Speculations : The Rumor Mill : John Savage : Publisher Problems

Topic 1051 was started on 2002-06-21. There are 166 messages available to read.

We've got several topics on agents and editors. Here's one for specific problems with specific publishers. This is not the topic for whinging about the general parlous state of publishing, or of the difficulties of getting out of the slush pile. Instead, it is another part of Caveat Scrivener.

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Message 166 was left by Tracina * on 2003-08-18 10:44:53. Feedback: 0/0 Kylie, try the Ask Ann topic in the Caveat Scrivener folder.

Message 165 was left by Kylie * on 2003-08-18 02:38:56. Feedback: 0/0 Does anyone know anything about Arrow Publishing in Lowood Queensland?

Message 164 was left by Mark * on 2003-08-15 07:53:54. Feedback: 0/0 Cut somebody and you will always end up with blood on you. Extend kindness and it will come back to you. Work with others and all will accomplish something.

Message 163 was left by Tracina * on 2003-08-14 21:56:07. Feedback: 0/0 Re: 156 When I rechecked that second contract I mentioned, I found out I was confusing two different contracts; the one in question actually stipulates payment 60 days after acceptance of the ms, not on publication. So it was even later than I thought. :)

Message 162 was left by Tracina * on 2003-08-14 21:50:44. Feedback: 0/0 Mr. Akers, how, exactly, is a statement expressing exasperation with a crude and obvious shill (message 146) "authorizing" anything? And to which "slanderous remarks and unfounded statements" are you referring?

Message 161 was left by Kay * on 2003-08-14 08:39:27. Feedback: 0/0 Why am I on this page? I have never seen so much wrangling. Why don't you folks just write and enjoy life!

Message 160 was left by John Savage * on 2003-08-13 10:55:32. Feedback: 0/0 Mr. Akers: The proprietor of this board knows who I am, and has examined and verified my licensing data. I use this pseudonym for good and sufficient reason not related to the practice of law. So cough up. If you're going to claim to be an attorney, put forth satisfactory verification of your license to practice. If you're not an attorney and continue to so claim, be aware that every English-speaking jurisdiction of which I am aware (including several in Africa that were not even British colonies) has prohibited the practice. Even aside from the difference between slander and libel, remember that truth is a complete defense to any such accusation, and that making the accusation in a court proceeding allows the supposed defamer to take appropriate discovery. Based on my experience in this area (publisher and agent fraud), I suspect that the thought of an outside lawyer poking through its records and taking depositions from its clients is far more troublesome than anything said on this board. Don' t'row me in dat' dere courtroom, Br'er Fox!

Message 159 was left by Victoria Strauss * on 2003-08-13 10:22:17. Feedback: 0/0 - Benedict and Associates: This agency asks clients to defray copying and postage costs upfront. This is nonstandard; reputable agents typically accrue such expenses and deduct them from a client's advance. Also, from Mr. Benedict's own description of his submissions procedure, he appears to "blitz" submit (mailing a standard package out to multiple publishers all at the same time--sometimes, according to one former client, with outdated or incorrect contact names). This method is both ineffective--since it tends to involve a scattershot approach rather than a carefully targeted one--and detested by editors, who can usually tell when they're getting a form submission. Mr. Benedict claims a publishing background, but won't say what it is--a red flag, as someone with real publishing experience has no reason not to share that information. One writer who signed with Benedict told me that the agency claims three sales, all with established publishers. But though I've searched for the authors and titles, I can't find any of them on Amazon or elsewhere. Another author told me that when she asked Benedict for a list of sales, her contract offer was rescinded. - PublishAmerica: there's already been plenty of discussion. It's a neo-vanity publisher (a publisher that may not ask for upfront money, but whose main income derives from its authors and/or "pocket" markets surrounding them) that accepts almost everything submitted and neither markets nor distributes its books (in the accepted publishing industry sense of those words). It has an author-unfriendly contract, and has actively attempted to harass or intimidate critics and dissatisfied authors. - ST Literary Agency: Used to be called Sydra Techniques; I think the name change is an attempt to distance itself from the negative information available online about Sydra. This agency charges fees ($129 on contract signing, $15 for each submission mailed out). It used to be a small, non-fee-charging agency; according to documentation I've collected, its fee setup was initiated as a deliberate attempt to "commercialize" (i.e., derive cash from) the large number of submissions it was receiving. It's been charging fees for a couple of years now, but as far as I know hasn't made a commercial sale in that time. - Victoria

