Having read a post this morning about an editor at Undead Press not only proofing a writer’s story badly but adding significant bits that weren’t there before, I was reminded of a time when I had problems.
I’ve been very fortunate to find a home for much of my erotica focused stories on ForbiddenFiction.com as they’ve been very helpful and professional, ensuring the writers get as much rights to money as possible, but I haven’t always had that experience.
When you’re new and you’ve just had a short story accepted its easy to sign a contract and just be happy. However, as I was advised by ForbiddenFiction, always make sure the editor’s full legal name and address are on the contract, and check what kind of publishing rights you’re agreeing to. Also a contract for an ‘indefinate period of time’ is not helpful and nor is having all your emails ignored when you try to speak to somebody. The length of time for the contract should have an actual number of months/years, and there should also be an intended publishing date.
I was once young and naive like a spring lamb, but after being shown the boiling pot I realised I could no longer say I was ‘only a writer and didn’t have to think about these things.’ Its boring and confusing, but very important.
Good luck my little pepperoni slices, may fortune and new socks reign upon your ankles.
Madeleine Swann 