#1 New York Times Bestselling Author & TV Producer
I got this email today: Hello Lee, I am a writer wondering if I should go with Publish America. Take a look at my website and let me know what you think. I don’t know why he wanted me to look at his website, or what difference it would make. Anyway, here’s how I responded … Read more
Bestselling mystery writer Diane Mott Davidson told the Richmond Times Dispatch that she has an unusual method of staying in touch with her characters. She writes letters to them… and they write back to her. "The way that I get into the voice of Goldy is to write, ‘Tell me what happened when you went … Read more
The book industry trade publication Publishers Weekly is outing Publish America as the scam we all know that it is… it seemed only the desperate, aspiring authors who "sold" their books to the publisher couldn’t see it. Until now. A group of authors wronged by the vanity press have mounted a grassroots campaign to garner … Read more
I received this email today: I am trying to pitch a movie. My question: Is there a specific format for an outline or treatment? Is there someplace I could get a sample of either or both? Unless you are an established screenwriter, or are teamed up with a well-connected movie producer, there is no point … Read more
I got an email today from an agent who is having trouble selling his client’s crime thriller screenplay. Every development exec he submits the script to says they aren’t interested in the project unless there is “some talent attached.” The agent wanted to know “if you have any suggestions how to get around this” and … Read more
…otherwise it’s just too pathetic. Jan alerted me to this. Someone is selling his novel on ebay to any author, that’s right author, who wants a story to tell…starting bid, $100,000. (Click on the photographs at the left to see a sample of his writing and the cover of his manuscript). My name is Daniel … Read more
Back when I was president of the SoCal chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, some aspiring writers got upset with me for refusing to refer to them as “pre-published” instead. I think it’s a ridiculous term, a lame attempt at empowerment that makes me want to “pre-vomit.” Should we also calling aspiring screenwriters “pre-produced?” … Read more
Edwin Bush reports on DorothyL that even the critics at a respected publication like Kirkus can be bought… He plucked this incredible offer from the Kirkus website: Looking for Exposure? Need Credibility? Want to get Discovered?Market your book or e-publication to the publishing world’s decision makers! Since our inception in 1933, premium subscribers have turned … Read more
Tom Schantz , well known in book circles for running the RUe Morgue bookshop in Boulder for many years, unearthed this scam from www.bookreview.com: Get your book listed on BookReview.com! Here at BookReview.com we often find ourselves digging out of an avalanche of newbooks. After much consideration, we have decided to offer two new [paid] … Read more
This note about “accuracy” in fiction was posted by David Montgomery on DorothyL… it gave me a smile, so I thought I’d share it with you: Something to remember when it comes to truth in fiction… Montgomery’s Law # 7: “Everyone is dissatisfied when the subject is their own area of expertise. But no one … Read more