I Find Them Ethical, Professional and Supportive
[FONT="]I am a current author with Breathless Press, working with them since 2012. I am not a member of BP staff.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]I have been personally present for the recent situations regarding audiobook rights, as well as the royalties audit. Prior to this royalties cycle, I have received at least five quarterly royalty statements from Breathless, starting with work in anthologies and progressing to my own novels. I've signed about 15 separate contracts for various anthology stories, short stories, novellas and full-length works. I read each contract, every time.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Previous posters have claimed [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] "some authors haven't seen a royalty statement yet, though it's the end of the cycle" and " a majority of the authors [are] in the negative for royalties". No one has consulted me on this, as neither of these things are true of me. My contracts state [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] royalties shall be paid out within 45 days of quarter end. It is, currently,
still within the 45-day time frame stated by my contract, and I have received my statement. I [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] duly informed by Justyn Perry [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] due to an accounting error, there would be a delay in the
expected date of receipt. The delay [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="], in fact, much shorter than I expected, but as stated, still within the 45-day period stipulated by my contracts. The final statement and royalties were also less than expected, however, I [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] not "in the negative", nor even close to it.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Furthermore, during the auditing process, Justyn posted regularly to the author's group to update everyone on its progress and the expected timeline for completion. Further to [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="], he made himself available via private message or email for anyone who wished to address the matter in more detail. As this is the [/FONT][FONT="]only[/FONT][FONT="] time I have experienced trouble during a royalties cycle, at this time I feel confident it has been an isolated incident.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]As for the audio rights; at the time this became a public argument on the Breathless Press author group, I [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] actually confused as to why it [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] being brought up. As I said, I've read all my contracts, every time. I [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] perfectly aware of the changes to new contracts when audio rights were introduced as separate from digital rights (under which they were covered, previously). No surprises for me. Furthermore, both my editor and Justyn Perry were, again, available via private message or email to discuss any questions I may have had, and both made [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] perfectly clear. The [/FONT][FONT="]only[/FONT][FONT="] reason I never took advantage of [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] offer [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="], as I said, I had read my contracts and I had no questions.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]A question arose as to audio rights extending for 7 years when the authors had signed for 3 years. This pertained to contracts signed before June of 2014. Justyn Perry repeatedly explained to authors on the public forum [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] their rights were
not sold for seven years, and at the end of their original contract date they would be free to request rights back from the audiobook company. This [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] in keeping with existing contracts, which extended rights for three years,
after which the contract could continue unless the author requested rights returned.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]From my contract for
Goblin Fires, signed in January of 2014: "A. Electronic Rights will be exclusive for three (3) years commencing on the date the Work becomes available for sale[/FONT][FONT="] on the Publisher's site.
After such time, the contract can continue if the Author does not request them back. Electronic Rights refers to digital book, audio, CD, or any other format yet to be invented." (emphasis added by me)[/FONT]
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[FONT="]As such, Justin's explanation—[/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] at the end of three years, authors would have the option to be request their rights back—[/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="]
not a change to the contract.
New contracts do utilize a bit more specific language, now stating the contract will auto-renew if authors do not request rights returned, which may be clearer.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Again, Justin welcomed any and all authors to also speak with him privately on the matter. [/FONT]
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"I also have some proof (screenshot, actually) that the owner admitted he needed to trim costs. What better way to trim costs than to get rid of current editors and hire new ones that will have to wait a bit to get paid?"
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[FONT="]Conjecture about this all you like, it doesn't make it fact. My editor handles many authors, and she has not been let go. I have worked for several companies where management has disclosed to staff [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] cost-cutting measures are being explored,
without layoffs being the result. This claim, quite plainly, means nothing, and the original poster may have a screenshot showing [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] Justyn said this, but he/she is simply jumping from there to libelous conclusions with no merit. [/FONT]
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[FONT="]The lead editor [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] not let go. She made the decision to step down and pursue her own projects more freely. After some discussion, she decided
not to step down and instead revisit and trim down her workload, so [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] she could continue on with Breathless. I [/FONT][FONT="]am aware of this because she herself told me, when I asked her.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
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[FONT="]Leona [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] unfortunately let go due to disagreements on the quality of her editing. I admire Leona as a writer, and consider her works quite good, and I don't mean her any ill will by disagreeing with her here. However, Leona herself told me the reason for her termination as editor [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] a conflict of opinion on editing procedures, and the style of editing she employed with her authors. I sympathize with her [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] the publisher did not agree with her editing methods. However, Breathless Press determines the editing specifications editors and authors are to meet. If an editor disagrees with the specifications or considers them incorrect, and they cannot reconcile to meet the publisher's specifications, they are not a good fit for [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] company.
