I find it interesting, Mercury Retrograde not withstanding, that I’m waiting on two overdue royalty checks from two different publishers. What I find fascinating is the way that each of these publishers is handling the situation, and how this ties right back into my “was it good for you?” post.

Publisher #1. Never usually late with their checks. We received excellent explanations and consistent updates on what was happening. There were many apologies and and much appreciation for our patience expressed. As an author, I feel very confidant that my check will arrive in a timely manner and that once these issues are worked out, there will be no further delays from this publisher. Or if there are, once again, the authors will be informed.

Publisher #2. Checks seem to be “always” late, though there are no rhyme or reason why. Post office traces show that checks are rarely mailed on the dates that they’re claimed to have mailed. Management is constantly admonishing authors to NOT follow up until two weeks have passed, and in my experience, follow up emails sent after that date are usually ignored. This has happened more months than I care to count, and management issues no statements until well after the “due date” for such checks, if statements are issued at all. I believe my checks may arrive sometime between now and when hell freezes over.

I’m not going to name the publishers. It’s not necessary. The point is, it is obvious which one treats its authors like adults. Which one values us. And which one actually wants to keep coming back to the publisher with our work. As I am fond of saying, the second publisher, I wouldn’t trust to flush a toilet with two helpers, a seeing-eye dog and a map. We’re treated like truant children.

So on the “was it good for me?” scale, I would have to say that Publisher #1 WAS good for me. I feel valued, respected, like they actually care whether I live or die. (And I could be melodramatic here and say that I’m waiting for Publisher #2’s royalty check and hope it comes so I can buy medications after my doctor’s appointment tomorrow, because that IS the truth. And if I don’t need the money for my medicine, then it’s going towards my mother’s insulin. So yeah, it kind of is a matter of “life” and “death” or at least quality of life, because I have been sucking it up and not taking my medicine since my insurance company refuses to cover it.) Publisher #2 is most definitely not good for me. In fact, they’re toxic.

I no longer actively write for either publisher, nor with my schedule, am I likely to do so in the future. However, I have to say, that if I were looking to pick one of them back up, I think you and I can both agree on which one would get my manuscript.

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