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My first book was pubbed by a small press that had 13,500 initial orders, filled 9,000 of them, and canceled the rest. They pleaded insufficient funds to print enough. When they finally did reprint nearly a year later, the paperback came out from Ballantine the same week, and Ballantine forced the small pub to withdraw the printing.The same publisher did my next book, and went out of business the week after it was published.

The first of these books has stayed in print (paperback) for 34 years, and the second over 10 yrs — when pubbed by major houses.

Of my remaining twenty-four books, eleven have been pubbed by major houses, the others by small presses. Though the major houses sometimes haven’t been active enough, the advances have all been in five figures and the sales have provided me a living.

Of the small press books, three were pubbed nicely, sold well enough (even foreign and book club deals), and were solid. Of the others: One publisher very nicely told me she couldn’t pay $1500.00 in royalties until a year and a half later. Another didn’t pay over $20,000 for more than a year. Another has held the rights to two books for over twenty years on the bogus claim that I owe him money (I can’t afford to sue). Another explained that my book wasn’t available through Ingram because she couldn’t afford to deal with Ingram. Another accepted a book, never published it, and never told me why.

The generous side of me believes that small presses are simply so strapped for funds that they can’t operate effectively. Another side of me thinks they’re amateurs playing a game meant for professionals.

An eloquent example: Bantam pubbed four of my novels, paid no attention to me, averaged 100,000 in sales, and paid promptly. Small presses flattered me, promised special treatment, messed up in a hundred ways, and didn’t pay.

As an editor with a big house for thirteen years, I never saw an author have trouble over money.

This is my actual experience, told in literal truth. Leave your ego behind and take your choice.

Win Blevins
Author of GIVE YOUR HEART TO THE HAWKS, STONE SONG, etc.
Website

[This was previously posted to the Murder Must Advertise forum and is posted here with Mr. Blevins's permission]