I was reading this very informative post by Stacia Kane on why writers in the early stage with new publishers may be too thrilled to be objective when they recommend the publisher to others. In other words, best not to trust them when they're in the honeymoon period.
In my experience, a few writers published by the more notorious vanity presses can't be trusted either. They may be so used to defending their press from criticism that they don't mention any of its problems in private either.
But what kinds of questions are best to ask to differentiate honeymooner fervor or apologist defenses from a genuine good and professional experience? I know there's not much point in asking whether the writer is happy, because some writers are satisfied selling a few copies of their books to their families while others want distribution, bookstore placement, etc. Also, how would you say is the best way to ask about advances and royalties?
In my experience, a few writers published by the more notorious vanity presses can't be trusted either. They may be so used to defending their press from criticism that they don't mention any of its problems in private either.
But what kinds of questions are best to ask to differentiate honeymooner fervor or apologist defenses from a genuine good and professional experience? I know there's not much point in asking whether the writer is happy, because some writers are satisfied selling a few copies of their books to their families while others want distribution, bookstore placement, etc. Also, how would you say is the best way to ask about advances and royalties?
