My publisher wants me to pay extra money for publication of my forthcoming book. What can I do?

Question

My book is about to come out. Because its page number exceeds what it was initially contracted, the publisher charges me a significant sum of subvention from me, in addition to what I have already paid. If I refuse, the publisher says to cancel the contract. However, estimation given in the mid-production process when all pages were ready, the publisher did not inform me of any extra cost. Is there anything I can do?

Answer 1

First of all, while you may be in the process of being scammed, Mrs. K is 100% wrong that all self-publishing is a scam and/or unprofessional. I have six books out - two are traditionally published and four are self-published. I have two coming out early next year - one traditional, one self-published.

There are many reasons someone might self-publish:

) Your book might be very specialized and not have an audience that the mainstream publisher can reach.

2) You might want to control the creative process to a greater extext.

3) You might not be happy with the few-cents-per-book royalty of traditional publishing, and want a larger percetnage of the profits.

4) You might have marketing aveunes open to you that traditional publishers don't try to reach.

5) You might be unwilling to wait the 1-2 years that it takes most traditional publishers to get a book on the shelves.

6) For every Stephen King, Tom Clancy, and Danielle Steel making millions, there are 250 other people JUST AS GOOD who still have their day job. On the other hand, there are more people actually making their living self-publishing that make their living from traditional published books.

Self-publishing is NOT for everyone - it's not for most. But it is an alternative to the very difficult, sometimes unfair, and rarely lucrative world of mainstream publishing.

In your case, I don't know the purpose you have - but I do know that you have a "publisher" who is likely taking you for a ride. If you can cancel the contract, do it. Reputable book producers will not change the cost in mid-stream. It is their responsibility to be aware - and make you aware - of the length of the book in the early stages, before you sign a contract. They are doing a bait-and-switch.

If you'd like to talk more, email me. I might be able to help, though I can only suggest as a fellow-publisher, not a lawyer.

[e-mail]

Answer 2

Is your publisher by any chance Publish America?

You're being scammed. You should not have to pay a red cent. Get out now, write off the money you lost as gone forever (or if you feel up for a legal fight, sue them), and either find an agent to represent you or do it the long way and start sending manuscripts in over the transom. Real publishers do not charge authors; they pay them.

If Publish America is giving you a threat to cancel the contract, count your blessings and cancel the contract. Then run the other way and never go back.

Answer 3

Most publishers who charge you money to publish your book aren't real publishers...just a printer. Most of them won't promote your book or arrange author tours so you wind up paying for everything. My cousin is going through the same thing right now...she paid a "publisher" to print and bind her book but when it came to promoting it, they had nothing to say.

That said, if by chance there was a wwritten contract between you and this publisher and the contract does not make provision for extra charges...then you have a legal reason not to pay more.

If there is no such written agreement, you'll have a hard time making your case. You might be better off going to a standard printer and printing the book yourself and putting it up on Amazon.

See if you can get some reputable better known authors to endorse your book...many of them will do this without even reading it...and that may help you sell them on your own. no middle man, you keep every dime you get less the fee for listing it.

Answer 4

If possible can you drop me a line and tell me who your self publisher is and I will tell you what you can do. This is one of the very unfortunate problems with self publishing. They keep finding excuses to hold you up for more money. I try very hard to express here every day that self publishing is a scam, but people don't just seem to get it. You should have respected yourself and your manuscript enough to seek out a traditional publisher and not just pay to have your book published. If I know the name, I can direct you to assistance. ---- They're, Their, There - Three Different Words. Careful or you may wind up in my next novel. Pax - C

Answer 5

Get an agent and quit paying people to publish your books for you. Publishers should be paying YOU. Not the other way around.

In the meantime, if you're bent on paying this guyjust to get your book out, then take it to trusted friends and have them read through it and help you get rid of any information that doesn't move the story along. While things like in-depth descriptions of rooms or people are nice, then don't really do much for the story most of the time. Get rid fo anything that isn't helping.

Answer 6

Yes.

Get a clue and learn that ANY book worth publishing and any publisher worth working with will NOT charge you to publish. You're being scammed my friend. Move on. You're going to get taken for every last dime you have if you continue with this crap.

Answer 7

Yeah, you should try to hook up with a real publisher instead -- one that pays you. Publishers are supposed to pay advances and royalties, not charge authors to get their work into print.

Answer 8

You are being scammed. If you have to pay anything other than the cost of shipping your manuscript out, or the fee of hiring an agent or editor, you are being ripped off. Find out whatever legal action you can do, since right now, your money and your manuscript are 100% theirs to do with as they please.