Staying a Writer and So Forth.

[greygirlbeast]

My sincere thanks to everyone who has taken a moment to express herhisits support, outrage, and sympathy since my last entry. It's means a lot to me. A lot a lot. I frell you not. Here's an update, In Which Things Are Looking Up for Rabbit and Eeyore, behind the cut fer them what don't cares fer the gory details of such t'ings.



I would call this a happyish ending, but the mess I reported yesterday isn't quite yet at an end. Still, there is very good news. I have not been privy to all the communications between my agent and Penguin, but this morning I received two e-mails from my editor. The first included the following very welcome bit of news:

Yes, we're absolutely still doing all of Caitlin's titles in mass market, which we are hoping can have a good long shelf life. Here is the schedule we have worked out (not written in stone, but I see no reason why it should change):

THRESHOLD: January '07
LOW RED MOON: August '07
MURDER OF ANGELS: December '07

What this means is that the two novels that were remaindered in February will be back in print and back in bookshops fairly soon, in new and corrected paperback editions which will cost less than the original trade paperbacks ($6.50 vs. $14.00). This is a very, very good thing, for which I am extremely grateful (to whatever dark and fickle goddess manages the dodgy affairs of midlist fantasy writers). The two novels I spent most of my waking time between November '01 and November '03 writing will be available to readers again, along with Threshold and Daughter of Hounds. So, as regards keeping the books in print, all is well for now. I have asked Merrilee to get this in writing, more official and legally binding writing than an e-mail, but it's a big step in the right direction, and I am enormously relieved.

Things aren't quite so good regarding the copies of Low Red Moon and Murder of Angels which were remaindered. Another check of Penguin's warehouses revealed that yes, my books have all been shipped out to discount book dealers. But we're still working on this problem, and there is still some hope. All in all, the Fiasco has improved dramatically since this time last night. I have almost ceased wishing to slam my head in doors. We shall see. Oh, the copies of the contract arrived this a.m. from NYC, and, for those with curiosity in such arcane matters, this is the specific bit which was violated when I was not informed of the remaindering:

24.(a)...The Publisher may dispose of any or all copies of the terminated Book(s) remaining on hand as it deems best, subject to the payment of royalties as provided. However, for a period of thirty (30) days after termination the Author shall have the right to purchase remaining stock at the estimated remainder price plus frieght.

There can be no dispute that, in this regard, Penguin is in violation of the contract, and it remains to be seen how that problem will be resolved. But, as I've said, the books will remain in print — that is, will be coming back into print — as originally planned. And I would like to here thank Merrilee publicly for handling this mess while on vacation with her family.

Also, please note that the Pandemonium signing/reading has been canceled. Again, my apologies to anyone who was planning to attend, and my thanks to Tyler and Ruth for being so helpful and understanding through it all.



I'd have really rather written a nice long entry of what Spooky and I did today, as it was somewhat more interesting and pleasant than broken contracts and remaindered novels. But I think it'll have to wait for the morning. I'm tired. No, I'm whatever comes after tired, but well before sleep. A friend has loaned us the use of a very fine, but somewhat austere, cottage near Greenhill, not far from the beach. What it makes up for in charm and roominess and being free, it entirely lacks in air conditioning. And if you've been keeping up with the weather, you'll know that Rhode Island is (hopefully) at the tail-end of a three-day heatwave. Yesterday, the temp reached 100F up in Providence (105F heat index), and the humidity and dew point have been hellish. So, yes, tired and sweaty and wishing for cooler weather. I have a story to write, and it's been way too hot (and stressful) to think, much less write.

Oh, I haven't felt like sticking in links for everything, last night or tonight, but here are the links to order the mmp of Threshold and the tpb of Daughter of Hounds from Amazon.com, which I hope you will be so kind and interested as to do. Okay, now I'm going away to sweat on Spooky for a while...

Comments

[mistressmousey.livejournal.com]

I'm glad things are looking up, but Jeebus, that was ridiculous. One would hope that whomever was responsible for the breach of contract has since been fired. Unbelievable.

If I weren't so broke, I'd order a dozen copies each of Threshold & Daughter of Hounds right now.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

If I weren't so broke, I'd order a dozen copies each of Threshold & Daughter of Hounds right now.

Fret not. You've a good excuse. ;-)

[z0mb1e.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad things are looking up for you and your wonderful books. Hopefully you and Spooky can actually enjoy some of your vacation!
And make sure Merrilee knows that we (your devoted internet public) think she rocks.
Random question: For a special edition (I think) of Low Red Moon there was an illustration or painting of Narcissa standing out in the sea with her arms raised. I think it is fucking beautiful and would love to get a print if any are available. Do you know where I could pursue that?

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Hopefully you and Spooky can actually enjoy some of your vacation!

Wouldn't that be nice?

And make sure Merrilee knows that we (your devoted internet public) think she rocks.

Will do.

I think it is fucking beautiful and would love to get a print if any are available. Do you know where I could pursue that?

