I once sold a story about two mentally ill people wandering around and one was spouting conspiracy theories. I was published by a guy who didn't get that the characters conspiracy theory babble was a symptom not a message to readers. Later I saw that publisher posting a blog post where he said we should pay more attention to this david Duke guy.
That was probably the worst case. Although I write short stories so I just take my money and move on with my life.
Yes to all this. I have an indy publishing company (dybbuk press) and I sometimes mess up (I still need to calculate the royalties for 2023. They are pretty small which is why the authors that work with me don't mind. The 78 cents for their story published in 2010 isn't going to do much) and I do use public domain artwork when I can't afford an artist. But I always make sure the authors get paid and aren't embarrassed to be published by me.
“ But I always make sure the authors get paid and aren't embarrassed to be published by me.” Boom. That’s it. You’re part of why indies are awesome and I will work with them forever.
Thanks for being one of the true 'real ones' who tell it like it is. We love you for it. You are my favorite unbeknownst online mentor as I struggle to write my first book/probably novella!
I suffered the silent treatment with an indie publisher, with a 4-book contract that lapsed, and I'm glad it did because fellow writers that had books published with that press have never seen a penny of royalties and struggle to get their rights back, to this day. I dodged a bullet. To everything you say up there, Gabino, I would add: "reach out to other writers" - do some research, contact people that have been published by XYZ and ask about their experience - people are reluctant to talk publicly but will vent in private. Also, use resources. Victoria Strauss is writing the Writer Beware blog, it's linked with SFWA but you don't need to be a member to read her posts. Here's one that talks about a press I know: https://writerbeware.blog/2023/06/30/small-press-storm-warnings-adelaide-books-propertius-press-touchpoint-press/ .
Thanks for sharing all of this. It's certainly going to make me investigate the small publisher that liked my #PitDark tweet more carefully. Thanks for the retweet btw!
Very interesting piece. Might come in handy one day but right now even my short stories gather nothing except form rejections. Really love your work, Gabino! Been pushing Devil Takes Me like a mf. Every horror fanatic should read it.
A good one? Easy: they have distribution set up, they’ll take care of your cover, editing, and layout, they have an established audience, they have media contacts and send out galleys, they will give you an advance, etc. Also—and on top of all the work—publishing your own stuff isn’t for everyone.
Ah ok, some must do far more than others. I’m in a writers group and it seems like some of the indie presses do very little for the authors and then use Amazon to print anyway, which anyone could use.
This is so on the money, as always. Thank you thank you thank you I'm about to publish with an indy horror press, and when they approached me I was pretty desperate, having been ghosted by so my called agent and rejected by the Big 5...but not that desperate that I didn't due my diligence with the contract. The publisher let me rewrite the contract and retain all the subsidiary rights--which I took to be an excellent sign--and I got a say in the cover. The remaining part of the equation is getting paid once the book comes out--so we'll see how that goes.
Wow. Your article is an eye-opener! Thanks for posting. The indie publisher I’m with has done NONE of what you listed, so I’m feeling pretty blessed. But in the words of the immortal Mia Wallace, “I say goddamn”
I once sold a story about two mentally ill people wandering around and one was spouting conspiracy theories. I was published by a guy who didn't get that the characters conspiracy theory babble was a symptom not a message to readers. Later I saw that publisher posting a blog post where he said we should pay more attention to this david Duke guy.
That was probably the worst case. Although I write short stories so I just take my money and move on with my life.
Yes to all this. I have an indy publishing company (dybbuk press) and I sometimes mess up (I still need to calculate the royalties for 2023. They are pretty small which is why the authors that work with me don't mind. The 78 cents for their story published in 2010 isn't going to do much) and I do use public domain artwork when I can't afford an artist. But I always make sure the authors get paid and aren't embarrassed to be published by me.
“ But I always make sure the authors get paid and aren't embarrassed to be published by me.” Boom. That’s it. You’re part of why indies are awesome and I will work with them forever.
Thank you - I needed this as I gird my loins for a conversation on overdue Royalty statements.
Good luck!
"I don’t give a fuck about your opinion on this."
Well spewed !
Thanks for being one of the true 'real ones' who tell it like it is. We love you for it. You are my favorite unbeknownst online mentor as I struggle to write my first book/probably novella!
You got this! 🖤
Make it a novel, Ms. Poole. For every novella a hundred, or maybe a thousand novels are published. The whole thing is hard enuf.
I suffered the silent treatment with an indie publisher, with a 4-book contract that lapsed, and I'm glad it did because fellow writers that had books published with that press have never seen a penny of royalties and struggle to get their rights back, to this day. I dodged a bullet. To everything you say up there, Gabino, I would add: "reach out to other writers" - do some research, contact people that have been published by XYZ and ask about their experience - people are reluctant to talk publicly but will vent in private. Also, use resources. Victoria Strauss is writing the Writer Beware blog, it's linked with SFWA but you don't need to be a member to read her posts. Here's one that talks about a press I know: https://writerbeware.blog/2023/06/30/small-press-storm-warnings-adelaide-books-propertius-press-touchpoint-press/ .
How about submission fees? Some indie publishers have joined this trend, which started small, and is now everywhere
Thanks for sharing all of this. It's certainly going to make me investigate the small publisher that liked my #PitDark tweet more carefully. Thanks for the retweet btw!
Very interesting piece. Might come in handy one day but right now even my short stories gather nothing except form rejections. Really love your work, Gabino! Been pushing Devil Takes Me like a mf. Every horror fanatic should read it.
I’m curious why someone would use an indie publisher vs just self-publishing? Make the math make sense…
A good one? Easy: they have distribution set up, they’ll take care of your cover, editing, and layout, they have an established audience, they have media contacts and send out galleys, they will give you an advance, etc. Also—and on top of all the work—publishing your own stuff isn’t for everyone.
Ah ok, some must do far more than others. I’m in a writers group and it seems like some of the indie presses do very little for the authors and then use Amazon to print anyway, which anyone could use.
Yup! Some throws stuff out there to see what sticks, but they do nothing to help things stick.
This is so on the money, as always. Thank you thank you thank you I'm about to publish with an indy horror press, and when they approached me I was pretty desperate, having been ghosted by so my called agent and rejected by the Big 5...but not that desperate that I didn't due my diligence with the contract. The publisher let me rewrite the contract and retain all the subsidiary rights--which I took to be an excellent sign--and I got a say in the cover. The remaining part of the equation is getting paid once the book comes out--so we'll see how that goes.
Wow. Your article is an eye-opener! Thanks for posting. The indie publisher I’m with has done NONE of what you listed, so I’m feeling pretty blessed. But in the words of the immortal Mia Wallace, “I say goddamn”
Love it! Thanks so much for always passing the knowledge along. 🙏
Thanks for writing this. Some really solid advice here.
I'll share my story with you at NECON.
I’d love your take on a thing. May I dm?
Any time, my friend!