Just is...

So, another small publisher folded. I’m not surprised. Publishing, like any business, is just that. A business. Things happen – boom, bust, cash in, cash out, debtors, creditors, bad decisions, lousy decisions, best decision? Move on if you’re no good at business.

In my previous job, I worked with shit loads of debtors. There are those that have no clue what they’re doing and they get into trouble. There are those who are shonky dealers who don’t give a crap if they owe money because they have money and they’re not going to share it because if you were stupid enough to buy or invest from them then their theory is that’s your problem for being stupid. I’ve read many administrators letters, touchy feely lets all be one in this debt deed of company arrangements and I’ve sat in liquidators where the bottom line is ‘you’re getting stuff all.’

So, publishers going under? No big surprise. I believe – actually I know – the mistake new, small pubs make is by taking on multiple authors before they have worked out all the pitfalls and are ready to handle it with the time needed. Hence, Scarlet Harlot Publishing will only take on authors when I’m ready, satisfied and have the time. Otherwise, the Harlot’s doing very nicely thank you.

Your publisher gone under? Stop whining. Do two things. Assess whether the loss is worth hiring a lawyer. If it’s a couple of hundred dollars, I would write it off on taxes. But that’s me. I’m realistic. And two? Learn from it. Business - publishing – is not fair or pretty. Don't go into it being a sap.

Read the bloody contract....

Have I got your attention? Excellent. Contracts - specifically book contracts. I'm quite fascinated by the fact that a lot of writers don’t seem to read them properly or they just remember the bits they want to. Yes, yes, it's all selective reading and controlled by moods but it often fascinates me how many writers feel clauses do not apply to them because, well...they just don't. They apply to ‘everyone else’ or I cannot 'see that clause' or ‘your contract must be different to mine.’ Bollocks. Unless you are a well known writer and have a team of lawyers writing your contracts then 99% of the time you are going to get a standard contract that every writer for that publisher gets. Yes, sure you may be able to negotiate royalties but the rest is pretty much set in stone - so sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see clauses is just going to get you in trouble. You don’t like the contract from the publisher? Then don’t write for them. It is your right to place your work where you feel it fits best and offers the best return for your effort.

The romance writing world is a hard, tough, non-pretty business. Don’t make it any worse by electing to do dumb arsed things that go against your contract or common business practice. Not sure of a clause? Ask an expert. Don't assume...we all know where that gets you. But, as always the bottom line is it's up to the writer. Read and question - or act in haste and regret it. Am I perfect? Hell no - but I read my bloody contracts.

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