Self-Publishing Frustrations by Jana Richards

 

On January 8, 2025 it was official. I received the rights back on five of my books from my publisher. This means I can republish the books myself. These five books were originally with a small e-publisher, beginning in 2007. I felt very loyal to them because they were the first ones to take a chance on me and publish one of my books.

Even though I was loyal, I knew things weren’t ideal. The covers on these five books were not my favorite and I’ve known for a long time that they needed an update. I dragged my feet on pushing for new covers because I didn’t want to appear ungrateful. I let things coast for years. Business-wise, it was probably not the best course of action.

Then I got word that my original publisher was selling to another publisher. And then that publisher quickly sold to another publisher. By this point, my previous loyalty was gone. I formally asked for the rights to my books to revert back to me so I could publish them myself. I waited to hear back on when this would happen.

And I waited. And waited. And waited some more.

Since this new publisher had just acquired a boat-load of new books and authors, it took them a while to sort things out. It was several months before they were ready to talk about rights reversions.

But finally last fall they were ready. Hallelujah! The books would be all mine by January 2025. In the meantime, I started updating the manuscripts and commissioning new covers for three of the books.

As part of the publisher’s obligation, they are to send removal notices to all the retailers. That means that they ask retailers to remove the books from their sites because they are no longer being published by them. I can’t republish the books myself until they come down.

So, guess what? Two months after I was given official notice that my rights were reverted, all five books were still available at all the retailers under the publisher’s name with the old covers.

It’s so frustrating. I want to move ahead, but for every step forward, I take two steps back. I’ve contacted people at the new publisher and hopefully things will be worked out soon.

It would be nice if the only thing a writer had to deal with was the actual writing, but the business end of an author’s job takes up a lot a time and mental energy. Unfortunately, if you want a career in writing, it’s something you have to deal with.

In the meantime, all isn’t lost. I’ve updated manuscripts and have three great new covers for my Left at the Altar romantic comedy series. I hope you like them!

Sarah Stevens experiences a bride's worst nightmare; being dumped at the altar. When she goes on the Caribbean cruise meant to be her honeymoon in order to lick her wounds, she discovers her ex-fiancé has sent his brother, Will Marshall, the former best man, on the cruise as well. Everyone on board thinks they're newlyweds, and Sarah is too embarrassed to set them straight. How is she supposed to share a tiny cabin with a man she barely knows? How is she supposed to pretend that she and Will are on their honeymoon? Even worse, how can she keep from falling in love with him? Sarah discovers the best man for her really is the best man.

Eight years ago, Tony left Olivia at the altar. In the days leading up to their wedding, she changed, and Tony concluded she no longer wanted to marry him. So he gave her a way out and took the blame for the wedding that never was.

Now he's back in town and they're forced to work together. Sparks fly between them once more, but Olivia's not sure she can trust him. Besides, she's engaged to someone else now, and even though her heart doesn't beat faster at her fiancé's touch the way it does when Tony reaches for her, she’d never humiliate him the way she was humiliated.

Can Tony and Olivia resolve the pain of the past and reignite their love? Or will Olivia marry her nice, safe fiancé? This time, will Tony be the one left at the altar?

Dani Dipietro has always considered herself an ugly duckling in a family of swans. She's the bridesmaid her friends count on, but never the woman any man wants for his bride. So she plays the funny girl and guards her emotions, and her secrets, closely.

When Zach Morrison was dumped at his wedding, Dani was there to help him through the humiliation. A year later they meet again and once more Zach needs her help. To fend off the unwanted attentions of his former fiancé, he asks Dani to pretend to be his girlfriend. They play their roles a little too well, and make believe turns into reality. But their relationship comes crashing down around them when Zach's trust issues cause him to accuse Dani of cheating. Telling the truth means that Dani will betray a friend, something she will never do. But keeping her secrets means she may be destined to remain a bridesmaid forever.