Publishers The Bad

The long awaited post. You wrote a novel. You went through the process of having it edited, cover and everything done. Now, all you have to do is submit it to any publisher and they'll accept it. After all, you did all the work. Right? Eh, not even close. Look at it this way, seeking a publisher is like apply to college.

First things first. You have to scout out a publishers that accepts your genre. I know, *sigh* more research. A lot of traditional publishers don't accept query letters if you're not represented by an agent. (We'll talk more about agents later)

Important side note - if you do find a publisher that accepts outside material *cough* *cough* yours, make sure you follow their rules. Dot the i's and cross the t's. If you can't follow the submission, they don't think you'll listen to them after you're on board.

Yes, you'll get rejection letters. You'll get a lot of them. Add them to the pile. Whatever. Sure, there was one publisher you really wanted to get in with, they rejected you. Some will give you reasons, others won't.

In all those dos and donts of writing queries; they'll say a traditional publisher will never as you to pay. That's not 100% true. No, you don't have to pay any upfront costs like with POD publishers. The only 'upfront' fee they may ask (or require) is a fee to read your manuscript. It's a small fee. It helps them eliminate the serious versus non serious. But, wait! I'm serious and I feel that they shouldn't ask for a fee! Oh, shut up. It's their publishing house, their rules. If you don't like their rules, then go somewhere else. Or, better yet, start your own publishing house. May we move on? Good.

Traditional publishers sometimes has promotions on bringing on new authors. Submitting your query letter is a lot like applying to college. How many do you think they're receiving? You have to stand above the rest to be noticed and taken seriously.

Also note - Many publishers don't even know what they're looking for. Many turned down Dr. Suess. Many turned down Harry Potter. Many turned down Twilight. And, look at where they're at.

There is a major don't. I'm tired of hearing it.

"If they want my work, they're going to have to pay me an advancement in royalties or a sign on bonus."

One, who the fuck do you think you are? Stephen King, yes can demand that. Though, he doesn't need it, but he can demand it and get it. You? Who are you, again? Oh, that's right, you're a nobody. I'm a nobody. Get over it. You have to start somewhere. And, trust me darling, there's X amount of work out there that they don't need yours. Do you think a college is going to pay you to attend? Ha! If they do, yes, jump on board and fast. If not, shut up.

There are pros and cons of traditional publishing. Lets talk about the cons. Well, more so warnings.
If they're not an already well known (and liked), do your research. I'm the first one that will give a chance on a small publishing house. Just like us, you gotta start somewhere. Remember, microsoft, google and how many others started out in their garage?

I thought I had done well with my old publishing company. I was Freedom of Speech Publishing. In the beginning, I research them high and low. Everything checked out. They spoke what any good salesman would speak. Since, I was already set up to publish on my own with the great team behind me, all I had to do was hand the books over and they would market. (Or, so I thought.)

I revised the contract that was submitted. I made sure they couldn't walk away and I made sure my work was protected.

We'll go through the basics of any author/publisher contract.

1. Always make sure it specifies the work your letting them help you with. If it just states: manuscript, novel, work, series, saga, books - (well, no real publisher would put that) but, that protects you because you're not agreeing on a certain work.

2. There are many rights when it comes to the author world. Lets talk about the most common. Exclusive rights. That's really the only one you want to concentrate on. (Anything else, be wary). Exclusive rights is giving them "first" rights to print your book. That means, you're not allowed to produce your book yourself to make a profit. (Or have anyone else or another publishing house print for you) Say they print the first book you agreed with them on, and they don't or you don't want to have them print your next book, then you're free to go elsewhere.

But, they didn't even print my first book. or They botched it up so badly. or They're refusing to work with me.

If your contract states what #1 says, then go elsewhere or print it yourself. Or make a second edition and start the process all over again.

3. When giving exclusive rights to movie/film/tv ect... This one's up to you. If and a very strong if, if they are a REAL publisher they'll have the insides better than you. They'll know where to go and get it done.

4. Term of period. Make sure it doesn't state that if you don't cancel it rolls over. I have mine extra protected. I have my work set up in a trust account. To where, if it's stated in a contract, that portion is immediately null and void. I don't "own" my work, but I have the executor of my work to where I can do what I want with it. Yes, it's a highly complicated legal procedure. In theory to the world, a minor owns the property.

5. The author claims they are the sole (only) person to the work. Again, how I have my complex legal set up, I am. But, I'm not. Again, I literally could write a book on how to do that, but not in this blog.

6. It claims that you the author will not copyright/trademark/ blah blah against anyone else. Duh? Right? If they were a real publishing house, neither would they. I know a lot of new publishers out there that don't understand this concept. (They also don't double check their authors' work)

7. The average is 35-50% pay. Anything less, stay away from. Unless they already have their name made, don't work with them. They're shotty and trying to bring in unsuspecting authors. Don't fall for it! I did. *Sigh* Huge lesson learned. (Remind you, I paid for editing, covers, copyrights, legal and everything else)

Warnings...

If there is a name attached to the Publishing house (i.e. personal name) Safe bet, they aren't a real company and to stay away from them.

If you talk to them over the phone and they laugh at you. Yeah, do you really want to do business with them?

If there is only one or two points of contact for the entire company. Yeah, stay away from.

If they don't have a real book keeper. (Yes, under federal law you may ask that question.) Though, I wouldn't demand it from a reputable company. The smaller no name ones, yes. Also ask them who their legal counsel is. Their business number. Number I mean registration number and where they're registered out of. (If they're registered out of one state and work in another, beware!)

It is PERFECTLY LEGAL to ask other authors who have dealt with a former publishing house. Now, unless that author got a settlement for the publishing house for doing wrong and signed a clause, they can tell you anything they want about their experiences.

If a publishing house says you can't talk to other authors. That's morally wrong!!! If you're already in a contract with them, seek legal help and get out and run!

If a publishing house says you can't talk to your editor. RUN! And I mean run for the hills with your work as fast as you can.

If a publishing house refuses to pay for anything, they're not a real publishing house and seek legal because that contract just became null and void. The first exclusive right is to say they'll pay for everything. If you have to pay for everything, why have them?

If a publisher says they'll put out your work and they'll do a 2nd edition with the corrections later, oh, fucking run! Remember, you have no second chances in applying to a college (unless you wait a year and they forget about you) So, run!

Check the BBB. If they're not listed as a company, run! I reported Freedom of Speech Publishing and so did many of their past authors. Call the village/town/city to which they say they do business.

Again, I know it sounds time consuming, but it'll save you a lot of hassle down the road. The reason I know all this, my team and myself dug a lot of research.

What's the main reason you're seeking a traditional publisher? Answer - marketing.

The small traditional publishing houses, should, (keyword: should) be highly qualified as if they were a major publishing house. Ask them what have they done for past authors, what are their achievements. Do NOT I repeat do NOT buy the excuse that they are new.

Well, I have unfinished projects I have to finish. I'll write more later. Feel free to ask questions. Again, when I respond with an answer, it's solely my opinion and not to be intended as legal advice or talking on behalf of someone else.