KellyS. said:
Someone posted that they put a clause in the contract saying that the author must submit any subsequent ms's to them first. I thank God that isn't in my contract.
Yeah, the old contracts had that right of first refusal clause as well. My contract did. I had to negotiate with Miranda for my second book. They actually were willing to pay me an advance far exceeding a dollar and few other perks, but could not accomodate my demand for returnable books and released me. Later my attorney had the contract for my first book thrown out through his lawyer magick (I love that guy).
It occurs to me that I met all three of the PA big three last year. My impressions follow>
Larry Clopper: Larry was actually nice to me in person. He appeared a little shy, and had a sort of paranoid shifty-eye thing going on, but was polite. He was the only one of them that took the time to seek me out and say hi. He introduced me to his wife. His public speaking skills are awkward at best.
Willem Meiners: Willem avoided the heck out of me. He introduced himself to people standing next to me (one of either side) and ignored me. The man has a Nazi kind of vibe around him. I swear, I'm not making that up. He wraps himself in an air of superiority and invulnerability. At the end of the convention I went up to him and (as my momma taught me) thanked him for his hospitality (such as it was). He looked so uncomfortable, I loved it.
Miranda: Miranda and I had just come off our contract negotiations right before the the convention, so I was not surprised by her gruffness. During the booksigning event she came by and said hi to everybody (except me). I was next to A.B. Wallace and she was very warm to A.B. (who was charming), but barely aknowledged my presence. She looked like she was wrapped a little too tight and that she might go off any second. Luckily, I didn't know then what I know now. My encounter with Miranda was brief.
I thought some of you might be interested.
Disclaimer: Almost everytime I post about PA my inbox fills up with people telling me that because of my position at Behler I shouldn't publically talk about PA. Well, my opinions have always been my own and are no reflection on Behler. However, just to spare me the email influx, please be advised that a few weeks ago I resigned my position as Marketing Director for Behler for health reasons, specifically, a debilitating bout of bronchitis that lasted more than three months. I realized that I could not continue to work two full time jobs on top of my writing career and family obligations, so with much sorrow I gave up my Behler job. Don't worry they will continue to flourish without me. I have every confidence in them, in fact I just signed a contract with them for my next book. So, in a nutshell, my opinions have nothing whatsoever to do with anyone but me. Okay? thanks.
Diana