Book Review Discrimination -- Rampant and Ruthless by J. B. Bergstad

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:46:00 +0000

Certain books, magazines, journals, periodicals and newsletters discriminate against the self-published author in that they refuse to review our work. That’s a fact. Some of these book review sources can go a long way in making the case for a new offering of fiction or nonfiction in the marketplace. In searching the web last week, I ran across an article extolling the virtues of Publisher's Weekly as an excellent book review vehicle. I scanned their site and found the submission guidelines: No self-publish or POD allowed, thank you very much. At the bottom of the same page was a large banner advertisement for Tate Publishing.

Tate is one of the premier vanity publishers around, something akin to Publish America. In my opinion, Publishers Weekly and their book review policy, is oxymoronic at best. If Publisher’s Weekly wants to defend its acceptance of advertising revenue from the likes of Tate Publishing as just doing business, while continuing to reject POD and other self published books for review, I say their policy is blatantly hypocritical.

If you’re a first time author looking for a publisher, I’m sure you’ve run across Tate Publishing. Tate lobbies the Internet in an aggressive manner. Look under Book Publishing and you’ll find their paid advertisement in a prominent location on the first page of Google and Ask.com and on the second page of Yahoo. They bill themselves as a family owned publisher of Christian orientation. That part of their statement I can attest to personally. I’ll give you a short version of my experience with Tate Publishing.

A year or two ago I submitted a version of my novel Hyde’s Corner to Tate for consideration. I sent the then unwieldy 526 page manuscript late in the week, a Thursday I think. I didn’t expect a response for at least a couple of weeks. On the following Monday or Tuesday I arrived home to find a message on my recorder. A lady, (can’t recall the name), from Tate Publishing wanted to discuss my book. I felt like dancing around my office, but as I was approaching seventy-years-of age, I subdued my excitement and called the number.

I talked with a person who seemed very excited about my manuscript. She went on to explain, however, I would be required to go though the manuscript and replace certain uses of language that Tate, adhering to its Christian principles, could not in good conscience publish. After the language problem was solved, Tate would ask for a one time investment of $4700 and change from me as a gesture of my commitment to the marketing success of Hyde’s Corner. Tate, the lady explained, felt the author should have a monetary investment in the marketing of their manuscript, thus providing additional incentive to the author to participate in the books successful launch.

The sales representative made the $4700+ investment on my part sound trivial, a mere formality. She was very good at her pitchman’s job, (I suppose, to be politically correct, I should refer to her job as that of a pitch-person), but it was easy to say no because of the first caveat; the required language edit. To be fair, when I refused the edit and chose to retain the manuscript’s authenticity of place, time and people, Tate backed off. They said it would be impossible to publish Hyde’s Corner without the replacement of certain exclamations made by characters in the heat of battle or confrontation.

Religion has little to do with this article. But, as a Christian, I loath the fact Tate Publishing promotes a family owned, Christian principled organization, and at the same time, employs the sleazy sales tactics of a Publish America and others of their ilk. If, in fact, they were following rigorous Christian virtue they would explain up front there is an author set up fee. They don’t because they are well aware they will not get half as many folks like me submitting a manuscript and thus giving their pitch-people the opportunity to sell—sell—sell.

I was so incensed by the Self Publish/POD No Review Policy of Publisher’s Weekly I composed an email and sent it to PWs Reviews Director, Louisa Ermelino. To date I’ve receive no response, but it is the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, so perhaps next week. The following is the email I sent:

Dear Ms. Ermelino,

I find it somewhat hypocritical that Publisher's Weekly refuses to review "POD or self published books" while gladly accepting the advertising revenue of one of the biggest vanity press artists in the industry. I point to a banner ad for Tate Publishing at the bottom of your submission’s page.

My name is James B. Bergstad. I am founder and president of Woodside Publishing Group, a member of IBPA and SCWW. I am a seventy-one-year-old, no name author, who couldn't get the time of day from a traditional publishing cabal on its way out. If you doubt the veracity of the latter statement check the Bowker stats for publishing year 2008. POD publishing has shown 132% growth over 2007, while traditional publishing suffered a 3.2% decline.

POD and/or self publish does not mean quality genre fiction and non-fiction cannot be conceived. It does not mean our products will be shoddy or lacking in professional editing. The great majority of POD-self publishers are committed to offering a quality product to the reading consumer at a reasonable price. Woodside's first release, authored by me, is an eclectic collection of short stories entitled Screwing the Pooch. Pooch has received five reviews to date including the Midwest Book Review, November issue by Kaye Trout. Reviewers have rated Pooch four-and-a-half to five stars in all cases.

