WritersWeekly.com

November 26, 2008

In This Issue

11/26/2008

) Publisher's Desk For November 26th
) News From The Home Office: Christmas Card Photo Mayhem!
) AngelaHoy.com: Angela's column will return next week.
) Letters To The Editor: Some POD Publishers Raising List Prices; Angering Authors
) Feature Article: Make Money Writing Santa Letters By Julie Engelhardt
) Ask The Expert: Ask the Expert will return next week.
) Success Story: Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Work By Beth Hering
) Whispers And Warnings For November 26th
) Paying Markets and Freelance Jobs For November 26th
) FreeBookExcerpts.com For November 26th
) Interview Requests For November 26th

POD PRICE COMPARISON

>>> BookLocker: $492 <<<
Deduct $175 if submitting your own cover. No hidden fees. Includes everything. Books are usually on the market in less than a month. No extra charge for graphics. 35% royalties based on list price for public sales; 15% royalties based on list price on wholesale/bookstore orders. Added Bonus: Returning authors are only charged $99 setup fees on their second and subsequent books.

>> iUniverse: $699.00 (includes 5 "free" copies) <<
Warning: They own your files after creation and you have to pay $300-$1500 to get them back if you leave their service! They charge extra for photos/graphics (included above) and never allow more than 50 graphics/photos in a book. No expedite service. Turnaround is 3-4 months. NOTE: IUNIVERSE IS NOW OWNED BY AUTHORHOUSE. SEE THAT COMPANY LISTED BELOW.

>> Lulu: $838.00 <<
Deduct $450 if submitting your own cover. Lulu now charges directly for many services they previously farmed out to other companies.

>> Xlibris: $1323 - (includes 5 "free" copies) <<
Does NOT offer ebooks! Charges expedite fee of $349 (included above) for publication in 2 months instead of 4-6 months. Charges $10 per image; $20 per table.

>> AuthorHouse: $1467 <<
Charges extra for photos/graphics ($10 per image after first 10 - included in cost above). Expedite fee ($500) is for publication in 30 days instead of 6 months - included above. Claims ownership of files you pay them to create.

>> Trafford: $1852 <<
IMPORTANT - Does **not** include full distribution! Choose the $2297 package if you want that. NOTE: This company is based in Canada.

***Prices based on least expensive package offered by each publisher on similar offers targeting U.S. authors. Fees include setup, original cover design, print proof, ebook creation, up to 25 interior photos/graphics, an ISBN, barcode, a listing on the publisher's website and distribution by Ingram, all within 6 weeks.

NOTE: Many companies offer perks that others don't, some try to upsell authors on extraneous services, and a few even claim ownership of files the author has paid them to create! Study each publisher and contract carefully before making your choice.

----

For details on BookLocker's program, see:
http://publishing.booklocker.com/

Read how BookLocker authors got traditional publishing contracts and built businesses for their books using our service: http://publishing.booklocker.com/booklocker-self-publishing-case-studies/

Do you have questions about self-publishing an ebook or POD book?
Ask us about it.
http://publishing.booklocker.com/ask.php

ONE-ON-ONE WITH ANGELA
Angela Hoy works one-on-one with all authors. No third-world-country customer service reps or corporate hierarchy! You can email her directly with any questions at: angela- at - booklocker.com

DISGRUNTLED?
Unhappy with your current POD publisher? We offer a special to authors who want to switch. Email Angela if you're interested.

Publisher's Desk

Publishers Desk For November 26th

THE HOLIDAYS WILL BE HERE SOON! MAKE A SOLDIER SMILE!!

Read their wants and needs at this great website:
http://www.anysoldier.com/

BOOKLOCKER OFFERING $199 SETUP FEE SPECIAL TO ACTIVE AND RETIRED U.S. MILITARY MEMBERS

Contact Angela directly at: angela - at - booklocker.com

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT BEST SELLING BOOKS AT WRITERSWEEKLY?

FREE EXCERPTS OF ALL BOOKS available at the links below.

1. 24-HOUR SHORT STORY CONTEST ENTRY FEE - $5
Entry fee and contest guidelines ebook.

2. Writing FAST: How to Write Anything with Lightning Speed
Your mind moves at lightning speed. Your writing should, too. Introducing the FAST System approach to writing.Whether you hate writing, or you're an avid wordsmith, Writing FAST is the must-read book for writers of all levels.

3. The Accidental Medical Writer
If you've considered freelance medical writing as a career, but don't know where to start, then The Accidental Medical Writer is for you.

