Publishing my first manuscript was an amazing feeling. I couldn’t wait to see my books on the shelves at my local Barnes and Nobles, and online with different websites. The experience was exciting, and I felt a real sense of accomplishment.
After publishing my second book with Fulton Books in Meadville, Pennsylvania, I began seeing some issues on the business side of things that we tend to overlook because we’re caught up in the excitement of publishing our work.
These are the problems I’ve encountered with Fulton Books since authoring books with them in 2020:
- Twice, I was promised something in my first contract with Smorgasbord A Collection of Thoughts Experiences and Stories, and the same item in my second contract for Smorgasbord 2 Catch Up and Relish that was not delivered. When you agree and sign a contract with someone, that contract is binding and both parties are legally obligated to follow through on responsibilities spelled out in the contract. They didn’t.
- The contract was good for a period of two years, and at the end of that 2-year period, there’s a renewal fee that you agree to pay in the contract for the renewal of the contract. It’s a specific amount. They decided to raise the cost to renew my contract, even though it was not the original amount agreed upon in our contract. If they decide to raise the cost to renew a contract, that’s okay, but both parties are legally obligated to resolve the original contract amount first. When I questioned them about it, they said well you already paid the new cost. I said I didn’t realize you changed the cost until after I paid, but perhaps you can refund the difference? They said no.
- The third issue I’m just now facing. Fulton Books, since they’re the company that published my books, pay me royalties for sales. It has been at least three months since my sales reports updated. How are you supposed to know what’s selling if the sales reports aren’t updating? How did I know this was happening? Because I bought a copy of my book, and I still haven’t seen the sale show up on the report.
I’m a fair person, and I haven’t made too big of a deal over these issues, but if it was me that was breeching our contracts and not making payments then my books probably wouldn’t get published.
I’ve already spent almost $7000 with Fulton Books, but now that my third manuscript, Smorgasbord 3 has just been completed, I might think twice before it sending it to them. I had high hopes with Fulton Books, but at this point I just don’t know. Things haven’t been good from a business standpoint.
Nooz Buffet 