
Guest blogging for me today is ninja extraordinaire Alex Cavanaugh, creator of the writing haven and community Insecure Writers Support Group.
Thanks again, Alex…
We’ve all heard of publishing deals that fell through. Maybe it’s even happened to us. While it’s disappointing, it doesn’t have to end in defeat.
Last fall, there was a call for anthology submissions. I wasn’t working on anything at the time and decided I could craft something to fit the theme. I’d written short stories that followed my novels and thought this would be a great opportunity to something that would lead into my trilogy. If people enjoyed it, then they would purchase the series.
So I wrote the short story, sent it off, and when accepted, I signed a contract.
Things seemed to be going well. Cover art was produced and marketing efforts underway. We were even asked to submit a short video highlighting our story and I contacted the illustrator who’d produced the trailers for my series. The publication date was announced and we all awaited links and further instructions.
That date came and went. Another date was announced and that passed as well. All without a word from the publisher.
I finally started hearing from some of the other authors that there might be a problem. Eventually, authors began to withdraw, and I sent in my termination letter as well. Not long after, the publisher announced the anthology had dissolved and rights reverted back to the authors.
I had my rights back, but what to do now? A year had passed since I wrote that story. I’d hoped it would come out late spring and now it was already fall. I’d wanted it to generate sales of my series, but it wasn’t generating anything but computer dust.
The publisher of my series contacted me and offered to publish it as an eBook through their imprint. And they could release it before the end of the year. I jumped at the chance!
And that’s my point – there are always options. I could’ve tossed it out on Wattpad. I could’ve submitted to another anthology or short story contest. But the end of the original anthology didn’t mean it was over. It just set me on a new path.
And on December 6, people will finally be able to read CassaDawn!
CassaDawn
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
eBook ISBN 9781939844354 2.99
Science Fiction-Space Opera/Adventure/Military
Release date: December 6, 2016
The prequel to the Amazon best-selling Cassa series!
iTunes | AmazonAmazon | B&N | Kobo | Amazon UK | Goodreads
A pilot in training…
Fighting the odds, Byron is determined to complete Cosbolt training. Poised at the top of his class, only one situation holds him back–his inability to work with anyone in the cockpit. Byron’s excellent piloting skills won’t be enough without a good navigator…
Bio:
Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm, and Dragon of the Stars. The author lives in the Carolinas with his wife.
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
Thanks for hosting me today, Lidy!
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You’re welcome Alex. And thanks again for being a guest blogger today.
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Other options are always out there in some form. Patience and a little looksy can sure pay off.
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Just have to be open to those options.
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It’s always disappointing when this ind of thing happens. I’m glad you got the rights back and were able to use the story in another way.
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I’m glad I did as well. I really liked that story.
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I’m glad this turned out so well for you, Alex! It must have been really disappointing to have it fall through. Good to hear the anthology publisher did the right thing by releasing the authors’ rights!
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I’m glad we got those rights back!
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Congrats on finding a new (and better) home for it!
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You make a great point, Alex. There is usually more options available when things don’t work out, we just have to be open and look for them. Congrats on the upcoming release.
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Thanks, Mason! I’m excited to share CassaDawn with the world.
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Fantastic post! I agree there are always options. We might not see them at a particular moment in time, but things change and new paths open. Glad to hear CassaDawn will be out very soon!
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Less than a week! Very exciting.
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You know what they say about when one door closes, another one opens. Looks like that was the case for you. Congrats on the upcoming release of CassaDawn. Glad everything worked out 🙂
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I was so happy it worked out.
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Glad you were able to find a happy ending Alex. Pre-ordered Cassa Dawn as soon as I saw this blog post. But Wattpad is not exactly tossing of a book. It is a very popular forum and even some best selling authors use it to expand their readership.
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Thanks! I know, if only I had something to post to Wattpad…
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Good points. I’ve suffered through that four times now. A lot of small publishers struggle to keep things viable. Glad things worked out for you and I already pre-ordered.
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Thanks, Susan! Wow, four times? I’m sorry.
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Something will always present itself if you keep your eyes open and jump at the opportunities when they do arise.
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Just have to trust in God…
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You write quality science fiction Alex
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Thanks! Not quite Star Trek level, but I try.
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You have a great attitude. So happy your story is coming out soon. Many times what starts out as a disappointment ends up the best deal. Congratulations and best wishes.
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Having a bad attitude wouldn’t change anything, right?
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Glad you got your rights back without any major problems, Alex. Appreciate you sharing your experience with us.
Thanks for hosting, Lidy!
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I was concerned about that, but the publisher gave back everyone’s rights.
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Very inspiring, Alex! You are right that a change in our path doesn’t mean the road is over. 🙂 Glad you found the right place for your story!
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I did and soon everyone will get to read it!
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There’s always another option. You just have to let them happen.
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Liz, and they did! So happy.
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Yay, Alex! So very cool & exciting. I’m thrilled for you. You are so correct, but it’s always good to be reminded that ‘an’ end isn’t necessarily ‘the’ end. TY!
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Never the end, just a new beginning!
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And I have always just put it on the pile and forgotten about them. Silly me. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
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Now you know – keep trying!
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There have been a number of times when I came so painfully close to getting published only to have some circumstance beyond my control screw it up. Each time it happens, it’s a huge disappointment, but at the same time I know I must be doing something right or I would not be having all these near-misses.
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James, you are so close to having it happen! Don’t give up.
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Thanks Alex! I have no intention of giving up any time soon.
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Glad that it all worked out in the end!
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You can always do something with a good piece of writing, eh? The hard part is dealing with the disappointment when a contract falls through. Thank goodness for the solid publishers we can rely on.
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You said it, Crystal. I was fortunate.
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I’m glad this turned out well for you, Alex! There are always options (and good ones, too), so never despair.
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That’s right. If it happens again, I’ll know what to do.
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I’m so glad it worked out for you! And the short story sounds intriguing–I look forward to its release!
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Just a few days away now!
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Excellent post and point!!! I sent my story from that anthology off to another anthology – I won’t hear back about that until sometime next year, but if it doesn’t fit there, I’ll send it on again. Out of all the stories I get accepted (30 tiny stories this year), most take at least three submissions to stick. I’ve even gone back and forth with editors over possible changes to individual stories and ended up with a result that didn’t work. So, I sent those stories off again, knowing/hoping that they were stronger for the editorial help I received. Publishing is like any other aspect of life – it ebbs, flows, changes, sometimes gets stuck in the mud, and eventually, it works.
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Tyrean, you do really well with your short stories! Hope the anthology wants that one. We all worked hard on them.
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Hi Alex, I agree that there are always options. Glad you could find one. We writers need to have a lot of patience to explore other options.
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It’s hard to be patient, but this profession demands it.
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So true! There are always other options. As they say, when a door closes, open a window.
Glad it worked out for you, Alex. 🙂
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[…] 9) When a Publishing Deal Goes South by Alex Cavanaugh […]
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