DISCLAIMER
Some of you have come across the print copy of my book Centipede online and wonder why I’m not promoting it. This is because I cannot endorse someone who played a major part in the book’s preparation for publishing.
While I’m pleased with the general editing and the design of the finished book (it is missing my name on the cover), working with
this person has been
A nightmare
and
I would rather be scrubbed with a pineapple than be associated with them
EVER AGAIN!
I have received several correspondences from this person which show them to be consistently cantankerous, insulting, a bully and someone who ignores questions they seem to interpret as a challenge to their process. Anything I’ve written recommending them was written over a year ago, before they behaved in these ways towards me.
This person has been unfaithful to their own contract, having used my photo (without my permission) to promote their company on their Facebook page, and they have had a print-on-demand version of my book, Centipede, uploaded to a number of online platforms without even a discussion of pricing, far less more providing anything in writing, both actions clearly in breach of their contract.
Centipede was uploaded on February 28, 2020, and although I contacted them by email (on March 22, 2020) to document my addressing the fact that no provisions have been made for me to be paid for my work, they have not responded. It has been three months since the book has been published and this person has not broached the subject, nor have I heard from them. I have been patient, given the disruptive effect of COVID-19 in Barbados, but based on the aforementioned, I cannot in good conscience promote Centipede nor be seen to promote their services.
I provided 100% of the funding for the book’s preparation through a grant. Their attitude deteriorated soon after they received the money. Apart from their unethical and illegal actions, there has been a truly heartrending breach of trust, as I believed they understood the importance of this project.
Their irrationality (for it is irrational to treat a client this way and expect them to continue to want to work with you) has led me to consider that perhaps their behaviour results from an issue, of which they themselves may not be aware, regarding their own mental health. Whatever the reasons,
I reiterate that I have no intention
of ever WORKING WITH THEM again!
IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE PLEASE CONTACT ME. Something should be done to prevent this type of exploitation from happening again.
Learning Experience
Contract Signing
You can’t control others. You can only control what you do. I’ve chosen to learn from my mistakes. My advice is that before signing any contract, especially one that looks like this, enlist the help of someone who knows what to look out for.
Choose well
Be mindful, however, that even with a contract, enforcing it requires expensive lawyers who may be unreliable. It is probably best to work with people who have good established reputations.
Useful Tips
Follow this link for other useful tips on avoiding problematic publishers (take note of the section on those calling themselves “hybrid publishers”).
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