BruceStrickland
Registered
Strategic Book Publishing/Eloquent Books
Hi there,
Many thanks for the information and kudos to my google search engine. I just downloaded a contract from Strategic Book Publishing in which I either pay $680.00 up front for 'publishing costs' or agree to purchase five books at the retail price weekly for a year. When I initially researched this agency, they appeared to be a big time New York publishing house. Lots of author blurbs, books they have published, marketing director (very sexy picture) etc. The contract did not mention anything about getting my money back if the publisher chose to not proceed. The contract was listed as a 'provisional' contract.
It all seemed so above board at first. I initially corresponded with an acquisitions editor who said my book was too graphic. I cleaned up the text, removing all graphic violence, language and sex, then my manuscript was accepted for publication. I received next an email with an attached contract and that's where I am at this point.
There is a web site that lists an ongoing investigation by a Florida senator into this agency's practices.
http://myfloridalegal.com/lit_ec.nsf/investigations/31273A2F06893B9B852573760050A9EA
I'll keep this blog updated as I find information.
I did not suffer financial damages, but for me, an unpublished writer with a good novel in his hand, this was almost a disaster, if what I have read proves to be true. The contract signed away ALL rights to the book. (Not to mention the emotional letdown.) I was so close (or so I thought) to becoming a published writer of fiction. Oh well, "pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again."
Bruce Strickland
Orlando, Florida
Hi there,
Many thanks for the information and kudos to my google search engine. I just downloaded a contract from Strategic Book Publishing in which I either pay $680.00 up front for 'publishing costs' or agree to purchase five books at the retail price weekly for a year. When I initially researched this agency, they appeared to be a big time New York publishing house. Lots of author blurbs, books they have published, marketing director (very sexy picture) etc. The contract did not mention anything about getting my money back if the publisher chose to not proceed. The contract was listed as a 'provisional' contract.
It all seemed so above board at first. I initially corresponded with an acquisitions editor who said my book was too graphic. I cleaned up the text, removing all graphic violence, language and sex, then my manuscript was accepted for publication. I received next an email with an attached contract and that's where I am at this point.
There is a web site that lists an ongoing investigation by a Florida senator into this agency's practices.
http://myfloridalegal.com/lit_ec.nsf/investigations/31273A2F06893B9B852573760050A9EA
I'll keep this blog updated as I find information.
I did not suffer financial damages, but for me, an unpublished writer with a good novel in his hand, this was almost a disaster, if what I have read proves to be true. The contract signed away ALL rights to the book. (Not to mention the emotional letdown.) I was so close (or so I thought) to becoming a published writer of fiction. Oh well, "pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again."
Bruce Strickland
Orlando, Florida