to learn right now how to appropriately write to editors and how to write PERIOD. Plus, this person needs to learn how to communicate appropriately in general. Whatever profession this person goes into, he/she will need to communicate with colleagues and it will look bad if this is how he/she communicates. Second, you are also correct in your assessment of the younger generation. These young people seem to think that they are entitled to whatever they want, when they want it. Well, it doesn't work that way, and better that they find out before going into the working world, where they are surely in for a very rude awakening. Sometimes a kick in the pants is the kinder action. (I truly hope that this person was a teenager. If that was an adult, we are all in really big trouble.) Regards, Roberta Roberti …
Dear Angela, Happy New Year to you and the BookLocker team. A belated thank you to BookLocker for helping to get my second book out into the marketplace. You and your staff were patient and professional and I am very pleased with the end product. My book is now for sale all across the United States and Canada and even in Australia. That's right, Australia. A friend from down under found listings for The Walker on the Cape on Angus and Robertson and Bookworld, the two largest booksellers in Australia. So thanks very much to all my BookLocker mates!! Mike Martin The Walker on the Cape, a Sgt. Windflower mystery https://www.walkeronthecape.com …
Where is the essay you wrote where you really made a great case to editors about how they should pay, even if it's just a few dollars and they have to take it out of their own pockets? …
Thanks so much for the promotional tool. I began reading it the moment I signed the contract with you. It has been so helpful! I have already been getting replies from author websites because of what you teach in your book! Just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your company and your staff. Thanks again, Tracee Ford The Fine Line …
This Week:
Great idea, Angela...seems almost like a Christmas and New Year's present for authors! Karen C. …
Angela--I wanted to echo what Rosemary Gard said in her letter to the editor. We investigated several other P.O.D. companies before we settled on BookLocker to publish 11-11:The Carl Fyler Story and I am still getting phone calls from those (other) folks like used-car selling telemarketers! We have been very pleased with all aspects of our BookLocker experience. Thanks! Ann Norlin 11-11: The Carl Fyler Story …
Dear BookLocker friends, I was at the Miami International Book Fair this past week to receive my modest recognition for Destiny's Dowry. While there we mingled with other self published authors. I must tell you that what I heard from the other authors and what they got for their money...I hit the jackpot with you (BookLocker). My son, Michael and I compared notes with authors and praised you as much as we could. It was sincere praise. If I haven't thanked you before, please allow me to do so now. You have a wonderful company and it appears a caring staff. Thank you again, Rosemary Gard Destiny Denied https://booklocker.com/books/6462.html Destiny's Dowry https://booklocker.com/books/3719.html …
I'd like to personally say thank you for your courteous and prompt service in helping me with publishing my book. Your experience, insight, and marketing tips have proven to be quite valuable. Above all I've appreciated your honest approach to doing business. The publishing process has been a learning experience for me; your company has made the process virtually painless. Working with BookLocker has been a great experience. I have already recommended your service and will continue to do so. Respectfully, Edmond Gagnon A Casual Traveler …
Good morning Angela, The (BookLocker.com publishing) process was much easier than AuthorHouse. You have no idea how much easier. No irritating phone calls trying to sell me a whole bunch of stuff that I never used, but the stuff I needed I couldn't have without purchasing the whole (AuthorHouse) package. The BookLocker book cover went so nice, I was ready for battle gear and this was the first time I didn't have to worry, cry and argue about a cover. It was done right the first time around. I didn't have to keep redoing mistakes they made and I had to pay for. You have no idea, Angela, how professional this book looks, how nice it was to work with people who knew what they were doing and gave us information on how to promote our book without spending a wad of money and not getting results, when I could do the same thing and get results. I'm sorry I'm ranting. You have no idea how much this process was so nice and easy. I also liked the fact BookLocker screened our books. AuthorHouse is publishing just about anything that will pay. My first book (at AuthorHouse) is a disaster right now because they published the bad galley they did. I'm so tempted to pull it and redo it. Again I'm ranting and I feel so much better about this book, Devil's Cocubine. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Carla Landreth Devil's Concubine https://www.booklocker.com/6557 ADVERTISEMENT BOOKLOCKER EBOOK AND POD SERVICES EBOOK CONVERSION AND DISTRIBUTION …
Thanks for all your help and great effort. I am grateful to you and appreciate your making the process painless and easy to understand. Hilary Martinez Jr. Practical Christianity …
To Angela and the staff at BookLocker.com: I just published my third book with BookLocker.com and as always the process was seamless and professional from beginning to end. The finished product is a quality book that measures up to any traditionally published book in today's competitive marketplace. Thank you for being a trusted outlet for self-published authors. Sincerely, Sondra Wolferman The Escarpment https://booklocker.com/6492 …
This Week:
As usual, I enjoyed your column—this one entitled: "Featuring Real People in Your Writing?". However, I have a cautionary tale for your readers. Even if you CHANGE the names of the people you're writing about there is still the chance that someone will threaten a lawsuit.…
Personally, I would not sign that contract even if it was non-exclusive because it implies that any work at home or outside of the job would be theirs as well. George Arnold Hall https://www.georgearnoldhall.ca twitter: @georgeahall Business: George Arnold Hall's Pen and Pencil Author/Editor/Publisher/Game Concept Designer/Web Developer/Analyst/Programmer My Blog: https://www.georgearnoldhall.ca/GalacticPress/ …
This Week:
I don't know what I would do without your experience and advice. I have recently lost my job and am working very hard to get my writing to pay my monthly expenses. Not an easy journey. -M PUBLISHER'S RESPONSE: M., There are lots of paying markets for writers here: https://www.writersweekly.com/markets_and_jobs/summary.html I'm also giving you a free, one-year subscription to The Write Markets Report. Good luck! :) -Angela …
I am looking for a writer. Can you help? -Ricardo ANGELA RESPONDS: Please send your ad to me at angela -at- writersweekly.com. The ad must state the amount you plan to pay the writer. …
Letters will return next week. …
Angela, These contests are great fun, and have helped me hone my editing skills.I use them to create back stories and alternative realities for the characters for my novel in progress. Regards, Marcia …
Letters will return next week. …
