Writer's Weekly

1. ) Publishers Desk For June 3rd
2. ) News From The Home Office: Prom and (sniff!!) Graduation
3. ) AngelaHoy.com: Topic, Common Themes, and Winners of the WritersWeekly.com Spring 2009 24-Hour Short Story Contest
4. ) Letters To The Editor: Letters To The Editor For June 3rd
5. ) Feature Article: Promote Your Book With This Free Tool By Cathi Stevenson
6. ) Ask The Expert: Nobody's Bought My Book...Yet There Are Used Copies For Sale Online?
7. ) Success Story: Cross Industries with Creativity By Dan Rafter
8. ) Whispers And Warnings For June 3rd
9. ) Paying Markets And Jobs For June 3rd
10. ) FreeBookExcerpts.com For June 3rd
11. ) Interview Requests For June 3rd

>>> BookLocker: $517 (Deduct $200 if submitting your own cover) <<< Deduct $200 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 AUTHOR SOLUTIONS, A HOLDING COMPANY THAT ALSO OWNS AUTHORHOUSE, XLIBRIS, AND TRAFFORD. (SEE THOSE COMPANIES BELOW.) >> Lulu: $839.00 << 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. NOTE: XLIBRIS IS NOW OWNED BY AUTHOR SOLUTIONS, A HOLDING COMPANY THAT ALSO OWNS AUTHORHOUSE, IUNIVERSE, AND TRAFFORD. (SEE THOSE COMPANIES ABOVE AND BELOW.) >> AuthorHouse: $1567 << 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. NOTE: AUTHORHOUSE IS NOW OWNED BY AUTHOR SOLUTIONS, A HOLDING COMPANY THAT ALSO OWNS XLIBRIS, IUNIVERSE, AND TRAFFORD. (SEE THOSE COMPANIES ABOVE AND BELOW.) >> Trafford: $1844 << IMPORTANT - Does **not** include full distribution! Choose the $2297 package if you want that. NOTE: NOTE: This company is based in Canada, and TRAFFORD IS NOW OWNED BY AUTHOR SOLUTIONS, A HOLDING COMPANY THAT ALSO OWNS XLIBRIS, IUNIVERSE, AND AUTHORHOUSE. (SEE THOSE COMPANIES ABOVE.) ***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.

A LITTLE GIRL, A GARDEN, AND A MYSTERIOUS PURSE... This was the topic of the Spring '09 24-Hour Short Story Contest: "Silly Scilla, silly Scilla," the young girl sang, as she pushed another tiny blue flower into her hair. She knew she would have to remove these adornments before they returned to the house. When Mamm gently cleared her throat, the girl remembered the tiny celery seeds that had been spilling out of her apron all morning. She sighed and settled down in an empty row, digging her bare toes into the cool soil. She froze when her foot bumped something hard. Scooping the dirt aside with her fingers, she found a tiny, tattered purse. Glancing at her mother to ensure her secret treasure was still a secret, she opened the clasp... Take a moment to think about where you would take this topic... The winners of the WritersWeekly.com Spring 2009 24-Hour Short Story Contest have been posted! See the contest topic and the entire list of winners (and their prizes), and read the top three winning stories here: http://www.writersweekly.com/contest/spring09winners.html Congrats to the Top Three Winners! 1st Place - Mysterious Ways by Denise Leary, Rockville, MD 2nd Place - Little Mamm's Treasure by Janice Croom, Bloomington, IL 3rd Place - On the Trail with Sacagawea by Robert Shannon, Chicago, IL ALREADY 30% FULL - SUMMER '09 24-HOUR SHORT STORY CONTEST The WritersWeekly.com Summer 2009 24-Hour Short Story Contest is 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 WANT TO SELL YOUR WRITING-RELATED E-BOOK 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 ebooks, and don't take any rights. And, you can cancel at anytime. WANT TO SELL YOUR E-BOOK ON BOOKLOCKER.COM? Booklocker.com charges NO SETUP FEES to list ebooks, takes NO rights from authors and you can cancel at anytime. Royalties are 70% for ebooks priced $8.95 or higher and 50% for ebooks priced under $8.95. See: http://publishing.booklocker.com/submit.php 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. QUERY LETTERS THAT WORKED! Real Queries That Landed $2K+ Writing Assignments In these pages, you'll find real query letters that landed real assignments for national magazines, websites, and corporations, including: Woman's Day - $2,800, Redbook - $3,500, Ladies Home Journal - $3,000, DiscoveryHealth.com - $2,000, Lifetime Magazine - $3,000, and many, many more! 3. 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. 4. Profitable E-mail Publishing: How To Publish A Profitable Emag You'll find everything you need to know about making money with your e-mag in easy-to-follow steps. 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. 6. 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. WHAT ARE THE CURRENT BOOKLOCKER.COM BEST SELLERS? 1. Cancer-Free -- Your Guide to Gentle, Non-toxic Healing (Third Edition) Healing cancer requires knowledge of alternative treatments. Here it is. 2. Stepping Into the New Reality Survive the fall and move into your Heaven with ease. 3. HONTO! The oral history of an intelligence operation committed to paper. 4. Remembering Your Soul Purpose An ascension book/workbook for excavating your soul's unique contribution. 5. Signposts and Junctions The memoirs and travels of Laudizen King. MAKE A SOLDIER SMILE!! Read their wants and needs at this great website: http://www.anysoldier.com/ DO YOU PAY WRITERS? Email your ad to us and we'll run it at no charge. Send it to: angela - at - writersweekly.com 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

Our daughter, Ali, attended her senior prom last week. She woke up early, before her friend, Ashley, arrived. Their first appointment of the day was to have their nails done. They then had their hair and make-up done at 3:00 PM. She was supposed to be dressed and ready to go at 5:10 PM because we were meeting an entire group of kids and parents at a local park to take pictures. There's a fountain there and the kids thought it would provide a nice background. Ali's boyfriends mother would be there, too, of course. At 4:45 PM, Ali still had not returned from getting her hair done.

