Rainbow Romance Writers

Looks like the contest is on for the first Rainbow Awards of Excellence…

The object of the RAE’s is to recognize outstanding GLBT romance writing regardless of the author’s gender, sexual orientation, or RWA affiliation (or lack thereof). Any author who has had a GLBT romance published during 2009 with a valid ISBN is eligible. The entry fee is fifteen dollars per entry and authors need not be members of Romance Writers of America or Rainbow Romance Writers to enter. We’ll be taking entries from June 1 through August 31. To cut down on postage costs for our entrants all entries will be in electronic format.

Ladies and gentlemen start your entries.

MWA’s Official Decision: That because Harlequin’s for pay publishing business violates MWA’s rules for approved publishers, MWA takes the following action: First, Harlequin shall be removed from MWA’s list of approved publishers upon the adoption of this motion; Second, that all current active status members of MWA whose status is based upon books published by Harlequin shall remain active status members; Third, that MWA decline applications for active membership based upon books published by Harlequin pursuant to contracts entered into after the effective date of this motion; Fourth, that books published by Harlequin pursuant to contracts entered into prior to the adoption of this motion shall be eligible for the Edgar® Awards, except that books published by DellArte Press shall not be eligible for the Edgar® Awards regardless of when such contract was entered into; and Fifth that books published by Harlequin pursuant to contracts entered into after the adoption of this motion shall not be eligible for the Edgar® Awards

Great post here which shows Harlequin stating it’s rational for doing what they are doing. “Informing” writers of their Vanity Press in rejection letters.

We believe that writers are best served when they make informed choices. As such, Harlequin’s rejection letter templates will soon be modified to encourage the author to consider the wide range of publishing options now available to aspiring authors including submitting to another house, resubmitting to Harlequin, ePublishing, self-publishing, or working with Dellarte Press.

From Dell Arte website…

By following our publishing process you can make informed choices about your publishing journey and ultimately end up with the book of your dreams. Our Dellarte Press team will assist you though the book publishing process every step of the way, but you must first decide to start your next chapter.

I thought this type of “Informing” was called “steering” or “Predatory Sales Practices” like passing a good clients credit information to a third-party marketing firm. That type of shady dealing is under investigation by the government as we speak and I even think there are consumer protections against that type of practice in many states. So no, I don’t think it is an accepted practice to even experiment with to many people. I think Harlequin is being run by shysters.

With the launch of Harlequin Horizons, Harlequin Enterprises no longer meets the requirements to be eligible for RWA-provided conference resources. This does not mean that Harlequin Enterprises cannot attend the conference. Like all non-eligible publishers, they are welcome to attend. However, as a non-eligible publisher, they would fund their own conference fees and they would not be provided with conference resources by RWA to publicize or promote the company or its imprints.
Michelle Monkou
RWA President

I know authors are asking why is every division of Harlequin suffering for this one Imprint. I honestly think when Harlequin states publicly that the Harlequin Horizons option will be offered on every rejection slip for all the Imprints then they have made the Vanity Press part of every aspect of their business. When they publicly state that an author paying for Harlequin Horizons will get considered for one of the other Imprints that is blatantly making offers to blur the lines for “the right price”.

Listen after an afternoon spent watching Malle Vallik, Harlequin’s Digital Director answer any questions about Harlequin Horizons like she was on the Titanic and failed to notice the iceberg approaching. Not to mention the Digital Director showing a total lack of understanding about even simple publishing concepts like First Sale… Who does she work for? She is no Angela James that’s for sure. In fact I am right now feeling really really sorry for Angela. I mean it this all looks bad even for Carina Press because Malle has her fingers in that pie too. I am not going near Harlequin as a whole now. No way!

I don’t like seeing out right lies and misinformation about publishing and it’s practices like the stuff Malle was saying. All I can say is if they feel comfortable enough to state that false crap on a site with published authors talking to them what the hell type of “information about publishing” are they telling their own authors or people interested in Harlequin?

Oh sorry, we know what they are saying. They have links and stuff for Harlequin Horizons all over the Harlequin websites “How To Write For Us” pages. Shall I go on about the whole 50% royalties after you pay them to publish the damn book? This is hurting authors folks plain and simple. Pay to play! When a publisher starts thinking it’s “reasonable” to expect it’s authors to pay for them to print their books and then pay them 50% royalties on top of that just for their name watch out.

So yeah, I agree with the RWA that Harlequin as a whole probably needs a good review especially if every Imprint and the whole Harlequin website is basically funneling new and rejected authors into this Harlequin Horizons scam and I guess it is up to the authors working there to let Harlequin know how they feel. It looks like the Titanic to me.

This just in….

Predators & Editors: 11/17/09: Harlequin becomes vanity publisher. Though they call it self-publishing, it will be under their Harlequin Horizons imprint and hence qualifies as vanity.

Writer Beware Blogs! Harlequin Horizons: Another Major Publisher Adds A Self-Publishing Division

These are the real experts all saying this is crap. So some of you go on arguing about the size of the iceburg and if the ship will actually sink or not as the deck tilts or how Bernie Madoff’s family and secretary did not know anything about his “business” and maybe even be ignorant and callous and blame the victims for not doing enough research. I just hope the smart people jump in time. I know I would not want my name involved with Harlequin or Publish America or AuthorHouse or their “business” either but that’s just how I roll with at least a little integrity.

