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Writing Etc. – December 15, 2005

ISSN: 1545-5580

Tips, Techniques, and Resources to Transform You From An Average Freelancer to A Highly Paid Professional.

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To subscr*ibe to Writing Etc. and receive the fr*e e-book, “Power Queries,” surf here:

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Forward Writing Etc. to all your writing friends! They’ll be glad you did.

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In This Issue:

Notes from Minnesota

A Reviewer Scam

Recommended Resource to Jumpstart Your Writing Career… Plus, an Upcoming Opportunity for You to Meet a VERY Successful Author

2005 Action Plan to Jumpstart Your Writing Career

Paying Markets

We Recommend…

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This issue is sponsored by:

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Greetings from Minnesota!

I’m keeping Writing Etc. short today. I’m including a great classic article that’s as relevant today as it was when it first ran. In fact we run into this scenario at Filbert Publishing on a regular basis. Sad, but true. If you’ve ever written a book or plan to write one, make sure you read it carefully.

Between the upcoming holiday weekend and a bit of bad news, I figure it’s probably best to hang towards the brief side.

We received word this morning that the woman who raised my dad has passed away.

No, she wasn’t his mother. My dad’s family history is as twisted as a pretzel. I won’t regale you with those stories, at least not today.

But yes, Gunda Olson of Fosston Minnesota passed from this life on to the next at 10:30 Monday morning. Funeral’s scheduled for Thursday.

Granted, at age 90-something she was more than ready to go. But her absence will be sorely missed by everyone whose life she touched.

I think the hardest part of this situation is watching my parents face their mortality. Heck, we all get to do that from time to time, don’t we?

I’m always amazed at how fleeting our next breath can be.

Guess that’s why I’m always harping on you to get writing and keep those words flowing.

I cringe when I think about all the stories Gunda took with her after she breathed her last. Now they’re gone forever.

She wasn’t a writer so I suppose it’s understandable.

But what about you? If you were to pass into the next world tomorrow, how many stories would take with you?

Writing’s a gift. Remember to pass on that gift this coming year.

To your success,

Beth

P.S. Here’s our best seller list… be sure to pick up a copy of each of these titles. They’re awesome.

1.      Jumpstart Your Writing Career and Snag Paying Assignments by Beth Erickson http://filbertpublishing.com/jumpstart.htm

2.      Bob Bly’s Guide to Freelance Writing Success: How to Make $100,000 a Year as a Freelance Writer and Have The Time of Your Life Doing It. http://filbertpublishing.com/bob.htm

3.      Weekly Writes: Exercises in Creative Writing by Shery Ma Belle Arrieta http://filbertpublishing.com/Weekly.htm (You’ll get a ton of fr** writing/freelancing tools direct from Shery at http://WeeklyWrites.com when you order this title!)

4.      Writing Wide: Exercises in Creative Writing by Billie A. Williams http://filbertpublishing.com/WW.htm

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~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feature Article ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Reviewer Scam – And How To Avoid It

By Beth Ann Erickson

Writing a book is difficult.  Getting it published is even harder – especially when you want to work with a reputable publisher.

After you FINALLY get it published, your next step is to acquire a readership.  One way to do this is to submit your book to reviewers whose opinions will hopefully entice readers to purchase your book.

Many reviewers I’ve met with are wonderful people who work hard at a difficult and often low paying job.

I’ve also encountered a number of unscrupulous reviewers.  Here’s one scam I hope you can avoid....

It all began last February.  As I sat down at my desk one morning, the first thing I noticed was my answer-machine light blinking.

Here’s the message:  “Hi.  This is [name deleted].  I’m from [name of publication].  We’re reviewing your book, The Almach in our next issue and I wanted to talk to you about that.  My number is [insert telephone number].”

I sat for a moment.  Then I grabbed my “Reviewers” file.  I scoured the list of names of reviewers I’d contacted, wondering if any of them worked for his publication.  None worked for him. 

Boy,” I thought, “book sales must be going pretty well for an unsolicited publication to want to talk to me about my novel....”

Having been interviewed about The Almach before, I sat back and anticipated the questions he might want to ask me.  I gathered some stats about the book, my e-mag Writing Etc, and pulled out some papers about my wonderful publisher (in case he wanted some info on Booklocker), and arranged them on my desk.

With all the papers at my fingertips, thoroughly ready for my big interview, I dialed the number.

Next thing I knew, I was talking to the publisher.  I introduced myself and he immediately recognized me and my book.  Boy, was I flattered.

Then he said it:  “Since we’re reviewing your book, I contacted you to find out if you’d be interested in purchasing ad space in [his publication].”

I didn’t expect this....

