Does Random House Bully Authors?

9 Comments to “Does Random House Bully Authors?”

1. 

   Suzan HardenJanuary 9, 2013 at 11:09 am

   Poor Joe. This sounds more like disappointment that his business associates turned into assholes than a rant.
2. 

   B. S. SimonJanuary 9, 2013 at 11:55 am

   The realization that an author doesn’t need a publisher to succeed is an idea the large publishers have been trying to stop. Congratulations to Joe Simpson for using his brain.
3. 

   Robin BrandeJanuary 9, 2013 at 1:39 pm

   Joe’s book is one of the burliest ones I’ve ever read. What that guy went through–his rope cut by the climbing partner who thought he was probably dead already, then Joe falling into a crevasse and breaking both legs, then pulling himself out and having to cross snow and ice and hills over the course of several days, all while dealing with the pain and agony of those broken legs–seriously, it made me feel like I have the easiest, most privileged life on earth. It is a GREAT read, and I’m so glad he’s getting it out there in e-book form! Best of luck to you, Joe Simpson! And glad to hear he’s writing more. (Although hearing him say writing is even scarier than climbing–not from where I’m sitting, Joe!)

   • 

     USAFJanuary 10, 2013 at 3:13 am

     I dig what you said Robin. “Burly”… great word. And a pithy abstract of the book. Well done.

     I look forward to Joe Simpson’s many books ahead; I think he’s got it going on. RH like others of the big 5.5 pubs have a two headed presentation. Nice face on one side, deep in demon sh– on the other. It’s always been this way. Some author/pubs usually men and men, palsy walsy. Other authorial 99.99 percent are seen as filler, hoping they’ll place in the derby maybe, sorta, kinda, not really.
4. 

   William OckhamJanuary 9, 2013 at 4:19 pm

   Yes. Do I win a prize? Seriously, big corporations who don’t bully their suppliers are the exception.
5. 

   LeslieJanuary 10, 2013 at 7:27 am

   If the publishers were smart, they would concede reasonable royalty rates and keep these authors–but apparently, they aren’t smart.

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     MiraJanuary 10, 2013 at 9:13 am

     Leslie, excellent point.

     Why Publishers don’t do everything they can to keep videos like this from being made is beyond my comprehension. It’s like they don’t think they need to worry about negative press, and word spreading.

     But they very much do.

     • 

       Tom SimonJanuary 10, 2013 at 10:59 am

       I think I can answer that question by passing on a communication that I received from a source that must, for reasons I’m sure you’ll understand, remain anonymous:

       Me Orcface. Me work for publisher. Writer make video like this, me break him kneecaps. What you want me do? Many writers, only one Orcface. No can keep up.

       Possibly you meant that publishers should do something else to keep these videos from being made; such as pay decent royalties, or not unilaterally alter contracts at authors’ expense. But that would be just silly, now, wouldn’t it? I’m afraid it’s Orcface or nothing.
6. 

   JohnJanuary 10, 2013 at 10:14 pm

   Apparently he is setting up a publishing operation which will include other authors. – http://www.directauthors.com/

   Source – http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/jan/10/joe-simpson-publisher-ebook-royalties

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