So this morning I read EREC like I usually do. I have a list of sites I think are just great for keeping up with things. They are usually the sites I hit first thing for industry type news.
EREC
Dear Author
Smart Bitches
I found this link from EREC highly entertaining.
When I talk to new writers or even the ones who have been around a while there are always certain sites that get named as good resources to keep an eye on.
The Absolute Write Forums
Writer Beware Blogs!
Piers Anthony’s Internet Publishing
I love to scan these web sites every so often noting the latest discourse and occasionally there is good information provided sometimes anonymously about experiences good and bad that writers have had with certain publishers.
Keep in mind just because one writer has a bad experience does not mean the publisher is in trouble or every writer will have problems with the publisher named but I think if you see lots of complaints then “where there is smoke” and these resources if taken together provide some really good advice and good examples of what to look out for.
In other words do not believe everything you read and keep it in perspective. On the other hand the entertainment value of these sites is HUGE.
So when I read Angela Hoy going off on Piers with “Fiction author Piers Anthony has been a thorn in my side for years.” I just knew I had to see what was going on.
Piers Anthony who runs a review site of publishers on the internet has this to say under Book Locker about this kerfuffel playing out…
“I received angry letters from Angela Hoy, wife of the company’s president and author of several of their books on self publishing. At first she was halfway polite, then threatening, accusing me of defaming the publisher. I rechecked with my source, who affirms the accuracy of my update. Angela said “What you are doing is illegal,” and said she was turning this matter over to her attorney.”
Now compare that to the entry for Samhain where a writer had complained anonymously…
“A response from Angela James, executive editor: “I am shocked and more than a little dismayed by this report… Certainly I … would never damage my company’s reputation with authors by ridiculing anyone.” Okay, I run the reports I receive, playing no favorites. I find Angela’s denial credible, and suspect that the February report was a distortion. General feedback I have had over the years suggests that Samhain is one of the best electronic publishes extant, noted for its courtesy. The gentle tone of Angela’s response is a sharp contrast to some of the blasts I have received from other publishers.”
Hmmm, maybe how you approach someone does matter. Maybe this approach is telling me a whole bunch about the way someone does business. Anyway, some eye opening reading there.
Just a thought…
Tags: Piers Anthony
K. Z. Snow wrote,
I know a lot of people have issues with old Piers, but I’ve always been grateful for his Web presence and found it helpful. He is indeed part of the “where there is smoke” network, but he’s also part of the “where there is sunshine” network. He publishes both good reports and bad, and he makes every effort to be evenhanded. At least that’s been my impression.
Like you said, TP, visitors must keep his entries in perspective. One complaint does not a bad publisher make…but, since it could be indicative of more widespread dissatisfaction, it’s always worth keeping in mind.
Link | May 29th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
I totally agree.
Piers does put out both good and bad comments made by writers. So it is no way an exact picture but it has in the past been a great warning for those companies that eventually did have problems. Since it is a writer oriented resource site then that is exactly as it should be.
Link | May 29th, 2009 at 3:41 pm