About Martin Sisters Publishing
I contracted with Martin Sisters Publishing to publish my YA novel in August 2013. The editor promised me, either via email or phone conversation, three different publication dates (August 2014, January 2015, March 2015) that did not materialize. She did not contact me to explain the delay when each of these dates passed. Consequently, I was embarrassed several times when I had spoken to a bookstore or library about setting up an event for a book I thought was forthcoming. Please note that this publisher's listing in the 2015 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market claims a six-month turnaround from the time of signing the contract until publication.
Final edits were completed in March 2014. At that time, the editor promised galleys to me. I never received them. In June 2015 I emailed her to ask her if the book would be published this summer. She advised me that it would be out by the end of July. On July 13 I received an email from a member of her staff telling me the book was available on Amazon and would be on several e-sites in 6-8 weeks.
I ordered my author copies from the publisher. When they arrived, a quick look showed me that the book was riddled with printing and formatting errors that were not part of my original ms. These included italics removed, chapters beginning in the middle of a page, multiple lines of dialogue in one paragraph, and uncorrected errors left over from the edits. These errors were so numerous and obvious as to make the book unreadable and unsalable. Further, the publisher did not secure permission for a song quote, which could result in legal liability.
I emailed the editor asking her to fix the errors and replace my author copies so that we could offer the reading public a professional and salable book. She did not reply. At that point I contacted an attorney, who advised her she is in breach of contract and the contract is hereby terminated.
Before I signed the contract, I researched this company and found nothing negative about them on any website or blog. I even ordered a book from their website to see how my book might appear. The one I chose was not as polished as a book from a major house might be (I found a few minor editing errors), but definitely passable. What happened with my book might be a one-time error and an honest one. However, I would have expected the publishing company to fix their mistake and replace my copies at no charge--not ignore me.