What does anyone make of this. I sent an enquiry to an American publisher of apocalyptic novels, and the upshot of their - rather long - reply was this:

Regarding your novel, allow me to first explain our policy. ------- is an independent, primarily non-profit publisher interested in putting
unique and exceptional works of fiction by authors that might otherwise go unrecognized into print. Our most recent release, for example, ------------ is a stunning piece of apocalyptic speculative fiction that might not have found a home elsewhere. Now, it's available as a paperback being reviewed by a number of science fiction magazines. We can only afford to compensate our authors with complimentary copies of their books, but we do our best to present our releases and promote
our authors as they deserve. If these details have not dissuaded you, we are willing to consider book proposals of any kind.

No way! I thought. So, let me get this straight, if my book sells three million copies, I don't get anything apart from copies of my own book???

JB

[Edited by Anna Reynolds at 23:59:00 on 27 January 2006
Reason: Removed names for legal reasons]

primarily non-profit publisher

So they're in it out of the goodness of their hearts, then?

Yikes, that's a variant on the vanity-publishing theme I haven't heard before. And the heart-breaking thing is, there will be people who fall for it.

Emma

Well it won't be me.

I don't need any favours, and it strikes me that this publisher preys on writers who feel they do.

JB

You'd be surprised how many people have asked me how much it's costing me to publish TMOL: not at all accusing me of vanity publishing, but simply because they have no idea about how the book trade works. It's surprising when there's so much fuss about big advances, too, but I suppose we all have areas of life we're insulated from. I suppose if that's what you think is usual, this publisher's offer seems quite reasonable.

Emma

They may be a 'not for profit publisher', but you can be damned sure that the directors will reward themselves adequately from the operating expenses. You see, if you take most of the turnover in salaries and fees, then there isn't much profit left, is there? My scam detector is going berserk...

I sent them a rather sarcastic email asking them the same question - if my book sells a million copies, I don't see a cent of it?

They haven't replied yet.

JB

No surprise there. Their letter has that wonderful over-the-top lyricism that is designed to tap into the victims' inner certainty that his/her work is also 'unique and unrecognised'.

Emma

Indeed! It's almost like hypnosis!

Just be calm...breathe deeply...yes...be calm...we are only going to rip you off...yes...breathe deeply...repeat after me...we are only going to...

JB

I seen them with those spiralling eyes that wicked Disney characters have when they're putting the hero under a spell.

Emma

I wonder what that 'primarily' in 'primarily not for profit' means. I meant to say, it's either not for profit, or it ain't. 'Primarily' makes it sound like they make a profit but the writer doesn't. How many complimentary copies are they offering, by the way? Enough for the writer to sell him/herself? Then it's a variation on self-publishing. But in that case, I don't see how the publisher can make any money. It all smells very fishy.

Hi everyone,

I'm new and probably getting above my station here but just wanted to say this seems like a right old load of bollocks (old english word that) and reminds me of the ----- website.

Dunno if anyone else has had dealings with them, but I seem to win prizes all the time, despite my rubbish poetry, but it seems I have to pay 200 dollars for the priviledge of getting a rubbishy trophy.

I wonder if everyone that writes a poem for them gets this same offer?

Don't understand why anyone would want to do this though.

Anyway, Waxlyrical you sound clued up so I'll shut up!

Thanks

iamalive



[Edited by Anna Reynolds at 20:12:00 on 31 January 2006
Reason: Legal- sorry people, but you can't name names in this way]

Nah...I'll pass. I mean, I understand writing for the love of it, but not for the love of making someone else money when you don't get a bean. I feel very sorry for the two authors who have actually gone down that path.

I'll pass.

JB

Are this lot listed on preditors and editors? sounds as if they should be.

Emma

They do a good magazine that I'm submitting too - but the novel side of their business is pretty poor.

JB

That's interesting. Makes it sound less scammy and more just... I don't know. Naive? Might they even mean it honestly, not realising how it looks from the writer's side? Hard to believe, I know.

Emma