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Writing Books/Questions Answered by Expert Rhonda Campbell
| Subject | Date Asked |
| next step | 2/11/2012 |
| Q: I have written an autobiography but have no chapter titles or have not named my book, and I don't ... A: You can leave a double space between a chapter title and the start of the chapter. It's pretty much ... | |
| next step | 2/9/2012 |
| Q: I have written an autobiography but have no chapter titles or have not named my book, and I don't ... A: Congrats on writing your autobiography. Yes, manuscripts are set at 1.5 line spacing. If I were ... | |
| co -authors /ghostwriters | 1/30/2012 |
| Q: I am trying to locate a good source for identifying possible co-authors (freelance writers) with a ... A: Congratulations on working on your new book! I just did a quick search in Google. You may want to ... | |
| A question about the publishers | 12/17/2011 |
| Q: My question is about publishing right. Let's say you manage to have a book published by a ... A: Congratulations on the publication of your book! In regards to reprint rights, it depends on what ... | |
| Careers in Writing | 7/23/2011 |
| Q: my passion is writing and my dream in life is to someday support myself as a full time author. ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on going after your dream! What a excellent step forward on your part! Hoorah for ... | |
| copyright partially finished novel | 7/17/2011 |
| Q: Can i copyright my partially finished novel with the US copyright office? I have roughly 30% to 40% ... A: Congratulations on creating your book! Per the U.S. Copyright office (see below link), appears you ... | |
| Preface | 6/27/2011 |
| Q: can a preface be like what will happen to this character if he or she is not helped A: Congratulations on writing your book! A preface tells readers how your book came to be (e.g. ... | |
| getting published | 5/23/2011 |
| Q: I've been writing an occasional column over the last ten years for a small town newspaper. (I've ... A: Congratulations on doing what it takes to land a paying columnist! You can land paying magazine and ... | |
| Romance Novel | 4/25/2011 |
| Q: Hey Rhonda, I am a teenager and im in love with Romance novels and i am planning on writing my own. ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on deciding to write your book! In regards to writing romance, I think you can ... | |
| question | 2/25/2011 |
| Q: I really want to write a book, I just dont know how to put it together. Is there anyone out that ... A: CONGRATS on deciding to create your book! As far as finding a writer to help you write the book, ... | |
| Doing It All Myself | 2/19/2011 |
| Q: I wrote a children's book that will be printed on the hard, cardboard-type paper for the littlest ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on creating your children's book! As far as pricing, I'd look at what books similar ... | |
| Kids' illlustrations based on real people | 2/15/2011 |
| Q: I appreciate this question is a little different to the rest, but hope you might be able to offer ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on finishing your children's book!!! As far as using family pictures, I would get ... | |
| Editing | 2/13/2011 |
| Q: I have a completed manuscript that I would like to get published into a novel. Can you recommend a ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on completing your manuscript!!! Most editors I know work independently or with ... | |
| Poetry!! | 1/8/2011 |
| Q: ok well, i have a notebook filled with a bunch of poems that i would like to create into a book. can ... A: Congratulations on creating poetry! My suggestion is for you to contact an editor and work with ... | |
| I need your help | 12/20/2010 |
| Q: How are you? I'm a dermatologist and I would like to publish a scientific book. As I'm not familiar ... A: Congrats on writing your book! Some editors might help with the book's layout. However, I think ... | |
| How to start with novel writing & improve writing skills | 12/8/2010 |
| Q: I want to start with novel writing. I can read, understand and write English quite nicely but my ... A: Congrats on going after your writing dreams! In regards to improving your writing skills, you can: ... | |
| writing articles for magazines | 10/7/2010 |
| Q: what is the first step in writing articles for a magazines. A: Query the magazine first. Many online magazines have writer guidelines at their websites. Read ... | |
| whats it all about? | 9/28/2010 |
| Q: can you give me a basic rundown on what it takes to get a small published article and then to move ... A: Kudos on going after your writing dream! Non-fiction sells best (e.g. how to books). I am not ... | |
| publishers | 7/29/2010 |
| Q: Will they return my manuscript? A: My experience has been that publishers do not (generally) return manuscripts. If you include a SASE ... | |
| Graphics for a childrens' book | 7/19/2010 |
| Q: If I find a publisher to publish a childrens’ book I’ve written, will they provide a graphic artist ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on writing your book! Publishers of children's books will generally provide the ... | |
| About copyrights | 7/2/2010 |
| Q: Greetings, I’m in the process of writing my first book in Spanish. My questions are in regard of, ... A: Congratulations on writing your book! Fair use is not as clear cut as some might think. If the ... | |
| Book Question | 6/19/2010 |
| Q: I realize this may be different from your usual writing/publishing question, but hoped you could ... A: You can try searching: Bowker (http://www.bowker.com) - they list books published in the U.S. - ... | |
| writing | 5/22/2010 |
