Questionable publishers

[JeanneT]

This came up in another post and I don't see that it has been discussed (I might just be missing it.)

There are more than a few publishers out there who rather than scammers are simply clueless. Some are easy to spot. Others are not so easy. And some have absolutely miserable contracts. I sold my first novel to a small publisher and although I tried to be careful who I submitted to, I did submit to some that later I felt were questionable because their contracts were so bad. I turned down FOUR contracts before I finally signed one.

Anyway, I thought some of you, Dave or someone else, might have some tips on how to spot the publishers who don't ask for money but still should be avoided.

[Donnettetxgirl]

What I did was talk to some of the publisher's authors to get their take on how they have been treated. Actively look for some of the books on the market that they claim they have had published for their authors. It is a rough go with a brand new publisher. If they haven't been around that long it's hard to find evidence of how successful or not successful they are as a publisher.

Blu Phier was very new when I signed with them. The CEO of the company was still learning in many aspects. This could have gone either way. Luckily he took a real interest in making his publishing company as good as he could for his authors. He's hired on some good people who are very experienced. I'm very satisfied with the changes they've made since I signed.

But, there are many new publishing companies sprouting up out there. Sometimes it can be a real challenge trying to take a good look inside before you sign.

Good for you Jeanne. It sounds like you knew exactly what you were looking for. Holding out for the right contract was good thinking.

Donnette Smith
Author of Lady Gabriella
www.freewebs.com/romanceauthor
www.myspace.com/storycreater     

[DaveKuzminski]

Speaking for P&E, we try to give all new publishers the benefit of the doubt unless they're so clueless that they're charging reading fees and so forth. Then we rate them accordingly because if they're serious about becoming publishers, then it's up to them to do the research on how to operate as a publisher. Sure, it's legal to charge a reading fee, but we don't have to give them a bye just because they're new. In most cases, our opinion when expressed as a recommendation is often enough to catch their attention and give them an incentive to reconsider their policies.

Basically, the best tips I can offer are listed on the Warnings page at P&E. Be sure to read the bottom paragraph that explains how to use those warnings. In other words, some legitimate publishers might actually have a few red flags now and then, but that doesn't make them a scam or a bad risk. It's when they have too many red flags that real concern should be taken into full account.

[DaveKuzminski]

Significant complaints are emerging concerning Jones Harvest Publishing. A number of writers have already paid thousands each for services that are not being provided according to contract. Furthermore, the founder of Jones Harvest Publishing was one of the founders of Airleaf which is currently facing legal action from the Indiana Attorney General.

[bodwen]

I've stumbled upon a means of seperating the wheat fromn the chaff.    

I've found that "Mystery Writers of America" has a list of "acceptable publishers" listed on their membership page.  An author has to have a book accepted into one of those houses to be considered legitimately published, and therefore eligible for membership.

I don't intend to join anytime soon, but I have been taking full advantage of the list.  I can only imagine that there are other groups and lists for the other genres.   

[Aiala]

If every paragraph in a 20-page contract contains the phrase "sole discretion of the publisher", run, don't walk, to the nearest dumpster and deposit the contract therein.

(Unless, of course, you're a masochistic victim type and enjoy being scrued. In that case, sign it and prepare to "assume the position".) 
~A~

[bodwen]

Oh, that good!  Can I use that for my bio section?

(I am an expert in the topic I am writing about, with more than a decade of firsthand experience.  I am also a masochistic victim type who enjoys being screwed out of her rights as an artist. If you take me on as one of your authors, I will be more than happy to "assume the position.") 

[Aiala]

(I am an expert in the topic I am writing about, with more than a decade of firsthand experience.  I am also a masochistic victim type who enjoys being screwed out of her rights as an artist. If you take me on as one of your authors, I will be more than happy to "assume the position.") 

LOL!!! Who could possibly resist? 

~A~

[MarvaD]

Maybe this is a good place to bury a question where certain publishers won't find it.

I had a YA scifi published by Inept Publishers in June, 2008.  The contract is for two years.  There is no severability clause other than not renewing the contract at that time.

I am rewriting this book, changing it into an adult version.  Same plot and characters, but a different title and some character names have been changed.  I upped the age of the Protag to allow her to have sex.  This means I've added sex scenes (not erotica, but spicy).  I'm also adding a few thousand words.  The book doesn't follow the romance rules (bummer, the "hero" dies), so I'll query it as straight scifi.

Could I query this new book to agents (or publishers) before the expiration of the contract?

If I do, should I mention the PG12 version already published?