XoXo Publishing / Botham Publishing / Ninni Group, Inc.

[Tiki20021]

Originally Posted by James D. Macdonald

"Oh, I am a cook and a captain bold,
And the mate of the Nancy brig,
And a bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite,
And the crew of the captain's gig!"



Yeah? How about "In a burst of blood and baby she died"? or "We are a-done for a-now, let us have sex!"

It is my opinion that while IAMCAD and Tiki20021 are almost certainly the same person, AmyCatlinWozniak almost certainly is someone else.

What concerns me most about XoXo as an ebook publisher is that their ebooks don't seem to be available in the usual places you'd expect to go to find ebooks.

Having just come across this post, I would like to bring to your attention J. Macdonald, that I tiki20021, IS NOT, AND HAS NEVER BEEN whoever the hell IAMCAD is...not in a million years. Never heard of them, nor do i care to.

Its like a game you play, trying to see who is who, and not recognizing that anyone is who they say they are.

[Tiki20021]

Originally Posted by michael_b

An author acquaintance of mine said her experience with them hasn't been good. They seem to expect anthology authors to pay for copies of books, they don't--apparently--give contributor's copies of anthologies. Not sure if they give authors of one person works copies or not.

Hi Michael,

I would just like to say that, I am sorry, but you have been ill-informed when told that we actually charge authors who have contributed to any of our anthologies. You may want to re-think who you speak with on such matters.

I know for a fact that the information you received is completely, and utterly false, as I am the one who compiles & distributes all books, including every anthology to each author who contributes to them.

For every author who submits for any anthology, and is accepted, IS sent a complimentary copy of the anthology they participate in, once the book is complete and ready for sale.

The only time they have to "pay" for a copy, is if they are hosting contest or anything of that sort. We do not give away copies for contest we are not hosting ourselves. If an author decides on their own to host a contest, they pay for any copies for that specific contest. another option they have is to receive permission from an author, along with a copy of their book they would like to give away for their contest.

The problem with these kinds of situations, is that authors who have either been rejected, or terminated for breach of one sort or another, is that they go on a trashing frenzy as a result of payback. This is not uncommon in the eBook industry, and as such, is happening more frequently, unfortunately. It is becoming quite clear, that the term "reasonable competition" does not exist anymore. it is a sad day for the online publishing world.

[Tiki20021]

Originally Posted by HapiSofi

This is all one person: the boss, the employee, the author, the book promotion people, the in-house media department, the book cover designer, the sockpuppets, and for all I know the sisters as well. If there is a separate sister, she must be a silent partner.

The employee talks like the head of the company, and says she's been there "since its conception." Her remarks betray no hesitancy about speaking for her employer, no suggestion that her boss's opinions, his priorities, or his strategies for dealing with the public might be different from her own. This is someone who's certain that she and the company are as one.

She also sounds that way when she's speaking as the author, the book designer, and so forth. None of the XOXO personae we've seen here have out-of-synch understandings of what XOXO does, or what their own place is in it. Neither do they have differentiated vocabularies, tone, attitudes, or styles of argument. They mistakenly believe themselves to be well-educated, and aren't afraid to say so at irrelevant moments. They all have exactly the same bad grammar, which is impossible. And they're all certain that our failure to admire and respect them can only mean that we don't understand them.

Moving on --

Miss XOXO's writing advice and her grasp of how publishing works are both deeply flawed.

Excuse me while I roll on the floor laughing. This universal custom of publishing companies is the reason all authors (especially the bestselling ones) are always meek, reasonable, and well-behaved, right?

Here's a prize quote:

The reason I dislike the annual Bulwer-Lytton competition is that people who are trying to write bad sentences never come up with the kind of masterpieces bad writers can toss off without a moment's thought.
There are a lot of things wrong with it. I'll go with the two biggest. First: someone who doesn't know how often books fall apart past the halfway point is not an acquiring editor, and probably don't qualify as a slush reader.

Second: like most sockpuppeteers, Miss XOXO can't keep her characters straight. The cover designer ought not be the one defending XOXO's editorial practices.
This is a deservedly frustrated writer.

A startup e-publisher has hired a PR Director? Furthermore, someone with a name this distinctive, who works in public relations, has no footprint on Google except for hits that are directly tied to XOXO publishing? Do they think we were born yesterday?

Well now, I often find it quite funny, that you (HapiSofi) sit here on a forum bashing me. Is this all you do, or do you actually get off your ass and work?

Firstly, I am who I say I am, I am the Cover Designer for XoXo, big deal, do you have a problem with that? I am not a frustrated writer, nor a sock-puppeteer (you could not even spell that correctly), or any other derogatory name you have called me. You may want to call yourself that instead.

