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Post by neferetus on Jan 11, 2008 7:25:49 GMT -5
Angry authors? What was the source of their displeasure?
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Post by Greg C. on Jan 12, 2008 23:06:48 GMT -5
Angry authors? What was the source of their displeasure? Basically because they said that the publishers don't care about the work they print and don't edit the work either. Here's something for consideration: As part of an investigation, an undercover agent sent in a manuscript consisting of three 50 page segments, with each segment being exactly the same. The book was published, showing that the company did not even bother to proofread (or just didn't notice) the manuscript. |
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Post by neferetus on Jan 13, 2008 1:24:39 GMT -5
Well, the publisher should rightly send you galleys of the book for you to proof read, correct and then send back for approval. While creative control should remain in your hands, it is up to the publisher to proof read for punctuation, spelling, or grammatical errors.
Since they're not asking any up-front money from you and their profits depend on sales of your book, it does not behoove them to release a shoddy product.
It might be a good idea to have a third uinbiased party act as a sort of sounding board for your story. Get someone who knows nothing whatsover about the Alamo to read the book and then see if they can follow the story. As Alamo buffs, we tend to assume that people know what we're talking about and therefore unconsciously skip vital details. Don't make your reader go back and reread a passage for clarity. This will only serve to slow down the pace of the story and even cause the reader to lose interest.
If there's a passage in your book that does not advance the story, then it does not belong in your book. It may be a vey well written and moving piece, but if it's only purpose is to pad the book and make it longer, chuck it.
I'm no master writer, but I think I told you once before that when I was doing my second to the last draft of my book, I removed pert near 150 pages from the manuscript. A lot of it was stuff I absolutely loved, but, as it was not advancing Joe's tale a bit, out it went.
It's better to end up with a tightly written novella, such as Brian Kaufman's THE BREACH, than to try for something as grand as Steve Harrigan's master novel, GATES OF THE ALAMO. We can't all be Harrigans and more does not always necessarily mean better.
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Rick
Junior Member
Posts: 170
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Post by Rick on Jan 13, 2008 21:19:26 GMT -5
I know a lady who writes Christian fiction. She has published over 25 books and makes gobs of money.
She got her start writing romance novels, full of spicy sex, the whole bit. Most of them were bodice-ripping period pieces.
But she did tell me one thing about writing a novel: write the thing as completely and thoroughly as you can.
Then cut it by a third.
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Post by Greg C. on Feb 13, 2008 16:45:42 GMT -5
Guys I am so pissed off right now as I have just recieved word that once again, I am too young get have my manuscript published. When I was 14 and sent it in they said wait until I was 16. Now that I am the age they requested they now tell me that I must be 18 years old. I'm going to write a letter to the this company and totally rip into them as I am more frustrated now then I've been in a long time. I think I just may delete the whole thing and forget about it.
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Post by neferetus on Feb 13, 2008 18:57:09 GMT -5
Before you blow off steam at the publisher and burn all your bridges, back off and cool down. I don't know the legalities of entering such a contract under the age of 18 (when a person is considered to be an adult), but see if there are some other options opened to you. Could your parents perhaps co-sign the contract with you?
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Post by seguin on Feb 14, 2008 0:32:15 GMT -5
As Nef says, maybe your parents could co-sign or sign on your behalf? There must be a way around it! Ask the publishers about whether your parents could sign/co-sign it! Or better yet mayby, ask a lawyer what to do about it! Surely, you can´t be the first such case in the history of publishing...
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Post by Greg C. on Feb 14, 2008 7:06:26 GMT -5
I'll ask about the co-signing...
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Rick
Junior Member
Posts: 170
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Post by Rick on Feb 22, 2008 16:55:39 GMT -5
Guys I am so pissed off right now as I have just recieved word that once again, I am too young get have my manuscript published. When I was 14 and sent it in they said wait until I was 16. Now that I am the age they requested they now tell me that I must be 18 years old. I'm going to write a letter to the this company and totally rip into them as I am more frustrated now then I've been in a long time. I think I just may delete the whole thing and forget about it. Greg, did you check out this publishing company with the BBB beforehand? |
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Post by Greg C. on Feb 24, 2008 9:42:48 GMT -5
The BBB?
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Rick
Junior Member
Posts: 170
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Post by Rick on Feb 24, 2008 16:52:29 GMT -5
The Better Business Bureau. |
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Wade
New member
Crossing the Line...
Posts: 44
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Post by Wade on Feb 27, 2008 1:42:20 GMT -5
Having read the last couple of pages of posts, I'd say this publishing company is fraudulent. Greg, don't erase your manuscript. Simply quit dealing with those publishers. I know you're very ambitious about getting the book out, but first, you have to find the right company who will do it.
Good luck!
~Wade
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Post by Greg C. on Feb 27, 2008 16:38:05 GMT -5
I'm going to buy a book about how to get my book published, maybe that will give me some ideas. With all the legal trouble P.A has been under, I think I'm done with them.
I did send them a letter with the original message they sent me saying that I had to be 16 years old. maybe they'll be able to make an exception. Will keep ya'll posted...
Greg
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