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Well you could have knocked me down with a feather when I saw an e-mail from Cafe Lit about the 2015 Anthology. I genuinely wasn't expecting to get any stories in this one! Many congrats too, to Tiny Nell, Mike Olley and Kado. Team TB has done it again! =D>
Oh, and not to mention TN's latest contribution... well done that lady.
Congratulations, TN. Nice little tale! I didn't know Gill had taken over from Debz - but that might explain why Debz didn't reply to my last e-mail about the latest anthology.
I'm not sure, Carol. It seems as though pieces are only appearing on the blog now. Debz used to tweet enthusiastically, and leave FB links. Writing used to appear on the website too.
Have those of you who've been published in previous Cafe lit anthologies ever recieved any statements, sales figures or royalties? It's just occurred to me that I've never seen anything like that and I wondered if I should have.
The one I was in a few years ago, I got the e-book version, but not a paperback copy due to the price, and when the next one came out the one I was in stopped being sold.
No, I've never received any communications regarding sales of the anthologies. I have three stories published in the latest one, but I don't think I've submitted any stories this year so this will probably be the last anthology for me.
To be honest, I don't mind about the non-payment because all the stories began life as OWC entries and I'm just happy that they've ended up going to a wider audience (first on their website and then a few in the anthologies).
Just looked it up on Amazon, and Cafe Lit 3, which I and other Talkbackers were in, it still available on Kindle and paperback. And the price being asked for some of the second-hand print copies is unbelievable.
the price being asked for some of the second-hand print copies is unbelievable.
I've seen the same thing with some of my books. Second-hand versions being offered for several times the cost of a new one, even though these are readily available. Can't blame the publishers for that one.
That happens with most books, whether it’s to stop people buying it, or hope someone clicks it with one-click-purchasing by accident, or sometimes it’s because they've set up algorithm pricing to set the price as a percentage (higher or lower) of someone else’s price to make more profit, or to remain competitive. If it its set to be always higher than competition, but so is the competition, they bump each other automatically to silly prices.
I don't think it's a case of them not paying money we're owed as I doubt the books sold in large enough quantities to reach minimum royalty amounts, but I do think we should have heard something back.
The same people run Bridge House publishing. I was in two of their anthologies but communication was poor and no payment received, presumably because not enough sold but it would have been nice to see sales figures. I did ask but didn't get.
Gist of it is that the anthologies haven't sold in large numbers and authors aren't due any money (this is the cafelit best of books – I don't know about others). I find that totally believable.
I'm sure it is true. Still think they should give info without being asked. Our own Mutley sends out a quarterly statement for Alfie dog even if no monies are due. That is professional.
The thing I find particularly annoying is that there was no contract sent out with the terms of use before the stories appeared in the publication, just the email saying my story was to be included.
There seemed to be little effort to publicise the books existence, so is it any wonder. But I would like to know the sales figures of both e-book and print.
If I ever want to re-use the story anywhere, I need to know what the terms were.
I thought the submission guidelines said the stories might go into an anthology, Carol?
If you've not signed a contract you've not given upany rights other than those stated in the guidelines, so you should be free to use the story(ies) elsewhere if you wish.
Comments
http://cafelit.co.uk/100-worder-sea-souls.html
Well done, Team TB!
Many congrats too, to Tiny Nell, Mike Olley and Kado.
Team TB has done it again! =D>
Oh, and not to mention TN's latest contribution... well done that lady.
p.s. no, never received any royalties
Gill James is the new editor.
http://cafelitcreativecafe.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/100-worder-pumpkin-soup-with-dash-of.html
I didn't know Gill had taken over from Debz - but that might explain why Debz didn't reply to my last e-mail about the latest anthology.
The one I was in a few years ago, I got the e-book version, but not a paperback copy due to the price, and when the next one came out the one I was in stopped being sold.
To be honest, I don't mind about the non-payment because all the stories began life as OWC entries and I'm just happy that they've ended up going to a wider audience (first on their website and then a few in the anthologies).
br the book is still available from Amazon at the original £6 price too.
I don't think it's a case of them not paying money we're owed as I doubt the books sold in large enough quantities to reach minimum royalty amounts, but I do think we should have heard something back.
This shows what's available still.
Gist of it is that the anthologies haven't sold in large numbers and authors aren't due any money (this is the cafelit best of books – I don't know about others). I find that totally believable.
And - yes... what Heather said.
There seemed to be little effort to publicise the books existence, so is it any wonder. But I would like to know the sales figures of both e-book and print.
If I ever want to re-use the story anywhere, I need to know what the terms were.
If you've not signed a contract you've not given upany rights other than those stated in the guidelines, so you should be free to use the story(ies) elsewhere if you wish.
The stories are still showing on the blog too if you look under the relevant year, which does limit reuse.
http://cafelitcreativecafe.blogspot.co.uk/