| Q: I want to submit a writing on video game history. Where shoudl I send to? ANSWER: Hi Nick, ... A: Nick, I would do the research for the book. Write down notes and print and save website URLs that ... | |
| publishing | 5/21/2010 |
| Q: I want to submit a writing on video game history. Where shoudl I send to? A: Congratulations on writing your book! You can search directories for literary agents or book ... | |
| Book Reviews | 5/12/2010 |
| Q: We are self published, "Cook Books" and would like to know how to get reviews. Web Site is ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on publishing your cook books! To get book reviews, I'd contact websites and ... | |
| need some help | 5/12/2010 |
| Q: have never writein a book before and was wondering if you could help i would like to write about a ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on preparing to write your book! Kudos to you! The storyline sounds interesting. ... | |
| Organizing Ideas | 4/27/2010 |
| Q: How do I find ideas to start a book or short story? ANSWER: Hi Selma, CONGRATULATIONS on acting ... A: You could try writing a detailed outline on your story, similar to outlines students write in ... | |
| Fiction-Based on a true story | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: The book I wrote is based on a true story but is fiction. I have changed the names of the people in ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on writing your story. Even though names and locations in the story are changed ... | |
| Finding Ideas | 4/22/2010 |
| Q: How do I find ideas to start a book or short story? A: CONGRATULATIONS on acting on your desire to put your creative abilities on paper. To find writing ... | |
| Editing for a possible book | 3/27/2010 |
| Q: Does this look good for a possible start to a book: Some of my work was partly written from ... A: Nick, You certainly can explain the book for curious readers. It's your book. You can do ... | |
| Editing for a possible book | 3/27/2010 |
| Q: Does this look good for a possible start to a book: Some of my work was partly written from ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on writing your book! I'm not an editor, so will not offer indepth comments on ... | |
| Writing my first book.. | 3/22/2010 |
| Q: As a military member, a journalist, and public affairs sergeant and now finally a civilian as I have ... A: Bill, Congrats on your military service and on writing a book! In today's book publishing world, ... | |
| dialog | 3/14/2010 |
| Q: I have questions about dialog. First here is what I believe I know. Use double quotes for standard ... A: Although this isn't a specialty area of mine, I wanted to offer you some assistance. The below ... | |
| COPYRIGHT | 3/8/2010 |
| Q: I am writing a book for a publication deal I have with a small independent publisher. It is a ... A: Congratulations on writing your book and on meeting the challenges of healing from drug usage. I ... | |
| self publishing | 2/18/2010 |
| Q: I don't know if this question is in your field, but I was wondering if, when an author decides to ... A: Yes. The author would reach out to book store community managers, etc. to create and make travel ... | |
| about writing a book | 12/17/2009 |
| Q: I want to write a book. I have 2 topics in my mind:- space & expectations in any relationship & ... A: If you know how to reach the target audience for both books, you could have success with either ... | |
| Permission to use movie quote? | 12/15/2009 |
| Q: If I quote a 5-word line from an Indiana Jones movie in a book I'm writing, do I need permission? A: Congratulations for working on your new book! Kudos to you! In response to your question, this ... | |
| About publishing | 11/23/2009 |
| Q: I am glad to say that I completed my book but I am facing problems with publishing as I have been ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on finishing your book! I'm not sure I understand your question. If you are ... | |
| a great book idea | 11/20/2009 |
| Q: I have the perfect situation for a true crime book. The person its about was convicted of being a ... A: Craigslist is free. I'd do a search on Google for "Writing Job Boards" and post to those areas ... | |
| a great book idea | 11/18/2009 |
| Q: I have the perfect situation for a true crime book. The person its about was convicted of being a ... A: Glad to hear that you made it through the situation you were in. You can post that you are looking ... | |
| Jazz Dance | 11/16/2009 |
| Q: My name is Sophia Oddi and at the present time I am a seventh grader at Huntington Middle School, ... A: Although I do not have experience writing jazz dance books, I recommend that you check out or ... | |
| Non profit writing | 11/6/2009 |
| Q: Rhonda, Thank you in advance for any help you can offer. Although I love to write, I have never ... A: Congratulations on pursuing your writing passion! What you have achieved is commendable. It sounds ... | |
| Publishing book | 10/23/2009 |
| Q: I have written a book in spanish about personal growth and meditation and would like to know how I ... A: Jose, CONGRATULATIONS on writing your book!! I encourage you to secure a literary agent who has ... | |
| trademark | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: I have a friend who has wriiten a book about a longtime friend of his who is now deceased. He has ... A: Names are not generally trademarked. However, in some cases they are. I highly recommend that your ... | |
| childrens book | 10/2/2009 |
| Q: I am writing a series of 3 kids books, with CD's to go along. How do I print & press the books? ... A: Congrats on working on your children's books! I have never printed a book myself. I suggest you ... | |
