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Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:32 am
by Vandal
The curse of Lizzie continues.
Writers AMuse Me Publishers, who published Center Point in 2013 and re-published Dizzy Miss Lizzie last November, is having financial difficulties and have decided to become a co-op (pay to publish) venture. I declined their offer to stay and they are in the process of returning my rights. Unlike Stanley Publishing (killed by Lizzie in 2012), WAMM is doing the right thing and returneing rights and removing content from internet sites. Neither of the books are available on Amazon as of this morning, except for used copies.
So I went from having and agent and three books published with two coming out later this year to no agent, one book published, two in limbo and six manuscripts in various stages of suck.
2015 can already bite me!
Don't worry, I will bounce back. These are not life and death issues.
As always, I thank you all for your constant support.
Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:33 am
by MarleysGh0st
Oh my.
So you're saying there's more supernatural in your book than just the plot line.

Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:15 am
by gsabc
Dang, that sucks. +~+~+~+~+~+~ heading toward you and your books to get them out to the public once again.
Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:16 pm
by silverscreenselect
Vandal wrote:The curse of Lizzie continues.
Writers AMuse Me Publishers, who published Center Point in 2013 and re-published Dizzy Miss Lizzie last November, is having financial difficulties and have decided to become a co-op (pay to publish) venture. I declined their offer to stay and they are in the process of returning my rights.
That sucks.
I'm not sure what the economics are as far as self-publishing on Amazon, but you might consider that. I really felt that one of the problems with Center Point on Amazon was the price. It's very hard to justify paying $6.99 for a book that seems very similar to others that are selling for $0.99 to 3.99. I've been talking to several writers who are probably a lot like you as far as their overall reputation (and general quality level of their work) and they are self-publishing their books, which seems to give them control over various pricing promotions they can do.
Good luck.
Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 3:04 pm
by mellytu74
VERY sorry to read this.
Hope something works out - whether it's a new publisher or a reversal in your decision to self-publish.
Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 6:01 pm
by Vandal
Thanks, all.
Self-pubbing appears to be the most logical course of action for both of these books.
By the way, self publishing does not mean free. In most cases, there is cost for cover art, ISBNs and editing. The author has to weigh how many copies he thinks it will sell versus this initial outlay.
Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 7:26 pm
by Beebs52
You shall prevail. Non illegitimate coxsukerundum beatici you whatever since I core dumped that phrase awhile ago.
Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:06 am
by Bob Juch
My friend Kim, from Long Island, just self-published her first novel. She paid for the cover art and $200 for proof-reading (but got a $20 job).
Here's the link:
Steele Resolve
Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 6:20 pm
by Catfish
This bites. Sorry to hear it. Good luck with your decision making. I wouldn't like your voice to be quashed. Is the co-op a truly horrible idea? At least those people seem respectable.
Love,
Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:06 pm
by Vandal
Catfish wrote:This bites. Sorry to hear it. Good luck with your decision making. I wouldn't like your voice to be quashed. Is the co-op a truly horrible idea? At least those people seem respectable.
Love,
The people at WAMM are fine and respectable and I'm glad they gave me an out. The co-op is on the marketing/promotions end of the publishing spectrum. This was never fully explained, but this typically means the author has to lay out cash for a publicist or "buy" reviews or any number of non-free ventures. This money could never be recouped with a press this small and I doubt it will make enough of a difference in sales.
Foe example, I sold a whopping 4 copies of Center Point on-line in 2014 (one per quarter). FOUR. I gave interviews and guest blogs and got over a dozen reviews on my own, but to no avail. Lizzie sold one copy in Q4 even after months of my own promotion.
WAMM even lowered the e-prices to $3.99 (just to make SSS happy!) but it wasn't enough.
There's a little saying called Yog's Law: Money flows toward the author.
I'll buy some books, but at least I can make some money that way.
We should have Center Point available up on Amazon through their self-publishing service. I'm not sure what to do with Lizzie.
Don't worry, my voice will not be quashed.

Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:09 pm
by Beebs52
Not quashed!
Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 6:29 am
by Vandal
Beebs52 wrote:Not quashed!
Yeah, what she said.
Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:31 am
by Bob Juch
Well have a happy birthday anyway.

Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 1:54 pm
by T_Bone0806
Stay the course. I have always enjoyed reading your stories, not to mention the stuff you post here for our amusement. These disappointments will make the eventual victory even sweeter. As your Red Sox proved a decade ago.
P.S. you DO realize how hard typing that last sentence was for me, yes?

Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 6:13 am
by Vandal
Publisher sent me an official rights reversion letter for the three contracted books, so this chapter is now closed.
The next chapter is already being written, so there may be some good news coming...
Re: Another publisher bites the dust
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 7:06 pm
by gsabc
Appendages crossed!