The Black Hole

A lot of books get published then disappear from sight. Not because of authors not promoting them, but because of bad publishers. A group I like to refer to as The Black Hole, because their damage is wide and never ending.

Scenario #1:

A publisher emailed an aspiring author offering publication. She had posted part of her novel on her website and the publisher told her how impressed she was with her work and that she knew that they could find a market. Flattered, the author decided to sign with them without an agent or literary lawyer looking over the contract. Well, they printed the book charging the author $10,000 to do so. She sold nearly a thousand copies before the company uprooted and disappeared with the rest of her books and all rights to them.

What’s wrong with this picture?
First, I’m very wary of publishers who seek out authors. Good publishers usually have more authors than they need.
Second, the author signed without representation thus losing all rights to her book.
Third, the author paid to get published.

Scenario# 2:

An aspiring author felt confident with his choice because the publisher didn’t ask for money, answered all his questions promptly, and showed him other printed books that had sold well. So this author signed and waited for the royalties to roll in. He waited and waited and waited until he was told that the publisher had filed bankruptcy because he’d used the profits (i.e. the authors’ royalties) from his publishing company to cover his gambling debts.

What should you do?

These are only a small sample of some of the horror stories authors have dealt with when dealing with publishers. These two were book publishers, but magazine publishers (any type of publisher basically) can be just as shady: “We loved your article! Just send us $20 and we’ll print it.” You can avoid bad publishers in by:

Researching them. Talk to other authors (ones you look up yourself, don’t let the publisher suggest anyone. They could be family members for all you know.) They should not take all rights ever. They should have been in business for several years and have a good reputation.

Asking about fees. There shouldn’t be any–full stop.

Asking about distribution. What are their distribution channels like? How long have they worked with them?

Getting representation. Before you sign any contract have your agent or hire a literary lawyer to look it over for you. I don’t care if the publisher is legitimate you need a representative on your side who will look out for your best interests. It’s worth the money.

Whether the publisher is POD, ebook or traditional you must not be so grateful that you will allow them to run over you.

You can find out more by reading this post on theWriter Beware Blog.

After you read that, look at this scenario:

An author was at a writing conference and hears about a new publisher. He researches the publisher and discovers they have legitimate sales and happy clients under their traditional company and also have a book doctoring and POD division. The author submits his work and soon receives an offer with an advance.

What’s wrong with the scenario, if anything? And why?