Was it a Scam?

I recently penned an article about becoming published. In that article, I hinted about a strange experience. Technically, House of Honor wasn’t my first attempt or in book writing terminology “pitch.” Let’s discuss some background to understand.

Big publishing houses work through literary agents. An author needs to pitch their manuscript to even be considered for a contract. Besides a worthwhile book, the opening pitch can make or break.

Once a contract is negotiated, book sale percentages are determined. Generally, the author receives nearly 20%.of the net book sale. The book printer /  distributor takes their cut from the top, and the profit trickles down until the author gets a check.

Some publishers pay an advance of income. This money should be used to help the author market the book. Authors won’t see another dime until the book “pays out” earned profits equal to the advance. Offering an advance, the publisher demonstrates confidence in how well the book will sell.

Publishers will also offer a multiple book deal. That’s exactly what it sounds like more than one book. Those curious, my contacts didn’t include an advance or multi-book deal. HoH has a first refusal option for each submission I write, but that’s industry standard. I’m okay not getting any advance, even after I’ve “educated” myself more on the inner working of the business. My novels are earning on their own merit without any forecast on sales.

The first pitch….I think.

New Perspectives wasn’t even complete when I started thinking about being published. I began searching around the internet to learn what was involved. I had a basic idea, but to confess, I was pretty clueless.

There are many promoters and agents who want to help a newbie get started. Of course,  they behavior can be very predatory. Like anything else, I’m leary, a fool, and his money is soon parted.

I sent an email inquiring information. In return, I received a request to see my manuscript. Most publishers want to see a complete manuscript. I explained that mine wasn’t finished. That didn’t seem to matter to this agent / publisher.

What the hell, I thought. Let‘s see where this goes. Did I mention I was leary? I sent them what I had.  Wasn’t long until I heard back. I received a glowing review and an offer.

Let’s just say the offer was too good to refuse. Spoiler alert: Since I’m with HoH, I turned it down. I don’t regret my decision, but I have been left pondering if the offer had been legitimate.

I had been offered a two book contract with an amazing advance. I had to submit two books in two years.  Before I’m pronounced a fool for not accepting ..let me explain.

Remember, New Perspectives wasn’t finished. I had eight years on the project since concept. I didn’t want a time limit placed on me. I wasn’t sure I could meet the contract guide lines. Knowing what I know now. I’d have been fine. Can’t go Home was submitted and published much quicker. My current masterpiece should have been submitted long before now.  CgH only took a year, but my latest submission is taking longer than I anticipated. I’m not writing at a consistent speed. See why I was concerned?

If I had been frugal, I might have lived off the advance so I could dedicate more time to  writing. I was afraid of a major life change. Did I want to write full-time?

I didn’t understand the obligations of the advance in a contract. My great fear was that I’d have to forfeit the money if I didn’t meet the agreed obligations. I later learned that, no, the money would have been mine. I wasn’t willing to live on a fixed income, anyway.

Was it a scam? Maybe. Maybe not. My takeaway was feeling flattered, providing the review was legitimate. NP had many revisions before it was deemed marketable. I’ve referred to the book as my Ikea project. With Jack’s help, the word jumble was assembled into a book. I look back at that knowledge and think I was the fish that safely slipped a hook. Even being my own worst critic, I’m still learning. Very seldom is an author’s first one the very  best.

I found the publisher that suits me. After screwing up my pitch, I still managed to secure a fair contract. I don’t recommend going at the way I did. I got lucky.