LG isn’t happy with me.

She called me the other day to ask a question — a question to which the answer is long and involved.

Since I cover it clearly and concisely in one of my books, I suggested she get hold of the book and read that chapter.

LG’s response was to call me a money-grubbing slime bucket who had no interest in helping people but was merely in it to sell books.

Perhaps she thought the 80 cent royalty I would collect on the book sale would help me move into a mansion.

By the way, when LG asked me the question, she never offered to compensate me for my time.

Apparently LG feels that as an author, I am ?obligated to give free consulting to anyone who calls or e-mails. Many people seem to feel this way.

Today I received a direct mail promotion from a company called Vocus selling a PR management system.

The offer: take a demo and get a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Only problem is, I took the demo months ago and never received the card.

Each time a Vocus rep called me to follow up and sell me their product, I explained we had nothing to talk about until I got my gift card.

The reps told me they had no control over that and seemed totally unconcerned.

If you are going to make an offer in direct mail, honor it when you get a response.