Message 158 was left by Dave Kuzminski * on 2003-08-13 10:08:07. Feedback: 0/0 The correct term would be libelous, Mr. Akers, not slanderous. I expect an attorney to know the difference and use it correctly.

Message 157 was left by William * on 2003-08-13 09:26:32. Feedback: -6/6 [This message is hidden. Click the Feedback link above to see why.]

Message 156 was left by Tracina * on 2003-08-11 12:34:13. Feedback: 0/0 Publishers also have individual takes on this. One publisher I contacted told me that my contract said "on publication" and that's when I should be paid, not 30, 60, or 90 days (or more) later. On the other hand, I'm still waiting for payment from a major book publisher whose contract stipulated payment on publication and whose anthology is on the shelves now. Unprofessional? Maybe. Uncommon, unfortunately not.

Message 155 was left by IC * on 2003-08-11 12:17:03. Feedback: 0/0 Clarification: I should have said that my payment delay occurred for a story in an anthology -- not for a whole anthology as my post implied. In an ideal world, writers would be paid on time or even in advance. Unfortunately this is not an ideal world, and sometimes we just have to accept that delays will occur. IMO the time to start getting seriously upset is when the 90-day mark drifts by and you still haven't had your money.

Message 154 was left by IC * on 2003-08-11 12:11:42. Feedback: 0/0 I expect many authors will have their own take on this. My own view is that while the publisher's behaviour is not ideal, "completely unprofessional" is perhaps a little strong. My experience has been that a delay of one or two months is in fact common for markets that promise to pay "on publication". Of course, this does not make it right. Nevertheless the fact is that the writer has minimal leverage in these situations, and little power to insist on immediate payment. If you actually do receive your money within 90 days, and the cheque doesn't bounce, my advice is to consider yourself lucky that you actually got paid at all by a publisher experiencing "financial problems". If you are still upset, then don't submit to them again. For what it's worth, the worst situation I've experienced involved a delay of 10-11 months between publication and payment. This was for an anthology from a major trade publisher. For a long time I wondered whether I'd ever get paid at all, but I did eventually see my money.

Message 153 was left by RM * on 2003-08-11 11:21:40. Feedback: 0/0 I hope this is the right forum to post this in. I sold a story to 3F Publications that, according to the contract, was supposed to pay .03 c/w upon publication. The other authors and I recently received an e-mail from the publisher saying that the books were shipping in a week or so and we would be paid "within 90 days." I wrote back and told her that my contract said "payment upon publication." She told me that due to financial problems I would be paid sometime within the next 90 days and she would still make good on the contracts. Am I overreacting in thinking this is completely unprofessional behavior?

Message 152 was left by Harold * on 2003-08-11 10:19:35. Feedback: 0/0 PublishAmerica has a lot of hidden costs. American Book Publishers did a friend's book. I think it looks good.

Message 151 was left by w.a.cole * on 2003-08-11 09:20:23. Feedback: 0/0 What about Benedict&Associates;, PublishAmerica, and ST literary agency.

Message 150 was left by Mike * on 2003-08-11 07:21:50. Feedback: 0/0 Shaun, I'm looking for the note about making $40,000 publishing with Glenn Mollette. Where is it? Wait...it's Susan. Susan..tell us more.

