Greetings Darklings:

October is here. The cold chill creeps in, and colorful autumn leaves grace the trees. People prepare for Halloween, and pumpkins can be seen on front porches.

Today’s post is about the dark side of publishing, the side that few aspiring authors ever see. At least, not until they find themselves trapped in its mire.

For the sake of those involved, I am not naming names here.

Let’s say you receive a publishing contract. That should be something to celebrate. But before signing anything, there are important things to consider.

It is always a good idea not to accept a contract blindly. Publishing contracts contain legal terms that can be confusing to an aspiring writer. They still confuse me at times! Have someone familiar with publishing contracts, such as a qualified lawyer or someone experienced in reviewing contracts through a writers’ organization, examine the terms.

Do not be afraid to ask questions or exercise your contractual rights. I highly encourage you to do so, whether you are independently or traditionally published.

That said, I still encourage you all to be patient. Nothing in publishing happens instantaneously. Strive to be professional. You can disagree with someone and still be professional. The two are not mutually exclusive.

And always stand up for yourself.

Recently, I became involved in a dispute with an editor at a publishing company. I am not naming the company or anyone involved. What began as a disagreement over cover art escalated into something far more unpleasant than I ever anticipated.

Under my publishing agreement, I had the right to approve the final cover design and artwork. I exercised that right because I was unhappy with the proposed cover.

Unfortunately, my objections were interpreted as disrespectful. I disagreed with that characterization. I believed I was raising legitimate concerns about a matter covered by my contract, not attacking anyone personally.

The situation deteriorated further when I was accused of misrepresenting something the editor had said. From my perspective, I was referring to statements that had already been made in our correspondence.

I found the entire experience deeply upsetting.

For much of the past year, what should have been an exciting publishing journey became a source of considerable stress. I was supposed to be celebrating the release of two horror books that I had worked hard to write. Instead, I felt absolutely drained and exhausted.

Sometimes major disputes arise between publishers, editors, and authors. If that happens, it is wise to understand your contractual rights and the options available to you.

Rights reversion is particularly important. Depending on the publishing agreement, ending a contract and recovering publishing rights may involve written notice, opportunities to resolve a dispute, or a formal termination agreement. There is no universal thirty-day rule. Authors should carefully review their own contracts and obtain appropriate advice before assuming they are free to submit their manuscripts elsewhere.

I also encourage authors to try to resolve disagreements with their publishers whenever possible. Misunderstandings and conflicts happen, and making a genuine effort to resolve them professionally is important.

My own experiences have made me more cautious about choosing a publisher. I am now particularly interested in established publishing companies with clear communication, fair contracts, and a demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively with their authors.

In my situation, the dispute escalated when the editor told me that I needed to apologize and that publication would be postponed unless I did so.

I did not believe I owed an apology for exercising my contractual rights. I was shocked that a disagreement over cover artwork had reached that point.

The stress affected me physically. My stomach was terribly upset, and I could barely eat for three days.

I began asking myself what the point was of having my books published under circumstances that had become so distressing.

I had tried to be careful and professional in my email correspondence. I did not intend to be disrespectful or ungrateful. Nevertheless, I felt that my character was being questioned rather than my concerns being addressed.

I was disappointed that the situation had not been resolved before reaching this stage.

Ultimately, I decided to seek the termination of my publishing agreements and the return of my publishing rights.

I would never wish to see another hopeful author endure an experience like mine.

Although I was extremely disappointed that my books would not be released as planned, I also felt tremendous relief when the dispute came to an end. My stomach settled, and much of the stress I had been carrying began to disappear.

I could finally look forward again.

I believe authors should be able to ask questions and exercise the rights granted in their contracts without feeling intimidated. That is one of the most important lessons I have taken away from this experience.

If you ever find yourself in a difficult relationship with an editor or publisher, remember that you have options. You may be able to resolve the disagreement, negotiate changes, or pursue termination under the terms of your agreement.

Know what you have signed. Keep records of your correspondence. Seek advice when necessary. And trust yourself enough to recognize when a professional relationship is no longer working.

I chose to pursue a different publishing future, and I have no regrets about making that decision.

Of course, not everyone in publishing behaves this way. I have interacted with many pleasant, helpful, and professional people in the literary world. Those positive experiences helped me recognize what I wanted from a publishing relationship.

I am continuing to seek representation and new publishing opportunities for my work. I know my writing deserves serious consideration, and I intend to keep trying until I find a professional relationship that feels right.

Meanwhile, October is slipping by, and Samhain is almost here!

I am cooking pumpkin to use for baking and will be bustling about the kitchen preparing for the season. I also found a dried brown mullein stalk, and I cannot wait to make a hag torch with it. I am so lucky to have found one!

The incense, herbal teas, and Halloween music are setting the mood beautifully.

I will be posting more about Samhain soon, and I will certainly share any good news if I am fortunate enough to find a literary agent or a new publisher.

One thing is certain: I will be much more careful about signing publishing contracts in the future.

Just getting published is not enough. I want to be respected, and I want to respect the editorial staff, too. I want to work somewhere I feel valued.

Blessings, Spiderwitch

Links to past Samhain posts! 

The History of Samhain

Sequel to How to Decorate for Samhain

How to Enjoy Samhain Safely

10 Ways to Celebrate the Ancient Holiday of Samhain (AKA Halloween)