4. The Write Markets Report - 12 ISSUES!
12 issues/year! The newest paying markets anywhere and each editor's current needs! Landing only one assignment will pay for your subscription many times over! Only $11.95.

5. Writing E-books for Fun and Profit
Explains how to get ideas for your e-book as well as how to write and publish an e-book.

ALREADY 33% FULL! THE WRITERSWEEKLY.COM WINTER 2009 24-HOUR SHORT STORY CONTEST

We're now accepting entrants! Each contest is limited to 500 entrants. Contests usually fill up (it's tons of fun!), so don't delay if you want to participate.

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: http://www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.html

DO YOU PAY WRITERS?

Email your ad to us and we'll run it at no charge. Send it to: angela - at - writersweekly.com

WANT YOUR WRITING-RELATED BOOK SOLD ON WRITERSWEEKLY?

If you've written a writing-related book and own your electronic rights, contact angela - at - writersweekly.com. WritersWeekly.com and Booklocker.com do NOT charge setup fees to list and sell non-fiction ebooks, and don't take any rights. And, you can cancel at anytime.

ARE YOU MISSING THE PARTY?

The Freelance Writing Forum is very active and we'd love to have you join us!
http://www.writersweekly.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=15

WRITER'S GUIDELINES DATABASE

http://forums.writersweekly.com/viewforum.php?f=12

NEW BOOKS AT THE WRITERSWEEKLY BOOKSTORE!

Writing FAST: How to Write Anything with Lightning Speed
The FAST System is a simple, systematic, step-by-step approach that will revolutionize the way you write. In this dynamic and passionate book, you'll discover how to see your entire project in two minutes, how to flesh it out quickly and accurately, how to use the Talktation(tm) speedwriting technique to write your project almost as easily as you speak, and how to move step by step through the editing and polishing phases, to avoid the quagmire of re-writing.

The Accidental Medical Writer
If you've considered freelance medical writing as a career, but don't know where to start, then The Accidental Medical Writer is for you.

BAM: Backstory Dribble
Backstory: it's one of the biggest challenges facing writers. How do you get it in? How do you bring your reader inside your protagonist's world without simply dumping five pages of backstory and authorial intrusion on the reader? The answer is the backstory dribble.

The FINE PRINT of Self-Publishing - Third Edition
New Edition! Mark Levine's book has been lauded by many experts as the Consumer Reports of the self-publishing industry. This book has helped thousands of authors choose the right self-publishing company and avoid the ones with unfair contracts or low-quality services.

News From the Home Office

Christmas Card Photo Mayhem!

I've been checking the weather without luck every single day so I was shocked when Frank woke me up on Saturday morning to tell me it was SNOWING! It was blowing pretty good so I ran through the house, waking up all the children to tell them to get dressed for the annual Christmas Card Photo! Whoo hoo! Of course, the older kids had to call their significant others so we had to wait for them, too.

MORE >>

The Latest From AngelaHoy.com

The Latest From AngelaHoy.com For November 26th

Angela is busy thawing out a turkey (in a huge pan in the bathtub), and baking two pies. Her column will return next week.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Letters To The Editor

Some POD Publishers Raising List Prices; Angering Authors

From a PublishAmerica Author:

Hi Angela,

It wasn't until I read your newsletter today that I discovered my POD publisher had also increased my book's price.

My biggest complaint with Publisher America (PA) from the beginning has always been their exhorbitant pricing. At that time, my book (a 312-page paperback) was listed at $24.99. I couldn't sell it, even to my family members!

In the last few years, the price was reduced to $19.99 (again, they did not inform me - I simply stumbled across the price decrease). However, my book now lists (retail) at $29.99, with a $5 discount to buyers who purchase my book through PA. PA did not contact me at all for this increase. Not sure they had any legal obligation to do so, but ethically, it would have been nice.

So, Angela, I guess you can add me to your list. The real question remains: What can we authors do about it? Answer: Probably nothing. It never pays to argue with PA. Like another author mentioned in your article, PA will ban you from their message board if you dare complain about anything they do. There is no getting out of their ridiculous 7-year contract unless you pay (and it's a lot more than $300 as per your article!), and since pricing is through the roof, only Mom and Dad will buy your books through this (company). All I can say is, I will be thrilled when my 7 years is up.

Thanks for the heads up! Once again, your newsletter was an eye-opener.

~Julie Donner Andersen

From a Lulu.com Author:

Lulu Price Jackup

My book at Lulu has gone from $9.99 to $11.21:

Wonder what's up with that?

