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Eric
First Time Poster
Username: Eric
Post Number: 1
Registered: 08-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 03:05 am: | 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Eric Myrieckes
1218 Castleton Rd
Clev.Hts.,Ohio 44121
publicist1@oasisnovels.com
BLACK PEARL BOOKS, INC. ROBS ERIC MYRIECKES OF ROYALTIES, RUINS AUTHORIAL NAME, AND INFRINGES ON COPYRIGHT
(Cleveland,Ohio,August16, 2006) The defining moment in every aspiring author’s life is when the first publishing contract arrives. That day happened on June 22, 2005, for Eric Myrieckes, author of Street Games; however, signing a 3- book deal with Black Pearl Books defined the beginning of his novelist career disastrous.
Myrieckes’s publishing agreement specified that Black Pearl Books” shall edit and proofread” his manuscript. A layman can tell that Street Games does not meet the most rudimentary editorial and proof reading principles. As a result of Black Pearls contractual breach, Street Games went to press mangled: hundreds of misspellings; hundreds of missing words from sentences; quotation marks missing from dialogue; obvious punctuation missing; capital letters fail to begin some sentences; ect..” I don’t have any idea of what happened. Maybe they used cheap conversion software. My manuscript was in excellent condition compared to the finished book. The errors in the book doesn’t reflect my manuscript,” says Myrieckes. When Myrieckes learned of the atrocity, he immediately sent Felicia Hurst- President of Black Pearl Books- a cease and desist notice that revoked his authorial rights. From that moment on, Hurst became quarrelsome then ended all communication.
Black Pearl Books has refused to reveal the print run count refuses Myrieckes’s phone calls, and returns his mail to sender. “ Black Pearl is very unprofessional and uncooperative. Ms. Hurst is recklessly violating my rights, infringing upon my copyright, and has ruined my credibility as an author through the exploitation of STREET GAMES,” says Myrieckes. Once the negative reviews came pouring in on Amazon.com., pointing out the editing catastrophe, Hurst contacted Myrieckes- via mail- on March 9, 2006, to dissolve their publishing agreement. However, Hurst maintained that she would continue to exploit STREET GAMES- against Myrieckes’s will- and pay him royalties according to the pay schedule specified in the contract. “ Well, according to the contract, I was to have been paid in June of this year. To date, I haven’t received even a notice as to why I have not been paid. Ms.Hurst continues to refuse my phone calls, my publicist’s phone calls and returns my mail concerning this issue as she has with the others, “ says Myrieckes.
Myrieckes believes that he is being fleeced of his royalties, black balled and taken advantage of because he is incarcerated and cannot effectively deal with this dispute. Myrieckes encourages whomever to email him if they have advice or can help him to resolve this matter. He also warns aspiring authors to thoroughly
Research small publishing houses before entering into a publishing agreement or it’s likely that you’ll end up with a pseudo-publisher like Black Pearl Books.
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Snakegirl
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Snakegirl
Post Number: 96
Registered: 05-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 03:17 am: |
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You think that's bad.
Be glad you're not at Door of Kush.
I won't even go into all that happened to EVERY ONE OF MY BOOKS at the hands of the "typesetter".....nor the non-payment of royalties.
Though I did promote myself and make something out of myself and get with a bigger company----I still feel like a Marvelette cheated by a bad record label.
Pick yourself up and start over.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 6061
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 11:16 am: |
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I guess the following would vary based on the author, the publisher, their contract, etc.
Don't authors obtain and read the final versions of their books PRIOR to their being distributed and sold?
And don't they retain some rights to thwart the sale of their books if they contain the kinds of problems described in Eric's post?
If they don't do any the above, SHOULDN'T they? |
Snakegirl
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Snakegirl
Post Number: 97
Registered: 05-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 12:00 pm: |
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Well, ABM, in Eric's situation--he was probably desperate/happy to be signed at all.
There's the fear that if you make too many demands, too many stipulations, they'll just move on to the next author.
MOST just want a leg up with a published title---as it's impossible to land an agent without some kind of past achievement.
Cases vary.
In mines--I wielded a lot more power, but NO, I never took time to "read" an entire book all over again after it was put in typeset (I can't stand reading those blue cubicles), and as well, I don't have a "trained" eye--as I'm not good for spotting typos, errors, etc.
I also am so emotionally DRAINED by the kind of books I write---that after they're done, I hate to read them. I'm just glad it's out of me. (Sort of how Barbra Steisand says she can't stand to watch her movies once they're finished or listen to her albums once they're done--she wants to be free of it).
There were 88 errors/typos in "Diary"---but luckily, the first batch sold out and they fixed the book after that.
Small Publishers can break you in...but little else.
There was no other way possible for Kola Boof---because I was considered way too EXPLOSIVE and BIZARRE for the mainstream. Everyone at the major houses loved my writing style and my talent....but they HATED what I was saying.
Being on a tiny label allowed me to build an audience, get name recognition----AND to be that label's star asset. A lot was put into me that other authors at big houses don't get.
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Snakegirl
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Snakegirl
Post Number: 98
Registered: 05-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 12:05 pm: |
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Also...
keep in mind, at "Door of Kush"--these are rich black men from RADIO (KJLH), Television and other businesses.
