| Subject | Date Asked |
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| Copyright for books | 10/5/2008 |
Q: Apologies if this is not your area of speciality, but could you point me in the right direction to ...
A: Dale! This is a good question to ask. Grand Cayman and the Cayman Islands are self-ruling British ...
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| Bookseller's Commission | 10/2/2008 |
Q: What percentage of the list price does a retail bookseller earn? How about a bookseller selling on ...
A: again, Art! "Should" there be a time limit on returns? Sure. But is there? Nope . . . at least not ...
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| Bookseller's Commission | 9/29/2008 |
Q: What percentage of the list price does a retail bookseller earn? How about a bookseller selling on ...
A: Art! Generally speaking, a bookseller requires a 35-40% discount (depending on the chain or store) ...
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| writ | 9/23/2008 |
Q: Throughout my schooling I usually got the best grade in my class in writing essays or book reports. ...
A: Al, I guess I'm a little confused about your marketing plan for this book. If you're planning it ...
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| Me yet again | 9/19/2008 |
Q: I've been giving some thought to dividing my too-long novel into two or three parts, even though I'm ...
A: Amber! Hmm... that's a tough question to answer. If you'd queried agents and they read the entire ...
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| Publishers for childrens books, ones to stay away from. | 9/11/2008 |
Q: I just finished the outline of a children's story book. I plan on doing a series of books on the ...
A: Lisa! I can indeed and it's good you're asking up front before you start the process. A TERRIFIC ...
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| Poetry books: hard to get published? | 9/4/2008 |
Q: I was wondering...is it fairly difficult to get a poetry book published? And also, how would I go ...
A: Shelby! Yes, it can be difficult for a debut author to get a book of poetry published. Most of the ...
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| question about authors | 9/3/2008 |
Q: Can you tell me how authors make money? I assume they receive an advance, but what about after that? ...
A: Danielle! Sorry for the delay in responding. I had issues with my ISP doing "upgrades." sigh... In ...
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| starting out | 8/24/2008 |
Q: I have began writing my first book it is a fictional western and I have absolutely no idea where to ...
A: Matt! Well, let's work first on the order: Sell to a publisher Secure the rights Get published ...
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| Query letter and copyright | 8/16/2008 |
Q: I'm having an extremely hard time with my query letter for some reason. I have written my first ...
A: Ashley! Good questions! So let's answer them one at a time: 1. You're not alone. EVERY author has ...
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| Small booklet. | 8/8/2008 |
Q: I am thinking of writing like small book,booklet about the life experience that could help other ...
A: again, Brad! Okay, the XP platform will work fine, but you're probably going to have to upgrade to ...
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| Small booklet. | 8/6/2008 |
Q: I am thinking of writing like small book,booklet about the life experience that could help other ...
A: Brad! Well, if all you're interested in is a booklet of a few pages, that can be done right on ...
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| Me, yet again | 6/19/2008 |
Q: I know that, when querying an agent, you're supposed to tell them you enjoyed a book they previously ...
A: Then you need to start reading it, even if only for a while. See, reading your genre lets you know ...
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| Me, yet again | 6/16/2008 |
Q: I know that, when querying an agent, you're supposed to tell them you enjoyed a book they previously ...
A: Amber! I guess I'm confused, because if you honestly don't like anything on their list, why would ...
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| publishing criteria | 6/12/2008 |
Q: I hope someone can clear up a very unclear criteria regarding what is considered a "published work" ...
A: Chrissy! I fully understand why you're confused. There are so many "definitions" out there in ...
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| Publishing poetry | 6/4/2008 |
Q: I have a lot of poetry over the years. I've always been told that its very very good. It seems usual ...
A: Spencer! The trick with poetry is that it's really hard to find a publisher for an unknown with no ...
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| eBooks and eBook Marketing | 5/30/2008 |
Q: I guess I have a two-parter. First, what do you recommend as the best tool to create an eBook - PDF ...
A: again! Hmmm... Boy, I know there ARE some methods to do what you're talking about, but I'm not sure ...
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| eBooks and eBook Marketing | 5/29/2008 |
Q: I guess I have a two-parter. First, what do you recommend as the best tool to create an eBook - PDF ...
A: Jason! I guess my personal preference is PDF Software (so Adobe) since more people presently have ...
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| to be published or to e-publish | 5/29/2008 |
Q: I am a 50 year old injured worker on disability for seven years now with no money,that has written a ...
A: Okay, so probably in the memoir section. I'd suggest contacting your local bookseller to ask for ...
