[Publisher] Peak Platform Ltd. / Peakpublish

[blade]

Hello all.
Don't know if this is the right place to ask but here go's.
On Saturday i went to meet a publisher who was interested in my book.
I e-mailed him the first 10,000 words about 3 weeks ago.
He phoned me the same night, said he had read it all ( he told me it was very rare for him to do that) and that he really liked it.
He asked if he could see the rest and i sent a further 54,000 words (thats as far as i've got with my WIP.
This is the first proposal i've sent, there was no synopsis or background stuff and i was a bit shocked that things moved so fast.
At the meeting on Saturday we talked for one and a half hours and he said he wants to publish my book.
He said he would draw up a contract and send it to me to sign.
What i'm asking is does anyone know about contracts? is there a standard contract? are they all the same? and would i need a solicitor to go through it.
Thanks in anticipation.

 

[suki]

Hello all.
Don't know if this is the right place to ask but here go's.
On Saturday i went to meet a publisher who was interested in my book.
I e-mailed him the first 10,000 words about 3 weeks ago.
He phoned me the same night, said he had read it all ( he told me it was very rare for him to do that) and that he really liked it.
He asked if he could see the rest and i sent a further 54,000 words (thats as far as i've got with my WIP.
This is the first proposal i've sent, there was no synopsis or background stuff and i was a bit shocked that things moved so fast.
At the meeting on Saturday we talked for one and a half hours and he said he wants to publish my book.
He said he would draw up a contract and send it to me to sign.
What i'm asking is does anyone know about contracts? is there a standard contract? are they all the same? and would i need a solicitor to go through it.
Thanks in anticipation.

Have you checked the Publisher out in the Beware & Background Checks thread? This seems a little...unusual to me, as processes go.

~suki

 

[Cyia]

Was this fiction or non-fiction. If it's fiction and the guy is offering a contract without a complete book -- RUN AWAY.

 

[blade]

Have you checked the Publisher out in the Beware & Background Checks thread? This seems a little...unusual to me, as processes go.

~suki

Thanks suki.
No i've not checked it out but i met the guy at his book store in Bakewell Derbyshire England. It was big place with 100s of books on sale.
It's called The Country book shop and the publishing part is called Peak Publishing.
He sempt like a genuine bloke. i've checked their web-site out and they've published quite a few books.

 

[blade]

Was this fiction or non-fiction. If it's fiction and the guy is offering a contract without a complete book -- RUN AWAY.

Thanks Cyia.
It's non-fiction, it'sthe second part of a trilogy (I published the first part myself) It's my life story covering the 60s,70's and 80's.

 

[Gillhoughly]

What Cya said.

NO fiction publisher offers a contract on an unfinished book, especially from a new writer with no track record of professional sales.

Only RARELY does a non-fiction house want a book from the neo with no track record, and then they will still wait until the book is finished before looking at it.


Has this person asked for a "fee" of any kind yet? If he suggests that you'll have to put up some kind of money--it can be called a processing fee or good faith charge or a subsidy charge...they have lots of names--RUN AWAY.

A legit house gives you money, not the other way around.

He pressed all the buttons writers want to hear: "I read it all, that's rare for me!" "I want to publish this!"

The publishers and editors I deal with are more reticent. If they gush about a book it means I could (gasp) demand a larger advance.

My first thought: this is too good to be true.

I'm sure he was positive and charming. Con men are good at that kind of thing.

What's the name of the publishing house?

What other books has it published? Are they in the stores or only available on-line?

E-mail any agent you may have been considering and ask if they've had experience with this person. Explain you may have an "orphan" book deal on the table and want representation for it. If the guy is legit, he won't have a problem with this.

Legit agents are listed here:

http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubagent.htm

See if this publisher is listed here:

http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/peba.htm

Try googling the house's name + "scam" and see if anything comes up.

If you don't get anything, they might be too new or the new name of an old scammer. Some shed names and acquire new ones faster than a snake sheds old skin.

But if you don't want to do all that, then BACK AWAY FAST.

If your book is that good, it will totally sell to another publisher that isn't acting weird!

 

[victoriastrauss]

Adding a link: http://www.countrybookstore.co.uk/peakpublish/

It doesn't specifically say so, but from the wording on the site I'm guessing that it's a self-publishing service, and that the contract will include a fee.

- Victoria

 

[Gillhoughly]

I found this for what it's worth.

https://www.ukdata.com/company-credit-reports/PEAK-PUBLISHING-LIMITED.html

Yikes--it looks like self-publishing to me, too.

RUN AWAY.

Remember what your parents said about talking to strangers!!

This still operates even when you're a grownup hanging out in a bookstore in broad daylight!