They aren't from the book world. They don't care about books or understand books--they started that house because I was on Stevie Wonder's radio station (KJLH) after my African publisher was firebombed, and they were outraged about me being forced out of print and started the company to put me back in print.
It was extremely difficult getting them to understand the book business.
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Emanuel
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 228
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 12:27 pm: |
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Because there are so many people who want to fulfill the American dream of writing a book and receiving the fame and/or fortune that involves, there are all kinds of sharks (subsidy publishers, fake agents, overpriced printers) waiting to pounce on those dreamers. Potential authors should educate themselves about the industry and consult legal representation before signing any contracts. Although writing can be a fun and creative outlet, the business of writing is entirely different.
For $90.00 a year membership, The Author's Guild offers a host of benefits including contract advice. Check out their website at http://www.authorsguild.org/. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 6068
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 12:32 pm: |
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Snakeinmypants,
Thanks for the inside dope.
Yeah. I can understand why a nouvo-author would fear making too many demands upon publisher.
Still. I would think you'd want to read what they are going to release in YOUR name.
Because if they screw something up and you can't stop them from releasing it, at LEAST you can have on the record that it was the publisher and not the author who botched things. And I'd think you'd want to have THAT on record for when you attempt to move on with another book and/or publisher.
But I understand the emotion drain/toll art can exact upon an artist. So maybe your (and Streisand's) sentiments can be managed via having a savvy, trusted friend do what you're momentarily incapable of bearing.
Glad you were able to work things out with the founders of Door of Kush, inspite of the difficulties.
One of the problems with working with accomplished business people is they'll often confuse the successful formula for making and selling widgets with successfully making and sell EVERYTHING ELSE. |
Emanuel
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 229
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 12:42 pm: |
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Kola,
Yours and Eric's experience with publishers makes me SO happy I decided to self-publish "Where is the Love." It doesn't sound like the small and new independent publishers can do anything for me that I can't do for myself. |
A_womon
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1388
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 08:06 pm: |
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....as it's impossible to land an agent without some kind of past achievement.
This is a common misconception and it isn't always the case. I got an agent and this is my first book.
Eric must not have gotten an agent. This is the type of thing that having a reputable agent will guard against, somewhat. |
Snakegirl
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Snakegirl
Post Number: 102
Registered: 05-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 08:30 pm: |
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It's not a "misconception", A_Womon.
It's a factual statistic.
About 50,000 new people each year try sign with an agent.
Very few...very, very few are lucky as you were to land an agent.
Especially if they're writing serious literature or books that are generally harder to sell. And especially if they are black, gay or from some other specialized "group".
And just like the music business--"talent" doesn't really mean shit. The BEST writers are often ignored while the ones that the Publishers believe will sell easily are snapped up--often the most medicore out of the bunch.
Also, occasionally----a first time author gets published by a MAJOR HOUSE without an agent.
But how often does that happen?
I'm really ecstatic and happy that you got an agent and a book deal, A_Womon---congrats on that, because you deserve it. 
But anyone in this business will tell you that it's not the norm to get an agent before you've had something published somewhere.
Just the writing, mailing and rejection slips can take up YEARS--when the author could have gone on and self-published as so many have.
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A_womon
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1389
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 08:37 pm: |
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Snakegirl,
Thank you very much! I don't have a book deal yet, just an agent... |
Dawnny
Newbie Poster
Username: Dawnny
Post Number: 7
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 09:01 pm: |
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Thanks for all the responses.
I'm Eric's publicist.
You can have a great agent and still get hustled. An agent checks the contract well and advises you. Eric's contract deal wasn't bad.
It's what they did to the book.
Eric was suppose to recieve a copy before the book went to print..
he never did.
Black Pearl just put it into print, they were also suppose to edit it.
they left whole chapters out, the end result wasn't even his mauscript.
Black Pearl didn't do what they promised. they ruined the book.
Eric is not the only author that is not getting paid
Brenda Hampton and Raheed Ali haven't been paid either.
all three of these authors request that readers not buy their books from Black Pearl.
what it comes down to is does the publisher have the money to pay the authors
does the publisher have the proper insurance.
no agent gives you that info.
Two of the authors did have a lawyer look at the contract.
the problem is when the publisher breaches it that you need to be protected.
thanks for all your responses.
Dawnny |
Emanuel
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 230
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 11:23 am: |
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In that case Dawny if a contract has been breached then it's time to go to court. Right? Is that what these authors are doing? |
Schakspir
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Schakspir
Post Number: 540
Registered: 12-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 11:45 am: |
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I got screwed by Fiction Collective Two, for my first book. They printed the goddamn book, and then--more or less--sat on the copies for the next 13 years. My last royalty check was $20.13. That was twelve years ago. But then, FC2 does that with all its authors--even their established ones. They hardly make any corrections to the manuscript; they don't tell you which changes need to be made, etc., etc. And above all, they have this "underground" attitude so many liberal/left artists have in the West--they believe that if a book sells a lot of copies, no matter how cutting edge, then it isn't real "authentic" literature: "authenticity" to these guys is measured in terms of how FEW copies are sold, not by how many.
If I had to live by my writing, I would not eat. |
Schakspir
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Schakspir
Post Number: 541
Registered: 12-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 12:01 pm: |
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Black Pearl Books: thug publishers. |
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