I doubt Publisher’s Weekly discriminates against those with the funds to either purchase a copy of Publisher's Weekly or pay for a promotional spot in the periodical. How then can you discriminate against submissions of books for review on the grounds they are self published? If I produce books of substance and present them in quality format and design, why would you choose to withhold that information from your readers?

I think the future of book publishing, in the recreational reading area at least, deserves an answer to that question, don't you?

James B. Bergstad

Woodside Publishing Group

I will keep everyone posted on PWs response, if any, to my questions. jb

Just the Facts, Ma'am

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:33:00 +0000

The title phrase of this article was made famous by a sharp-toned, tenor voiced actor named Jack Webb. He played hardnosed Los Angeles Police Detective, Joe Friday on a long running radio and later television series called, Dragnet. I chose the title of this piece to point out little known salient facts about traditional book publishing and self-publishing in particular. For instance, what about ISBNs?

Bowker is a name all authors should know when considering the purchase of ISBN numbers for their book or chapbook. Bowker is a recognized leader in the field of bibliographic information management solutions and maintains the largest Books In Print database in the business.

Why purchase an ISBN number? Why not let the publisher, traditional or POD, provide the ISBN? The answer is in another phrase of days gone by: the whole enchilada. For the novice author, those are the three most important words in the English language. The holder of the ISBN owns the whole enchilada: print, electronic, audio, television, film and international rights, to your novel, short story collection, chapbook or other prose or poetry product.

If accepted by a traditional publisher you may or may not have an agent. If you don’t have a professional protecting your interests, find an attorney familiar with Entertainment Law and let that expert examine all contracts. If you are represented by a professional agent, make sure that individual negotiates a contract as favorable to you as possible. Again, before you put your name on the dotted line, seek the council of an attorney.

Advances, large or small, and distribution are the two main factors you can expect from a traditional publisher. If you’re a first time author, without name recognition, don’t plan on a big investment of marketing dollars from your publisher and you won’t be disappointed. Do plan on the publisher demanding your marketing plan and your time, gas, shoe leather, payment of hotel or motel charges, meals, etc.

If you are agent-less, as I am, and find traditional doors closed to you, as I have, raise up your hands and shout: Halleluiah. You not only get to perform all of the above marketing tasks, but you will be treated to one of the most exciting, humbling, tiring, rewarding journeys of your life. You can take your dream in hand and shape it to your standards. The major caveat in play is whether or not you have the time, humor, courage, and let’s face it, money to accomplish your goals.

I posted an article recently that is available here on Pooch’s Piles. It outlines the methods I used to find the right POD publisher. You can have your work printed and bound for a reasonable setup fee if you do your research and have your cover art done outside the publisher’s venue. I have information regarding the latter and I will cover it in another article. If you’re in need at the moment, you can send an email. If I’m not overwhelmed, I’ll be happy to help on an individual basis.

Regarding POD contracts, I’m willing to voice an opinion, but I’m not qualified to or informed enough, to recommend a course of action. I submitted and was accepted by my first choice of POD publisher. That fact puts me at a disadvantage, because I can’t give you comparisons on the contracts being offered. I strongly suggest you research your POD choices thoroughly.

So, you’re up to date on my facts regarding ISBNs and ownership. Here’s a final reason for educating yourself before making a decision. May 19, 2009, Bowker released statistics on U.S. book publishing for 2008. Traditional U.S. Book production for last year was down 3.2%. New titles and editions projected for 2008 equaled 275,232 compared to the 284,370 titles published in 2007. On the other hand, POD publishing more than doubled. On Demand and short run books in 2008 chalked up a whopping 132% increase over those produced in 2007 with a total of 285,394 books and editions.

Here’s a breakdown, thanks to Bowker, of the top five categories of book production for the year 2008. The numbers indicate there is and will be fierce competition for an audience. We, the new and no-name-authors, have our work cut out for us. The genres of Travel, Fiction and Religion were the big losers last year dropping in production from 11 to 15%. That’s bad news for me and my Fiction cohorts. Should we jump on the Juvenile, YA, Romance or Erotic bandwagon? That’s a question we as writers should examine if we are bent on success in this competitive business.