 

[James D. Macdonald]

Hi, blade.

First things first: I'm not an agent or a lawyer.

Second: I'll probably be moving this over to the AW Roundtable, because this area (B&BC) is for talking about specific publishers.

Which brings up the third point: naming the specific publisher would be helpful.

So these will be general remarks.

First: there is no such thing as a standard contract, though there are common areas. Things to watch for (because they can include major landmines) include what rights are being bought, the reversion and out-of-print clauses, and the option clause.

Second: This speed is unusual, but not unheard of. Remember that the time to negotiate a contract is before you sign it. Afterwards is too late.

Third: I take it from "solicitor" that you're in the UK. Yes, but make sure he/she is fully familiar with publishing contracts. Publishing contracts are different from others, and the terms are different, so some person who is only familiar with (e.g.) retail contracts may not recognize all the terms of art. I think your best bet would be an agent. With an offer in hand from a legitimate press you should have no trouble interesting an agent.

If you haven't already gotten a copy of the current Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, now is the time. When you're considering agents, aim high. Start at the top. A useful agent has sold books you've heard of.

You might want to check with the AAA (Association of Authors' Agents).

It would probably be useful for you to send a PM to Ann or Victoria giving the exact name of the publisher.

 

[blade]

Thanks for all your replies, it's given me something to think about.
I'll have to see what the contract says when/if it arrives.

 

[blade]

Don't know if this helps but he never mentioned any fee.
I did speak to a bloke at the meeting who will be doing the cover design and we went over some idea's. Theres nothing on preditors and editors about the publishing company and they've been in buisness 14 years.

 

[James D. Macdonald]

Okay, while I was composing that reply a whole bunch more info has come in.

This could work if it is a local bookstore publishing local non-fiction to be sold locally.

 

[blade]

They do publish at a lot of local stuff and my book is about growing up and following football (soccer!) in Sheffield wich is only about 10 miles away from Bakewell.

 

[Old Hack]

I live in the Peak District; I know Bakewell; and I know and have shopped in all of the bookshops there (there are three, and all are independent). This bookshop is outside Bakewell, isn't it, on a little roundabout? With a biggish car park and a cafe in the bookshop.

I'm not aware of this publisher. It's probably a local publisher which publishes books in return for a fee. I doubt you'll get much in the way of distribution, and I doubt your books will sell many copies. I also doubt that the editing and design will be up to much. I wouldn't publish with them. But then I'm an old cynic.

As others have suggested, do more research before you submit again. There are plenty of publishers out there which pay for good books, which has to be preferable to you paying them to publish your work. Start at the top and work your way down, and you never know. You might do well.

 

[ChristineR]

http://www.countrybookshop.co.uk/information/about/

Peakpublish
Peakpublish is the Publishing services and marketing platform to assist new writers and translated works from regional languages across the world. It offers partnership publishing for writers and self publishing services using print on demand technology for family, gift and corporate market.

Bolding mine.

 

[blade]

Thanks again for your replies.
Old Hack, yes the bookshop is just outside Bakewell on the roundabout.
Even though it might be a scam it's given me a kick up the bum, i've managed to write 5,000 words over the weekend.
I took my first book, (Sharpe As A Blade (The 60s)) that i published myself to show the publisher.
He even suggessted doing a reprint. I've sold 1000 copies up to now. The HMV shop in Sheffield sold 300 ( the other major book shops in Sheffield, Waterstones and W.H Smith wouldn't take it because it didn't have a ISBM) . I phoned HMV yesterday and told them i might have a deal for the 2nd book and they said they would stock it, they even ordered another 50 copies of the first book.
Once again thanks for your replies, i'll just have to keep on trucking.

 

[Momento Mori]

blade:
Even though it might be a scam it's given me a kick up the bum, i've managed to write 5,000 words over the weekend.

For what it's worth, I don't think it's a scam although I think that if they're offering "partnership publishing" or "self-publishing" then they should be open in setting out the likely fees on their website.

If you're writing something with significant local interest and a low national appeal then self-publishing can make sense and the fact that they're selling locally and geared towards selling locally could see you make money from it. The only thing is that they're clearly not geared up for national distribution, witnessed through the following:

Peak Publishing Website:
We connect authors and books to the readers through online retailers, affiliates, social networking sites, festivals, libraries, chain, independent booksellers, specialist retailers, direct sellers and special promotions.

I'm not knocking independent booksellers in the slightest but bulk sales come through Waterstones, Borders and Books Etc and "connect" isn't the same as "make available on book shelves". The fact that they seem to be a POD operation suggests that any sales through those means are going to come from you and while your efforts with HMV sugest that you're up for that and capable of organising it (and congrats by the way - those are good sales figures for a self-published nove), I'd want to know what Peak Publishing are going to do for your money that you aren't already doing yourself.

