Time and time again I have heard everyone from producers to artists complaining that the higher powers that be are trying to control their career. Imagine my surprise when I learned that I was now a victim of the same control. If you are on my twitter (follow me here), or have read my bio I’m sure that by now you know that I have a novel coming out…or rather I did have a novel to be released this month.

 I thought about whether or not to share this story for a couple days. I did ultimately decide to share it because I think it’s important for new authors to be aware of the situations that they can run into with publishing deals.

 Back in 2009 I signed a contract for my book to be published with a smaller company. It was a fantastic deal, or so I thought for my first novel. I completed my book within the appointed deadline and submitted it for editing. When I received the edited draft back I realized that my story had been COMPLETELY changed. Everything from my characters names’ to their physical appearance. For anyone who has a craft, having your pride and joy altered without your consent can be very disconcerting. Especially since I had spent the last 2 years composing this novel to be exactly the way I wanted it. After speaking with the editors, we decided not to make any major changes to the story, but rather fix some minor inconsistencies. I thought i had won. I was wrong.

After fixing the draft and re-sending it again I patiently waited three weeks and didn’t hear back. So I contacted them, many times to no avail. Not only had they not sent me my advance, but they were no longer responding to calls or emails regarding the progress of my novel. Its one thing to play with my work, its another to play with my money. Regardless, this went on for a few weeks before I got fed-up and got lawyers involved. To make a long story short the contract was voided and now the release of my novel is put on hold until I self publish. Yes I have decided to self publish and I have my reasons for it, stay tuned for my next blog on that topic.

The point is this, even though I did my research and made sure I was well informed about the industry I was still, for lack of a better word, screwed. Yet I still held my ground and made sure that I remained true to my craft and I didn’t alter it. So yes there is a downside, my novel will not be released this month. But there is also a positive side to it, I will now put out my book the way it was originally intended, and I learned an important lesson about the publishing industry–its the same as any other industry. Do your research and make sure you thoroughly read any contracts you sign.

Although it will take a little longer for my book to be released now, I know that it will be released on my terms, and more importantly my way…

xoxo

Elle

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