If I speak on behalf of the company, I have the right to do so, I WORK there, do you? NO. Who are you to judge who I am? If I sound pissed off, I am, because I am tired of reading useless dribble, like what you wrote above. You obviously are the depressed and frustrated writer, possible rejected as well?

We stopped responding to certain people long time ago, as we do not feel we have to defend ourselves when the hate game was already on. If you have intelligent, and sincere questions, they would have been answered (some of you have asked credible questions, however we did not bother coming back on as we felt no matter what he answered, it would have been misconstrued anyways). We do not have the time to sit around on a forum all day responding. We are working very hard, and will continue to do so.

**To answer the persons question about the company called "The Book Promotion People," - we no longer use them, though it was not run by Gina, but by someone else who is no longer working with XoXo.
For any promotional products or marketing help (for which I can help them with when possible), is now offered by me, through my own small company. I do not claim to be a know-it-all, not at all. I am simply someone who is trying to make a living to support my family and me, that is all.

**To answer the question about whether or not we would ever accept a story based on a portion of what is submitted - When someone submits a portion of their book to us, and we like what we have read up to that point, we only ask that they submit the whole manuscript so that we could read the whole book, then decide whether it is a fit for the company or not. If we do not like it, or it needs too much work, or its not what we are currently looking for, we will decline it.

**As for the response about having a PR Director - For whomever stated why do we have one? Simple answer...Because we feel that being prepared is better then starting off completely blind. Do you think for an instant that a company would bring out a product without first testing the market through guinea pigs or "testers", no, they don't. Would anyone go to a marketing meeting without having some kind of display to show prospective clients? No, they don't. If XoXo, as a company, chooses to have a PR Director, who is anyone to judge that? We believe in being prepared, having thought out a business plan of some sort, so that we are prepared to move forward.

I sincerely hope that this answers some of the questions that some of you decent folk here have put forth.

**As for you HapiSofi, i'm not sure what to tell you, but you may want to grow a heart and stop bashing people you do not know. If you want to hate on someone, stick to yourself, the world could be a better place if actually let it. Be kind, not blind.

[Unimportant]

Originally Posted by Tiki20021

You obviously are the depressed and frustrated writer, possible rejected as well?

rofl rofl rofl rofl rofl

Rest assured, Tiki, HapiSofi is neither a frustrated nor a rejected writer.

[Silver King]

Originally Posted by Tiki20021

...Firstly, I am who I say I am, I am the Cover Designer for XoXo, big deal, do you have a problem with that?

I have a problem with how you butcher the English language in your posts and seem to have no regard for simple punctuation rules. Hopefully you'll never be asked to offer editorial services for that firm.

[Stacia Kane]

Originally Posted by Tiki20021

Having just come across this post, I would like to bring to your attention J. Macdonald, that I tiki20021, IS NOT, AND HAS NEVER BEEN whoever the hell IAMCAD is...not in a million years. Never heard of them, nor do i care to.

Just quoting for posterity.




(BTW, Tiki, Hapi is an editor with a major publisher, not a "frustrated writer." Just FYI.)



Here's something I've always wondered. When it comes to epublishers in general...wouldn't you expect them to be pretty savvy about how the internet works, like how to make groups private or how to maximize SEO (which is crap, but I'm mentioning it anyway) or how to track IPs or whatever else?

I'd think that stuff would be sort of second nature...

[MacAllister]

I'd think so, too, Stace. And if I had two or three screen names all registered to the same IP address, I'd expect to be publicly and messily busted for it.

Just, yanno, as a matter of course.

[Medievalist]

Originally Posted by Tiki20021

**As for you HapiSofi, i'm not sure what to tell you, but you may want to grow a heart and stop bashing people you do not know. If you want to hate on someone, stick to yourself, the world could be a better place if actually let it. Be kind, not blind.

Bless your little heart!

[Medievalist]

Originally Posted by MacAllister

I'd think so, too, Stace. And if I had two or three screen names all registered to the same IP address, I'd expect to be publicly and messily busted for it.

Just, yanno, as a matter of course.

Especially when they post all over the place with the same recognizable errors of syntax and word choice.

It's also less than professional to speak as a representative of a company without a real name on your posts.

These are legitimate questions being asked, and quite reasonable.

[James D. Macdonald]

Originally Posted by Tiki20021

Having just come across this post, I would like to bring to your attention J. Macdonald, that I tiki20021, IS NOT, AND HAS NEVER BEEN whoever the hell IAMCAD is...not in a million years. Never heard of them, nor do i care to.