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| to be published or to e-publish | 5/29/2008 |
Q: I am a 50 year old injured worker on disability for seven years now with no money,that has written a ...
A: Jack! Sorry to hear about your injuries and struggles. But you'll be happy to know that if you seek ...
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| Formatting | 5/17/2008 |
Q: I've read several opinions, but are there definitive rules of formatting? Do I use a header? If so, ...
A: John! I get this question a lot, so I fully understand what you mean about "several opinions." To ...
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| Getting published | 5/5/2008 |
Q: I have written a 120,000 word paranormal romance novel and am having a frustrating time finding an ...
A: Yeah, probably paranormal romance, but you should make certain before you submit the full ms. that ...
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| Good enough to publish? | 5/4/2008 |
Q: im working on a book, not really expecting it to be published. my sister read it and said she ...
A: Kitty! There's really no age requirement to publish a book. I've heard of authors as young as 12 ...
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| help needed | 5/3/2008 |
Q: i have wrtten a biography, although it is in very rough stage at the moment, i was wondering if you ...
A: Nikki! Biographies are tricky things for publishers, because they have to vet (verify) the ...
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| can I get a book published at my age, and if yes how? | 5/3/2008 |
Q: I am an 11 year old pupil. I am doing my sats in three weeks, and so far for our practice sats, I ...
A: Shannon! Sure, I don't see why not. It all depends on the quality of the book. I know of other ...
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| Getting published | 5/1/2008 |
Q: I have written a 120,000 word paranormal romance novel and am having a frustrating time finding an ...
A: Durian! Well, something you say here concerns me, so it ALSO might be concerning agents enough to ...
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| Legal Issues for Anthology | 4/30/2008 |
Q: I was looking through this site looking for an intellectual property expert and came across your ...
A: Willow! Actually, I DO know of a place where you can find a sample of an interview release. It's in ...
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| Magazine/newspaper submissions | 4/29/2008 |
Q: Does a list exist of magazine/newspaper editors email address's?
A: Liz! There are lists, but not specifically of email addresses. Not every magazine or newspaper ...
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| Query letter | 4/10/2008 |
Q: My friend and I are working on a book project and we're stuck on how to include both of our names in ...
A: Kris! Well, a lot depends on whether you're planning to show both names on the cover of the book or ...
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| Tradictional Publishing vrs E-Books | 4/9/2008 |
Q: I have an almost 600 page, finished book ready for publishing. It took me almost two years to ...
A: Terrence! I guess I first have a bit of a problem with the concept of a "reputable publishing ...
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| Well, you did say you didn't mind questions :) | 4/6/2008 |
Q: A quick one - when I do write a query letter, would it be okay if I only gave my address and email ...
A: Sure, but you should probably state in your query that you don't HAVE a phone. Many agents prefer to ...
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| Me yet again | 4/4/2008 |
Q: hope you don't mind another one! I'm just about to start querying literary agents, and I've hit a ...
A: again, Amber! Nah, ask as many questions as you like. 237K is pretty long, but a lot depends on the ...
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| Poems | 3/28/2008 |
Q: I was productive last year, and wrote roughly sixty poems. They would look swell on a printed page. ...
A: Alan! You're right to ask the question because there have been plenty of occasions where writers ...
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| Starting out | 3/22/2008 |
Q: Cathy Any ideas you can offer on getting some of my ideas to the 'write' people would be ...
A: Depends ENTIRELY on the magazine, Bud. You'll just have to read the guidelines. If they allow ...
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| Starting out | 3/22/2008 |
Q: Cathy Any ideas you can offer on getting some of my ideas to the 'write' people would be ...
A: Bud! Well, you're right that you probably don't need a creative writing course if you feel you're ...
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| Writing | 3/15/2008 |
Q: I am 19 years old and have loved creative writing since I was little. I really am thinking I want ...
A: misskitty! Well, "Children's Books" is a broad category, so you need to decide what you're writing ...
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| who, what, where, when, why, & how,. | 3/5/2008 |
Q: As I run the gamut of the traditional publishing arena, looking for both, an agent an a publisher, ...
A: Dan! Sorry for the delay in answering. I apparently didn't get your first email. But the nice ...
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| Me again | 2/28/2008 |
Q: I'm not sure if you would know this, but maybe you could give me your opinion. I'm thinking about ...
A: Amber! Don't worry at all that publishers will think you're a "freak." They won't. How you live ...
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| Where to begin? | 2/20/2008 |
Q: I've always wanted to write a book reflecting some of the experiences I've had in my life, in hopes ...
