Just thinking

I've been pondering this thing called "Publishing". Why it's so hard to get that coveted prize, a "Published" book.

Even when finally published I've noticed that publishers are asking the writers to take an "active" and "monetary" interest in getting the book published or bought, i.e.: you pay X amount and we'll pay X amount and get you published in no time.

Yet I've been told that the writer should only invest their time and talent, that a "REAL & HONEST" publisher will never ask for money. They will PAY YOU to publish YOUR work.

I have been contacted by so many different "Traditional" publishers who want to print and sell my work, but only if I am willing to PAY to have them do it for me. Something wrong with this picture?

Okay, if a TRADITIONAL publisher wants to publish my work, and they are coming to ME, why should I pay THEM to publish my work?

If it is good enough for them to want to publish what I've written, why should I have to PAY them? I thought publishers were supposed to take that risk on themselves.

Yes, I believe in my work, and I believe it will sell. Why? Because it is not your everyday type of story. How many write about the deaf or deaf relations in a hearing world?

That being said, I once more ask, "If my work is good enough to catch your attention, why should I have to PAY YOU, to publish it?

Publish America is one such publisher that bills itself s a "Traditional Publisher that pays its authors for their work." Uh uh, yeah, right.

Then why am I constantly bombarded with things such as "We will walk your book over to Disney and present it for a POSSIBLE movie deal." or "We now have agents wanting to help sell your book!" ... you get the picture, I'm sure, but it all comes with a price tag. They won't do any of these things unless YOU pay THEM. Sure, it may not be much, then when you get to reading the fine print, it says pay this much MORE and we'll make SURE you are the first! Again, I say, U huh ...

I have even been contacted by several agents who say, "We would like you for a customer. We want to represent you and your work ... You're a great author! ... for a price."

When did agents start to charge people? I was told, no, a reputable agent doesn't charge until they sell your work, then they get a percentage ... fine, then where are they?

If I sound a little jaded, it's because I am. No, I have no rejection slips to hand because I sold my first book to first publisher that I sent it too. Was it a good deal, I don't think so. Yes, they did what they said they'd do, but now I'm bombarded by "offers" of more if I want to pay for them.

I say to them, "No, thanks. I'll just keep writing and looking until I find someone I think will like my work, then I'll start collecting reject slips. Until then, leave me alone.