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I have just read the following bulletin that has some sad news for anyone with Forward Press (they own Need2Know as well).
You need to scroll down a little way.
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/forward-press-closes-in-uk-100-staffers-laid-off_b17669?c=rss
Comments
Anyone who has a book/contract with them needs to register with the insolvency practitioner.
[EDIT BY WEBBO] no problem for me, Baggy, but in the interests of not infringing The Bookseller's copyright I'm pasting it as a link
Forward Press ceases to trade heads towards liquidation
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/135906-forward-press-ceases-to-trade-heads-towards-liquidation.html
I think it provided a place where you could upload you poetry and opened a door to publication. They also ran competitions. I felt it was a good place to start and the publications on my CV don't hurt either.
Obviously I cannot speak for authors who had a contract for a book, and am sorry their Need2Know imprint also folds: there were some excellent titles published. I have no axe to grind being a published children's author, but reckon we shall see more small publishers folding, and THAT is grim news for us struggling authors......keep your day time job, folks!
The Need2Know section was starting to do well, so it is sad that they will be lost.
I think 2 TB's have books with them.
Just got an email from my publisher - Need2Know about FP going into liquidation but N2K continuing.
They are stopping commissioning of new titles for the time being but planning to still publish the books scheduled for 2010 nd 2011 (mine is due in April 2011).
Unfortunately, in the meantime their main editor 'has been snapped up' by another publisher.
I've just finished my first draft and was going to edit it after the NaNo
So often the good parts in such a situation get lost or are held in limbo while it is sorted out. And they have ensured their authors know what is happening too.
They have their first meeting on Monday when they will start to look at whether anything can be saved and if there is a future. Yes there has been interest in a possible buyout but it is all specualtion at the moment.
Webbo I'd speak to the receivers as they are very helpful and will tell the truth.
Gerald Edelman Business Recovery on 01233 666280
I am very upset by all that's happened as I needed that money. My dog was also attacked this week, so its not been the best of weeks.
The one thing I do know is that if someone buys the publisher the contract anyone has with Need2Know will pass onto the new publisher and the terms will be the same.
Daisy, there are authors who were with them longer than me. They didn't try to cut my royalties - they'd have been told to be stuffed if they did. But, I did get hit with an 'admin charge' for my bullying book. It wasnt in my contract and I told them so and they gave me the money back.
I just hope someone buys the imprint. If they did, our they would take over our old contracts. I really need the cash from my books.
Hope there is a positive outcome for you and others.
Hi Cath,
I have my fingers crossed too that Need2Know will be bought over. I'm going to contact them and see if I get a response. If I do I will post it here.
Please don't start on your book until you know. I would hate you to lose all that work as I might with my dog book that was due out in Dec 1st 2010.
Would another publishing house be interested in your dog book if N2K folded? I suppose there will be no reason why authors like you and I shouldn't send a new book proposal off and see what happens!
If there was then you will have to hold off sending the proposal elsewhere until the situation is resolved.
I have emailed them for more info, but am not holding my breathe. I have phoned and gotten nowhere.
I'm in the same boat Diane. Sorry if I re-stated your post. My brain has gone to mush in this weather. I feel that authors have been treated shabbily, yet we will have to work with whoever is in charge.
I just hope he hasn't started up under a new limited company name and is renaging on all monies owed to authors on outstanding royalties etc.
None of this smells good. I'm so wishing this man indigestion on Christmas day just for keeping his authors in the dark!
That was my thought too.
The whole thing stinks. If it is the same person who ran FP how can authors trust them if they have done a magic act to stop paying the cash they owe?
There is another associated thread Need2Know that you might want to look at.
Is this likely to be kosher, anyone know?
My name is Anatoly and i'm a reporter for the Olive Press newspaper in southern Spain (www.theolivepress.es). Please feel free to google my name to verify my identity. I have come across your very informative thread while doing research into Forward Press.
The company's Spanish subsidiary is currently being investigated by the Spanish police for fraud. Forward Press has allegedly ran writing competitions in schools across the country, they then collected fees from parents to have the winning work published. None of the books arrived, and they were due even before Forward Press went into investigation.
I'm sure you'll agree this is not on. I'm very interested in your claims that Bonacia is owed by the same people who owed Forward Press. Can any of you verify this information? Any other info about your experiences with the FP would be greatly appreciated and will be kept confidential if needed. I can be contacted at [email protected] or 078 333 16 087. Thanks in advance for your time.