Time to Write

Could your blog vanish without a trace?

What if you woke up one morning to find that your blog had disappeared? 

Do you have it backed up? 

Are you sure?

I read about an artist to whom this happened and not only didn't he back up his blog, it was the only place he'd saved some of his work.

If you use WordPress, there are various plug-ins that allow you to save the blog's contents and download it to your computer or the cloud. You can search "WP back-up plug-ins" to find them.

There's also a quick and easy-to-use Mac app called SiteSucker. I have it load the back-up into my DropBox account for extra protection.

This blog is on the Typepad platform and wasn't attacked recently when all my WP sites became the target of hackers, but no site is totally safe. If you think your blog is being backed up automatically but you're not sure, it's worth checking. 

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Writers, "fair use" is in the eyes of the beholders (and their lawyers)

In copyright law,“Fair use” means that you can use excerpts of articles, books, and other creative works in the course of reviewing them, or in educational materials, or in a transformative way, meaning you change the nature of the final product. However, you are limited in how much of the original work you can use, and also by whether or not your use of the excerpt might take away from the creator’s ability to benefit financially from his or her work.

There are no hard and fast rules about how much of the original you can quote or use, it’s down to common sense (and sometimes the courts). For instance, if you quote 100 words of an article that’s only 150 words long, that would be an abuse of fair use. If you quote 100 words of a novel that’s 75,000 words long, you’d probably be fine.

Song publishing companies are especially touchy and quick to sue. Quoting even one line of lyrics in a novel has led some of them to demand what I think are outrageous payments, with the threat of a lawsuit if you don’t pay.

Another example is a tumblr blog called “This Charming Charlie,” where the author, graphic designer Lauren LoPrete, matches images from the Peanuts comic strip with lyrics from songs by the Smiths. One example: Charlie Brown in bed in the dark bedroom, saying “Last night I dreamt that somebody loves me.” The strips aren’t that different from what Charles Schultz wrote; Charlie Brown (or the late Charles Schulz, who drew the strip) and Morrissey seem to be soul mates.

The blog took off very quickly, now boasting more than 24,000 followers. Of course the fact that it was mentioned in Rolling Stone, Gawker, Time magazine, Huffington Post, Slate, and others didn’t hurt.

It’s not a profit-making venture, it came about because LoPrete loves both the music of the Smiths and Peanuts. 

However, Universal Music Publishing Group (which owns the rights to the music and lyrics) has served LoPrete with notices alleging copyright infringement. Although she is claiming fair use, she also has written on the blog, “I know it’s over.” 

It’s not quite on the order of the time Disney lawyers went after a pre-school that had painted some Disney characters on their wall, but from a public relations standpoint it’s a disaster. 

How was this hurting them? With all that coverage it’s more likely that it reminded some people that they liked the Smiths. 

Instead, people who may have been on the fence about music piracy or those already into it can point to this as another example of how the big corporations don’t care about anything but squeezing every last penny out of their products. 

For writers, the message is beware of music publishers and their lawyers.

PS: Here's my version. To be on the safe side, I'm quoting Kafka, who isn't that far from Peanuts and The Smiths...

Writing scams are changing--here's how to avoid being taken

Victoria Strauss, who runs the valuable Writer Beware blog, has this assessment of what's happening in the world of writing scams:

"Now, in 2012, Writer Beware only rarely hears about brand-new agent scams; even inquiries about well-intentioned amateur agents--which once made up a large percentage of our correspondence--have dwindled to a trickle. By far the most frequent questions and complaints we receive involve small publishers, various flavors of vanity presses, self-publishing services, and marketing or other so-called services aimed at small press and self-published authors."

As they say, one door closes, another door opens--even for scammers. Before you spend your money on any services, I suggest you do the following:

1. Read the fine print. Often there are traps buried in the text of a contract. Things to look for:

    * If it's a time-based service of some kind, for how long are you obligated?

    * Is there a way for you to cancel the service if you're not happy?

    * What's the refund policy?

    * Does the copyright stay with you? It should.

2. Do a Google search about the company, the individuals running it, and the products or services they offer. Go past the first page so you get past the fake sites.

For instance, let's say the Fraudentcheat Agency is a scam. They set up a bunch of websites with names like "Fraudentcheat Scam?" or "Fraudencheat Fraud?" These look like legitimate review sites and--surprise!--they conclude that Fraudencheat is a fine company that has been unfairly accused of shady practices.

They use SEO to make sure these sites occupy most of the first page of results. Any legitimate reviews are pushed to the second, third, or fourth page of results, which few people bother to check. Be the one in a hundred who digs deeper.

3. Check with others who have used the service. If possible, go beyond the endorsers who are cited on the web site of the people providing the service. Be aware that testimonials can be fake or can have been sent before things went sour.

I've written in the past about a publicist who ran glowing endorsements from clients--who, when I contacted them later (hindsight in action!) were not happy with his services at all. Later I found out he'd never paid for the big ad that attracted me in the first place. 

4. If things that were agreed upon are not delivered, complain immediately and document every contact. By the time I caught on, several thousand pounds had changed hands. When I sued in small claims court I won but the company went bust and I was never able to collect. If you move quickly you may have a chance to get your money back before the house of cards collapses.

Bring in some bigger guns; for instance, mention that unless you get a refund you will notify the Writers Guild and name some other organizations they don't want to have snooping around. It couldn't hurt to mention that you're friends with (name of editor of publication the scammer is most likley to fear). It's not a lie--go to the editor's Facebook page and "friend" him or her...now you're friends!

Be prepared for some return fire from the scammers but don't let them intimidate you. When I named and shamed the publicist he left a message on my answer machine claiming that he'd notified the police that I had sent him death threats! He made the mistake of even making up the name of a detective he'd supposedly talked to and gave a case number. When I phoned the police they told me there was no such detective or case number. They asked me to notify them if he contacted me again so they could investigate him. He didn't call again. 

Another common practice is for the scammers to threaten to sue you. Some even go so far as to send fake letters supposedly from their attorneys.

If you get one of these, stay calm. First check whether the law firm on the letterhead even exists. If it does, phone them and ask if they are actually acting on behalf of the person who sent the letter. If they do, all that means is he or she paid them to write the letter, not that there is any serious intention to follow through.

Remember, the scammers don't want to be exposed to the light of day so going public via a court case often is the last thing they want.

5. Let others know about your unhappy experience. Keep it professional and stick to the facts, don't make it personal and don't do any name-calling. It's better to say, "I paid (amount), in exchange for which (name of company) agreed to (specifics of the service). This service was not provided and they have refused to refund my money"--rather than--"(name of company) are bunch of scumbags who cheated me out of (amount of money)!" I know it would feel better to say the latter, but your case will be stronger with the former.

Use the forums of appropriate web sites, your own Twitter feed, your Facebook page, etc. The more you stay factual and avoid personal attacks, the more serously people will take you. You might at least save someone else from being cheated. 

You'll find more questions and answers about how to avoid being ripped off, in this case by people who steal your material, here: http://timetowrite.com/protecting-your-material/

52 Tips for Writing Success - 18: Build in surprises

As you write your novel, screenplay, article or short story look for ways to build in some surprises for your reader. It's a pleasant feeling to realize that what we thought was going to happen isn't what actually does (at least it's pleasant in books and films; in real life we may not appreciate it as much).

The surprise may be the way a man we'd assumed is a coward suddenly steps forward and shows some courage, or an unexpected turn of phrase, or a twist at the end of a story. 

Of course the challenge isn't thinking of the surprise, but making it plausible despite not being predictable. That means that the moment when the coward shows courage has to be out of the ordinary. It may be that he's afraid of his own shadow but the one thing he cares about is his dog and when that's endangered he'll do whatever it takes to save it.

Or we find out that the car mechanic who suddenly spouts something from Shakespeare is attending night classes in literature because he's always felt held back by his limited education.

And whatever that twist ending is, it has to make sense when we look back over everything that went before. 

The more crowded the marketplace, the more important it is to surprise people. For instance, printed magazines are facing a tremendous challenge from their electronic competitors. Some publications have responded with features that surprise and delight.  Examples include Mono.Kultur, which features a different binding every issue, La Mas Bella, the formats of which have included a map, an apron, and a tapas-making kit, and MK Bruce/Lee, which comes in two versions (Lee for women, Bruce for men) and includes fold-out posters, stickers, and other goodies. 

Whether it's the writing itself, or your query letters to agents, publishers or producers, or your blog--look for ways to surprise your readers and they'll come back for more.

(My book, "Do Something Different," contains 100 case studies of inexpensive and innovative ways people have marketed themselves and their products. You can apply the same principles. The book is published by Virgin Books and features an introduction by Richard Branson. You can get it from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)

Could you use the Agile Publishing Model to self-publish your ebook?

At Digital Book World Dominique Raccah, chief executive and publisher of Sourcebooks announced that they will be using that they call the Agile Publishing Model. It involves building audience participation before the writing and publication of a new book, a system O'Reilly Media has employed already.

What does this look like in practice? This is my interpretation of how you could use it when self-publishing an ebook:

1. Start a website that relates to the book. If it's a non-fiction book it's easy to decide on the topic. If it's a novel, what aspect do you think people would find most interesting and likely to make them buy the book?

This is not always obvious. For instance, a mystery set in a ski resort will not necessarily appeal more to skiers than others. In fact, sometimes people who know a lot about a topic don't read fiction about it because they know so many authors get things wrong. And people who will eagerly read non-fiction may not read fiction at all. 

Here's a tip: find a successful book similar to yours in a significant way. Look at the author's website, the comments and reviews people have left on Amazon and YouTube, and use Google to track down articles about them, fan sites, etc. You'll get lots of clues about where this author's fans hang out. Go there. Be unobtrusive at first, and then start posting but not about your book. Without spamming or forcing it, let people know you have a blog or site they might find of interest (and make sure it is interesting, of course).

The sooner you do this, the better. This model works only if you start early. 

2. Involve your followers in the writing of the book. For instance, invite their questions. If a lot of people have the same question, that's a great indicator that you should be answering it in your book or featuring the topic in some way. 

3. Let your followers read chapters as you go along. Be clear that these are early drafts and you welcome input. Pay attention to what makes sense, ignore what doesn't. But start with an open mind. If you find that the book you want to write isn't the same one people want to read, adjust accordingly.

In works of fiction, pay attention to feedback like "I got mixed up between Brian and Bruce," or "It' wasn't clear to me whether Samantha knew about John's previous marriage or not." If the reader is supposed to know that, maybe you need to state it more clearly.

4. Let followers vote. Ask them to help you pick the best title, the best cover image, the best copy for the back cover. You can get a lot of useful information. Again, it helps if you are able to put aside your ego. If 80 of a hundred people voting clearly prefer one cover over the other you'd be silly not to listen, even if you like the other one better.

5.Tell about the steps of the publishing process, including a bit of gossip here and there (naturally, nothing that will upset your publisher). Your followers will feel like insiders and at the same time will know when the expect the book.

6. In the book, acknowledge by name any followers whose comments have been helpful. It's a nice thing to do, plus people buy more copies of a book when their name is in it.

7. Have an online launch party. Invite your followers and ask them to invite their friends as well. Do something special, maybe a live video feed from an actual party, or set up a webinar in which people can ask you questions. Give away prizes including copies of your book. 

8. Keep your followers involved after the book is published. Blog about your experiences--did you have a signing and 100 people turned up? Great, tell us about it. Did you have a signing and nobody turned up? Not so great for you, but possibliy a more entertaining story. Put reviews on the site and invite your followers to do their own reviews on YouTube and post links to those (or embed them) on your site. Give a prize for the best review every month (not the most fawning but the most entetaining). 

9. Get their input on what you should write next--hook them early so they'll stay with you.

10. If your book has timely content, update it as often as necessary. With e-books this is simple and costs nothing or very little. Let your followers know that you're keeping up to date and ask them for input on what changes you should make. 

Have I done all these? Nope. But writing this has given me some good ideas...

(You can also get loads of good ideas for inexpensive and innovative ways to market yourself or your work, in my book, "Do Something Different," published by Virgin Books.)

Another way to tell stories (writing meets YouTube)

I'm indebted to MentalFloss.com for pointing me to novelist John Green, who has started posting YouTube videos that reflect his goal of "finding ways to write for people that don't involve a pen and paper" and the fact that YouTube "could use  a little more writing." (He and his brother Hank have created 800+ videos since 2007 as Vlogbrothers and have about half a million subscribers on YouTube, but this is a new direction for him.)

Below is one example. Other than the fact that he always sounds like he's trying to set a new talking land-speed record, I enjoy these and see some possibilities in this format for writers who want to experiment. 

 

My favorite creativity & productivity tools

I thought I'd share some of my favorite creativity and productivity tools with you. 

 www.fiverr.com - this is the site where people tell you what they will do for $5 (you can also list a task and see whether someone will do it for you for that amount. I've used it for transcriptions, graphics, etc.

 Apimac Timer - this is a free timer for your computer desktop with a stopwatch, countdown, alarm clock function-it's for Mac Users but there are many PC timers available as well. For this one, go to www.apimac.com/timer.

 Google Alerts - you type in a word or phrase and Google will send you daily or weekly listings of various internet sites where that appeared. You can use it to find references to your name, your website, a product, or any topic. Sign up at www.google.com/alerts. Free.

 Ommwriter - a free program that takes over your screen so all you see is what you are typing. You can adjust the light level, select from several fonts, and have it be silent or play soothing sounds. The paid version adds more sound and picture options. You can save as txt., pdf.,or rtf (and you can easily copy and paste the txt version into Word if you need it in that format). It's at Ommwriter.com. If you use a pc, a similar program that I've heard recommended is Q10, at www.baara.com/q10/.

 comf5.com - a subscription program that allows you to send video emails. The lowest price level, which has lots of functionality, is $10/month. You can get more info at www.comf5.com.

 Shrink-0-Matic - a free program that easily resizes images, for instance for use in a blog. You type in the size you want it to be and then drag and drop the image into the Shrink-o-Matic window and it does it automatically. This has been a big time-saver for me with my blogs. You'll find it at www.softpedia.com.

Blurts - this is one I'm just experimenting with. It allows you to record up to 30 seconds and creates a link to your recording that you can add to a blog post or email or photo. Like this one (which will also take you to the sign-up site): 

http://blurts.com/5k82e5

(I also recommend my book, "Focus: use the power of targeted thinking to get more done," published by Pearson and available from Amazon and your other favorite online and offline booksellers. More information and free resources at www.FocusQuick.com)

 

An experienced writer tries the e-serial route

 I've been keeping an eye on how authors are using e-publishing and one that showed up recently is novelist, journalist and screenwriter Ray Connolly ("Stardust"). He got a nice plug in the form of a big article in The Guardian about how he's self-publishing his new novel, The Sandman, in ebook form. He is releasing it free five days a week in serial format or you can download the entire book for £4.99 (about $7.70). 

The site is a bit clunky, in that you only get the first paragraph or two of every chapter online; if you want to read the rest of the chapter you have to download it (unless I'm missing something). Also, it would have been good to be able to sign up to have each chapter emailed to you daily, which would be relatively easy to do with an autoresponder.

The serialisation is still underway, it will be interesting to find out at the end of the process--if he's willing to reveal the figures--how many people read it online and how many ordered the ebook. 

You can take a look yourself at www.rayconnolly.co.uk.

By the way, It's a great site if you are a Beatles fan--Connolly knew them and wrote about them extensively in his music journalism days and the site also lets you download his unproduced screenplay about the life of John Lennon.