Comments on: To all the authors: Thank you http://www.tinynibbles.com/blogarchives/2015/02/to-all-the-authors-thank-you.html Journalist and author Violet Blue's site for sex and tech culture, accurate sex information, erotica and more. Tue, 26 May 2015 17:18:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mitzi Szereto http://www.tinynibbles.com/blogarchives/2015/02/to-all-the-authors-thank-you.html/comment-page-1#comment-94137 Mitzi Szereto Thu, 19 Feb 2015 18:10:39 +0000 http://www.tinynibbles.com/?p=22143#comment-94137 I'm afraid I cannot remain silent on this matter either. I've worked with this publishing house since 2000, left for a few years, then returned when the new publishing head reached out to me about pitching some new books to them. I have since done several anthologies and novels, all of which were original concepts. For some time now I've had my suspicions and concerns on a number of issues, but like Violet, I believed I was being treated ethically with regard to contractual matters. Alas, the digital royalty rate (and this isn't the only rate I question) appear to be anything BUT ethical. I was assured in an email (we're talking years back) that I was already receiving a higher digital rate, as it was "built in." If this is the case, it is not reflected anywhere or being paid to me. I signed that addendum to which Violet refers and now deeply regret it, as I hadn't realised it would keep providing me with a digital royalty rate that is unheard of in this industry. Shall I mention the delayed release of my "Halloween" book release Darker Edge of Desire? It came out right on top of Christmas - a delay which lost me a lot of credibility, especially with reviewers who were expecting the book almost 3 months earlier! I'm promoting the hell out of it as well, but at this point I feel as if I'm working for free. I am curious what will transpire now that the publishing house has changed hands, but at this point I'm beginning to wonder why they bought a small press that doesn't seem to be publishing except for what's already in the pipeline. I seriously doubt the back list is that valuable! I also wonder what kind of deal they will offer authors, should anything actually get to that point. I have nothing against continuing my publishing relationship with the new entity, providing it is a fair one. But this time I won't be so quick to sign away my life. As for our current contracts, we're well and truly stuck with those. I'm just sickened that my trust has been abused like this. I should have known my gut instinct was right - it usually is. I’m afraid I cannot remain silent on this matter either. I’ve worked with this publishing house since 2000, left for a few years, then returned when the new publishing head reached out to me about pitching some new books to them. I have since done several anthologies and novels, all of which were original concepts.

For some time now I’ve had my suspicions and concerns on a number of issues, but like Violet, I believed I was being treated ethically with regard to contractual matters. Alas, the digital royalty rate (and this isn’t the only rate I question) appear to be anything BUT ethical. I was assured in an email (we’re talking years back) that I was already receiving a higher digital rate, as it was “built in.” If this is the case, it is not reflected anywhere or being paid to me. I signed that addendum to which Violet refers and now deeply regret it, as I hadn’t realised it would keep providing me with a digital royalty rate that is unheard of in this industry.

Shall I mention the delayed release of my “Halloween” book release Darker Edge of Desire? It came out right on top of Christmas – a delay which lost me a lot of credibility, especially with reviewers who were expecting the book almost 3 months earlier! I’m promoting the hell out of it as well, but at this point I feel as if I’m working for free.

I am curious what will transpire now that the publishing house has changed hands, but at this point I’m beginning to wonder why they bought a small press that doesn’t seem to be publishing except for what’s already in the pipeline. I seriously doubt the back list is that valuable! I also wonder what kind of deal they will offer authors, should anything actually get to that point. I have nothing against continuing my publishing relationship with the new entity, providing it is a fair one. But this time I won’t be so quick to sign away my life. As for our current contracts, we’re well and truly stuck with those. I’m just sickened that my trust has been abused like this. I should have known my gut instinct was right – it usually is.

]]> By: Kristina Wright http://www.tinynibbles.com/blogarchives/2015/02/to-all-the-authors-thank-you.html/comment-page-1#comment-94131 Kristina Wright Wed, 18 Feb 2015 04:15:44 +0000 http://www.tinynibbles.com/?p=22143#comment-94131 Thanks for posting this, Violet. And thanks also to Alison. You both have been inspirations of mine for years and I hold you in the highest regard. I have my own post to write, though things are such a jumbled mess I don't even know where to start. Or if the worst is over. Or how long it's all going to drag out. But I have authors to answer to and my own reputation as an editor to protect and I'm angry, so angry, at how this is all playing out and how helpless I feel. Thank you for your voice and your transparency. Thanks for posting this, Violet. And thanks also to Alison. You both have been inspirations of mine for years and I hold you in the highest regard. I have my own post to write, though things are such a jumbled mess I don’t even know where to start. Or if the worst is over. Or how long it’s all going to drag out. But I have authors to answer to and my own reputation as an editor to protect and I’m angry, so angry, at how this is all playing out and how helpless I feel. Thank you for your voice and your transparency.

]]> By: Falbert http://www.tinynibbles.com/blogarchives/2015/02/to-all-the-authors-thank-you.html/comment-page-1#comment-94130 Falbert Tue, 17 Feb 2015 21:23:30 +0000 http://www.tinynibbles.com/?p=22143#comment-94130 Thank you, Violet, from someone who is not one of your authors, but has been considering getting into the field. It's good to see what can happen as a hopefully rare occurence, but when I'm feeling more cynical, is probably fairly common in an industry that is going through some seriously tumultuous times. Thank you, Violet, from someone who is not one of your authors, but has been considering getting into the field.

It’s good to see what can happen as a hopefully rare occurence, but when I’m feeling more cynical, is probably fairly common in an industry that is going through some seriously tumultuous times.

]]> By: Beatrix http://www.tinynibbles.com/blogarchives/2015/02/to-all-the-authors-thank-you.html/comment-page-1#comment-94128 Beatrix Tue, 17 Feb 2015 11:05:30 +0000 http://www.tinynibbles.com/?p=22143#comment-94128 You and Alison are both so amazing, to write for and read and follow, and just in general. I'll follow you both anywhere. You and Alison are both so amazing, to write for and read and follow, and just in general. I’ll follow you both anywhere.

]]> By: Violet Blue http://www.tinynibbles.com/blogarchives/2015/02/to-all-the-authors-thank-you.html/comment-page-1#comment-94124 Violet Blue Tue, 17 Feb 2015 05:41:58 +0000 http://www.tinynibbles.com/?p=22143#comment-94124 Thank you. And thank you for being my friend after all these years, and for being so understanding, too. Here's to us finding a way to do our art without worrying about anything more than character resolution and grammar police! Love you, Vi Thank you. And thank you for being my friend after all these years, and for being so understanding, too. Here’s to us finding a way to do our art without worrying about anything more than character resolution and grammar police!

Love you,
Vi

]]> By: Alison Tyler http://www.tinynibbles.com/blogarchives/2015/02/to-all-the-authors-thank-you.html/comment-page-1#comment-94123 Alison Tyler Tue, 17 Feb 2015 01:28:37 +0000 http://www.tinynibbles.com/?p=22143#comment-94123 Thank you for posting this, Violet. XXX, AT Thank you for posting this, Violet.

XXX,
AT

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