Publishing Solicitation thru Feedback

[lucky-E-leven]

Has anyone ever been solicited for publishing opportunities through private email feedback?

I received an email through feedback from my memberpage here about submitting some of my stories of a certain length and category for publishing in an 'upcoming new book' specifically containing lesbian tales. It's not specifically geared to me, but it gave me the feeling that my work had been read and the note sent thereafter. Anyway, I guess I've got it in my head that getting published is a whole heck of a lot of hard work and to be extremely wary if the opportunity essentially falls in my lap. I've heard too many horror stories.

Any suggestions or opinions?

 

[Aurora Black]

Has anyone ever been solicited for publishing opportunities through private email feedback?

I received an email through feedback from my memberpage here about submitting some of my stories of a certain length and category for publishing in an 'upcoming new book' specifically containing lesbian tales. It's not specifically geared to me, but it gave me the feeling that my work had been read and the note sent thereafter. Anyway, I guess I've got it in my head that getting published is a whole heck of a lot of hard work and to be extremely wary if the opportunity essentially falls in my lap. I've heard too many horror stories.

Any suggestions or opinions?

This reminds me of when I was sending tons of poems to this one poetry website. The "upcoming book" turned out to be from a vanity press.

 

[R. Richard]

I have been solicited to publish via feedback e-mail. I did not pursue the idea, because the e-mailer did not seem to know a great deal about my stories and I felt it was not really an opportunity. However, it was something that each Literotica auther would have to decide to him/herself.

 

[impressive]

Any suggestions or opinions?

That's how a few of us were contacted by "Jack Winters" of "Exhibit House" cum "Sensual Whispers"

His website hasn't officially launched yet, but he HAS paid me.

Can't hurt to get more information.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

That's how a few of us were contacted by "Jack Winters" of "Exhibit House" cum "Sensual Whispers"

His website hasn't officially launched yet, but he HAS paid me.

Can't hurt to get more information.

I think it's a great way to harvest authors, but my note wasn't as specific as I would have liked in order to totally sell me on its legitimacy. When you were contacted, were they clear about having read your particular material and wanting it included, or was it more general?

Here is the gist of mine: We are looking for up to twenty writers who would like to have their three to five page lesbian love story published in an upcoming new book. Each author will be paid on a royalty basis based up sales of the book. Would you have interest?

I did respond to the sender, and was fairly impressed that nothing was really misspelled or poorly worded, because I've seen some shitty requests in mass postings and such. Still, I didn't want to get my hopes up if it was somehow a raw deal. Also, I don't know the best way to go about negotiating certain things. Just unfamiliar with what's common place/acceptable and what's the big screw.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

I have been solicited to publish via feedback e-mail. I did not pursue the idea, because the e-mailer did not seem to know a great deal about my stories and I felt it was not really an opportunity. However, it was something that each Literotica auther would have to decide to him/herself.

Yeah, that's what's hanging me up a little. I am very interested in participating in publishing but know so little about it that I feel sort of out of my element. I guess we'll see just how much of an opportunity this is. I've responded with a couple of questions, and now I wait.



p.s. Aurora - I have no idea what vanity press is.

 

[impressive]

I think it's a great way to harvest authors, but my note wasn't as specific as I would have liked in order to totally sell me on its legitimacy. When you were contacted, were they clear about having read your particular material and wanting it included, or was it more general?

Here is the gist of mine: We are looking for up to twenty writers who would like to have their three to five page lesbian love story published in an upcoming new book. Each author will be paid on a royalty basis based up sales of the book. Would you have interest?

I did respond to the sender, and was fairly impressed that nothing was really misspelled or poorly worded, because I've seen some shitty requests in mass postings and such. Still, I didn't want to get my hopes up if it was somehow a raw deal. Also, I don't know the best way to go about negotiating certain things. Just unfamiliar with what's common place/acceptable and what's the big screw.

If I recall correctly, it was pretty vague. There's a thread called "Cold Contacts" with the text of his initial message in it, I believe.

Sounds like you handled it well. I hope it turns out to be legit!

 

[TheEarl]

Yeah, that's what's hanging me up a little. I am very interested in participating in publishing but know so little about it that I feel sort of out of my element. I guess we'll see just how much of an opportunity this is. I've responded with a couple of questions, and now I wait.



p.s. Aurora - I have no idea what vanity press is.

Vanity press is a publishing where the author pays for the book to be published and then sells it himself/herself. It kinda like how Coming Together was done.

Personally, I'd go for it. I have no ideas towards selling any of my erotica, so I'd take anything as a bonus. However, that's just me.

The Earl

 

[TheEarl]

Yeah, that's what's hanging me up a little. I am very interested in participating in publishing but know so little about it that I feel sort of out of my element. I guess we'll see just how much of an opportunity this is. I've responded with a couple of questions, and now I wait.



p.s. Aurora - I have no idea what vanity press is.

