At last the story can be told...

[charlie_cochrane]

I've always taken the decision not to snark in public at other industry people, but now that Noble Romance have decided to leave the industry, I'd like to say a little about my experiences with "Sand" in the anthology "Last Gasp". Now, if you're thinking, "Never heard of either of those!" I'm not surprised. Noble did very little to get the book sold and once we saw the way the wind was blowing, we authors took our feet off the gas.

Anybody remember the original print version? Once it emerged (behind schedule and after much nagging from us) it was the size of a house brick. Somewhere between publisher and printer something had gone wrong, words per page were reduced and the thing was twice the size it should have been. Now, that sort of thing can happen to anyone, but it was just one thing among many. The number of times they got the royalty report/payment wrong was staggering. Such royalties/sales as there were - the only thing I have to compare it with is Speak Its Name, which is another anthology of historical shorts, in which both myself and Erastes appear. Speak Its Name sales have continually outstripped those of Last Gasp.

So, what next? I'm considering sprucing up "Sand" and self publishing it. Not done that before and this seems the right time to dip my toes in the water.

Talking of sand (Radio 2 link!), here are some more holiday piccies.

Comments

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

I have a print copy of 'Last Gasp' and I know what you mean about the size - it's big! *g*

The thing that really bugs me about it though is the fact that the title on the spine is facing the wrong way. I know it's only a trivial thing but every time I look at the books lined up on my bookshelf it sticks out like a sore thumb and it really grates on me.

Thank goodness the content of the book makes up for the annoying bits!

Oh and btw, congratulations on being shot of Noble Romance at last *g*

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

Yes, the title thing was another issue. The revised version of the book is right way round on the spine.

You're right about the content. Great stories, need a good home. :)

[jl_merrow]

Just as a FYI: if you decide don't want to faff around with self-pubbing, Untreed Reads say they're open to re-homing homeless books. I might try them with Ghoul, chiefly because I hate all the palaver of self-pubbing so much!

[tam a. (from livejournal.com)]

Storm Moon Press also tweeted about Noble and that they are open to take on some of their stories. So you may find a few publishers who do that. I think JMS books also publishes books that have been done elsewhere if you decide not to self-pub. Good luck.

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

Thanks, twice over. Nice to have some options!

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

Oh, thanks for the heads up. Part of me says I should just give self-pubbing a go. Then I get all wibbly...

[sandra-lindsey.livejournal.com]

Wherever you find a new home for it, I'll look forward to reading it!

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

Thanks, toots.

[helenajust.livejournal.com]

I look forward to reading it too!

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

I liked Sand a lot, and those are lovely pictures too.

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

Thank you twice over. And digital cameras have made a big difference to my photo skills!