Letters and Comments

“There are Two Kinds of Self Publishing Companies…”

Published on February 22, 2012

“There are Two Kinds of Self Publishing Companies…”

Dear Angela, I want to drop you a quick note to sing the praises of BookLocker, and perhaps more importantly the people who make up your team. I first learned about your company by reading Dan Poynter's Self Publishing Manual. A few months later, I was ready to publish Barnstorming - Live as a Pilot, Not a Passenger. With your help and support, the book is now being shared with the world, and the comments I get most often are about how great the book looks and feels. It makes a great impression and presents the content with credibility and professionalism. In my research about self publishing, it became clear there are two kinds of "self publishing companies." One kind makes their money off of authors and would print a stack of debit card receipts if they were being paid to do so. The other kind has a business plan based on selling books, and that means working with authors to create the best possible product. BookLocker is definitely the latter, and you have exceeded my expectations. Considering my lack of experience when I started this project, you have helped me to become comfortable and confident quickly. I am currently working with a bookstore to schedule my first signing. I'll let you know how it goes, and you can be sure that anyone who wants to talk about the process will be hearing about my great experience with you. Thank you. Scott Westover, Author Barnstorming - Live as a Pilot, Not a Passenger …

Should I Send Queries Via Certified Mail? No!

Published on February 16, 2012

Hi Angela, Your response to the writer who submitted an article via certified mail was good, but missed the second part of the problem: submitting via e-mail. The editor asked the writer to submit the article via e-mail. Instead of jumping for joy and hitting send, the writer e-mailed back to point out the guidelines say not to submit via e-mail! Writers need to know that the guidelines refer to initial contact, what we used to call "over the transom." Once you have established that contact, if the editor asked you to send it via e-mail, for goodness' sake, don't argue about it! This writer missed a possible sale by being too concerned with the letter of the law, rather than the spirit. Olive Sullivan Pittsburg, KS …

90 Days of Promoting Your Book Online

Published on February 8, 2012

Your book, 90 Days (of Promoting Your Book Online), is excellent, and is at the heart of my marketing plan. It is clear, easy to read and to follow. Thank you again! - Harold Thomas …

The Nicest Response to a Rejection Letter Ever!

Published on February 1, 2012

Dear Angela, I have now had a few hours to think about your response to my inquiry. I want to thank you so much for having the integrity to turn down my novel. This is my first book and I have been to several self book publishers in search of some help. Every one of them just asked what level I wanted to sign up for. Some of them became quite annoying and I was sorry I gave them my phone number. Your company (BookLocker.com) is the only one who actually had any guidelines on content. I have been working on my manuscript for about three years. Because of your letter, I am now going to start over and re-write my work as a tribute to my hero. I will also do what I can to get in touch with whomever I mention. I will make my novel something that my hero's loved ones will cherish. I would never want to hurt anyone. So when I'm done can I re-contact you? Thank you, Sherry Publisher's Note: The book was rejected because it mentioned actual deceased persons and we felt the content of the book may offend the family members of those persons. Since the author agreed, and was happy to revamp the book, we, of course, told her we'd take another look when she's finished. …

On the Other Side of the Desk

Published on January 18, 2012

Angela, As a freelancer I have subscribed to your newsletter for several years. I find myself on the other side of the desk now, since I was offered and accepted the position of Managing Editor for a south Florida-based magazine in December 2011. Now, instead of begging for assignments and timely payment, I am in the uncomfortable position of refusing assignments and asking writers to take less than what the former editor paid. After just four weeks on the job, however, I see the role of editors in a completely different light. And as a former freelancer, I am able to handle uncomfortable situations with a softer touch than what was sometimes afforded to me. Thanks for all the free information you provided while I was a freelancer. I will continue to read your weekly newsletter in the hopes that it will make me the best editor (staffer) I can be. Sincere regards, Liz Pasch Managing Editor Southern Boating Magazine Fort Lauderdale, Florida …

Letters To The Editor For December 14th

Published on December 14, 2011

Regarding last week's article, How to Get Art for Articles - I always find it easier to do the art myself, or take photos myself, as I am guaranteed to know who the copyright holder is without any concern whether someone gave me someone else's work. George Arnold Hall https://www.georgearnoldhall.ca twitter: @georgeahall Business: George Arnold Hall's Pen and Pencil Series: Immortals of Scar (more info at georgearnoldhall.ca) …

Thanks!!

Published on November 30, 2011

Hi Angela, I've been a WritersWeekly subscriber for a few years now and we have corresponded. As I sit on the brink of self publishing my first book, I have to take a moment to reach out to you today to say thank you and here's why. I've watched and listened. I've seen how cut throat this industry can be. I've seen people who offer help at exorbitant prices and then don't deliver. I've seen people who prefer to watch others struggle than to offer advice or give direction. I guess it's the nature of business... And then there is you. We don't know one another personally, but I can tell from WritersWeekly and Booklocker and your responses to my random panicked emails that you genuinely care about helping the writer succeed. That is so rare. In fact, you are one of two people I have come across in the publishing industry with this kind of heart [the other is my favorite author, Marita Golden]. Heading in to Thanksgiving and Christmas - if no one else tells you, I want you to know very appreciated you are. Sorry to be so long winded about it, buy hey, I'm a writer - anyone can just say "thanks!" You and your family have a wonderful holiday season and you will be hearing from me in the next couple months via BookLocker. Yours in writing, Isunji Blog: https://www.isunjiisat.blogspot.com …

Cake and Recipe Giveaway Generates Book Interest!

