Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Why so high?
As many of my readers know, I publish. I have been published by The Hobby House Press, The Tower Press Mazgzine, Fitzroy-Dearborn/Routhledge, The Popular Press/U of Wiscosin Press, 918studio, The Pace University Press, PMLA, Black Hawk College, Ammerican Doll and Toy Corp, The Pace University Press, The Midwest Journal of Victorian Studies, etc. I've done this on my own, with no agent. I am proud of this, but as a result, I do not get the profits from many of my books, which have been donated for charity, or fees to go to the publisher or buyer, in the case of Sappho, I should have listened. That's a little ironic, considering the title. I was happy to have these arrangements, but I find myself in some flabbergasting situtations. My book on Pym sells everywhere for sometimes 95.00-130.00. I get none of this, unless I sell copies myself. I sell them from $10.00-40.00, below cost to the original press. The same is true of my bibliography of dolls and toys, which I found today on sale at Alibris for $110.00!! I have contacted these sellers, again, and hope for an answer. I do not write to get rich, but I am a little disgusted. These books take years,and years of research, and travel and legwork, and the publishers certainly don't reimburse that cost.
There are many other people out there with the same lament. My reviews are very good; my Kindle fiction is selling, and I hope to post more fiction and nonfiction there, though I sell modestly. I want people to read; I am a teacher by trade and nature, and I have much to share.
Yet, for all my effort, I see my Pym book posted on Google without my permission by The Popular Press. I, and many others, collect only 1% royalties on The Academic Presses because it is an honor to be published, a perish or publish necessity in some schools, and, to paraphrase Michael Dorris, an honor to be used.
I will still write, but please, if you want a copy of any of my books. Contact me first. Thank you.
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