Peace Would Be A Welcome Change

Judging from the number of hits on my page during the past few days, it's evident that people are checking for some sort of reaction to what's happening and what part I play in the controversial exchange at Dear Author .

When I posted on my blog about the upsetting turn of events dealing with the loss of my book cover for a second time, I truly meant I was through with mud slinging and hateful behavior, however, I've now been classed as a 'disgruntled ex-author' who is at the root of problems with the press mentioned in the thread. How that came to be, I have no idea. I took my book, left, and never looked back until the most recent communication from them to my new publisher was shared with me. I didn't wage a war, nor do I want to be part of it. BUT, because I seem to be caught in the fray, I posted to tell my side of the story.

Although I'm not an HP author, I've felt the sting. No one should ever be treated disrespectfully and dismissed as though they were nothing more than a stepping stone on the way to the top of someone else's career. And...what's to gain if an author signs a contract with a publisher and then seeks to tear down the very structure they hope will launch them into the public eye? You do the math. There is no sense to that whatsoever. So, I defend my friends' right to stand up against what's wrong. The sad side is that innocent authors are caught in the middle. They did nothing to warrant the bad press that will ultimately affect them, yet there are too many secrets being uncovered to blame the authors who are speaking out in their own defense.

The discussion at Dear Author coincided with other ongoing threads at Amazon and other sites that dealt with removing unfavorable reviews and harassing a reader for posting her honest opinion. I play no part in that. Actually, I would have played no part in any of this if I had been left alone.

Like my friends who are fighting the injustice, I want nothing more than to be an author; I want to write and have fans who enjoy the fruits of my labor. I have nothing to gain in throwing stones and making myself look like an idiot. I'm an adult, and I resent that I've been put into a position by self-serving individuals who are trying to cover up their own bad behavior.

My association with the now infamous press was a disaster from the get go. The best thing that happened was the blow up that led to my asking for my contract rights back and getting them. I'm no longer affiliated with that house, nor do I care to be. So all I ask of them is please leave me alone. I've had my say at Dear Author, and I also responded to a hurtful email sent to one of my author friends that portrayed me as a main player because of my use of a stock photograph. Trust me, I was minding my own business. Until I dared use a cover featuring the same model as the cover that my former publisher recycled to an anthology group there, things were just fine. If you read my blog, you know my stance. It hasn't changed, but I once again relinquished a cover to appease them. So, I'm done, finished-- so over this and sick of it all.

You won't see any more posts from me at Dear Author or here about this. I have nothing left to say except to those who want to keep hurting people: You reap what you sow, so if you are planting bitter seeds, you'd better be prepared to pucker up. What goes around, comes around.

So, I'm focusing on my three new books coming soon from three different publishers. I'm happy in my new homes and I'm being treated with professional respect and courtesy. That's the way it should always be. Despite all the recent negative press concerning various e-publishing houses, rest assured there are some wonderful ones out there. Just do your homework and look for red flags before you sign anything.

Have a wonderful day. I'm going to work on First Degree Innocence and see if I can put all this behind me.