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[FONT="]As a side note, I have never found fault with my own editor's comments or corrections. I hold a degree in English Language and Literature and have never received a negative comment as to the grammar, syntax, or editing quality in any of the stories I have published with Breathless Press. My impression of Breathless Press's editing standards is [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] in the last year the editing team has been committed to strengthening their works, and improvements have been very good. My editor is consistently available to me, open to discussion and even disagreement. I quite appreciate [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] I can discuss changes with her and reach a compromise, if I do not immediately accept her suggestion.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]As to Leona's removal from the Breathless Press Author's Group, she had requested all rights returned to her and made it clear she no longer wished to be a Breathless Press Author. Her removal from the group as not personal; it [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] a reasonable conclusion. She no longer wished to be with Breathless Press; she [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] removed from the Breathless Press group. [/FONT]
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[FONT="]This is my personal assessment as an observer of the events at [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] time. It should be noted [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] members of the Breathless Press team have continued to maintain their professionalism by
not discussing individual rights or contract matters publicly. If Leona ever received a message or communication indicating her removal [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] due to other reasons, I am not aware of it.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]I feel [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] there is a major misconception about the purpose of the author's group. It's a very easygoing group, most of the time, quite fun and very casual. Because it's maintained on Facebook, it can be easy to forget [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] the purpose of the group is to provide a forum for the
professional business of Breathless Press. The group is
not ultimately meant to be a social hub for the authors, though quite often it can be; it is
meant to be a common site for professional purposes.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]On [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] note, Leona and Masayoshi have both mentioned [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] certain posts to the Breathless Press group were removed and [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] Justyn refused to discuss matters publically. It must be remembered [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] certain matters
are not appropriate to be discussed on an open public
business forum (such as individual contract or employment issues). Having worked in Human Resources, I find no fault with Justyn Perry or the BP team removing posts which they believed to be broaching subjects contrary to the professional and ethical atmosphere of the group. Because it is first and foremost a forum for Breathless Press business, [/FONT][FONT="]it is not appropriate or professional to hold private discussions—such as those pertaining to an individual's contract terms or royalty matters—in the public space. While it may not create a problem for an author to ask, "Should I expect royalty payments soon?", it is not an appropriate place to expect Justyn or the rest of staff will openly discuss the details of contracts, payments, or employee matters.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
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[FONT="]Justyn and the Breathless Press team removed
a single post from the group [/FONT][FONT="]in which the original poster sought to discuss terms in her individual private contract[/FONT][FONT="]. Justyn informed this author he [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] more than happy to have a private discussion and answer any questions she may have.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Consider for a moment [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] for the business representative, a private conversation is not [/FONT][FONT="]only[/FONT][FONT="] the
appropriate place to discuss private matters, but it provides a much saner environment to discuss terms, rather than a public thread where a hundred other tangents may be brought up, some questions asked more than once, members may offer "answers" [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] are incorrect which will result in backtracking to explain the misunderstanding, so on and so forth.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]The removal of this post [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] immediately followed by another post by Justyn, explaining recent changes had brought up some questions from authors, and if any authors wished to discuss clarification of their contract terms, to please email or message him privately. While removing the original post, Justyn did not "hide" the subject brought up by the poster. In fact, he invited others to bring their questions to him, [/FONT]
[FONT="]only[/FONT][FONT="] privately, as is appropriate to a business.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]I have never been denied information when I request it from Justyn or any other members of the team. My editor, the chief editor, and Justyn himself are consistently available and willing to discuss matters which concern me. They
do maintain a professional and ethical atmosphere I have come to expect, by
not discussing matters of other author's contracts, employment, rights or other issues. [/FONT]
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[FONT="]Furthermore to this, Justyn himself has been a uniquely encouraging leader, involved and supportive in his author's efforts to improve visibility and sales. I recently attended a convention in my local area, and had originally posted to the Breathless Press Author's group [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] I would be willing to split costs on a table with any other local authors. Justyn approached me and together we turned it into a joint effort. Breathless Press offered to cover the cost of the table, and myself and another author agreed to represent not [/FONT][FONT="]only[/FONT][FONT="] our works but a variety of Breathless Press titles and author's promotional material, giving over 20 print-book authors (and even more e-book [/FONT][FONT="]only[/FONT][FONT="] authors) exposure at a convention they could not personally attend. Justyn worked closely with us to ensure we had the materials we needed. The convention [/FONT][FONT="]was[/FONT][FONT="] exceptionally successful and all agreed we had hosted a terrific promotional booth.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]On top of all this[/FONT][FONT="], Justyn and the team work hard to help out all authors, and BP authors openly communicate and assist each other as well. My editor has gone above and beyond, "mentoring" me in writing and marketing my works after publication. I receive consistent support, encouragement and openness from all my fellow authors as well as the team. I cannot stress [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] enough.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]All business agreements should be entered into with care and consideration. No business is flawless, and not all businesses will fit all authors. At this time, I feel confident [/FONT][FONT="]that[/FONT][FONT="] Breathless Press is a trustworthy publisher. I have never felt my rights have been mishandled; I do not feel this recent problem in one royalties cycle is anything more than an isolated incident. I appreciate the team's handling of professional and private matters, as well as maintaining a friendly and open forum with respect to the professionalism of the group. I feel we receive lots of support and encouragement. I see a commitment to quality and growth. I believe Breathless Press is a wonderful small press to publish with, and I recommend it often. In fact, I am currently encouraging my niece to submit her own works.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]If anyone has questions about my experience with Breathless Press, feel free to message me.[/FONT]