Vanity press is a publishing where the author pays for the book to be published and then sells it himself/herself. It kinda like how Coming Together was done.

Personally, I'd go for it. I have no ideas towards selling any of my erotica, so I'd take anything as a bonus. However, that's just me.

The Earl

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I got the same email, Lucky... inquired... heard back... hasn't gone on from there...

we shall see... !

 

[Belegon]

I also got paid by Mr. Winters...

 

[lucky-E-leven]

I received a reply back last night, and was told there would be more information coming next week. It was good to at least hear back promptly. So far, I guess they seem pretty on top of things. Keeping my fingers crossed.



Now for a little something different: How do those of you that have published gauge the decency of royalties and rights to your work, etc.?

 

[Belegon]

I received a reply back last night, and was told there would be more information coming next week. It was good to at least hear back promptly. So far, I guess they seem pretty on top of things. Keeping my fingers crossed.



Now for a little something different: How do those of you that have published gauge the decency of royalties and rights to your work, etc.?

The only way I know is to ask other authors and go by the standards of the industry... I was lucky to have Gwen as a resource to go to for that first contract as well as the experience of my co-writer to draw upon...by now I have a general feel for things.

Of course, I also try to gauge things against the "what is the alternative" standard. If the alternative is zero, then any number above zero is an improvement I guess.

Lucky, I would be happy to provide you with more direct feedback as to my own signed contracts via PM or email...

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Thanks, Bel.

I'm not actually worried about the money, so much as I'm trying to be cautious about publishing rights. I'd love to see how some of that stuff has worked with you, however, if you're up to sharing. The gmail address is probably best right now, as we're switching ISP's on Tuesday.

Thanks.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Lucky - if it's legit, and I hope it is, then congrats, and you might as well take it as flattery. It kind of sounds like a cross between a vanity press and entrepreneurial venture - someone soliciting authors on a royalty-only basis for a self-published and self-marketed book. Which is fair enough, and I don't see what you have to lose, except the time to create a 3-5 page love story, which we all do here for free anyway. Best of luck, lovely lady.

 

[Joesephus]

I have been contacted by some folks...

but I decided that I don't want to publish erotica right now. Perhaps someday when I feel I'm better and I'm willing to use my real name. The folks who contacted me were very clear about the company name up front. They also had web sites with the type of thing you'd expect a publisher to print. I'd be a little leary if they don't reveal who and what they are. After all, if they're legit they have no reason to not tell you about it in the first email. If they're contacting you they should want to sell you on their company.

Since I've never tried to sell anything, I can only go on hearsay. Still, I'm told there are several sites that do pay for short stories. One name Ruth something or other comes to mind. If you think your stories are ready to be published I'd check out some of the well know publishers for feed back.

If nothing else, it'll give you a feel for what someone else would pay for your work.

 

[impressive]

Now for a little something different: How do those of you that have published gauge the decency of royalties and rights to your work, etc.?

As I understand it, Phaze's contracts are fairly standard in terms of both rights and royalties: 3 years print & ebook rights, "50% of net sales from the sale of all electronic editions of the work, divided between the authors," and "15% of net sales from the sale of all printed editions of the work, divided between the authors," plus rights of first refusal on any sequels to existing work under contract.

So, it ain't serious money with the small pubs. It's cumulative, though. Every new release sparks renewed sales in your back list. For example, fine flickering hungers sold more copies last month -- when Artistically Inclined was released -- than it did when it was initially released last November.

Now, I'm branching into editing & cover design (each carrying a 5% royalty on sales).

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Thank you all so much for your input on this matter. I finally received word back from the publisher and everything seems very good. There's one matter I need to discuss with them (re: time limit on rights to my work), but I'm certainly going to participate. Just wanted to let you all know, so that if anyone contacts you in future, it's a good idea to write them back and get the skinny on the proposal. I'm very glad I did.

 

[Belegon]

Thank you all so much for your input on this matter. I finally received word back from the publisher and everything seems very good. There's one matter I need to discuss with them (re: time limit on rights to my work), but I'm certainly going to participate. Just wanted to let you all know, so that if anyone contacts you in future, it's a good idea to write them back and get the skinny on the proposal. I'm very glad I did.

I can't tell you what a smile this brings to my face...

at the risk of sounding somewhat sappy...

Lucky, I hope that you know how much I love your work...when the option to add favorite stories came up, Joyride was the first thing I put up...

I am absolutely freakin' thrilled to hear you will be joining the ranks of actual professional writers. I think that you deserve it far more than I do and it warms my heart.

I also have some measure of knowledge of what a perfectionist you can be...and am equally thrilled to see you willing to let something get out into the public eye like this, because part of me imagines you continually snatching back at the last second to fix "just one more little thing"...and I say that with nothing but love.

I just fucking love that you are taking this step.