Message 149 was left by Shaun * on 2003-08-10 06:39:28. Feedback: 0/0 Susan please email me and tell me more how you made $16,000 and $40,000 working with Glenn Mollette. I lost about $1,000 messing with 1stbooks.

Message 148 was left by tracina * on 2003-08-09 21:49:41. Feedback: -11/11 [This message is hidden. Click the Feedback link above to see why.]

Message 147 was left by Tracina * on 2003-08-09 21:08:42. Feedback: 0/0 Sigh. Messages like #146 make you wonder how stupid Glenn Mollette and his trolls think we are.

Message 146 was left by Susan * on 2003-08-09 19:25:37. Feedback: -7/7 [This message is hidden. Click the Feedback link above to see why.]

Message 145 was left by Eugie Foster * on 2003-08-04 19:34:17. Feedback: 0/0 Re: 139 - Here & Now John, I've got a story slated for issue #5 of Here & Now. They recently sent out issue #3. According to the editor's blog, they've pushed the date for the other issues back due to the tardiness of #3, but it's still lively and kicking as a market.

Message 144 was left by Lenora Rose * on 2003-08-04 16:57:43. Feedback: 0/0 Sigh... Deceptive is the least of what Publish America is. Their cotnract is non-standard, and the number of other issues raised by people either published by them or looking into their publishing methods could (And has) gone on for pages. They also like to do unprofessional smear campaigns against their detractors, and any comment criticising them on their own boards is immediately deleted. If you really want to know more, ypou can go the the main Rumormill page (link at the top of this page), find the search function at the bottom of the page, and do a search for Publish America. You should find plenty; some positive, lots negative.

Message 143 was left by Micah OBrien on 2003-08-03 12:48:34. Feedback: 0/0 What is known about Publish America? I found them deceptive.

Message 142 was left by John B. Rosenman * on 2003-07-28 15:28:33. Feedback: 0/0 Thanks, Martin and Tracina. John

Message 141 was left by Tracina * on 2003-07-28 09:51:19. Feedback: 0/0 John, a better topic for your question would be General Questions About Markets in the Market Topics folder.

Message 140 was left by Martin Owton on 2003-07-28 05:06:19. Feedback: 0/0 I've had work published this year in Here and Now and as far as I'm aware the magazine is alive though the editor says on her website (www.bradanpress.co.uk)that she is behind on submissions.

Message 139 was left by John B. Rosenman * on 2003-07-27 10:03:31. Feedback: 0/0 Does anyone know anything about Here & Now, a quarterly brit mag? I've queried the editor repeatedly about a sub with no results. John Rosenman

Message 138 was left by Terry * on 2003-07-25 20:44:37. Feedback: 0/0 Cheryl, you can do your homework on this site. Scroll to the bottom of the page & find the Search windows. Put that company's name in the Text window and hit "Search." That should bring up a list of quite a few messages. This company's been discussed a lot here and you need to find out what's already been said.

Message 137 was left by lily s on 2003-07-25 19:21:34. Feedback: 0/0 Tell me about PublishAmerica for first-time authors. Cheryl

Message 136 was left by GLouise * on 2003-07-15 09:12:27. Feedback: 0/0 Shouldn't this topic be grouped with the caveat scrivener topics?

Message 135 was left by Richard Lewis * on 2003-07-14 18:37:42. Feedback: 0/0 Can anyone suggest to me the most respectable, quality-conscious publish-on-demand company? I raise this question in this topic because some discussion of self-publishing has occured here. I've searched the archives for this topic (also 'self publish') and on such companies as X-libris and IUniverse, but haven't found an answer (and a lot of the posts are old).

Message 134 was left by C_in_OZ * on 2003-07-12 00:52:11. Feedback: 0/0 question solved. script lost in post. thanks anyway.

