As (to say the least) an unfestive sort of person, who would ideally prefer to be temporarily deactivated, C-3PO-style, during this darkest, most spiteful chunk of winter, I place what might seen as a curious amount of importance on New Year’s resolutions.
FFS, Tom, what is literally wrong with people? You switch the way you do things because you believe in something and it turns out they’re not being straight with you either. I get emails from Unbound all the time - they neglect to mention they’re not paying their writers. I really hope this gets sorted out.
Thanks for writing. Sigh. I’m sorry about Unbound. The gloss comes off. Best wishes for getting what is owed to you and I will stay positive about the model until you advise definitively that it has turned rotten. And thank you for that recommendation of the novella—one of my favourite forms. Will note it down as one to find. Happy Christmas.
I'm really sorry to read this about your publisher and partner. I sending positive thoughts and hope things improve. It sounds worrying they do this to you and other authors. I've come across your page early on in my Substack journey. I'm grateful for that as your writing is very different to many things I read. And you're one of very few people who can talk about all things possible between heaven and earth and still make it make sense.
Tom, I am so sorry to hear this. It’s honestly the most demoralising part of freelancing…chasing people for money. And I was moaning because one magazine made me wait six weeks to be paid! This is truly shocking and I wish I had a magic wand to make them pay up. I think calling them out in this fashion is actually very restrained of you.
Happy to write to them and express my disappointment if you think letters from the public would help? So sorry. Jo
I'm so sorry about Unbound! I hope they come through with the money soon. There's been an ongoing shitshow in romance publishing with a company called Dreamspinner, using money that should be ringfenced for royalties to pay other things. It's an appalling situation!
Sorry to hear the Unbound story - that’s rubbish. Such a great concept, lost in the execution. Makes me very grateful for my publisher who religiously sends me my handful of dollars every quarter.
Thanks for the gem recommendations- looking forward to perusing.
I’ve become a paid subscriber (which is frankly long overdue) after reading this post. I’d like to buy your books, every one of them I can get my hands on. I’d be happy to order from my local independent bookstore (which happens to be owned by my best friend!), but before I do that, is there any other way I can purchase them from you that would get more money to you directly?
Thank you so much, Erica. As far as the books are concerned: it would work out best for me if you purchased direct from me but it is SOOO expensive to send to the US and I don't want to charge people that much postage, on top of the price of the books. Honestly, all sales are still good news for me. I trust I will be paid one day. And I just want more people reading the books, generally.
Tom, I am so sorry about your situation with Unbound and I hope it gets resolved soon. Your books have been keeping me sane during this dumpster-fire of a year, especially the latter part (yes, I live in the US). Like Jo, I am willing to write to Unbound if you think it will help. I really respect your independence (as well as your love of cats!) and I would hate to see that creativity hindered. On a nicer note, thank you for sharing your reading list. I definitely want to check out Mrs. Bridge. Best regards, Sandra and The Clowder
Oh dear, Tom, the Unbound events are dreadful. I didn't realise you weren't receiving any money from them and it must be incredibly worrying. I really hope they pay you what they owe. In the meantime, I'm reading one of your books and I'm loving it.
I am very sorry to hear about your experience with your publisher! It's a rough time in small press publishing in the U.S., as well. Royalties should always be paid as promised. I hope the money comes through.
I'm so disappointed by Unbound. Totally puts me off backing any other works (I've backed others as well as yours). As an aside, that programme about the Polish men is indeed an absolute gem.
So sorry Tom. Will it help if we email Unbound and complain? As a paid backer of all your books, I feel like I’m getting ripped off. Would rather have sent the money to you directly.
That stinks Tom. Have written to unbound to complain and ask for my pledge monies back for books I’ve backed. At least that way I can pay authors like yourself direct.
Dear Tom, have you talked to the Society of Authors? They should be able to help. Also, write to the Bookseller; if they make this into a public story then Unbound might take some notice and sort it out (assuming they have the money...sorry). Finally, the Royal Literary Fund (https://www.rlf.org.uk/) offers grants specifically for these circumstances for published authors; please do ask them if they can help you. Hope one of these is useful.
Oh so sorry to hear that. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make them pay you now!
