It's a Jungle Out There

Anyone who is anywhere around the social media world of epublishing has, by now, heard about the downhill happenings at Aspen Mountain Press. (If you haven't, you can check it out here.) I don't have any connection to this press, but it's a cautionary tale that should make everyone take notice.

The fact of the matter is that the situation here isn't unique to the world of epublishing. Businesses have been screwing over employees for ages. It being on the internet may just be a benefit because all communications are better documented and accessible. Even so, it's just a big pile of 'wtf' and everyone should take note.

Be careful what you do!

I know that I'm always very cautious about where I want to do business with. If I want to submit a manuscript to a publisher, I like to check it out through at least three venues I trust: Predators & Editors, EREC and Piers Anthony's Internet Publishing review. Each one has it's own way of noting what publishers seem to be having problems.

In the case of Piers Anthony, he posts the most extended versions and offers what reports he's heard – positive and negative – from both authors and publishers.

I have chosen to self-publish some of my work, but I am also seeking to be picked up by a 'regular' publisher. That doesn't mean I'm going to rush into anything. Research, research, research! Make sure that you are not sending your manuscript into a black hole of the publishing world.

Can any company develop problems at any time? Of course! But if it's a publishing house that has had a good track record for a while, you're better off than with a new company you know nothing about or one that has some "rumblings" about it. Know what you're doing and you should do okay, especially in this day and age when struggling authors aren't likely to have the money to take an epublisher to court.

It's a jungle out there. So be careful!