#CaryPress: The gift that keeps on taking #writers

Well, the saga with CaryPress continues. I hesitated to share any information about this, but I would have appreciated information such as this while I was shopping around my first manuscript. And, so, I humbly offer this story to serve as a learning experience so that other authors can learn from my mistakes, and not follow in my footsteps.

After receiving the hateful email from Dr. Robert Bassett with CaryPress, I responded in a polite manner. I expressed my surprise at receiving such an unprofessional email and offered that CaryPress should either terminate the contract or, if they desired to continue our contractual relationship, provide the statements and royalties contemplated in the contract. You can see their response above.

By the way, they sent the response above to my day-job email address.

Uh, why?

The only reason I can think of is that it’s an intimidation tactic. Ironic considering that CaryPress has accused me of blackmailing, threatening and harassing their employees (I have done no such thing).

I couldn’t help but laugh at demand number 1 – I have no control over Google search results. It’s as if they don’t know that once something is on the internet, it’s there. Besides, they’ve given me no reason to remove a negative review (but I would have reason if they would fulfill the terms of the contract). As for number 2, that would’ve been taken care of if they had signed the mutual release I provided for their convenience. As for number 3, well, again, I had to laugh at the sheer absurdity of it. What are the “services rendered”? There are no “services rendered” in a publishing contract that require payment by an author (and if you do pay someone to publish your book, that isn’t a traditional publishing contract – that’s a vanity press. Royalties flow toward the author.).

The phrase that really got me, though was “exercise the buyout option: $950.”

Uh, what?

There is no “buyout option” mentioned anywhere in the contract. Why would I pay $950 to terminate a contract that they haven’t fulfilled in years?

Ahhhh . . . the joys of being a writer.

Seriously, this is why I opted to indie publish my other books, and I am so glad I did. I always disliked the cover of Denim & Diamonds, but that was out of my control. Readers found mistakes in it after it was printed, but that was out of my control. As an indie author, I run my writing past my critique group, and a professional editor (she’s well worth the money!). There are two cover artists I work with on the book covers and promotional materials. Pricing is my responsibility, so I’m able to run promotions during discounted periods. Best of all, all the profit flows directly to me.

Let me know your thoughts – have you used a traditional publisher? Indie published? Which do you prefer? Any words of wisdom to offer other writers?