Piracy Alive and Well…book Writers Beware!

After two years of trying to “make it” as an freelance writer in the independent (self publishing) industry (and three books later)  I am here to report with battle wounds and hard wrought experience, that it isn’t for the faint of heart.  And the novice needs to take heed of firms which make high seas piracy look like a noble profession.

About Author House

Author House is a huge publishing firm offering extremely attractive publishing packages at a very attractive price; some of the lowest in the industry.  However from my experience from my first contact with Author House it was one deception after another.

As I wanted to publish a book with the Christian audience in mind, I naturally asked, “Are you a Christian publisher?”  The answer was “yes”.  After having the second book I submitted to them published on their rapid release program (of which I was assured quality would not be compromised for speed), sadly I had to destroy the book, loosing thousands of dollars and months of writing time, because in their hurry to get the book published in the time frame they promised, they carelessly send the wrong copy of the manuscript to the printers: sending the original and not the galley I had corrected and approved.  I tried to negotiate with them.  Author House flatly refused.  When I tried to get them to understand I write for God’s glory and most Christians also operate their business along the same lines, I was quickly told, “we aren’t Christian, we just publish Christian books.”  I cancelled this book (The Assignment) because of the horrendous amount of flaws.

Where Oh Where Are My Royalties?

With Author House, as well as, some other publishing firms such as Xlibris, and Teddler (and there could be others). Author Solutions is the parent company from which items like Royalty payments and most publicity items are generated.

My first book, Unmasking Feng Shui – A Christian Perspective, I spend a lot of money on publicity and promotional packages.  Most were useless, netting zero results.  I sold more books on my own, to friends, and friends of friends, and family.  There were some sales from among the masses, I know of these from the comments on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles, and many email comments.  As well as a few cards and letters send to me through the mail.  In the fifteen months, this book was on the market, I netted less than $10 in royalties.

When I inquired why I wasn’t seeing more royalties, when I knew books had sold, I was firmly (but politely) told, “We have no record of these sales, maybe next quarter.”  This pat answer was like a form letter.  I understand from talking with local writers here in Southern Oregon, that American Publishing is even worse at paying royalties.  So if you’re ready to launch you first book, do be careful.

Lost….One E-Mail Campaign

With the submission of The Assignment, I was contacted by Author House’s publicity department, on a great reduction in price on an Email campaign.  Making it even more attractive, I could make installment payments over a four month period. 

When I cancelled The Assignment, three weeks after it was released, I requested that the email campaign be cancelled.  I was told this couldn’t be done, I had contracted for this service, and was obligated to meet the payments.

With the last payment, I requested a report showing me who had been contacted and the results.  The man handling this promotion told me the results would not be available for two to three weeks.  I waited until the third week and made my request again.  It was ignored, no response. 

With numerous personal things to grab my attention for the next month, I didn’t get back to this man and the email campaign that I paid around $1200.  An email from this man, asking me to approve the copy for the ad copy for this email campaign in April (when the ad was contracted for in November) proves just how competent and professional many of the individuals employed by Author Solutions are, in attending to details of their job.

I send an email back to this man, requesting an immediate refund of the amount I  paid for this campaign.  And also a letter to the accounting department, demanding a refund be issued within two weeks; if I did not receive a full refund, I was seriously considering legal consult.  And if this should happen, I would mention their error in printing The Assignment.  Not only did I receive my refund, but also certificates of copyright for both book!  Amazing!.

My Solution

I revised over eighty percent of The Assignment, into a book titled, The Challenge, Book 1  Rebels of the Mountains, published by Cross Books.  I am totally pleased with Cross Books, the cover is a higher quality than the one done by Author House, and likewise the formatting.  It takes a little longer to publish but the results are well worth it.  Cross Books publishing costs are a little higher than many publishing firms you can find on the Internet.  But, quality is of the utmost importance to me, so I feel the cost is well worth it.  I am anxious to see their design teams ideas for the cover of my most recent book submitted to them,  The Ghosts of Forbidden Ridge.  I know it will be spectacular.

Cross Books is a Christian publishing firm, dedicated to publishing books that make them look as good as the author, and which brings glory to God.  I know for some of you this isn’t a solution for the genre you may feel most comfortable writing in, but it is for the Christian writer, whether they write fiction or non-fiction, children’s books or poetry.