Guest Post by Irene Watson

In the past few weeks I've heard from five different authors telling me they haven't received any  reports or royalties from their subsidy publisher.  The disconcerting aspect is one of these authors had his book published in 2007. That's three  years ago!!  Each of these authors have contacted the publisher, begged for a report and asked that a check be sent for what is coming to them.  If and when the publisher does respond it's with the usual "it's coming."  The "it's coming" never does arrive.

Yes, it's a dilemma.  The publisher is breaking the signed contract.  However, unless the authors are willing to take this further by hiring a lawyer and taking money out of their own pocket, is it really worth it?  It happens to be one of those catch-22 situations.  In most cases, with these authors, the royalty check may be around $150.00. (According to their own calculations, but it may be more.)  As we know, lawyers charge at least that and more-than-likely $250 per hour.

And, if they do pursue this further by hiring a lawyer, will they get their royalty due to them?  Maybe. It's possible this publisher doesn't have the money because it was already spent.

So, what else can these authors do?  How about:

1.  Reporting the publishing company to Predators and Editors. This is a site that lists those in the publishing industry to be aware of.
2.  Contacting the Authors Guild.  This is a group that are advocates for the author.
3.  Getting the publishing company listed on Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.  They have an extensive "writers beware" section.
4. Contacting the Publisher Standards Board. They support ethical publishing standards.5.  Creating a webpage/site to warn other potential authors (victims.)  Example.
6. Contacting the National Writer's Union. They defend writers' rights
7. Filing in Small Claims Court.
8. Blogging about it on their own site. (And, that's a STRETCH, isn't it?)

I've only heard from five authors but upon checking out this specific publisher the website indicates the company is 34-years-old, and has published over 350 titles by more than 400 writers. Wow! It could be half of those writers are just as frustrated as the five I heard from but aren't making any noise.  Why not?

Isn't it time to stand up for ourselves as authors?  Isn't it time to do what is right, ethical, and moral?

Irene Watson is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, where avid readers can find reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Her team also provides author publicity and a variety of other services specific to writing and publishing books.