UPDATE!

From Writer Beware Blogs: Harlequin Horizons: Another Major Publisher Adds A Self-Publishing Division

On November 9, Mystery Writers of America sent a letter to Harlequin about the “eHarlequin Manuscript Critique Service,” notifying Harlequin that it is in violation of our rules and suggesting steps that Harlequin could take to remain on our Approved Publishers list. The steps outlined at that time included removing mention of this for-pay service entirely from its manuscript submission guidelines, clearly identifying any mention of this program as paid advertisement, and, adding prominent disclaimers that this venture was totally unaffiliated with the editorial side of Harlequin, and that paying for this service is not a factor in the consideration of manuscripts. Since that letter went out, Harlequin has launched “Harlequin Horizons,” a self-publishing program.

MWA’s November 9 letter asks that Harlequin respond to our concerns and recommendations by December 15. We look forward to receiving their response and working with them to protect the interests of aspiring writers. If MWA and Harlequin are unable to reach an agreement, MWA will take appropriate action which may include removing Harlequin from the list of MWA approved publishers, declining future membership applications from authors published by Harlequin and declaring that books published by Harlequin will not be eligible for the Edgar Awards.

From: Nice Mommy, Evil Editor

Time: 8:30AM
Day: July 16th
Room: The Warren Harding Room
Sponsored By: Books on Board, Red Sage Publishing, Samhain Publishing, Quartet Press, and Smart Bitches.

Kassia Krozser, Sarah Wendell, Jane Litte, Angela James, Maya Banks and Lauren Dane are going rogue and inviting you to come along. It sounds like fun.

Hey, it’s tough to follow closely on the heels of the Treva Harte/Angela James tag team of “Oh No You Didn’t Diane!”. I know I would be sitting there wondering what the hell to add to any discussion after those two were done with it. It’s sorta like coming up to a knocked out fighter lying in the ring asking if he would like a mint.

It is nice to see her speaking though and if you have not figured it out I think Liquid Silver Books completes the triple crown of Top ePublishers with Loose Id and Samhain in my opinion. Maybe they might be a little smaller than the other two but their quality and author selection speaks volumes.

I want my authors to be happy with their choice of Liquid Silver Books as a publisher. I want all authors to be happy with their choice to epublish. It shouldn’t be something they have to hide; epublishing shouldn’t be anyone’s skeleton in a closet. Write what you love, write for who you want, write for you. Educate yourself, your fellow RWA members. Work and strive for equality for your writing.

Well, it sure seems Diane Pershing pissed a lot of writers (serious about their careers) right the fuck off. Here’s two words for the clueless RWA members out there wondering why random ePublished authors online are upset and attacking RWA’s current stance on ePublishing. Duct tape! No seriously, if your own president and chief instigator insults an entire industry it sorta happens that people get pissed off and sitting around saying “being angry is uncalled for and rude” does not help matters and makes you look like a tool. Negating people’s feelings tends to do that.

Anyway, me being Teddypig and very much NOT a cheerleader in many respects I find myself going back to Deidre Knight’s original rebuttal and looking at it from the side of those who might not agree that ePublishing is all that great for authors. In fact she even brings up a perfect example of a gotcha.

So since I tend to be more than sympathetic to writers who are ePublished and this site is about eBooks can I play “Diane’s Advocate” and take the opposite side of the argument for a minute? Maybe by doing this we can start a conversation that makes more sense than “neener neener neener I gotz the power bitches!”. The point of this discussion is about writers looking for “author friendly” venues and not ePublishers exactly.

RWA & Triskelion Publishing: Oh SHIT!: Remember when RWA did recognize ePublishers? Yeah, that worked out well and I think it is a good example of why the RWA needs to be cautious recognizing specific ePublishers. Because they could not just slap a “seal of approval” on a qualifying ePublisher and walk away. Obviously things could change and financial meltdowns could occur very quickly. The words “conflict resolution” comes to mind in this matter. Because if you want to know the down and dirty you have to get your hands in the mud.

There is tons of information from 2007 about The Great Triskelion Publishing Fiasco so I will try to just point out the highlights. Here and Here and Here and finally Here. It is very much a cautionary tale for writers looking at ePublishing and getting the facts.

Teddypig & Ellora’s Cave: GOTCHA!: So let’s then talk about the elephant in the room. Notice Deidre Knight used in her example Ellora’s Cave and you probably heard me cringing from over here. Samhain is a Top ePublisher and is on my list of Top ePublishers but Ellora’s Cave sure is missing. Probably because I listen when people like J.C. Wilder and Cheyenne McCray and Lauren Dane and Mary Winter say things I am sure are important to all writers and thus showing a company that is not how we say “author friendly”.

I am not saying that writing for Ellora’s Cave will not make you good money because that seems to be a proven fact but what I am saying is that does not make them a Top ePublisher in my opinion and it could very possibly wind up being a situation of a short term benefit with long term problems depending on the contract you signed. Just my opinion here based on what noted experienced authors have said in black in white that anyone can go and read.