| credibility | 8/17/2009 |
| Q: When writing about celebrities and their relationships, is there a credible source on the internet ... A: Contact the celebrity's publicist. Sometimes you can find the publicist name and contact ... | |
| Format | 8/14/2009 |
| Q: I have read hundreds of articles on formatting a manuscript, almost all say to use courier size 12 ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on your book! I agree with what you wrote. Most books are set at Times New Roman 12 ... | |
| Permission for writing excerts from other books | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: This is Abid Ali, from Kolkata(India), I wish to write a book on self development and success. In ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on working on your book! Generally if you quote 1-2 sentences from a book and ... | |
| Number of books about writing? | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: Is there any way to find out how many books there are on writing? Or how many books about writing ... A: Interesting question. You can check with Bowker and Bowker at: http://www.bowker.com/ Their ... | |
| HOW TO CHARGE FOR WRITING FOR SOMEONE | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: I am involved in writing non fiction books for people. After writing the books, the contractor's ... A: Congratulations on your writing! Please see below link from the National Writer's Union for rates. ... | |
| editing your own work | 6/6/2009 |
| Q: My question is in regards to editing your own work before sending it to a publishers. I was just ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on your writing! That's HUGE! CONGRATULATIONS over and over again! 1 Option - To ... | |
| Plagiarism? | 5/23/2009 |
| Q: If you have a report to do and you have to research articles online for it and you reword the ... A: I'm not sure what your teacher's goal is. I would rewrite the article using your own creative style ... | |
| Critiquing or Reviewing Books | 5/21/2009 |
| Q: Relating earlier questions here about book reviews, may I ask how deep a review can be? I plan to ... A: If you express your own original ideas when you write a review of a book it is not plagiarism. ... | |
| Plagiarism? | 5/20/2009 |
| Q: If you have a report to do and you have to research articles online for it and you reword the ... A: This reads like plagiarism to me. However, this is so general, I'm not sure that 100 other people ... | |
| How to build up a writer's resume? | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: I am a ultra-newbie to the writing world, having only written for school assignments through high ... A: CONGRATULATIONS on going after what you want as a writer! Cheers to you! In regards to getting ... | |
| how do ypu get a book published? | 2/21/2009 |
| Q: At the moment all I have, is an idea and the first few chapters to a story. After this I am ... A: Congrats on writing your book! As far as getting the book published, I encourage you to finish ... | |
| Word processors | 2/3/2009 |
| Q: Is it true that all editors demand manuscripts to be done in WORD? A: It is not true that all editors demand that manuscripts be done in Word. In fact, there are editors ... | |
| WRITING | 1/29/2009 |
| Q: I know this is not your specialty but maybe you know. I am creating a website on anxiety. Many ... A: Congrats on your book! Interesting question that I think a lot of people have from time to time. ... | |
| Collecting true stories | 1/28/2009 |
| Q: Some of my friends and I would like to collect stories from teachers on their experiences in the ... A: I think it's great that you and your friends are creating a book you and many others may be ... | |
| Writing talent | 1/27/2009 |
| Q: I like English, and it has always been my best subject. I'm trying to find which area of writing I ... A: Kudos to you on going after your passion to write! To find the type of writing you most enjoy, I ... | |
| RIghts in a collection of stories | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: The publisher's contract calls for exclusive NAR rights for 3 years. I don't have a problem with ... A: Congrats on your book collection! Exclusive rights mean that the work cannot appear anywhere else ... | |
| WRITING | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: I am writing a book on relaxation. There are many books that give techniques and steps to relax, or ... A: First - Congratulations on writing your book! If the steps are universal you can use them. However, ... | |
Writing Books
Answers by Expert:
Rhonda Campbell
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions on how to get published in magazines and newspapers; how to market your own books; how to earn a living writing; how to write press releases; how to find a good editor; how to edit your own books; finding a good printer; finding a good book illustrator; doing your taxes as a freelance writer. Questions I can't answer include specifics around working with a print on demand publisher
Experience
I have 36 years of experience as a writer (fiction and non-fiction). I am a book reviewer with Nielsen Media. I am a newspaper columnist and a reporter. I am a former radio station host and I am the editor of a literary newsletter, The Book Lover's Haven. I am also the author of more than 10 books.
Organizations
Writer's Critique Group
Publications
The Trenton Times
Philadelphia Trend
Sisters in Style
Essence Magazine
The Pittsburgh Quarterly
Obsidian II, etc.
Education/Credentials
I have taken numerous writing courses on book, proposal and grant writing as well as marketing and promotion
Awards and Honors
100 Most Admired African American Women
Who's Who
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