I have very few filters left, alas.
ROFL! The older I get, it's the same for me.
I have very few filters left, alas.
While I share many of the frustrations already reported in this thread, including changes made to my manuscripts without my knowledge and books listed incorrectly on sales sites, once I requested and received my rights back, I hoped to walk away from the company and move into self-publishing without further exchange. I received my rights back from Champagne books effective July 1st of this year, as noted in the official rights reversion letter I received, attached here. I've redacted portions that reveal parties' real names or contact information.
After receiving my rights, I had no more contact with Cassiel Knight or other administrators for Champagne Books, until November. That's when I became aware that my books were still being actively listed by CBG for sale on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, despite rights having reverted to me. Having determined they were, in fact, actively selling new copies, I made a list of those I'd found, and looked into the next step in having the unauthorized editions removed.
It was suggested to me that I issue official takedown notices and send a formal Cease and Desist. I hoped, however, an email directly to Cassie would be more appropriate, in terms of clearing up the issue without resorting to filing any kind of legal complaint or report of copyright violation to vendors.
Below are screenshots of an email I sent upon discovering the active listings, and Cassie's reply to me. Again I have redacted portions that would reveal parties' real names and contact information.
While I had experienced a good deal of unprofessional conduct previously, when books were mislabeled or had sections removed without notice or ordered print copies for a book signing only to have them delayed past the date of the signing, Cassie's reply to my discovery that her business was still selling my books without my authorization is quite possibly the most unprofessional interaction I have EVER experienced.
It should be noted Cassie's payment to me in July covered my regular royalties from Q1/Q2 of the year, covering sales up to June 30th, prior to my reversal of rights. I haven’t accused CBG of failing to pay me royalties from my time with them. I think it should be obvious why it would upset me to find out there have been four months of time in which I would have no means at all to identify or check sales data.
Wherein Cassie refers to me "putting negative things" about CBG, I'm not 100% clear what she is referring to, however to be fair I had stated on my social media that I'd just discovered the books still for sale and asked if any friends knew how to verify for sure whether there were multiple e-book listings as well as print books. After receiving several messages from other current and former CBG authors who hadn't realized I'd recovered my rights and wanted to know more, I posted that I was happy to discuss the matter with interested parties in private messages.
As of this writing it has been over week since I received Cassie's response, and as of yet, the books still have not come down.
I consider it wrong for a professional indie publisher to treat authors—even ex-authors—this way, especially with this sort of inquiry.
Yeah, the comment that amounted to "it took you this long?" is particularly irksome. It's not unreasonable to expect that when someone tells you something is going to happen, that it does in fact happen, particularly in business matters like this.
1. Keep all email correspondence. ALL of it. Create an email folder and squirrel away everything. Star/mark emails in which statements of pending follow through have been made and you are waiting for the task to be completed—and hold that person accountable for an accumulating lack of follow through. Yes, we all “drop the ball” from time to time, but if you see a trend of repeatedly being told “I’ll do ___ this week” as if this was the FIRST TIME they are telling you this, and said task continues to be left undone, don’t let it go. As an author, you deserve better. A professional follows through. Consistently.
Additionally: Do not let someone tell you that your emails are getting “lost in cyberspace” and never make it to the publisher’s in-box, or your emails are randomly going into their junk/spam folder. This is not happening, especially if it is gmail sending/receiving to gmail. The reverse is also untrue, emails being sent to you—many emails—from the publisher, trying to get in touch with you have been cyberspace obliterated. Big NOPE to that.
Changes in ownership, or major staff changes are not a good sign, especially in a small business. New people in a couple of key positions, in a small company can make a major difference to the future. Also, why did ownership change and why did the new owner buy it? These are things you may never know the answers to, but are good to ponder.I believe there has been at least 1 and possibly 2 changes in ownership since they first opened but that still doesn't excuse the terrible behavior and lack of professionalism that I've been reading about here on this forum.
Absolutely nothing. Watch for changes in ownership, changes in policies, changes in circumstances, or in the direction of the company. And, how much back up is there, if a crucial staff member takes ill or takes off?I would obviously prefer to submit my m/s to a publisher, but this is making me very wary. If a long established small publisher like this can be going so horribly wrong, what's to stop a newer one from collapsing also?
Absolutely! I've taken full control of my books now and seen a much, much better engagement from readers, connected with many more great, collaborative authors, and had better sales. I'm 100% happy with that decision.
Confrontation is hard, but you're so right. Authors need to fight this kind of treatment. I've spoken with several CBG authors who didn't realize their experiences were not just "the norm", and that they had legitimate reasons to be frustrated with their treatment. If people don't speak up, unscrupulous publishers are able to get away with treating Indies like this, because some new authors just don't know it's not okay.