He went on to explain his circulation numbers, what he would require from me if I were to place an ad, and went on to tell me that the smallest ad I could submit would cost around $400 while a full pager would set me back around $2,000.

He mentioned that I’d have to create the ad myself.

I didn’t hear much after he mentioned the price.  I was busy calculating how many books the ad would have to move before I “broke even.”

I told him I’d think about it.

“While you’re thinking,” he said, “I’ll pencil you in for the small ad and I’ll send you a copy of [the name of the publication] along with a rate card.”

“Fine,” I answered.  Then I hung up.

While I waited for my package I conducted an Internet search.  I looked up the name of the publication along with the name of the publisher.  Nothing.

I e-mailed Angela at Booklocker.com and asked if she knew him.  She didn’t, but warned me it may be a scam.  I made a mental note.

Within a couple days my package arrived.  As I paged through it, I couldn’t help but notice the tiny 8-point print reviews (all of them glowing, all of the books “masterpieces!”) sprinkled in amongst a ton of ads.  Fifty one pages worth.  There wasn’t one article in the magazine.

Then I saw it: an ad for a book that looked familiar.  In fact, the author lived in a neighboring town.  I grabbed the phone.

“It’s a scam,” said the voice on the other end of the phone.  “It may be legal, but I’m not sure it’s ethical.”

“Then why did you advertise in that publication,” I asked.

“I didn’t,” she said, “my publicist must have done it.”  She added, “Believe me, I’ll be calling him today.”

She went on to say, “This is how it goes.  They find lesser known books, usually newbies to the business, then they contact the author to see if they want an ad.  If they author says, ‘yes,’ then they run the review – always a glowing one.  If the author doesn’t buy an ad, they won’t run the review.”

“And it gets worse,” she added, “They almost always ask the author to create the ad, but when they receive it, it’s never ‘right’ so they charge a couple hundred bucks to re-do it.”

“In the end,” she said, “you’re out a lot of money and don’t sell many – if any – books.”

My heart sank. 

Then she said, “But there’s a really easy way to tell the legit reviewers from the shady ones.  Tell them you won’t run an ad.  If they run the review without your ad then they’re legit.  If they don’t run the review without the ad, you’ve just been the target of unethical business practices.”

She finished her conversation by saying, “You don’t have to pay for reviews.  All a good reviewer will require from you is the book.  Sometimes they’ll purchase it themselves.  But you don’t have to purchase ad space in a reviewing magazine to get your book reviewed.  It’s just bad business....”

I didn’t run the ad for The Almach.  I never heard from that man again.

Since “meeting” that publisher, I’ve chatted with a number of other authors who’ve encountered this scam as well.  Some have placed the ads (with dismal returns on their investment) others have declined the offer and have never heard from the publication again.

I figure that woman saved me a ton of money.  My hope is she’ll save you a bundle as well.

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Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of Jumpstart Your Writing Career (http://filbertpublishing.com/jumpstart.htm ) and the upcoming 101 No Cost and Low Cost Techniques To Promote Your Writing Biz. Keep your eye out for it in early 2006. She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers. 

~~~~~~ Recommended Resource to Jumpstart Your Writing Career ~~~~~~~

Awesome book here. You really need this one for your writing library:

(I’m still in the midst of making special arrangements for you to meet Jim personally. Looks like it just might happen come January. I’m soooo excited about this. Keep you eye on Writing Etc. for details as they develop!)

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. Jim Edwards at the Big Seminar in LA. Wow. What a dynamo. What a successful freelancer.

He shared this incredible book with me and I’m passing on my highest recommendations for it.

As a writer, I’m sure you’ll find this information invaluable. Here’s the link:

Turn Words into Traffic

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2005 Action Plan to Jumpstart Your Writing Career

2006 is just around the corner! Enjoy your holiday and get prepared for a fantastic new year.

‘Till next time!

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Paying Markets – check ‘em out!

Back next time! Get ready to hit the ground running.

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We Recommend:

Writing For Dollars! The FREE ezine for writers featuring tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. Receive the FREE ebook, 83 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WRITING when you subscribe. Email to subscribe@writingfordollars.com -*- http://www.WritingForDollars.com

WRITERS FIND MARKETS EASILY - Worldwide Freelance has a NEW fully-searchable Markets Database. Discover writing markets from North America, Europe, Australia and other places. It's free, so come and try it out here: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com

Are your book sales in a slump? http://BethAnnErickson.com

Instantly Download Jumpstart Your Writing Career and Snag Paying Assignments Here:

http://booklocker.com/bookpages/jumpstart.html

E-Mag And Web Site Owners! Did you know that Filbert Publishing has an entire cache of articles you can use FREE. Just click the “Freebie” link to your left.

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Writing Etc.

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