Over the past few months, after each quarterly short story contest, I've been posting missives about the common themes in entries submitted for the previous 24-Hour Short Story Contest. We've received lots of positive feedback so I'll continue to do this for future contests.

This week:

• PIERS ANTHONY'S ANONYMOUS SOURCE IS A LIAR RESPONSES
• WRITERS MUST STOP WORKING FOR NOTHING!

Media kits or press kits are an easy, free tool no author should be without.

My publisher hasn't paid me a dime yet I know copies of my book have sold because there are people selling used copies of my book on Amazon? Am I being ripped off?

I'd love to have a time machine. If I had one, I'd go back to 2005, or maybe 2004. Back then the residential real estate market was booming. And as a writer who specialized in writing about the housing industry, my business was booming, too.

COMPLAINT about Creative Weblogging / creative-weblogging.com / Torsten Jacobi - Writer claimed she was owed $53.90; receives payment shortly after WritersWeekly sends warning email to publisher.

PAYING MARKETS These are NOT recycled guidelines. WritersWeekly.com only features original market listings, received from and approved by the editors at each publication. DIALOGUE CURRENT NEEDS: "DIALOGUE is currently seeking descriptions of workable solutions for operating appliances and other visually-oriented devices; experiences with conducting business online; reviews of new or improved accessible software and hardware; explanations of innovative communication strategies utilized by people who are deaf-blind; safety tips for blind and visually impaired travelers; inspirational accounts of educational pursuits such as study abroad, internships and mentoring programs; and stories of blind and deaf-blind people engaged in challenging, intriguing or unusual careers. Pays $15-$50 depending on length, quality, and research difficulty." FISHING FACTS MAGAZINE CURRENT NEEDS: "Looking for cutting-edge information on the latest fishing techniques and tips. Several high-quality four-color photos must be submitted with each manuscript." Pays $30 flat fee for articles of 750-1,500 words. Kung Fu Tai Chi CURRENT NEEDS: "Technical or training pieces for Chinese martial arts." Pays $125 for 2000+ words; $85 for 1000-1999 words. The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction CURRENT NEEDS: "As our guidelines state, we always need more science fiction and more humor." Pays $0.06-$0.09 per word for 25K maximum length. German Life CURRENT NEEDS: "Queries." Pay for features starts at $350 for 1200-1500 words. GoNOMAD.com CURRENT NEEDS: "Features and destination guides about places in the US and South America are very interesting to us right now." Pays $25 for 1500-1700 words. FREELANCE JOBS Freelance Writers - Pays $300 a magazine covering the rental housing industry in San Francisco Freelance Writer / Consultant - who is also an RN writer Freelance Grant Writer blind ad Freelance Spanish Interpreter - should be native of Spain Vlingo Freelance Copywriter Educational Company Freelance Educational Writers - to write practice questions. Pays up to $20/hour. educational publishing company Freelance Japanese to English Translator blind ad Freelance Writer - who is also an Option Trader to write about Iron Condors major options publication Freelance Reporter - new New York, NY or Washington, DC Bisnow Media Freelance Proofreader Vancouver based publisher Freelance Writer/Researcher - Pays $12/hour northernvirginiacontractor.com Freelance Instructional Designer - to design training documents blind ad Freelance Researcher - Pays "around $8 per hour" green website Freelance Bloggers - about Fire Island Pines and or Cherry Grove (New York). Pays $25/post. cherrygrove.com Freelance Gear Editor - with professional knowledge of bike mechanics Momentum / momentumplanet.com Freelance "New Dad" Message Board Facilitator parenting website Freelance Copywriter/Editor - Pays $15/hour Teaching Resource Center Freelance Spanish Translators (3) - Pays $25/article web publishing company Freelance Writer/Editor - Pays $20-$25 for 650 words yourdictionary.com Freelance Copywriters - with retail fashion or cosmetics experience recruiter Freelance Photographer - Entry Level Wizard Entertainment Freelance Freelance Copywriter - near Hoboken, NJ John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ADVERTISEMENT QUERY LETTERS THAT WORKED! Real Queries That Landed $2K+ Writing Assignments Copies of real query letters that resulted in writing assignments worth $2K and much more!

FreeBookExcerpts.com: where authors post excerpts and readers post comments. Here's a peek at what was added this week! The Source of Terrorism: Middle Class Rebellion by Thomas Belvedere Terrorism's source is the ideology of middle class rebellion. Picasso Dream by Allison Harris Ludwig Broken by recent tragedy, Joanna is a young woman headed down a destructive road. Bruce is a dying man with nothing to lose, except his darkest secret. Monster Child by L. Lee Shaw When a facility for psychically-enabled youth rescues a young girl, it finds itself haunted by the darkness trailing her. The Pond by Tamera Lawrence THE POND is a current day fiction thriller set in rural Pennsylvania. MURDER WITH A VIEW: A Paws For Love Mystery by K.A. Neely Morgan Langdon pet store owner, would live a mundane life, but her freelance investigative reporting job makes sure that never happens. Murder is never far from her own front door. POST YOUR OWN BOOK EXCERPT, AT: http://www.FreeBookExcerpts.com ADVERTISEMENT BookLocker - Your Book Deserves the Best According to attorney Mark Levine, author of The Fine Print, BookLocker is one of the top-rated POD publishers in the industry.