Published on November 23, 2011

Someone who read my book asked me to do a booksigning at the local high school craft fair. I read what you wrote about this, and decided to give away cinnamon cake with the recipe since there is a chapter in my book about cinnamon cake. The recipe contained an excerpt from the book with the title and info. as to where to buy, etc. This worked as people stopped for the free cake and, in doing so, read about my book and talked to me. The local paper, hearing of the booksigning, called me to do an article. Sincerely, Jane Reville The Plaid Robe A memoir of a Baltimore girl who transitions from blissful innocence to austere realism. The upheavals of the sixties merge with her journey from an innocent fifties childhood. …

Does that “Fictitious” Business Name in Your Novel Already Belong to Somebody Else?

Published on November 17, 2011

Hi Angela: I read your piece about using email addresses, trademarks, etc. in books, and wanted to add something. First of all, it seems like it would be more trouble than it's worth to put email addresses in a book. If the writer is going to put the text of an email in a book, why not just have the characters' names in the From and To fields? Or, if the character is described finding an email address that's key to the story, why not just say something like "He came across an email address that was also used by so-and-so" rather than say "He came across xyz@someisp.com, which was also used by so-and-so"? Second, if an actual email address must be used, writers should realize that addresses with Yahoo, Google, etc. can become defunct if they're not accessed for a long time, so they'll end up having to log into those accounts every six months or so just to keep them active, which would be a hassle. An easier solution might be to register one or more domain addresses and just use email addresses associated with them. That way, they only need to keep the domains active, which is fairly cheap to do, to ensure that no one else will get those addresses in the future. They can even establish that said domain is a provider of free email accounts, a la Yahoo or Google, in the story world, so multiple characters could have those accounts. (Or the domain could be a pretend business in the book, etc.) As always, I appreciate the good info in your newsletter. Keep up the great work. Brad Cook, Writer/Editor AIM/Twitter: bradcwriter ~~~ Dear Angela, Thank you for reminding writers to check for "fictitious" business names they use in their stories and novels. When beginning a mystery about a fictitious product manufactured by a fictitious company, I searched the Google and U.S. Trademark websites for the names and also the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website for the product. Many of the names I initially selected for the company were already listed as real organizations and it took about twelve tries before I found a truly fictitious name. As a former FDA investigator, I periodically scan the website. Imagine my surprise a year later when I spotted a recall alert for a non-drug product with the same name as the drug product in my story. At the time, I was editing the second draft and had to change the product name. It is not only important to check for fictitious names when starting to craft your manuscript, but double-check them before publishing as well. Barbara-Helene Smith Mystery Writer Poway Pen and Ink …

Letters To The Editor For November 3rd

Published on November 3, 2011

This week:

  • 24-Hour Short Story Contest
  • Does That Website Really Own The Photo They Just Gave Me Permission To Use? Not Likely!
…

300 Women Authors Went Wild

Published on October 26, 2011

Angie, I just came back from the International Women's Writing Guild Big Apple Conference in New York City. I have to tell you the audience of over 300 women authors went wild when I told them how little you charged me to self-publish my books ($517 for new authors; $367 for returning authors). This after another woman pitched her self-publishing firm for $8,000.00. Not only did I sell a lot of Fireflies, Fireflies Two-Vat 9 and Kisses To Die For books because your cover designer created such eye-catching book covers, but the women made sure that I autographed their books, and added your BookLocker.com site under my name. Thank you so much for all your help in publishing my books, and thanks for assigning Todd to do my covers. He was an absolute delight to work with. It's been a pleasure working with you. A. R. Alan https://www.aralanbooks.com …

Letters To The Editor For September 7th

Published on September 7, 2011

Respondeat superior: "A common-law doctrine that makes an employer liable for the actions of an employee when the actions take place within the scope of employment." Source: legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com Good evening Angela, Excellent issue, as always. I especially appreciate the reminder about "respondeat superior" - the publisher is legally bound by what the editor says and, on the off-off-chance the editor really misrepresented the publisher's wishes, the publisher needs to honor what the editor promised. Jeff Deutsch Speaker & Life Coach A SPLINT - ASPies LInking with NTs https://www.asplint.com ---- Angela: I wrote this letter to you about a week ago. I just want to inform you that I DID get my money. I did, however, threaten him with small claims court. I read in an article once that you should not threaten. I was polite (I thought) but firm, and, since it isn't my style, I didn't use any bad words. I gave him one week to get a check to me. I've been the victim of more subtle scams before and I've become wise to them; however, this most recent one was so utterly blatant that it left a bad taste in my mouth for days. Thanks for all you do. We writers have to wise up and stand up for ourselves. Thanks. B. ADVERTISEMENT ** LAST CHANCE** THIS SATURDAY! ALREADY 45% FULL!! The WritersWeekly.com Fall 2011 24-Hour Short Story Contest is THIS SATURDAY! The Fall contest is our most popular because it always has a crispy Fall theme! Each contest is limited to 500 entrants. The Fall contest always fills up so don't delay if you want to participate. Winners will be announced before Halloween. 1st Place: $300 2nd Place: $250 3rd Place: $200 Entry fee is $5. You can see the complete list of 85 prizes and sign up here: https://www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.php …

Do NOT Use Odd Punctuation and Misspelled Words in Book Titles!

Published on August 24, 2011

I agree with you on book titles. Personally, I think that they should consist of words people know already even if the book contains words that are unrecognizeable. They will find out for themselves when they read the book and once reading those words, their meaning tends to get revealed within the book anyway. George Arnold Hall https://georgearnoldhall.ca Business: George Arnold Hall's Pen and Pencil Amber Khoolie's Blog: https://georgearnoldhall.ca/amberkhoolie/ Works done or in Progress: Series: Immortals of Scar - https://georgearnoldhall.ca …

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