At one point, subpress was planning to release a print of that illustration, with a poem I'd written (writing as Narcissa's mother, Caroline). But I'm not sure if the planned was shelved or not. You might try contacting Ryan Obermeyer (via RyanObermeyer.com (http://www.ryanobermeyer.com)). It is a gorgeous piece of art, indeed.

[tactileson.livejournal.com]

I'm certainly glad that the mess is beginning to be sorted out. I've already had my copy of Daughter of Hounds pre-ordered for a little while, but I shall now pre-order my copy of Threshold as well. The heat wave seems to have broken here in Mass. tonight, so I'm guessing RI is hopefully starting to feel the cooler air as well. Still, without air conditioning... ick. Enjoy the rest of your vacation, and stay cool.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Still, without air conditioning... ick.

It has been nasty, no doubt about it. I'm used to Alabama and Georgia heat, but this has been something new for me. Simmering soup for air.

[subtlesttrap.livejournal.com]

Further proof that genius is squandered on a regular basis in this country. I've made it my personal mission to introduce your work to as many friends (and enemies) as humanly possible. I've ordered my copy of DoH from Amazon and I plan to give it as a gift to as many lucky people possible on Santa's List.

Best of luck (and let Nemesis do the rest).

[wolven.livejournal.com]

Gods, everyone appears to be hemorraghing money, in some form or fasion, at the moment. :(

It will come to it's proper conclusion, soon. In due course.

Déjà vu...

weather

[dethbird.livejournal.com]

at the very least, you will get some decent-perhaps spectacular-weather.

and good on ya.

you can both use it.

dig it,
Rick

[sleepycyan.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear that things are working out, at least on some level, but I think it's really unfortunate that the books from the warehouse are just gone. Were it up to me, your books would never ever go out of print. I place you on the level with brilliant authors like Shirley Jackson and Ray Bradbury. The imagery that you paint is moving on so many levels.

[setsuled.livejournal.com]

I'm happy there's something good for you in this mess.

a three-day heatwave.

I know how you feel. Though at least there're plenty of working air conditioners around me. I'll send you cool thoughts.

By the way, you made a guest appearance in the newest Boschen and Nesuko--I robbed some friends' faces to save time.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

By the way, you made a guest appearance in the newest Boschen and Nesuko--I robbed some friends' faces to save time.

DRAD! And you've kindly given me the body I had at 27!

[setsuled.livejournal.com]

And you've kindly given me the body I had at 27!

Did I? I'm glad you like it. Although I kind of modelled the body after the nude photo you posted a little while ago.

[extatika.livejournal.com]

There are no words for my indignation and outrage. Tell me where they live and I'll come round and dig up their grandmothers.

[stsisyphus.livejournal.com]

I agree. We should put this heatwave to the maximum benefit possible.

[xterminal.livejournal.com]

Reserved hurrah for happyish endings!

No hurrah for being on the brink of bankruptcy and not being able to preorder books. (October is coming, though, and one of the birthday presents is almost always an Amazon gift card. So I can put it to good use this year.)

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

I'm glad things are looking up; once my second job comes back online (hopefully soon), I'll see about getting to the business of giving my friends and relations copies of Threshold and Daughter of Hounds for cephalopodmas.

[kiaduran.livejournal.com]

Glad to have my gift buying decisions for next year so easily made - everyone will be getting copies of the mmps. Please have a peaceful and relaxing time for the rest of your vacation.

Oh, yes, Snapdragon arrived safely. The guys at the post office said there was quiet singing coming from the package and it was making them nervous. Snapdragon and Lisa are currently having raspberry tea and lemon scones and discussing what adventure to have today. They send their love to everyone.

Rev M

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, Snapdragon arrived safely. The guys at the post office said there was quiet singing coming from the package and it was making them nervous. Snapdragon and Lisa are currently having raspberry tea and lemon scones and discussing what adventure to have today. They send their love to everyone.

At this great good news, Spooky and I both smiled. This very day, I shall write Iggy and Sweet William to tell them she's safe and well!

[sovay]

I will be sorry not to see you at Pandemonium, but I'm glad there's at least some good news in this mess; and may the new editions sell better than hotcakes. Has the heat broken yet in Rhode Island? (We had a brief tropical episode that seems to have washed out at least some of the sickening humidity. Fingers crossed that it doesn't come back.)

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Has the heat broken yet in Rhode Island?

Yes, and I could not have stood another day of it. Today is much, much better.

Watch for an e-mail from me later today.

[sovay]

Today is much, much better.

Good. You deserve a better day.

[yvonnenavarro.livejournal.com]

I definitely sympathize, and can say with utter truth that I know what you're going through. When deadrush (http://www.yvonnenavarro.com/deaddoc1.htm) was published, some bean counter in a back room at Bantam redlined it withOUT telling my editor (and certainly not me)... six weeks after it first came out. The copies weren't just remaindered, they were all PULPED. This despite my having essentially the same contract language and the book being a finalist on the Bram Stoker ballot. Gotta love the publishing biz. I'm so glad these will be available again for you.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

I definitely sympathize, and can say with utter truth that I know what you're going through. When deadrush was published, some bean counter in a back room at Bantam redlined it withOUT telling my editor (and certainly not me)... six weeks after it first came out. The copies weren't just remaindered, they were all PULPED.