This Week's Article

Make Money Writing Santa Letters By Julie Engelhardt

We've all heard the expression "necessity is the mother of invention," and as the days before Christmas begin to dwindle down, this mother needed to think of an invention that would bring in some extra money for holiday presents.

MORE >>

Ask The Expert

Ask The Expert For November 26th

Ask the Expert will return next week.

Success Stories

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Work By Beth Hering

While prices may be rising, my paychecks haven't, so I decided to approach an editor I've worked with in the past about the possibility of taking on more assignments. A few days later, I received an e-mail saying that she didn't have anything at the moment but that a fellow editor was looking for somebody to write a piece on how couples struggling with infertility can cope with negative feelings stirred by images of "happy families everywhere."

MORE >>

Whispers And Warnings

Whispers And Warnings For November 26th

RiseUp Publications, LLC. / usariseup.com / Ellis Management Marketing Group / EMMG / emmg.net / Janice Ellis / Christopher Ellis / collegeoutlook.net / - Publisher of For Posterity, Achieve, Creative Outlook, College Outlook Counselor's Guide, The Business Kit, RX Dialogue, The Compliance Monitor, Future of Asthma, Managed Care Training, Pharmaceutical Representatives Companion, and Digest-ables - FOUR more complaints and publisher claims she's sent partial payments to all writers who are owed money by her firm.

Markets And Jobs

Paying Markets And Jobs For November 26th

PAYING MARKETS

These are NOT recycled guidelines. WritersWeekly.com only features original market listings, received from and approved by the editors at each publication.

Adventure Cyclist
CURRENT NEEDS: "Stories about bicycle travel." Pays $0.30-$0.45/word for 1,200 (non feature); 3,500 (feature).

American Craft
CURRENT NEEDS: "Everything. Please look at the magazine!" Pays between $1.00-2.00/word depending on story for 500-2500 words.

Antioch Review
CURRENT NEEDS: "Your best work." Pays $15 per published page.

Antiques & Collecting Magazine
CURRENT NEEDS: Queries. Pays $50-$250 for 1,000-1,600 words.

Avalon Books
CURRENT NEEDS: "Romances (both contemporary and historical), Mysteries, and Westerns." Pay is negotiable.

Brick
CURRENT NEEDS: "Original, non-fiction literary essays on the writing life and the arts in general." Pays $100-$400 CDN for 1000-2000 words.

FREELANCE JOBS

Freelance Blogger
Sacramento personal injury law firm of Moseley Collins, Attorney At Law

Freelance Web Content Creative Writer
Small Online Invitations & Stationery in Edina

Freelance Country Recipe Editor - China
AllRecipes.com

Freelance Healthcare Legal Writer
Atlanta law firm

Freelance Nutritian Writer
Young Muscle Magazine

Freelance Technology Writer
Young Muscle Magazine

Freelance Writer - to author the Moon Kentucky guidebook
Avalon Travel

Freelance Ghostwriter - for Human Resource articles. Pays $0.10/word.
HR Professional

Freelance Copywriters
The Columbia Alumni Association

Freelance Full-Time Business News Research Analyst - Pays $45K-$50K
Wall Street Reporter.com

Freelance Full-Time Technical Writer
The Industrial Research Institute (IRI)

Freelance Technical Editor / Desktop Publisher
DisplaySearch

Freelance Writer - to develop feature on superlative divorce attorneys in Northern Virginia
No-Va Living Magazine

Freelance Medical Writers
recruiter

Freelance Chicago-based Reporters (3) - Pays $600-$1000/week
trade publisher

Freelance Graphic Designer
Democracy Data & Communications, LLC

Freelance Travel Writers
Web Based Travel Guide

Freelance Career Editor/Blogger
mediabistro.com

MORE >>

FreeBookExcerpts.com

FreeBookExcerpts.com For November 26th

FreeBookExcerpts.com: where authors post excerpts and readers post comments.

Here's a peek at what was added this week!

Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time by Lynne Eldridge and David Borgeson
One out of every two American men and one out of every three American women will get cancer over the course of their lifetimes. This book tells you how to avoid it.

The Joy of Kinky and Spicy S*x by Alana Grey
Very entertaining, funny and informative with real life experiences on how to take everyday things and turn them into adventurous fun.

Baby Grape and the River Folk by Thom Rogers
This book continues the adventures of Toby, Gina, Jayne, and Little Robin as they face even more perils than in the first book!

READ THESE AND MANY MORE FREE BOOK EXCERPTS, AND POST YOUR OWN, AT: http://www.FreeBookExcerpts.com

Interview Requests

Interview Requests For November 26th

This Week: