Jennifer Lancaster

September 21, 2016

Things to Spot in your Publisher Assist Contract

In this post, we are talking about self-publishing assist contracts (rather than traditional publishing contracts, which also must be scrutinised). Many self-publisher assist companies deem to take money from authors to cover production and administration, but authors then get caught out on royalties, contract termination and book rights. Don’t let it happen to you! You can either keep your money to yourself and learn yourself (and/or get publishing mentoring), or you can use this list. Essential Questions to Ask on Viewing Your Self-Publisher Assist Contract Check the company name on your contract: is it the same as the public name? Google reviews on them. Also ensure your name is right. What services are being delivered? Typesetting, proofreading/editing, any author copies, and distribution details all should be here. (Does it match what the package said?) Who gets to approve the final…

December 23, 2020

Self-Publishing

All that Glitters is Not Gold… in the Self-Publishing Industry

Just like in 1851, when the Australian gold rush began, authors in the past decade have been rushing out to self-publish on Amazon and ibooks and cash in on “the rivers of gold”. Except today, the people getting rich are more likely to be those providing the tools, extended self-publisher services like: videos and websites, formatting, author club memberships, review services, and advertising for books. In other words, the book marketing services industry. Meanwhile a third of published authors make less than $500 from their writing, says Digital Book World/Writers Digest. Surveying 1,839 authors (56% indie; 13% traditional; 31% both paths) who published books in 2014, they found widespread underwhelm with book sales and royalties. Indie publishers surveyed showed a median income of $500 – $999 per year, and traditional authors earned a little more overall, with median income of $3,000…

August 19, 2016

Personal finance and scams

THW Global – another work at home scam

Dear readers, today I am among the tens of millions of gullible online workers around the world. Welcome to THW Global, paid video viewing (‘a reverse of Youtube’) – where “apparently” you can make up to $25 an hour (who knows what currency) and recruit others and make even more money (20% extra for the first level). In some parts the rambling made sense, although the use of ‘up to $25 an hour’ is a bit cagey…. but they failed to convince when I couldn’t find a PAYMENT setting in the user control panel. Nor could I spot an About Us page. Who are these people? Khan at OnlineLearningMentor believes he has found the possible creators, people who do MLM scams by way of a living. Ethan Vanderbuilt, a veteran online scam buster, believes the reason the creators of THW Global do this…

August 5, 2016

Personal finance and scams

What Can We Learn from a Ponzi Scheme?

Recently a news story caught my eye – its real life plot truly ‘stranger than fiction’. A dead man’s body washed up on a Sunshine Coast beach. A tale told of a $100-million-dollar investment ‘Ponzi scheme’ – but hardly a trace of money has been found, apart from $1 million worth of US property and $91K cash. The “trading syndicate” invested in shares, real estate and commodities, and aimed to achieve returns of 24% a year. The fund manager had no Financial Services license. Police did not suspect foul play, but there was a robbery in his office, so they might investigate. Yes, he just decided that his narcissistic and lying ways were all too much, not that literally dozens of investors had woken up to the fact their savings were all gone. As ever, I think to myself: what…

May 14, 2025

Book Marketing

How Can Video Production Work for Consultant Authors

Rather than pulling out hairs trying to get pro-level video trailers or book promotions together for your business benefit, there is a cloud video production marketplace. This online service is called 90 Seconds They allow brands (that’s you) to purchase, plan, shoot, edit and review video designed specifically for your purpose. (Note: 90 seconds is arguably the ideal ‘attention span’ for a promotional video). The global online marketplace connects brands or their agencies with video creative professionals such as videographers, directors, editors, producers, animators, drone operators and photographers, in over 84 countries. Founder and CEO of 90 Seconds, Tim Norton, says: “By 2017, video will account for 69% of all consumer traffic, so we are proud to have developed a solution that works for global brands to deliver fast, affordable content. For Australian companies, 90 Seconds can help them produce quality video…

December 23, 2020

Book Marketing, Self-Publishing

What’s in a Book Business Plan?

As an Aquarian, planning months ahead is just so… Virgo. Alas, authors need to plan our book’s content, production, pre-promotion, publication details and post-launch promotion. We do this so that our project is reasonably successful… and to get ROI. So what’s in a Book Plan? For many authors who are a little further on in their journey, they will create this Book Business Plan for the publisher as part of the submission process. It certainly proves you’re serious. The basic parts of your Book Business Plan are: Summary (book pitch, hot selling points, purpose statement, anything special about it) Target Market (think more interest based rather than pure demographics) Promotions (everywhere you plan to promote your books) Competing Titles (book titles in your niche space, including how well similar books have sold, which you find through researching on retailers, ie. Amazon, to…