Your writing is exquisite and so original. It makes me very cross that you are not being appreciated as you should be! If I had any riches, they would go to you💕
FFS, Tom, what is literally wrong with people? You switch the way you do things because you believe in something and it turns out they’re not being straight with you either. I get emails from Unbound all the time - they neglect to mention they’re not paying their writers. I really hope this gets sorted out.
Thanks for writing. Sigh. I’m sorry about Unbound. The gloss comes off. Best wishes for getting what is owed to you and I will stay positive about the model until you advise definitively that it has turned rotten. And thank you for that recommendation of the novella—one of my favourite forms. Will note it down as one to find. Happy Christmas.
I'm really sorry to read this about your publisher and partner. I sending positive thoughts and hope things improve. It sounds worrying they do this to you and other authors. I've come across your page early on in my Substack journey. I'm grateful for that as your writing is very different to many things I read. And you're one of very few people who can talk about all things possible between heaven and earth and still make it make sense.
Tom, I am so sorry to hear this. It’s honestly the most demoralising part of freelancing…chasing people for money. And I was moaning because one magazine made me wait six weeks to be paid! This is truly shocking and I wish I had a magic wand to make them pay up. I think calling them out in this fashion is actually very restrained of you.
Happy to write to them and express my disappointment if you think letters from the public would help? So sorry. Jo
I'm so sorry about Unbound! I hope they come through with the money soon. There's been an ongoing shitshow in romance publishing with a company called Dreamspinner, using money that should be ringfenced for royalties to pay other things. It's an appalling situation!
Sorry to hear the Unbound story - that’s rubbish. Such a great concept, lost in the execution. Makes me very grateful for my publisher who religiously sends me my handful of dollars every quarter.
Thanks for the gem recommendations- looking forward to perusing.
Stay strong x
Tom I just discovered you and your great posts on SS. Thanks for doing what you do and happy to be a subscriber.
Thanks Henri!
I’ve become a paid subscriber (which is frankly long overdue) after reading this post. I’d like to buy your books, every one of them I can get my hands on. I’d be happy to order from my local independent bookstore (which happens to be owned by my best friend!), but before I do that, is there any other way I can purchase them from you that would get more money to you directly?
Thank you so much, Erica. As far as the books are concerned: it would work out best for me if you purchased direct from me but it is SOOO expensive to send to the US and I don't want to charge people that much postage, on top of the price of the books. Honestly, all sales are still good news for me. I trust I will be paid one day. And I just want more people reading the books, generally.
Tom, I am so sorry about your situation with Unbound and I hope it gets resolved soon. Your books have been keeping me sane during this dumpster-fire of a year, especially the latter part (yes, I live in the US). Like Jo, I am willing to write to Unbound if you think it will help. I really respect your independence (as well as your love of cats!) and I would hate to see that creativity hindered. On a nicer note, thank you for sharing your reading list. I definitely want to check out Mrs. Bridge. Best regards, Sandra and The Clowder
Oh dear, Tom, the Unbound events are dreadful. I didn't realise you weren't receiving any money from them and it must be incredibly worrying. I really hope they pay you what they owe. In the meantime, I'm reading one of your books and I'm loving it.
Thanks Georgina. Nice to know you’re enjoying it!
I am very sorry to hear about your experience with your publisher! It's a rough time in small press publishing in the U.S., as well. Royalties should always be paid as promised. I hope the money comes through.
I'm so disappointed by Unbound. Totally puts me off backing any other works (I've backed others as well as yours). As an aside, that programme about the Polish men is indeed an absolute gem.
So sorry Tom. Will it help if we email Unbound and complain? As a paid backer of all your books, I feel like I’m getting ripped off. Would rather have sent the money to you directly.
That stinks Tom. Have written to unbound to complain and ask for my pledge monies back for books I’ve backed. At least that way I can pay authors like yourself direct.
Dear Tom, have you talked to the Society of Authors? They should be able to help. Also, write to the Bookseller; if they make this into a public story then Unbound might take some notice and sort it out (assuming they have the money...sorry). Finally, the Royal Literary Fund (https://www.rlf.org.uk/) offers grants specifically for these circumstances for published authors; please do ask them if they can help you. Hope one of these is useful.
Oh so sorry to hear that. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make them pay you now!
Your writing is exquisite and so original. It makes me very cross that you are not being appreciated as you should be! If I had any riches, they would go to you💕