My final question to you guys???: How can writers or a writer organization be selective in what “author friendly” ePublishers to recognize? A set of “industry standards” might help there Angela. BUT… there are none. Well, at least none that I can find.

It would so help me with my own list of Top ePublishers that I have on the blog here. I stick my neck out posting that list because I listen to writers and review products from these companies and read other blogs, reviews, and comments made. It takes a little work so far but I feel comfortable and even conservative in what I do down to why New Concepts Publishing or Torquere Press (AKA Where’s Waldo?) are not on my list either. It is not perfect or even scientific though because I am talking to writers and I could make mistakes or miss something.

So there are my concerns about ePublishing with as little bias as I can muster. I think these things (Like contracts and industry standards and author friendly environments vs money etc etc etc)  should be talked about here and elsewhere and I hope they continue to be talked about. So feel free to yell at me for saying this it’s OK.

I’ve realized that I’m not the right person to do so because there is no one person who can speak for an entire industry or organization. In looking around the internet, at various blogs, forums, Twitter, and groups, hundreds of you have already spoken out and many have done so eloquently and passionately, with facts about your business and careers for anyone who cares to listen.

Not only do I believe I’m not the right person because I’m only one person, but also because RWA is not an organization for publishers but is an organization for authors. Despite the fact that I’ve done much to educate authors over the years, not solely about my publisher but about epublishing in general in a fair, pragmatic, cautionary, balanced and non-cheerleading type of way, the fact remains that I work from a publisher point of view and am not unbiased. Inside the community of writers and authors, however, epublished authors and publishers hope that RWA will step in and provide further education. I respect the work RWA has done at both a national and local level in the past and hope they will recognize the evolving publishing climate and move to work with a growing segment of authors within a new publishing model.

Because, however much I believe in RWA as an organization for authors, and appreciate the spirit of author advocacy in which they operate and have set its current standards we—by which I mean epublishers like the one I currently work for—are operating as legitimate businesses with a committed business model and we have no intention of changing that business model to suit the demands of some who wish to will it away.

Now if she were president of some organization I would join immediately.

Seems also there is a ePublished RWA Member Poll going on.

Like I always say… Nothing says FUCK YOU! quite like the facts.

Word has it Angela James from Samhain will be posting on ESPAN about all this Monday.

Photo by Pickled Cupid

And I don’t wanna go on with you like that
Don’t wanna be a feather in your cap
I just wanna tell you honey I aint mad
But I don’t wanna go on with you like that

No I don’t wanna go on with you like that
One more set of boots on your welcome mat
You’ll just have to quit them if you want me back
Because I don’t wanna go on with you like that
Elton John ~ I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That

So Diane (Spank me Lauren!) Pershing lays out her defense which seems to be castigating Deidre Knight for self interest because she was OMG! using Samhain (One of the TOP ePublishers) as her example of a successful, money making, author friendly, ePublisher that should be promoted by RWA.

How dare she do that! She wants us to make an “exception” for these successful ePublishers how dare she that bitch!…

She is arguing for an exception to be made for these two publishers, one of which happens to be hers.

Then she goes on repeating over and over again that she represents everyone. Which is obviously not the case if you are ePublished since she is not representing you… you fucking loser!

10,000 members, all with different, subjective points of view. RWA represents them all.

Diane goes on to show her total lack of knowledge about ePublishing because it is obvious she does not realize that literary agents are not needed or used for this type of publishing. What the hell is she even bringing this up for?…

Deidre is also speaking as an agent, a successful agent who has taken on some digitally-published authors and negotiated nice contracts with print publishers for them, precisely because of the following and name recognition they achieved through digital publishing. I went to the Knight Agency Web site where recent sales and great deals for their clients are rightly trumpeted. These deals were with a number of publishers, but I didn’t see one primarily digital publisher on that list. Does she represent any authors who are remaining in the digital format and not moving over to print?

Last but not least Diane seems to think she can stem this tide of new fancy shmancy business models she does not understand or even want to by demanding that viable ePublishers stop doing what they are doing, like being successful and all that, and follow the NY publishing state of decline by handing out $1000.00 to any author they sign. She’s all about spending other people’s money despite what financial harm might ensue. Much like her beloved RWA…

RWA issues a challenge to Ellora’s Cave and Samhain: Pay your authors a minimum $1000 advance against royalties. If they’re already doing so well, you will lose nothing. You will be showing good faith in the authors you sign that you believe in them and their potential.

I just knew this was gonna be entertaining. OK fess up, who voted for her?

Update!: Lauren Dane has been dutifully posting away about Diane Pershing’s view on ePublishing. See below. Here’s her response to today’s post.

I have heard that Diane (Spank me Lauren!) Pershing is actually gonna post yet again on Friday over at ESPAN. Because alienating an entire industry is just never enough.

Anyway catch Lauren’s most excellent intelligent and informative discourse starting here and be on the look out for obviously more to come…

Career Paths, There Are More Than One (Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love The Bomb)

Money Money Money Money

Money Part II – How Things Work

Part III How Things Work – Digital