HOLY COW!!!

[indianasmith]

Aw crap this is embarassing.
After alerting the entire known world that I had been accepted for publication, I did a little research on this company and saw that they have a terrible reputation - they take money from first time writers for a "publicist's fee" and pocket it, then crank out a few copies of your book and expect you to do all the marketing.  None of their works wind up in bookstores.  I am glad I looked into it before I signed their contract - now I have to keep on searching for someone who will actually send ME money, instead of the other way around.!

False alarm, folks.  My apologies.

[Rev. Powell]

Sorry to hear that, Indy. Yes, you have to beware of those vanity presses that charge you a fee to publish.

If you decide to self-publish, look into Amazon's CreateSpace. I use them for my 366 Yearbooks and even for some DVDs. They print on demand (softcover only, I think) and split royalties 50/50. They may charge a very small and reasonable proofing fee (i.e. the wholesale cost of printing a sample + shipping) but they often waive it.

[Bushma]

I'm sorry to hear that Indy, but I'm glad you did your research and didn't screwed.

You'll get published!

[Paquita]

That's OK!  It just means you have a little more time to work on your back of the book photo poses and get a beard perm.

[Bushma]

beard perm

Two words I never thought I'd see together.

[Leah]

beard perm

Two words I never thought I'd see together.

You have yet to meet the infamous Menard.

[Mofo Rising]

Ah, yes. Stay away from those who want to capitalize on your magnificent beard perm.

You might consider giving your book away for free. It takes a bit of self-promotion and web-savvy, but if people like you're book, they want to give you money.

You talked about John Dies At the End in a recent post. That book was originally released for free on the internet. It got enough attention to get a crappy publishing deal. Then it got enough attention to get a better publishing deal. Then it got enough attention to be made into a feature film.

The internet has changed the game. You really don't need a publisher anymore, although they help quite a bit. If you have a product (your book) that people like, you can easily make it available.

[indianasmith]

That is definitely on my list of options.

[Trevor]

Never mind, I'll still buy it, whatever format it's in.