MM

 

[batgirl]

Not terribly helpful, but as a bookshop they're legitimate. I've bought books from them for the library where I work. This may not relate to their ability to sell your book.
-Barbara

 

[Old Hack]

Oh, yes--it's a nice enough bookshop, although a little disorganised. I've been a few times, and have spent money each time: I usually find something interesting there and I often have more luck in bookshops like that than in the big chains. But I still don't think that makes it a good choice as a publisher.

 

[blade]

Thanks again M.M. Batgirl, Old Hack.
The publisher rang me again yesterday, i'll have to tell you first that the guy is Indian with a very strong accent and i found it really difficult to understand him on the phone, i had to keep asking him to repeat things.

He said he had contacted Sheffield United Football Club about stocking the book in the club shop ( my book centers around football, the darker side of football, the terrace culture, hooligan stuff, something that the club distances itself from, they wouldn't stock the first book for that reason)
He said that the club had agreed to stock it for a 60% discount. I found that a bit strange but he seems to be moving, or trying to move things along.

At the end of the conversation i mentioned 'fees'. He said there were no fees involved and it would all be explained in the contract.
I'll just have to see what happens, i'll keep you informed if any one's interested.

 

[Momento Mori]

blade:
He said that the club had agreed to stock it for a 60% discount. I found that a bit strange but he seems to be moving, or trying to move things along.

At the end of the conversation i mentioned 'fees'. He said there were no fees involved and it would all be explained in the contract.

Check how the contract determines how royalties will be paid, i.e. whether they're calculated on the cover price or the net price. Ideally, they should be on the cover price and NOT net as this will see you receive a much lower sum of money. In the situation with Sheffield United's store, I'm struggling to see how anyone's going to make money off a 60% reduction in the price, not least because it's doubtful that you'll get the bulk sales necessary to balance it out.

As a question - have you actually signed a contract then with this publisher or are you in the process of signing a contract? Because if you haven't signed anything yet, they shouldn't be doing anything with your book.

MM

 

[James D. Macdonald]

We are all interested, I think.

Two of the places that modern publishing came from were print shops that started buying books in order to have enough work to keep their presses rolling, and bookstores that started buying books in order to have enough stock to keep their shelves filled.

Later, the major publishers mostly disassociated themselves from specific bookstores and from specific print shops, but nothing ever really goes away.

And specialized non-fiction is one of the places where very small/regional presses can do well.

 

[blade]

Check how the contract determines how royalties will be paid, i.e. whether they're calculated on the cover price or the net price. Ideally, they should be on the cover price and NOT net as this will see you receive a much lower sum of money. In the situation with Sheffield United's store, I'm struggling to see how anyone's going to make money off a 60% reduction in the price, not least because it's doubtful that you'll get the bulk sales necessary to balance it out.

As a question - have you actually signed a contract then with this publisher or are you in the process of signing a contract? Because if you haven't signed anything yet, they shouldn't be doing anything with your book.

MM

No i've not received the contract yet MM.
The deal i have with HMV is that the book retails at £9.99, call it a tenner.
I get £4.26p for each book, so thats round about 60% that HMV take.
I paid out £2000 for the first 500, (it was 520 actually they put a few more books in) I sold these mostly through word of mouth in a couple of months for the full price.
I did an interveiw on Radio Sheffield and the local paper, The Sheffield Star did a write up, this boosted the sales.
The printer gave me discount for the next 500 (again it was 520) they cost £1,500.
HMV have sold around 300 of the second batch at the said price.
The rest i've sold, again through word of mouth, local shops (who take £2 a copy) and around 80 on e-bay, some at £8.99 and some at £7.99, so i'm well in profit.

 

[Momento Mori]

Apologies but I'm a bit confused. With the Sheffield United shop - is this being negotiated by you/HMV or is it being negotiated by Peakpublish?

MM

 

[blade]

Apologies but I'm a bit confused. With the Sheffield United shop - is this being negotiated by you/HMV or is it being negotiated by Peakpublish?

MM

It's being negotiated by Peakpublish.
I approached Sheff Utd by e-mail for my first book, they never replied, so i just thought they didn't want to stock it.
In no way did it condone football violence but it was very near the knuckle and contained a lot of strong launguage, thats why i thought they didn't want it
The new book is much the same, so i don't know what Peakpublish has said to the football club, if indeed they have even spoken to them.
I don't know how to post links but if any one's interested, google Ronnie Sharpe and the Sheffield star interveiw, plus a piczo web-site for the book will come up.
Once again thanks to all for your time and help.