Not long ago I published a blog piece titled "Author Beware" regarding predatory publishing.
After more than half a year and more money than I care to think about I have finally won the rights to my own books back. That warning I blogged about was my own cautionary tale. The publisher who contracted my first book and then the rest of the trilogy (and two more books) used me and my books to launch their own LLC off the ground. I've since learned a lot from other writers and publishers about this practice and what to watch out for.
It's a shame that we as writers have to be so careful with our work and what we do with it. I feel bad for the other authors who are still contracted with that publisher. Their work isn't being marketed or even edited the way it should. Editing is a key part of producing a smooth, polished, professional-looking piece, and it is the duty of the publisher to provide that service when it is in the contract. They aren't editing any of their short stories at all. This is evident in their one published anthology, and in every edition of their online "ezine".
Not only that, but their contracts aren't being fulfilled the way they were promised, either. When the business is nepotism and focused on supporting the one other successful book they've sold, the other authors are going to fall by the wayside.
The real shame is that successful book, a wonderful one in its own right, is doing well because the author is a masterful marketer. I applaud her hard work and everything she has done to make her book the success it is, because she really brought it into the spotlight.
My fingers are crossed that any of the other authors are willing to do the work to try and bring their work into the same spotlight and hopefully see some of that success, because the publisher is not going to do that work for them. as was promised.
I've run across some amazing people in this industry, some wonderful editors and publishers, and hope to continue to do the same. My eyes are open now, and I hope to help open the eyes of others who might not know what to watch out for, as well.
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