A: Anita! Well, your best bet is to hit your local bookstore and look at some of the other books like ...
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| co author contract | 2/18/2008 |
Q: I'm looking for a contract that can be used between my friend and I. He has helped me write a book ...
A: Yes, I understand, Jim. But the question is who is the agreement BETWEEN? Let's look at two examples ...
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| co author contract | 2/18/2008 |
Q: I'm looking for a contract that can be used between my friend and I. He has helped me write a book ...
A: Jim! Well, there are two kinds of "self-publishing." One is where you hire a company that becomes ...
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| Proper Article Source Citation | 2/17/2008 |
Q: If I attach an article from a free internet article source on my website do I necessarily have to ...
A: I'd say yes. Even a free article source is often tied by contract with the author to provide it ONLY ...
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| literary agent | 2/2/2008 |
Q: I quit the newspaper business and wrote my first book. I am searching for a literary agent in ...
A: Russ! Well, I have to ask: Why is face-to-face important to you? Email and telephone have made it ...
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| Typesetting Software | 1/30/2008 |
Q: What is the best and easiest typesetting software to learn to set up a book for BookStore ...
A: Here's a great article to get you started on understanding how desktop publishing works: ...
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| Typesetting Software | 1/30/2008 |
Q: What is the best and easiest typesetting software to learn to set up a book for BookStore ...
A: Angie! I asked a publisher friend of mine this question. Here's his answer: ************* If the ...
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| Young Writer from the Middle East | 1/29/2008 |
Q: ), I am an aspiring 14 year old writer living in the Middle East. I just read your answer to ...
A: Heba! No bother at all. I'm here to answer questions. :) 1. No, it's not true. Agents and ...
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| Publishing question | 1/13/2008 |
Q: I've got 6 or 7 short stories in second draft, and a couple in first draft still. I've also got a ...
A: Trent! Well, you've got a couple of options with this arrangement. While it's quite difficult to ...
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| hiring a literary agent | 1/8/2008 |
Q: I have written and published five books, but they were all in the same field, non-fiction "how to" ...
A: Check out this link: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9223 Found two sales for ...
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| Permissions | 1/8/2008 |
Q: hope you don't mind another question! You gave me some good advice last time which I intend to ...
A: again, Amber! Well, you're right to be cautious, because using quotes/poetry without permission can ...
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| Forewords and more | 1/4/2008 |
Q: I'm not sure you can answer this, but how would someone ask someone else to write a foreward for ...
A: Leaha! Sorry for the delay in responding, but I was out of town for a couple of days. Generally, a ...
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| Query letter? | 12/19/2007 |
Q: Is a query letter requried to get published? And if so, how would I format one for my book?
A: Tom! Generally speaking, yes--a query is required to get a publisher. Basically a query letter is a ...
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| how do i submit a story i had written | 12/18/2007 |
Q: i had written a short childrens story i am wanting to see if it will go anywhere far as getting ...
A: Cindy! When you say you've written a short children's story, do you mean an actual STORY, like ...
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| How to submit manuscript with graphics? | 12/14/2007 |
Q: I'm getting ready to submit a short story for publication, and I'm having some trouble with standard ...
A: R. My first question is--submit it to "who?" If you're seeking publication through a print magazine ...
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| A copyright issue | 12/10/2007 |
Q: I've written and am currently polishing a book that was partly inspired by a movie I loved when I ...
A: Amber! Your best bet at this point is to go to the successor copyright holder---unless the movie is ...
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| book contract with co-authors.. | 12/8/2007 |
Q: ..many months ago you sent me a book contract for co-authors...I am going to have my lawyer alter it ...
A: again, Angie! Well, this isn't much of a problem for my co-author and I, because I knew up front ...
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| writing first novel | 12/4/2007 |
Q: I am a non-fiction writer by trade, but have always had the passion to write fiction since I was a ...
A: Lisa! Congrats on taking the plunge into fiction from the NF side. I did the same, so know that ...
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| Column in Newspapers | 12/3/2007 |
Q: I am a pastor and want to get a syndicated teaching column in newspapers in the Religious section. I ...
A: Okay, here are the answers I got about the column query from some columnists I know. Some of the ...
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| Publishing my sci fi manuscript | 11/15/2007 |
Q: I have just recently completed writing the first of a three part sci fi novel. I really am ...
A: Metz! I have to be honest---it's difficult to sell an entire science fiction trilogy as your first ...
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| Article submissions | 11/3/2007 |
Q: Kathy; I have written a number of articles that I feel would be of particular interest to specific ...
