Problems with publishing

I guess it’s not a surprise for me to tell you I enjoy writing. I can’t spell. My understanding of exactly where commas should be placed is often lacking. And I do throw in the occasional run-on sentence.  You can ask my editor, she will definitely confirm this. Rosie Dee is an angel! She encourages me to just write the story. She always says that she’ll help me with those details as I send each chapter off to her. God bless her!

But I have a problem now and I don’t know where to turn to for help. 

I began with a small publishing company that was eventually absorbed by a larger company. Essentially I’ve been with the same company since the first book came out in 2013. They have treated me well and I have no complaints.

But within the company there have been problems. I’ve never met any of these people personally. But there were several I’ve worked with closely. And one was very, very kind and helpful. She was instrumental in getting the Cassie book in paperback, for which I will always be grateful. But something happened. I don’t know all the details – actually I don’t know any of the details, but of the four people I knew best, three left the publishing house abruptly at the same time. After that things got really ugly with legal charges being thrown around. One of those that left was the one I trusted the most. 

Many of the authors I ‘know’ cut ties with the publisher and are going to self-publish. I could do that. I have someone who’s done it and could help me. But here is my true problem. I feel, though no one has said this, that if I go on my own, the publishing house will pull all my books from sale. They own the rights to them for seven years from when they were first published. I don’t want to lose Cassie. I want them out there to sell. Sharing Cassie is a joy for me and something I’ve wanted to do for years.

I have a new Cassie book ready to go. It’s a new series, concentrating on all the characters in Cassie’s world, but one I know Cassie fans would enjoy. When I sent in my last book, the publishing company didn’t want it until I had two more finished to quickly follow it up. So I’m working on the second one now. But whenever I finish it I think I will still be torn as to what to do with it.

My vision of Cassie and Tom

The company and always been good to me. But I don’t like the way they treated my friend when she left. If I have them publish the books, am I being disloyal to my friend and all those authors who chose to leave? The writers that left are people I truly respect. Or am I just making a business deal?

I realize in today’s crazy world my tiny ‘first world' problem is extremely minor. But I still have a great desire to have my books published and out there for anyone who wants to read them. I think there is a market for my books although I don’t find may like them out here. 

Many of the books now are so harsh! Love may come into the story somewhere in these books, but they seem to be dark and cruel - whips, chains, cages, dungeons… That’s all wonderful for those who enjoy reading it. But I want to read about love, friendships, ‘real’ people that could be my neighbors. Cassie may get some real barn-burners when it comes to spankings, but there is never any doubt about the love she and Tom share. I think there are lots of readers out there who prefer this, especially the way things are now. Wish I knew how to let them know my books are here. 

I guess I’ll just keep writing and hope everything works itself out. I’ll get the new books published somehow somewhere and when I do, I’ll let you know.

Cassie Space series