Gut instinct....

A hell of a lot of people read this post…thank you for that…

http://amarindajones.blogspot.com/2011/05/liar-liar-pants-on-fire.html

…but only one person commented. That’s ok. I don’t expect comments. Few people do to controversial subjects and I get that many choose not to put their name to things for fear of whatever.

One thing Spookie said stuck in my mind for a while…

Spookie said…

No, it's not rocket science. I received an email tonight with an excuse why royalties will be late . . . again. I think somebody needs to educate these people of the value of backup personnel and redundant systems.

There is no excuse for late royalty payments. NONE. NONE.

Word of advise to the many authors who have/are contemplating becoming publishers. PAY YOUR AUTHORS. ON TIME. EVERY MONTH.
21 May 2011 1:19 PM

Fair comment. Brave comment. Only one thing I would disagree on. Pay every month? Not realistic. Why? Two reasons. Only e-book publishing companies who have a solid customer base – and there’s not many of them left now – can afford to pay every month. If you have a business when the money comes direct to you and not through a third party then monthly is achievable because there is no middle man. However, most book sales for e-pubs are handled by third parties. E-pubs have to rely on them to get the money. However, in saying that, a genuine, honest e-pub who is waiting on funds from a third party can and should be able to supply to you in writing a count of how many books you have sold and for what period. If they can’t then ask why not.

As for – “I think somebody needs to educate these people of the value of backup personnel and redundant systems” – snake oil sellers don’t care if anyone else is happy and trying to educate greedy people is like trying to nail jelly to a wall.

Authors beware – read, research, ask questions of other authors and then make a judgement based on gut instinct. And remember, self publishing is absolutely possible so be brave and rely on yourself.