** If you came here from the Writers’ Beware post, please keep in mind I am a DSP author and probably will remain one until I decide not to, hell freezes over or my cat finally picks up all of his toys. Here is a link to all of the DSP Author Updates that were sent by the company to every author, something I don’t think was included in the WB post.
I wanted to start off this post by saying thank you to everyone who has emailed or DMed me assuring me they support my writing and my books. And will continue to purchase my books.
Because here’s the thing in all of this, any author still with Dreamspinner is still an author trying to sell their books. Now, some people in the industry has weaponized the situation and advocated boycotting DSP authors or even in a lot of cases, turned DSP authors into the bad guys because they’ve stayed.
People leaving or staying is their choice. I keep saying that and it still remains true. The fact of the matter is leaving or staying doesn’t make the situation go away for anyone. We’re still all in the same boat of trying to be funded and in some cases, now have to learn how to self-pub and regroup.
I’ve lost a few people who I considered a friend. People I have supported during their hard times, including the tragedy of a loved one suffering a catastrophic illness and the deaths in the family. It has been a very soul-crushing time for a lot of people as suddenly authors are being made out to be complicit criminals with agendas or goose-stepping puppets of an evil empire.
Which is hilarious because who really has time for all of that? Ever try to write a book? It consumes so much of your life your cat has to come and turn off your laptop so you go to bed at night.
To say I am disappointed in people is an understatement but it is with the support and words from others that make things okay.
All authors are just trying to do their best and write the best book they can. That’s our job. If someone has an agenda to influence the masses, trust me, it’s not the person trying to get by and hit their deadline. We really don’t have time to rile up the masses and spend hours on social media stirring shit up. That’s a lot of words and energy that can go into a book so agenda spreading isn’t really on a real author’s schedule. Not that every sperm is sacred but every minute certainly is (I’m feeling guilty writing this instead of blog posts, to be honest).
Quite a few of us have deferred our payments so others who need theirs can be paid in full. I have done this myself because I feel this is the best way I can support my fellow authors. I stand by this decision, even though some could have demanded we be paid because we’re “top-earners” (true or not). That’s not how a decent human being is. It’s a shitty time and a lot of us are doing the best we can to help everyone in our “stable” out. We just all hope it evens out soon.
Also the idea of being a “top-earner” is kind of funny because in my head, I’ve got like seven readers and I worry about each book. Regardless of where anyone is on the payment scale, there are those who badly need their money to survive and I appreciate everyone who has continued to support us, especially during these trying times.
If you have a review blog and still supporting all authors in the genre, thank you. We appreciate it. We hope our books and our tours brings you readers and I know I hope to continue to have a good relationship with all of the blogs I interact with. It’s key to reach out to people, especially when there’s a new book coming out and I know I speak for every author in saying thank you for giving us the chance to reach out to your audience. It’s a critical piece of exposure I am forever grateful for.
If you are a reader and have continued to purchase books from authors regardless of how and where they are published, thank you as well. There has been a lot of emotional terrorism (and yeah I know it’s a strong word but I’m going to use it) regarding this situation and the bottom line is, we won’t get paid if books aren’t purchased. Thank you for understanding the authors are still authors and we’re just trying to make a living and go forward.
I’m including the link to the DSP author updates because none of this is confidential and there appears to be a bunch of people who are not getting the newsletter or haven’t signed up for it. These are updated every Tues night and if you as a reader or author have any questions, there is a contact form there on the site or you can reach someone at the DSP office like always: https://dreamspinner.press/category/author-updates/
The rest of the site is in progress but the updates and contact form are active.
I actually wrote a long bit here about what I was angry about and what hurt the most from other authors and bloggers. Then common sense took over and I deleted it because honestly, it adds nothing to the narrative. Yes, I am disappointed in people and have been hurt deeply by former friends in this industry. Can I let that change who I am? I can’t. Not when I’ve worked so hard to become who I am now.
So I am going to end this as I started this… by saying thank you to everyone who continues to support me and all of their favourite authors. This is something we have to ride out and see where it goes. Hopefully it will turn out well regardless of what happens…and isn’t that what we are supposed to wish for anyway?
Much love.
Hellion drops on Sept 17th! God, hard to believe Ivo’s story is finally going to hit the shelves but it’s almost here. So of COURSE, there’s a blog tour.
Hellion by Rhys Ford
Rhys Ford 