Nonsense update

Okay, joking aside, I saw on EREC a mention how Red Rose Publishing was marked as “not recommended” by Preditor & Editors. That has been their status for at least a year. It happened shortly after I left RRP as an artist.

Now I see on Piers Anthony’s site* there is a report of trouble there involving editing and threats of contractual breach. As someone who was told my matter was given to the RRP lawyer, one has yet to present himself/herself in any sort of communication with me.

*Note: I don’t put a whole lot of stock into Mr. Anthony. I turned in a bad epub years ago and was basically called a liar along with the few other authors who also left the same time. We were labeled as trouble makers. The truth I’d reported did come to light eventually, and I was vindicated by seeing the pub fail amid scandal.

Right now I am waiting out my 90 day clause and if I don’t get the rights back to Stolen by the Sheikh, I will get a lawyer. Not one created in my head. I actually have the name and contact info to a contract lawyer ready to go–one that is a friend of a friend. (Hey, it is all about networking, and as a president of an RWA chapter, I’ve managed to make several helpful contacts.)

As for my opinion of RRP…I agree with P&E.

Never in my career have I ever dealt with such complete nonsense over a 2 year old novella whose contract had run out and auto-renewed without mutual consent as stated in their contract.

My plans for my Sheikh story? I have none. I was going to expand on the novella, but I have no desire to even bother. At this point, I never want to see it again.

And yes, I am very aware of the whisperings about me around the ‘net. Here are a few truths for you all to read over:

* No, I never had a vested interest in Red Rose Publishing. I was paid for my website work. I was asked opinions, but they were not taken in many cases.

* The only epub I put my heart into was Venus Press, and I was betrayed by a supposed “best friend”. It only occurred to me after leaving that I was a pawn in a scheme to get set up then dumped to take all the profits instead of dividing them. The situation hurt me deeply. Very deeply. It took me 2 years to really move on from it. I don’t ever like to say I hate another person, but in this case, I made an exception. The idea of her revitalizing the company for a return is so insane to me….yet the site is up, but nothing has changed in months. (Not to mention the terrible grammar for the only sentence on the site…Ugh)

* I do not keep many friends close anymore because of the situation above. I have a few select close friends, and everyone else, I keep at a distance. Basically, if your number is on my cell phone right now, you are a friend. And I went through my list deleting today, so I know who I kept.

* I don’t like to take shit. Who does? So when the owner of Silk’s Vault tried to explain her royalty calculations not based on my contract, but on the workings of another epub, I did get feisty. Yes, this happened. Yes, I was threatened with a lawyer. (Been there, heard that.) Only this instance, I told her to please do contact her lawyer as it was clear she couldn’t read her own contract. My books were released from her company later that day. I had left several epubs (like Venus and Silks) and earned quite the reputation of being a badass. I know, I’ve talked to my Brooklyn bud who gives me the lowdown. Being in epublishing for as long as I have been, I’ve seen a lot–dealt with idiot owners, not too savvy editors, and tried to help those reluctant to see any opinion other than their own. Sometimes it works out. Sometimes…not.

Again, I don’t like to take shit. But I have to run through the hoops before I can take the next step. Threats do not scare me. Really. So don’t even bother.

EDITED TO ADD:
In reading this post over, it sounds like I am mad. I’m angry but at the same time, quite calm. I am just so tired of the bull shit. Wonder why I really haven’t been subbing to epubs much anymore? I just don’t have it in me to bother. I have one new title coming out next year. It will probably be my last. I want the brass ring. It is overdue. I’ve seen folks come in after me land big NY contracts, and it kills me. When is my turn? It better be soon, or I quit.