Networking in a Romance Writers of America* chapter five years ago, I learned of a contest Amber Quill Press was holding. I entered DARK STRANGER, and it was one of the winners. Every time I see its cover, a happy warmth rolls through me.

Amber Quill is one of the non-vanity, non-subsidy electronic publishers. As inexperienced as I was at the time, I'm grateful every day that I stumbled on this type of publishing house. My earlier experience with a subsidy press had been less than satisfactory.

With subsidy and vanity publishers, you "pays yer money and you gets yer book." Vanity presses print your book for a fee and you sell it to family and friends. The books may be hardcover (higher costs) or trade paperbacks. These publishers don't pay royalties. They're called "vanity" presses because it doesn't matter if your book's worth being published, they'll publish it because you paid for it.

Subsidy presses may be more selective in which manuscripts they accept, and they pay royalties, but you'll share the costs of publishing. For instance, you may have to provide your own cover or pay a set-up fee to go to print, perhaps even be required to purchase a minimum number of your paperbacks.

In my mind, those aren't options. The money should all go from publisher to author, not vice versa.

So, what's it like with a good, non-vanity, non-subsidy electronic publisher?

Don't expect an advance. If they do pay one, it'll be small.

Do expect a contract spelling out your rights and those of the publisher. You'll receive the contract once the publisher has your manuscript. There should be a provision for opting out should either of you wish it. Look for a clause returning your rights to you should the publisher go out of business. Be aware, however, that federal bankruptcy laws see your rights as property. In that instance, your rights will not revert to you despite the clause.

Once you've signed and returned the contract, you'll be assigned an editor and receive a release date for your book. Your edited book will be returned to you to review and make the requested changes or discuss things with the editor. After you've worked out the changes, you return the edited version. Amber Quill releases books in many genres, but if it's an erotic romance, the editor specializing in that genre will review that portion of your story.

Once this final edit has been completed, you receive a galley. That's a last chance to check for small errors. Rewriting at this stage isn't allowed.

Your cover will be provided by the publisher at no charge to you. It will be displayed on the publisher's website, and they'll contract with auxiliary websites such as FictionWise and All Romance eBooks to advertise and sell your book.

These booksellers take a cut. Usually the publisher pays royalties on the income after outside sellers have taken their percentage.

You'll know what your royalty percentage is, and royalties will be paid on a regular basis according to the publisher's schedule. Some publishers withhold monies until you've earned a certain amount, and if sales still haven't met that amount in a certain number of months, they'll pay you anyway. You should know what this policy is. It shouldn't be a surprise.

Royalty statements will show every book you have with the publisher, along with the various sales sites. You'll know which books sold from where, how many, and in which months. You'll receive a 1099 for income tax purposes.

Publishers vary in whether or not they'll do a print version of your e-book. The format will be trade paperback, but major bookstores seldom carry them because they're expensive and don't sell well. Likely they'll be available from the publisher, on Amazon or from you.

If you do go to print, you'll be able to purchase your print books at a discount. You may receive royalties on these. Some publishers allow you to purchase the paperbacks of any of their authors at that discount. Those authors receive the royalties.

The publisher will provide you with copies of your e-books in every format they sell. You'll receive a few free paperback copies for contests or promotions.

Policies vary as to how many e-books you may use without charge in promotions or contests. Your publisher may or may not require that any e-books given away be on CDs. Once you've used up your free copies, you buy any others you need.

E-publishers set up Yahoo groups to communicate with their authors. The most important thing, I believe, is that exchanges between owners, staff and authors be informative, supportive, friendly, open and honest. Authors should be kept fully informed. There are no secrets with a good e-publisher.

It was pure luck that I stumbled on a non-vanity, non-subsidy publishing house. I've never been happier.

Carolina Valdez
Website
*RWA Member Resources for partial list of non-vanity, non-subsidy publishers