For as many wonderful Small Press markets I can list are small press markets that take the Christmas bells and whistles.

One small press publisher and myself got into a little tiff due to his professionalism, or I should say, lack thereof.

This same publisher, I worked with at his market months back, wanted me to ask authors to change their signed contracts. I should mention these contracts sucked bad in the first place but he wanted them changed from this:

Author receives: no print royalities or advance but receives a contributor copy of the print edition. The e-book edition: author receives royalties and contributor copy. Author receives 30% discount on additional copies of their titles.

he wanted then to change that crappy deal to even more of a crappier deal:

He wanted me to ask the authors to change out the contracts and even give up their CONTRIBUTOR COPIES as well?!?! I did not do so and of course spoke my mind in no uncertain terms.

I should mention also: I went to the publisher a few days ago to purchase an anthology that I compliled through the company and was part of, for my 30% off the cover price of the book. The book sells for $16.99 ...well, my total cost through the publisher with my so-called 30% discount was almost $20.00. You ask me how that happens? Well, when said publisher wants to pad the shipping costs he can gain his 30% there! You do the math. I paid $16.99 total at shocklines.com for the title -because I had ordered a few other titles through them ($5.00 shipping charge no matter what the order... so I added that title to my purchase. Total price for my title was $16.99 through SHOCKLINES.COM but had I went through the publisher for my 30% discount, I would have paid almost $20.00.

Ho-Ho-Ho! Now on to my sqwabble last night.

I edited a book and was removed from the credits as editor. He stated a few things I found quite interesting and I am sure you will too. Granted, I am not a great editor -that's why I only edit POETRY and works that are "creative" in structure. Also, , was written by an editor himself and I worked with him together on his book, editing it with him.

When my book by , , arrived in the post yesterday -I was ...well... here's some of the conversation that took place. (names, markets, and personal info has been omitted)

Hello :

I must ask a question: Did you not ask me to edit , , book? Also: Was "I" not mentioned in the e-book version of the book, as editor? Yes? I must now ask, why was I REMOVED as editor from the print version? Did I not edit the book per your request? I do still have the email where you sent the book and asked me to do so. I'll happily send it along if you need to read it out of my YAHOO email account.

I don't appreciate spending the time YOU asked me to do so, because you said, you were too busy and your editors were too, to be removed from the credits when I did the job.

, I strongly find it offensive and unprofessional to leave out someone that provides a service for a book from your company. I notice you did not remove yourself as the layout design or cover artist? You have that as your credential -where's mine? I wish to thank you very much for the lack thereof any professionalism and deliberateness of this. (that had to be removed purposefully, because nothing else was).

When I edit, review, or compile books, all the info goes in as my credential and is set up on various sites. This was to be included as such. I don't know what else to say, other than, I am truly offended (of course, I am sure that falls on deaf ears and that you don't really care....) but I did help you a lot and never asked for nothing but to be fair. (You wanted to change contracts on authors, you were upset they didn't buy their own books, you overcharge the books so the author does not get their promised 30%, etc... and now you take credits way too?) I guess establishing a good reputation makes no difference to you, does it? I am truly hurt that after all I did for you and and really tried helping you and being a friend to you -this was my kind payment. I'd rather not received anything, thank you.

THIS WILL GO DOWN as a credential and will be listed that I am editor... I am not sure how I can fix your errors once more -but I'll find away. I did the work, (for free no less) and I deserve the credit.

Anyway, thought I would share my feelings with you on how you made me feel deliberately removing me as the editor. I am sure you'll understand being you didn't forget to mention yourself, did you?

Merry Christmas,
Peggy Jo

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Well after receiving am email from said publisher... I found it highly interesting... I am sure you will too. Here is my reply to his email in numbered order.

* * *

Continue on:

Hello,

A few issues that has come up that didn't make sense to me:

1. You stated: "but I don't place editor's names in the ebook..."

I just sent you the e-book with myself, Brutal Dreamer, being listed as editor. You told me, when the book goes print, you'd change that to "edited by Peggy Jo Shumate" per my request. Then you omitted it completely and said you don't put that in your ebooks either -when I just sent you the ebook of and guess what? "Edited by Brutal Dreamer" is in the ebook.

2. You stated: "I had to go over the hardcover myself because I found all kinds of errors."

Interesting, , because I am going through the edited doc that I sent you, the pdf, and the print copy, granted I am not finished yet, but I am going through word for word, period by period, etc.... so far, NOTHING DIFFERENT. Again, so far, your words to me does not meet the printed page, ?

3. You stated: "I'd be happy to remove the title from the line-up?"

Hmm, why would you do that? And why would you even say that when this is book, not mine? I find that highly unprofessional and questionable. I'll be sure to let him know what you think of his title. Also, he's been waiting for his contributor copy -and has yet to receive one.

I had several reviewers write me about titles with errors in them. In fact, I brought them to your attention on a few occassions and you said it was "language" for different countries. (It was not). Anyway, one editor, she edited for me and wrote me back stating it was the cleanest books and small press books she's reviewed. She stated that she thought about quitting reviewing titles for me due to the errors in the titles but didn't because of me and didn't want to upset me. I am sure I can get her restate this as well if you need proof of that message. She was pleased with clean and unblemished editing. So, with that said, and you saying you went through the book and found a large amount of errors (and I am still going the book, , so far, no changes have been made).

I don't know what to tell you -but I think you are being rude and unkind and truly unprofessional in threatening to remove another authors' title. I imagine that would not make him feel very well part of the family? If a publisher did that to me, I'd not take kindly to that statement, not at all?

Anyway, on with my reading and viewing all three editions of unless you wish to tell me you did NOT have errors to correct and that was a bunch of hog wash -but I'll eat those words if I continue on and find any major edits.. so far I've not found a period change?

the reply I got was my final response to him

His response... ahem

A few books (paperback) may have to be dropped in 2004 if they don't
start selling, they cost an annual amount to keep them listed at
Ingram and in the LSI database and "management" is talking about
dropping all books that can't cover their costs.

My reply was:

I don't see how you can DROP books, , you have signed contracts, right? I believe time periods and rights were signed?

Hmm I wonder how authors would take to having their contracts done like that? I don't think too kindly? I could be wrong though... Your new "management" should take these contracts in to consideration....

Well, I imagine, several authors like , will be happy to have their titles off the list due to your attitude.

When I was just a reviewer for you at and new ....you stated your "board" or "management" to me once before, when I was reviewer. You told me, "the board wanted shorter reviews" ...when I came aboard , I found out there was no board or management. Just you? I presume it's the same board... but I don't really care. It's your business.

I haven't even looked at the contract yet... and don't plan to. I feel this way... what you said tonight made no sense all night. You stating you changed book and that there lots of errors in it that you had to fix... do you realize I am over half way through the book, and there wasn't ONE -not one word changed thus far? hmm kind of strange, isn't it?

Do you also realize you stated that you do not put "edited by" in ebooks, yet I sent you a copy of , with "edited by" in it? Again, kind of strange, isn't it?

What you speak doesn't hold up to what is fact ...but, of course, I already knew that, and why I quit working with you at , right? So now to believe you have a "board" again is ...well... it doesn't matter if you do or don't... does it?

For what it's worth, I see no reason in furthering this conversation -we both know what we know, don't we? We know you speak without thinking things through, you forget what you speak, and you make up the other parts.

Well, wish you well with whatever you choose to do with the books and your publishing market -I personally know what its all about now though.

Good night,
Pegs