Never met Jason Cordova, but about 10-11 years ago we posted at the same websites, had a few mutual acquaintances, and corresponded a few times. That was when he was a budding author and had high hopes, and dreams. He did the same job I used to do earlier in my Navy career. He was an Operations Specialist. He is a good, decent guy. It galls me that someone would rip him off. Makes it kind of personal.
You can also, and should! collect several and publish them for sale when you have 8-10 of them with a couple of those being never-seen-before. Get paid, and in some story cases, twice or even three times.
I already have multiple collections planned with a list of stories for each.
In the order I’m likely to have enough to publish:
Horror (which will be divided by subgenre, exact plans TBD)*
Science Fiction
Mysteries
Comedy
Steampunk
Kid's
My first collection will likely be cosmic horror or monster stories.
At the rate I’ve been writing short stories, whichever horror collection I publish first will definitely be out in time for Halloween.
*I’m currently one to three stories away from having enough horror stories for a collection if I don’t subdivide, but it would be the strangest collection.
A practical and insightful article that goes beyond writing advice to emphasize the importance of transparency, fair contracts, and respecting authors. It’s a valuable reminder that a good publishing relationship should benefit everyone involved. What do you think is the biggest red flag writers should never ignore?
That's excellent advice. A rights reversion clause is something every writer should pay attention to it can make all the difference in protecting your work.
Never met Jason Cordova, but about 10-11 years ago we posted at the same websites, had a few mutual acquaintances, and corresponded a few times. That was when he was a budding author and had high hopes, and dreams. He did the same job I used to do earlier in my Navy career. He was an Operations Specialist. He is a good, decent guy. It galls me that someone would rip him off. Makes it kind of personal.
Thank you for this advice- always valuable.
"so it can be difficult to take a story you wrote to order for that, say, collection of purple-horned people eater stories, and sell it elsewhere."
Been there. Done that. I've taken to not even trying to sell my written to order but rejected stories. I just post them here on Substack.
You can also, and should! collect several and publish them for sale when you have 8-10 of them with a couple of those being never-seen-before. Get paid, and in some story cases, twice or even three times.
I’m planning to. :)
I already have multiple collections planned with a list of stories for each.
In the order I’m likely to have enough to publish:
Horror (which will be divided by subgenre, exact plans TBD)*
Science Fiction
Mysteries
Comedy
Steampunk
Kid's
My first collection will likely be cosmic horror or monster stories.
At the rate I’ve been writing short stories, whichever horror collection I publish first will definitely be out in time for Halloween.
*I’m currently one to three stories away from having enough horror stories for a collection if I don’t subdivide, but it would be the strangest collection.
Excellent plan!
Many of my thoughts exactly, and from someone with way more experience. Thanks for writing this, Cedar.
A practical and insightful article that goes beyond writing advice to emphasize the importance of transparency, fair contracts, and respecting authors. It’s a valuable reminder that a good publishing relationship should benefit everyone involved. What do you think is the biggest red flag writers should never ignore?
If there is no rights reversion clause in the contract, don't sign it.
That's excellent advice. A rights reversion clause is something every writer should pay attention to it can make all the difference in protecting your work.