Don't lie to me, Amanda. Don't ever lie to me.

[michael_b]

Originally Posted by Tiki20021

Hi Michael,

I would just like to say that, I am sorry, but you have been ill-informed when told that we actually charge authors who have contributed to any of our anthologies. You may want to re-think who you speak with on such matters.

I know for a fact that the information you received is completely, and utterly false, as I am the one who compiles & distributes all books, including every anthology to each author who contributes to them.

For every author who submits for any anthology, and is accepted, IS sent a complimentary copy of the anthology they participate in, once the book is complete and ready for sale.

The only time they have to "pay" for a copy, is if they are hosting contest or anything of that sort. We do not give away copies for contest we are not hosting ourselves. If an author decides on their own to host a contest, they pay for any copies for that specific contest. another option they have is to receive permission from an author, along with a copy of their book they would like to give away for their contest.

The problem with these kinds of situations, is that authors who have either been rejected, or terminated for breach of one sort or another, is that they go on a trashing frenzy as a result of payback. This is not uncommon in the eBook industry, and as such, is happening more frequently, unfortunately. It is becoming quite clear, that the term "reasonable competition" does not exist anymore. it is a sad day for the online publishing world.

The post I made dates to December. I don't know if she ever got her copy, but at the time of my post, she hadn't.

Also my statement was: "They seem to expect anthology authors to pay for copies of books, they don't--apparently--give contributor's copies of anthologies." Note the words 'seem' and 'apparently' were used. I never said that you charged authors for copies of their own books as you imply. I stated that one author of my acquaintance had difficulties getting her copy and hadn't received it as of that writing. Please try reading with greater care before putting words into the mouths of others.

She wasn't terminated. Wasn't rejected, but also wasn't getting any replies to her emails at the time.

Oddly most publishers I know -do- give authors 5-15 promo copies that authors can give away or send out for reviews without paying for those copies.

[Momento Mori]

Tiki20021:
If I speak on behalf of the company, I have the right to do so, I WORK there, do you? NO. Who are you to judge who I am? If I sound pissed off, I am, because I am tired of reading useless dribble, like what you wrote above. You obviously are the depressed and frustrated writer, possible rejected as well?

So you're actually authorised by your employer to come here on their behalf and make statements for them? If so, don't you think that it reflects badly on your employer when you make poorly spelt and poorly punctuated posts that include wild and unfounded accusations? Is your employer pleased with your contribution to maintaining their corporate reputation?

It's probably a good thing that you're a cover designer rather than an editor or writer because accusing people (and Hapi of all people) of being a rejected writer is not only laughable but also a dreadful cliche. When you're out on the internet taking a tour of all the train wrecks you've participated in, perhaps you'd like to spend a moment doing some research on the people you decide to slag off.

Tiki20021:
The problem with these kinds of situations, is that authors who have either been rejected, or terminated for breach of one sort or another, is that they go on a trashing frenzy as a result of payback. This is not uncommon in the eBook industry, and as such, is happening more frequently, unfortunately. It is becoming quite clear, that the term "reasonable competition" does not exist anymore. it is a sad day for the online publishing world.

So XoXo terminates its author contracts for breach? What kind of breach are we talking about? How many authors does the author terminate per month on average?

It is indeed a sad day in the online publishing world when a publisher that's just trying to make some money from its own naive authors can't do so without being questioned and criticised for it on another internet forum. I weep tiny tears of sorrow for your pain.

Tiki20021:
We stopped responding to certain people long time ago, as we do not feel we have to defend ourselves when the hate game was already on. If you have intelligent, and sincere questions, they would have been answered (some of you have asked credible questions, however we did not bother coming back on as we felt no matter what he answered, it would have been misconstrued anyways). We do not have the time to sit around on a forum all day responding. We are working very hard, and will continue to do so.

If you're so busy and so of the view that it's not worth responding to the "haters" (another cliche but hey, you're only a cover artist so let's not judge) then why did you go to the trouble of dragging up a thread that had been quiet for a couple of months? You do realise that it just puts the spotlight back on your employer, right?

Tiki20021:
For any promotional products or marketing help (for which I can help them with when possible), is now offered by me, through my own small company. I do not claim to be a know-it-all, not at all. I am simply someone who is trying to make a living to support my family and me, that is all.

Seeing as how you're so willing to answer intelligent and sincere questions here are a few for you to get your teeth into:

- Do you have any background or experience in book promotion or any other qualification for offering such services?

- What sort of strategies do you advocate using with new authors?

- How much do you charge for your advice/services?

- Are your clients all referred to you by XoXo? If so, do you pay XoXo for those referrals or do they take any kind of commission for the same?