A: Davis! Congratulations on finishing your articles. Submission to magazines depends a great deal on ...
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| Getting Published | 10/28/2007 |
Q: Cathy. I have been writing, on and off, for almost 10 years. I had an agent for the past 7 years, ...
A: Kat! Well, first you need to determine what went wrong with your last agent. When you say he wasn't ...
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| song titles used in a book | 10/28/2007 |
Q: I have searched through books and the internet for an answer on this but cannot find a clear answer ...
A: Jim! This is a very good question. Your best bet would be to go to the source. The U.S. Copyright ...
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| I want to publish my writings. | 10/3/2007 |
Q: I am Mirette, a 14-year-old girl from Egypt and I've been writing for a while. I really believe my ...
A: again, Mirette! Okay, it looks like you have a variety of things you like to write about. What you ...
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| I want to publish my writings. | 9/27/2007 |
Q: I am Mirette, a 14-year-old girl from Egypt and I've been writing for a while. I really believe my ...
A: Mirette! Congratulations on starting the writing process. You don't say what sort of writings ...
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| I'd like to get a book published online | 9/14/2007 |
Q: I would like to know some sites where I could get my book published. In paperback, and they're just ...
A: Kelly! Well, there are a lot of different companies (known as either subsidy publishers or ...
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| getting published from the Middle East | 9/12/2007 |
Q: I have just about finished writing my first novel, a whodunit (I just need to do a little editing ...
A: again, Kahira! Not a problem at all. Happy to help. :) "Registering" a copyright is very different ...
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| getting published from the Middle East | 9/10/2007 |
Q: I have just about finished writing my first novel, a whodunit (I just need to do a little editing ...
A: Kahira! First, congratulations on finishing your book! You're ahead of the game right there. And, ...
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| foreign contract | 8/25/2007 |
Q: i wrote a book about caring for someone with Alzheimer - something i did for my poor old mum for 4 ...
A: Marion! Congratulations on the success of your book. You're right to be wary of any contract you ...
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| Release forms for contributing writers | 8/22/2007 |
Q: ..Angie here again...I have another book going where people contribute true stories. Where is the ...
A: Not a stock form that you can buy in an office supply store, no. You'll need to have one drafted by ...
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| Release forms for contributing writers | 8/22/2007 |
Q: ..Angie here again...I have another book going where people contribute true stories. Where is the ...
A: Angie! Boy, you'd think this was a really simple question, huh? But you just raised up a whole host ...
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| getting started | 8/22/2007 |
Q: Well I started writing a book, based on suspense, I'm finished with the beginning and the end, and ...
A: Sherry! Congratulations on getting started on your first book. It's a really exciting feeling to ...
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| Childrens Books | 8/17/2007 |
Q: I'm a retired police officer who went from writing tickets to writing short children stories. I've ...
A: Leon! First, thanks for risking your life to make the rest of us safe for so long. :) Children's ...
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| 2 authors, 50/50 split? | 8/11/2007 |
Q: .My friend and I are writing a book together. (I am a publisher author already)...Anyway, if we get ...
A: Angie! Sorry for the delay in answering this but apparently I didn't get the first email. ...
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| Manuscripts | 8/9/2007 |
Q: Does a manuscript have to be complete before sending it to a publisher for review?
A: Floyed! This is a very good question. You'll hear from a lot of people that it's NEVER a good idea ...
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| First novella | 8/3/2007 |
Q: I am currently writing a Detective novella- with a difference. I am utilising pollysyllabic verse ...
A: Nilesh! Well, first I have to ask how you know it's going to be a novella when you're only a third ...
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| poetry writing | 7/22/2007 |
Q: i love poetry and i love writing poems. i think i write fairly well. i want more people to read my ...
A: vineeth! It's terrific that you enjoy poetry and want to get it out to the public. I don't know ...
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| freelance | 2/22/2007 |
Q: if i have an article to submit do i just send it to various magazines which are relevant and hope it ...
A: James! I just started as an expert in this category, and didn't realize there were some questions ...
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| using existing phrase | 2/16/2007 |
Q: I have a question about copyrights- I guess. I just found the perfect title for a book. Problem ...
A: Meg! I just started as an expert in this category and didn't realize there were some questions ...
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| When to look for an agent, etc. | 2/1/2007 |
Q: Miller: I'm presently working on a novel, my first. I have just finished the first chapter. I'd ...
A: Howard! I just started as an expert in this category, and noticed that your question had never been ...
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