Message 133 was left by C_in_OZ * on 2003-07-09 04:49:35. Feedback: 0/0 This is a specific question. Could someone tell me more about Slave Labor Publishing in San Jose? I sent them a submission of a comic about a year ago and never heard back from them despite several emails to acknowledge the submission at least. My concern stemmed from a recent comic in the US, whose story/characters/ etc is so close to my own, I'm quite disturbed. All I wanted was to trace where my submission went, if it arrived even. Doesn't seem too much to ask, regardless of how busy ppl are (yes, I've worked in publishing, this question is not about that). Any other comics writers/artists with specific information, I would be most grateful. Just trying to work out what's going on??? Thank You. C in Australia

Message 132 was left by Tracina * on 2003-06-20 13:20:29. Feedback: 0/0 Enrique, try posting in either Ask Ann or Agents--the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, both in the Caveat Scrivener folder. Also, you can search the Rumor Mill archives on D.A.L.A. by going to the search function at the bottom of the main page and typing "Dominick Abel" in the Text field.

Message 131 was left by Enrique * on 2003-06-19 14:55:14. Feedback: 0/0 Does anybody have feedback on Dominick Abel Literary Agency in NY? Thanks in advance

Message 130 was left by Mr. Haberkamp * on 2003-06-13 10:18:54. Feedback: 0/0 Thanks to all of you for giving me some valuable information. I was leery on sending my work to someone who didn't want any information about it, let alone send the entire work over the internet. If there is anything else I should know about Glenn Mollette, please post, and thanks again to all the posters

Message 129 was left by Tracina * on 2003-06-13 09:20:54. Feedback: 0/0 Mr. Haberkamp, you can also post this query in the Ask Ann topic in the Caveat Scrivener folder, and may get a bigger response. I don't know if this is useful to you, but it's a little more information: Message 1185 was left by Dave Kuzminski, Editor, Preditors and Editors (tm) in topic 258 on 2003-05-22 22:26:01. Feedback: 0/0 Tony, recommendations are posted beside the agency listing. P&E; avoids posting duplicate notices beside the agent names because that creates more entries to track whenever a rating changes. Instead, the names generally reference the agency the agent works with. Looking up that gives visitors the address or link and other information known about the agency. Also, if there's a new agent P&E; hasn't heard about and a visitor to the P&E; site knows the agent works for XYZ Agency, then it would be reasonable for the visitor to check out the listing for XYZ Agency and see if there's a warning. So, in answer to your question, Glenn Mollette would be not recommended because GMA Literary On-Line is not recommended.

Message 128 was left by SueO2 * on 2003-06-13 08:52:36. Feedback: 0/0 My attempt at linking failed, so I copied the post from my own search against GM's name: Message 4229 was left by Victoria Strauss in topic 200 on 2003-01-23 16:10:29. Feedback: 0/0 Writer Beware has received a number of complaints about Glenn Mollette of GMA Literary. He charges a variable upfront fee--amounts as high as $450 have been reported to me. I'm not aware he's ever made any commercial book sales. The book placements he lists are all with publishers that can't be located, or with small publishers that don't require authors to be agented (i.e., the author could have made the sale on his own), or with his own subsidy publisher, Inspirational Press. Three of the titles he lists as placed by him are actually authored by him. The subsidy publishing is a fairly recent development. I've gotten reports of charges as high as $3,900 for a publication package that can be obtained from self-publishing companies like iUniverse for only a few hundred dollars. I'd consider this a conflict of interest for someone actually capable of functioning as an agent; but for an agency like Mr. Mollette's, it's more on the lines of a logical development. American Book Publishers does appear to be a POD-based publisher. It charges a $760 deposit for its publication package, has a nonstandard contract, and puts heavy pressure on its authors to buy bulk quantities of their own books.

Message 127 was left by SueO2 * on 2003-06-13 08:50:56. Feedback: 0/0

Message 126 was left by Mr. Haberkamp * on 2003-06-13 08:40:54. Feedback: 0/0 I did that and nothing came up of significance

* Posted by non-registered author.