- Do you disclose to clients/potential clients seeking to use your services who are referred to you by XoXo that you also work for them as a cover artist?

- Was your marketing/promotion company already in existence prior to your relationship with XoXo or was it only set up after XoXo stopped using The Book Promotion People?

Tiki20021:
When someone submits a portion of their book to us, and we like what we have read up to that point, we only ask that they submit the whole manuscript so that we could read the whole book, then decide whether it is a fit for the company or not. If we do not like it, or it needs too much work, or its not what we are currently looking for, we will decline it.

That's a refreshing change of policy from a year ago, when it seems that some people were offered contracts on the basis of incomplete manuscripts.

Tiki20021:
**As for the response about having a PR Director - For whomever stated why do we have one? Simple answer...Because we feel that being prepared is better then starting off completely blind. Do you think for an instant that a company would bring out a product without first testing the market through guinea pigs or "testers", no, they don't. Would anyone go to a marketing meeting without having some kind of display to show prospective clients? No, they don't. If XoXo, as a company, chooses to have a PR Director, who is anyone to judge that? We believe in being prepared, having thought out a business plan of some sort, so that we are prepared to move forward.

What I don't understand is why XoXo would need a PR director if they're referring book promotion and marketing to you.

Are you saying that the XoXo PR director is only interested in promoting XoXo as a company? If so, are they promoting the company to authors or are they promoting it to potential readers?

MM

[JerseyGirl1962]

[HistorySleuth]

Um, excuse me JerseyGirl. Is anyone sitting in that chair next to you? No? Mind if I sit down? Thanks....

[Gravity]

Sometimes these threads are like having someone else do your drugs for you...

[HapiSofi]

Originally Posted by Tiki20021

Who are you to judge who I am?

Not who, but how: tone, content, habitual style and usage, and internal logic; also, resemblance to characteristic patterns of rhetoric and language employed by other individuals in analogous circumstances.

You're not the first frustrated would-be author I've seen who was baffled by the idea that one can sometimes derive more information from writing than the writer intended to convey.

[Medievalist]

Originally Posted by HapiSofi

You're not the first frustrated would-be author I've seen who was baffled by the idea that one can sometimes derive more information from writing than the writer intended to convey.

Syntax and diction are more revelatory than IPs, any day.

[Filigree]

This is too much fun to watch. I'm pulling up a chair.

BTW, Tiki, word choice and sentence structure finally caught the Unabomber. We leave fingerprints every time we write or speak. I don't know who Hapi is, but judging from Hapi's posts I'd deduce this IS a professional editor who can easily spot patterns from writer to writer.

Filigree

[Giant Baby]

Originally Posted by IAMCAD

First off, I can happily say that I am an employee with XOXOPublishing since its conception ...

Originally Posted by Tiki20021

... I tiki20021, IS NOT, AND HAS NEVER BEEN whoever the hell IAMCAD is...not in a million years. Never heard of them, nor do i care to ...

(Bolding mine)

This seems a shame, on SO many levels.

[Medievalist]

Originally Posted by Tiki20021

**As for you HapiSofi, i'm not sure what to tell you, but you may want to grow a heart and stop bashing people you do not know. If you want to hate on someone, stick to yourself, the world could be a better place if actually let it. Be kind, not blind.

Oh, sweetie, you really don't want to go there.

You REALLY really don't.

And do something about those commas, why doncha, and the prepositions. It's better than DNA evidence.

[HapiSofi]

Originally Posted by Medievalist

Syntax and diction are more revelatory than IPs, any day.

Though it's amusing if the IPs also line up. Am I to understand from Mac's remarks that this XOXO person is running three AW identities from a single IP address?

[Medievalist]

Originally Posted by HapiSofi

Though it's amusing if the IPs also line up. Am I to understand from Mac's remarks that this XOXO person is running three AW identities from a single IP address?

I believe the current count is four; I'd have to go check.

I'd rather follow the commas.

[Gravity]

Originally Posted by Medievalist

I believe the current count is four; I'd have to go check.

I'd rather follow the commas.

Plenty of butter on my popcorn, please. And don't hog the Slim Jims.

[michael_b]

More and more I'm wondering if this isn't Gina Haldane from the infamous RFI West debacle. That Ms. Haldane was notorious for the number of alternate names she had, something like 8 or so.

Just noticed that there is no mention of who is behind XOXO on their website. They apparently took this information down at some point.

[Mike Coombes]

I'm curious. The XOXO website claims that xoxo is part of the Ninni Group, Inc.

The only mentions I can find of the Ninni Group are XOXO posts - no Ninni group site, no other Ninni companies boasting the association.