Where there's smoke...

Hey, remember Liberties Press, that publishing house which was charging a slushpile fee? I mentioned them last week.

Turns out that this isn't the first time they've screwed people over. They owe their published authors and even some ex-staff large sums of money.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/ag...

So, yeah. Don't submit to these guys, and take note of the owner's name. Make sure he's not in any of your future business dealings.

Always discouraging when a small press turns up bad. I want to like this category of business, I do, but their niche just seems to keep shrinking more and more these days. They should be the gateway, a helping hand to new authors. Some are, but predators like Liberties and others do so much damage when they turn up...

Ah well. As with everything, caveat emptor. And if you smell smoke, run. Don't wait until you see the fire.