Linkage

Your Rights Online: Amazon Patents Changing Authors' Words
"...Amazon also touts the use of 'alternative misspellings for selected words' as a way to provide 'evidence of copyright infringement in a legal action.' After all, anti-piracy measures should trump kids' ability to spell correctly, shouldn't they?" (Slashdot)

“Due to the fact that the unhappy have made a nuisance of themselves…”
"Lol, why am I not surprised that those idiots at NCP would mistakenly remove books of the few authors that they have, who are crazy enough to still want to stay with them?" (Karen Scott)

Macmillan Issues New Contract Boilerplate for All Divisions, E-Royalty Lower than RH, S&S, Other Majors
"The e-book royalty will come as the biggest surprise to e-book royalty watchers, as it goes contrary to the trend (which some think is a polite word for something darker) among major publishers to pay 25% of net e-book receipts to authors. Unfortunately, Macmillan offers even less than that - 20%." (EReads.com)

Imitator Sues Me to Overturn Copyrights: Please Help Defend My Art
"My original art has been copied by a manufacturer who is now suing me in federal court to overturn my existing copyrights and continue making knockoffs. I have a strong case, a great lawyer and believe that if I can continue to defend myself, the case will be resolved in my favor." (John T. Unger, Sculptor)

Welcome to the library. Say goodbye to the books.
"...officials at the pristine campus about 90 minutes west of Boston have decided the 144-year-old school no longer needs a traditional library. The academy’s administrators have decided to discard all their books..." (Boston.com)

Scholastic Reverses Decision to Exclude Gay Friendly Book from Fairs
"During the past 48 hours more than 4,000 Change.org members joined in calling for Scholastic Books to reverse their decision to exclude a book from Scholastic's popular book fairs, simply because the book featured two moms raising a child. The book in question is Luv Ya Bunches by best-selling children’s book author Lauren Myracle." (Change.org)

Updates--veinglory

Bye Bye Sci Fi
The US TV Sci Fi channel will soon be known as the Sy Fy channel (buying out the previous use of the name by SyFy Portal, now Airlock Alpha) because with the slogan "imagine greater". The implication seems to be they want to leave behind their geeky fans and go onto greater things. A phrase involving 'gift horse' and 'mouth' comes to mind. Also if the idea is to escape a generic term and develop a stylish brand, why use the most boring font, style and slogan imaginable? "Brand evolution reflective of a broader range of imagine-based entertainment -- creates ownable and extendable brand name for the future". (Zzzzzzzz). [News and picture from Linda Mooney]


Old Concepts
Meanwhile New Concepts seems to be running a little short on authors (gee, I wonder why?). But it looks like they are pursuing a "work for hire" model? "New Concepts Publishing is looking for staff writers to develop company properties. Writers must be willing to work from guidelines and be able to produce an acceptable finished product within a given time frame. Applicants should apply with a sample of their writing." They are also listing an average earn out, over the three year contract, of $450 (c.f. Brenda Haitt's "Show Me the Money": $650).

See also:
Rumour Has It…

Page Not Found--veinglory

A few of my favorite blogger-hosted posts are suddenly turning up 'Page not Found'. Like this one that was entitled 'NCP Authors and Artists'.

Excerpts from Madris De Pasture's yahoogroup rants can still be found on other blogs, but how long this is the case might depends on how craven other blog-hosts prove to be.

Edited to Add: For more information see: Told to Delete.

Blogger's position is "If we did not do so, we would be subject to a claim of copyright infringement, regardless of its merits...". Meaning "if you threaten us we will fold."

Yahoogroup Boojum--veinglory

This is where there used to be a New Concepts Publishing yahoogroup for readers. This is where they used to link to it (see the bottom of the page). It seems a few authors, in the process of leaving either by choice or summary deletion, had a few things to say. I assume that the PTB at NCP found it easier to delete the group than address the problems (other than with the usual counter-accusations).

In the past I have noted how the ability of an e-publishers to sell books correlates closely with the number of members in their yahoogroup for readers. So the jettisoning of this yahoogroup combined with the noticeable reduction in book releases, distinct absence of releases by non-owners and appearance of short formats not previously allowed by their submission guidelines? I just wonder how long they can go on.

Edited to add: The owners seem to be keeping busy.

Meanwhile at NCP--veinglory

"Our office has sustained damage from a severe thunderstorm and our phone and email is temporarily out of service. All emails will be answered as soon as our service has been restored." [NCP]

It could easily be true; it is also a bingo square if you are playing along at home.

NCP cont.

Finding themselves in a deep hole the PTB at New Concepts Publishing proceed to try and dig their way out

"Notice of Breach of Contract and Intention to Resolve
In as much as author ... Sydney Somers has refused to honor her obligations to this company regarding completion of her novels Howl for Me and One Dark Knight. And, in as much as New Concepts Publishing has invested money in art, editing, and promotion of these two books as well as other considerations and Ms. Shalon Stewart having been informed of this circumstance has stated the intention of not completing the projects, New Concepts Publishing has taken such steps as they deem appropriate to resolve this situation.

[sarcasm]Well, that clears that up then.[/sarcasm]