Preditors and Editors

Frankie007 · Dec 20, 2016

just went on the website just now....
they are lookin for a caretaker to help update the site.
otherwise, from the way it looks and sounds....the site is gonna disappear forever....

Roxxsmom · Dec 20, 2016

Frankie007 said:
just went on the website just now....
they are lookin for a caretaker to help update the site.
otherwise, from the way it looks and sounds....the site is gonna disappear forever....

Yeah, it's a shame, because the site was a useful resource. But keeping something like that up to date has to be a lot of work.

Maryn · Dec 21, 2016

I feared it might end this way after Dave's death. (I don't even know who took up the reins. Anybody?) I suspect maintaining such a site is largely thankless and certainly not profitable.

Maryn, sorry to see it withering

spork · Dec 24, 2016

I also saw that. It's a shame. I wish I had any of the skills required to help keep it running. I wouldn't mind investing the time, but I would have absolutely no clue how to operate a website or do the investigating.

blacbird · Dec 24, 2016

Even before this, P&E seemed to be having a lot of trouble staying up-to-date.

caw

Filigree · Dec 25, 2016

If someone (or a group) can take over, one of the first things that might need to happen is getting rid of the Pred/Ed contest. It's largely a gamed and superficial popularity contest at best. At worst, it was a source of validation for many of the same dicey publishers that were featured negatively in the list.

I'm drafting a cry for help to Popehat, the EFF, and some volunteer arts legal groups. Properly maintained, Pred/Ed is an amazing resource.

Old Hack · Dec 26, 2016

This is what you see at the site now:

[FONT=&quot]Unfortunately, much of the data on the P&E site has become stale and outdated, and needs a new caretaker with the time required to update the site. The listings are being removed until they can be updated by a new caretaker.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Until then, we refer you to the following:[/FONT]

GENERAL THOUGHTS—set of guidelines & tips on how to avoid scams

SFWA's Writer Beware

The "water cooler" forums at Absolute Write

Other forums you might find googling on writers' forums, and googling for reviews on specific companies you might be considering to do business with

[FONT=&quot]Note that the P&E/Critters Annual Readers Poll will run as usual in January.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If you are interested in taking the reins of P&E, and possess what's needed — at least 20hrs/week to volunteer, excellent investigative skills, in-depth knowledge of the publishing industry, ability to detect scams from not-scams, thick skin, good web site skills, good writing ability — please [/FONT]get in touch.[FONT=&quot] Thanks for your interest![/FONT]

I would be wary of volunteering for that gig. It's a lot of work, it's a volunteer position (which suggests it's got to be done for free), and P&E is outdated, requires a lot of time to get it up to date and keep it that way, and has a long history of complaints and contention.

If the current owners were looking for a new owner for the site that might be a better deal but still: be aware that you'd become the focus for all the lawsuits issued by irate publishers, agents and so on. This is not an easy thing to take on.

Filigree · Dec 26, 2016

I know that before he passed, Dave was candid with me about the lawsuits and other threats he faced regularly. I can't share those comments, because they are pertinent to a specific case.

Old Hack has a valid caution for anyone wanting to own or do volunteer work for P&E. In the Trump era, expect to see more litigation by angry publishers/agents against critics and watchdog groups. Many of those suspect companies target the same demographics as Trump's campaign, and probably feel emboldened to safeguard their cash cows.

Old Hack · Dec 26, 2016

When I used to blog about publishing I rarely highlighted a specific publisher. But every time I did I ended up with threats of legal action; I often received threats and abusive messages from disgruntled writers; and on a few occasions, the people behind those threats found out my home address and sent me just awful stuff through the post.

A site like P&E is going to get much more of that abuse than I did. Be careful if you're thinking of getting involved.

Richard White · Jan 6, 2017

Filigree, I really don't see how using phrases like "the Trump Era" adds any validity (or subtracts it, either). It's unnecessarily inflammatory without being factual (especially since the Trump Era has not actually started, so you have no empirical evidence one way or the other on how anything may or may not change - simply a political opinion that may or may not be unique to you).

I can state things were plenty litigious under the present (soon to be past) administration and I doubt it was much better under the Bush/Clinton administration eras either.

I REALLY wish this forum could discuss the issues without bringing unnecessary politics into the conversation.

AW Admin · Jan 6, 2017

Richard White said:
Filigree, I really don't see how using phrases like "the Trump Era" adds any validity (or subtracts it, either). It's unnecessarily inflammatory without being factual (especially since the Trump Era has not actually started, so you have no empirical evidence one way or the other on how anything may or may not change - simply a political opinion that may or may not be unique to you).

I can state things were plenty litigious under the present (soon to be past) administration and I doubt it was much better under the Bush/Clinton administration eras either.

I REALLY wish this forum could discuss the issues without bringing unnecessary politics into the conversation.

Then you should report the post without increasing the political discussion.

Preditors and Editors

Frankie007

Roxxsmom

Beastly Fido

Maryn

Baaa!

spork

blacbird

Filigree

Mildly Disturbing

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman

Filigree

Mildly Disturbing

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman

Richard White

Stealthy Plot Bunny Peddler

AW Admin