Yep, I recall the mess with deadrush. Bullshit like this makes me wonder why they bother to publish us at all.

[tinkbell.livejournal.com]

Hello,
I live in Providence and have been quietly following your journal for a little while. It's still a surprise after growing up in dry desert heat how the hot wet air hangs on you here. There was a show last night at my house and the heat was still hanging out inside, but people stood outside for most of the night to feel the cooling-down.
If the heat returns and you like to swim, Carr's Pond is spring-fed and there;s a beautiful walk through a pine forest and by a swamp to get there. I'm not sure of the directions, as I always space out in the car, but many locals know - I think it's near Lincoln Woods.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

If the heat returns and you like to swim, Carr's Pond is spring-fed and there;s a beautiful walk through a pine forest and by a swamp to get there.

I do like to swim, especially at night, and I believe we were on Carr's Pond Road just the other day. Thank you.

[chris-walsh.livejournal.com]

It looks to my untrained eye that the reprinting schedule for those books (three of yours in a year) is fairly aggressive for someone not named King or Koontz. Is that right or wrong? Whatever it is, I'm glad it's happening.

You guys really need a vacation where NOTHING annoying happens. Seriously. (I'll hope for an annoyance-free Convergance '07 for you two...and that you can make it out to it in the first place...)

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Is that right or wrong? Whatever it is, I'm glad it's happening.

I can't say, and me, too.

[stardustgirl.livejournal.com]

One would think they could recall the unsold copies from the discounters. T said he'd check at this warehouse when he goes back Monday (he's moving this weekend). It's not a normal item to have here, but sometimes the PP imprint does have some stuff show up, along the the odd DK things, but mostly it's the computer imprints.

A cottage near a beach without a/c sound heavenly (I am odd that way - I do not like a/c and am very tolerant of hot weather as long as there is a fan and water).

I hope the rest of your vacation is truly vacation-y and enjoyable.

[styggian.livejournal.com]

midlist?
I would tend to disagree with this assesment as I think, most here would.
I just thought I'd say, even if it is just your modesty making this statement :)
I am, although, very glad to see that things have to come to a more satisfying quasi-end as far as your remaindered novels go.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

I would tend to disagree with this assesment as I think, most here would.

Though your disagreement is flattering, I think it's a realistic assesment, as I am not a bestselling author, but do sell fairly decently. This makes me midlist. There was a time, as recently as the 1970s, when "midlist" was nothing to be ashamed off, when big publishing houses actually looked out for and fostered their midlist as the mainstay of their catalogue. That was the age before Only The Bestsellers Matter.

[styggian.livejournal.com]

I thought that was what you meant.
I started to add a sentence about how you came to the conclusion you were "midlist" and I knew it had to either be modesty or sales.

It was the same way with music back in the late 70's -early 80's.
I wish it still were.

[shadowmeursault.livejournal.com]

kudos to you and Merilee for dealing with such mindless dren on your vacations.
glad to hear that it all worked out. and i'll still be preordering DoH.... whenever that damned art gallery gets around to giving me that job.....:P

messy business

[anonexedass.livejournal.com]

I have never worked for Liz Scheier or her imprint, but I was an editorial assistant at Penguin for years and I can easily see how this could happen, completely inexcusable as it is.

Editors get lists of remaindering books every few months. These lists are long and routed through each department. Invariably they get stuck in someone's shithole of an office or just plain thrown out. If the information actually makes it back to an editor, the lists are always poorly printed, in tiny font, and difficult to read. If the editor is able to identify her authors' remaindering titles, the task to contact the author with the information that her book is being remaindered and the follow-up instructions falls to the editorial assistant, who may be unaware of protocol, poorly informed of how to go about contacting the author, or just unwilling to do so.

Some authors shoot the messenger in this situation, and severely underpaid assistants don't know the importance of contacting an author in the case of remaindering. Some of them simply don't feel like dealing with it.

Also, Senior Editors can receive hundreds of emails a day, and email is used as primary contact point between New York and the warehouse in NJ. Could have gotten lost in the mail.

Again, I have no idea how Liz runs her office or how she or her assistant work. And who knows--this could very well have been a fuck-up at the warehouse level. I'm sure that is what you will be told whether it is true or not.

I'm sorry that this happened to you. It happens a lot (along with other, similar paperwork disasters). Penguin is a ginormous company, producing an obscene amount of books every year, and perpetually understaffed. To top it off, the people who do work there are underpaid and overworked. I'm not saying this excuses anything. Obviously, it does not. But authors should know as much as possible about how bureaucratic the industry is and how very very easy it is for something this important to totally fall through the cracks. Scary.