1. Fiction – 47,541 new titles

2. Juveniles – 29,438 new titles

3. Sociology/Economics – 24,423 new titles

4. Religion – 16,847 new titles

5. Science – 13,555 new titles

Ideas - Opinion - Taste - It's All Revelant in the Pooch Piles

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:14:00 +0000

These pages are for you. If you agree with my thoughts or disagree, here you can set the record straight or ask a question not covered. Anything else on your mind works, too, as long as it’s in good taste and asked or stated with a modicum of respect for others. There will be no flaming here, no name calling or argumentative language that leads to further conflict. I will remove all such blogs immediately and the individuals involved will be banned from this site. Please be discretionary in the use of the King's English. Thank you for visiting jbbergstad.com. If you're in need of a good book try Screwing the Pooch at http://www.booklocker.com/books/3992.html

I've finally managed to put this website together. It's been a long time coming and that's because I've been learning how to market a self-published, POD book on the Internet and elsewhere in the real world.

First thing I learned—marketing anything is tough, exhausting work. One of the first natural inclinations of the human specie is to say NO. That's a good thing and an excellent reaction in a lot of situations. If you're out looking to be entertained and you love books, well, then I'd say you need to take a look at Screwing the Pooch. After you have tasted the excerpts and purchased your copy take a look at the website for my new novel Hyde's Corner. Hyde's will be released in the next ninety days and you won't want to miss it, I promise.

Visit http://www.hydescorner.com and enjoy the excerpts. Don't forget to sign the guest book and leave your email address for the Win a trip to Hyde's Corner giveaway.

I'm going to sign off for now. In the future I will write a few blogs dealing with writing in general. I will warn you now. There will be times when other subjects come up that get my goat, (very old saying. Forget I mentioned it--the goat that is). jb

Publish Traditionally or POD

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:03:00 +0000

If you're an author seeking first time publication, I can save you time and unnecessary heartache. Try POD and here's why:

I finished my first novel, Hyde's Corner, August 25, 2004. I realized the moment I typed the final word my novel would need a few edits. I was no longer a young man and my zeal had taken a hike. At sixty-six I was smart enough to know my pages were far from golden. The question remained: Was I up to the task of self-editing? The answer at the time was no.

I did, however, catch a dose of new author naïveté. I decided to send out a few query letters and edit while I waited for the offers to come pouring in. Reading those queries now, I shudder at their amateurish quality. Powerhouse New York agents have computer printed post cards for queries just like mine. I received rejection, after rejection, after rejection. Were the rejections helpful? No not a bit. Why? Because agents, like publishers, are in the business of making money. They have neither the time nor the inclination to help an amateur achieve professional status.

Six months turned into a year and a year into two more. I used that time to educate myself. I took a writing course and read profusely. I sent Hydes out for a professional assessment. When the verdict was in, I went to work implementing the book doctor's recommendations. I researched, studied and refined my query and synopsis skills. I learned no two agent's requirements for submission are the same. That goes double for publisher query and submission guidelines. Over the years I got used to the phrase: not right for our list.

Three more years rushed by. I continued to work on the Hydes manuscript, but I worked on other story ideas, too. I ended up with a dozen or so short stories and of these I thought seven were publishable. I went in search of a paying market for genre fiction and found it all but dead of neglect and disinterest. There are lots of ezines out there if all you're after is a recharged ego.

I found a market for genre short story collections, but no publisher willing to take a chance on an unknown. It went without saying, my age didn't inspire confidence. I had two choices. I could forget any type of writing career and diddle for my own enjoyment or I could become my own publisher. I chose the latter route and never looked back.

How do you go about becoming a publisher? It wasn't hard. I chose a name, joined the IBPA and put my nose to the researcher's grindstone. I decided on POD as the venue for my short story collection because of its flexibility. POD can print one or one thousand copies and I wouldn't be asked to purchase a minimum number of books. No storage facility was needed and no shipping problems were involved because the POD would drop ship for me. All I needed for a start was a POD connection.

There are a bunch of POD publishers out there, but I didn't want to get ripped off for incidental crap. So how was I supposed to know what the essentials entailed. I wanted the best for my first venture as a publisher. Back to the researcher's grindstone and apply nose as directed. It didn't take a lot of my time. I ran across several helpful sites namely: http://www.publishondemand.net http://www.podpublishing.org http://wwwbooksandtales.com

The first two were the easiest to work with in my opinion, but look at everything when doing this type of research.

I settled on BookLocker.com as my POD partner, if you research them you'll see why. Woodside Publishing Group, my new publishing company, in partnership with BookLocker.com, published Screwing the Pooch in May of 2009. The first of my many dreams had come true. In the process I decided I wanted to own the ISBN number. Holding the ISBN in my name assured me that all rights to Screwing the Pooch belonged to me. If you're on the fence about the ISBN issue take a look at http://www.commerce.bowker.com All the information you need is available on that website.

The most difficult part of the journey has begun, it's called marketing. I'll do more on this subject at a later date--Stay tuned. jbb