It Stinks!
>> Thursday, August 27, 2009
Those of you that have followed my blog for writers have already heard this story, but since we've been talking about Tango and how much I love him, I feel like telling the story again.
Here goes:
Most of you know I'm a writer and that lots of my inspiration for material comes from the animals I love. I sold a children's story called Tango and Tilly to a publisher in Canada a few years ago. I was contracted for this manuscript and six more in the series. This book was my heart because it was based on Tango (who you now know)...and me. I used Tango's antics as my inspiration. I used my imagination and joy to write the stories. I won't go into great detail (partially for legal reasons), but through no fault of my own, two years into the process, my rights were returned to me.
In March, out of the blue, someone said to me, "I bought your book for my granddaughter, and she loves it!" I asked which book and she said, Tango and Tilly. I was flabbergasted. Long story short. Somehow, some way, my book is being sold (or shown as available) illegally through many sources. It would cost me tens of thousands of dollars to pursue this legally. I don't have that kind of money. Bottom line is....the whole thing stinks!
There! I've told the story again. I feel better...at least for now. I'll know I've really recovered when I put the effort into selling Tango and Tilly again. Meanwhile, go online. MY BOOK IS STILL THERE! Please don't buy it.
21 comments:
That is such a DISGUSTING person who has done that to you. Very EVIL hearted.
If I got my paws on them , they would be soooo
sorry!
What a world we live in and I wont buy the book...no matter what no how no way
OMG I am shocked Jan. I am so sorry, that must be like a punch in the stomach. It is so unfair. I wish there was something that could be done. I wouldn't have the money either to fight it, but it makes me so angry. I will say a prayer for you to find strength through this.
Anne
I am so sorry that has happened to you. I would be very upset too. Someone is profiting off your hard work, and your love of your animal that inspired you. People are just wrong sometimes and although you may not be rewarded for your effort now, you will be one day and that person will have to answer for the theft of your book. You will get to heaven and you, God and special pet will all read it together. :P
I don't really understand how that can happen!!! Surely they can be traced? Is it not a police matter? Maybe it's different in your part of the world? Yes it stinks; I'm very sorry about that, Jan
I wish it could be traced but it's being offered all over the world through internet sources. Most of the sources don't even understand that it's really not for sale...they're as innocent as I am.
The attorney I talked to said it would cost a fortune just to scratch the surface of the whole mess. He thinks a sample copy went out and was recopied. The book was that far along in the publishing process. I still can't believe it.
Maybe I'll self-publish it myself someday. I've never done that before, but there's a first for everything.
As a mom of a 'budding writer' I shocked and confused. How can they get away with this?! I would think the loosing side (book publisher) would have to pay legal fees. Please don't give up. You need justice!
Trust me, I've been trying to figure this out since March. The "other side" is just too much bigger than me...and I don't even know who they are. I DO know that they are not the original publisher.
This is honestly the first bad experience I've had with the publishing industry. I think you can almost equate it to a stolen credit card. Credit card companies have huge fraud departments...unlike me.
I still want the story out there. It's so much fun and it's so Tango. So much of the story really did come from some of the things Tango did and some of the ways Tango made me feel. With the economy as it is, now is not a good time to try to sell a manuscript. I've even thought about publishing it online. Even if I don't make any money from it, at least it will be read by people I want to read it and no one else will make a profit.
The upshot to all this is that good old Tango is famous and he doesn't even know it.
Honestly, I had planned to take Tango on the road when the book was published. We would have done school visits and the whole nine yards. Trust me when I say I was heartbroken.
Well, That just stinks! I am so sorry.
I am so sorry Jan. My Mom is also published, and know if this had happened to her book how she would feel....Hang in there, I will also keep you in my prayers for strength!
Beth in Austin
I know it just isn't fair or right and there's so little you can do about it. Very frustrating.
Wish I could make something good happen from this, I've given it lots of thought over the many months...sorry.
Not much of consolation, but swing over to my latest travel post. Maybe you'd like me to make you a Tango Page, like the Vegas Page? I still have lots of Tango pics you know. Or maybe a horsey one in general.
And can I invite all you wonderful folks from Jan's blog over for a virtual trip?
Hugs
Sandy (Jan's SIL)
traveling suitcase
Oh forgot, you know how I always have a hard time reading your tiny font...I learned a new thing the other day, which might help you when you're on other pages, or others here to your blog. When you're on a page and can't see it, click your Crtl key and while holding it down hit the + sign as many times as you want or need to enlarge the print etc. It works most of the time.
Hugs
me
I am so sorry! That sounds like every writer's worst nightmare coming true! I am so sorry you are having to go through this.
I hope you know that reading your blog has inspired me to start working on some old manuscripts I haven't touched in years!
That really does stink. I think having intellectual property stolen is worse than as having physical property taken!! What a sense of violation you must have! Are they actually using your name on the book? Not that it makes it any better... I give you a lot of credit for dealing with it as well as you are. Venting does help, I must say!!
Michelle & Brutus
Yep! My name is in the book. When you see it online, enlarge the copy. It's pathetic!
There MUST be a loophole ...
A way for you - who has the rights -to do something.
Write Obama.
Oh wow--that is HORRIBLE! So the publisher and other unethical humans, profit off you--don't like--don't like it ALL! We'll pray it all turns out to the good!
Publishing pirates is what you have. They always talk about bootlegged CD's and DVD's but I had never heard of it in publishing. It is just too horrible.
I had no idea this kind of thing could happen. How horrible and what a nightmare. I'm sorry you have to deal with this and hopefully some how, some way you will be able to get it fixed.
Hi there again, Jan
GREETINGS(AGAIN) FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
This is a really sad tale and a personal violation. I thought long and hard before I even started my own blog. In all writing there is intellectual property and material can also be removed (freely) from such a source.
Nevertheless, this type of theft is not on. I wish you well in getting to the bottom of it.
I suppose there is a lesson to be learned in your tale, albeit a hard one! Now I realise why I am cautious to put my own material out there.
Take care and 'lots of licks'
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA
Seems like it would be possible to trace down who is getting the money. Since you have the rights to it, why don't you go to Lulu.com and you can self-publish for about $100... and that is IF you need another ISBN number. That is who Robert went through to publish Little Dott Finds a Home.
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