Comments on: REVIEW: Ebook Weekly: Venus Press Review

By: J.J. Massa

J.J. Massa — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 03:13:39 +0000

Jeya, I am ashamed, as I’ve said. I had no right to say what I did. I have apologized to you repeatedly both privately and publicly. That’s really all I can do. I was out of line to say anything and I truly am sorry for my lapse. There is nothing more that I can do. I beg the pardon of all readers for my thoughtless comments.

By: Jeya Jenson

Jeya Jenson — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 02:35:28 +0000

I have just found out about this little posting and am appalled. JJ Massa was not involved in what went on between myself and and the publisher of Venus Press. She therefore has no right to comment. Anyone wanting to know the story needs to ask me, not hear it second hand from other sources. Coming back to the VP fiasco, it is behind me and I have chosen to delete it from my own blog. As for my change in author names, I was asked by the editor of Kensington Books to make the switch, as she felt it was too close to another author they had under contract. I was not forced to change, but chose to. As for who I sell old material to or how many times I choose to market it, that is my business and mine alone. I do not force publishers to buy my work.
I do not wish to revisit this matter or be bothered with it again.

Signed,

Jeya Jenson, now writing as Devyn Quinn and being paid a hell of a lot of advance money to do so.

By: J.J. Massa

J.J. Massa — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 01:38:10 +0000

Honestly, I couldn’t belive me, either, I was out of line. I wrote to Jeya and apologized. She was gracious enough to forgive me.

I apologize to anyone who reads that. It was just stupid of me to say that. No excuses.

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 01:32:11 +0000

[quote comment="1901"]I won’t address Karen’s “Jeya Jenson” post excet to say we all know that she’s (Jeya) has complained in the same fashion over and over to the point that she’s had to change her author name so that readers won’t feel cheated because of her continuous re-release of the same books with various publishers.–[/quote]

Even though I saw an apology, I am still stunned by this. Jeya sold to NY and was asked to use a different name because that name was similar to another author signed to the pub already.

I do think any conclusion made without the full story is unfair, especially when it comes off nasty. It was in poor taste those comments were made.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 18:26:09 +0000

Here are my guesses:
“Country Party” Jess Michaels
“Neptune’s Lair” Dorothy McFalls
“A Cowboy For Sara” B A Tortuga

By: Tilly Greene

Tilly Greene — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 18:26:54 +0000

Hiya Ladies!

I am so glad you visited Venus Press! Yes, I am one of their authors and very happy with everything. I thought very hard about where to submit my work, visited Piers Anthony’s publisher updates and have never second guessed myself since. I am not someone who falls for a nice facade, it is my understanding that just because someone shouts and draws attention to themselves does not make them anymore right than the next person.

Enough of that…I loved writing a short for the Confessions line, what a challenge and they are such fun to read! As a reader, I enjoy the variety of lines available…I always recommend it in your ebook monthly challenge but I’ll say it here as well, JJ Massa writes beautifully, and her wolves are delicious!

I must be an odd egg, I download my ebooks once, slap my hands together and consider it done.

Oh, and one last niggle for me, and this goes to all publishing houses, the multicultural tag. Personally, I’m not that keen on it. My heroine in Double Punch is half Sweedish and half Butanese, raised by an American – how would you label her? Nope, I’m not in to breaking anyone down by race because many just do not fit in a pretty little box.

Loving these weekly ebook posts ladies, learning loads!

Tilly

By: kate r

kate r — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 01:47:01 +0000

Yes, I know her but I’m still going to push her contest. If you want a fantastic prize, check out Jessica Trapp’s (at her home page which I think is http://www.jessicatrapp.com)
Five hundred dollars is a pretty good award–even if half of it is a donation.

By: J.J. Massa

J.J. Massa — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 16:42:09 +0000

Thinking about it, I apologize to Jeya. She’s a sweetie and I sure understand how it feels to be treated wrong by a publisher. I’ve read many of her books and find her quite talented. I wish her much success and empathize that she’s had to go through some of the things she has. I was out of line to say anything at all about that. :(

By: J.J. Massa

J.J. Massa — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 14:50:12 +0000

HI. I won’t address every complaint. I am first and foremost an author, I write my books, edit and turn them in. I’ve treated VP well and have been treated well in return. I’ll try to clear up what I can or bring to Administration things that should be looked at and considered from this post.

I won’t address Karen’s “Jeya Jenson” post excet to say we all know that she’s (Jeya) has complained in the same fashion over and over to the point that she’s had to change her author name so that readers won’t feel cheated because of her continuous re-release of the same books with various publishers.

As for having a customer number, everone who buys from VP has one and that does prevent having to give new info each time. The book link expiration is something I will talk to Admin about. Venus Press is looking into adding a bookshelf similar to what Fictionwise offers. More on that soon. As for the bestseller list, that is featured on the newsletter every Wednesday and is sent to many popular reader yahoogroups each week. The Ebony Side was in response to reader requests that books containing African Americans should have thier own heading. I personally have people of various races in almost every one of my books. Only one of them is listed as Ebony Side again at reader request. We want our readers happy, but we all recognize that people are people no matter their skin tone and cultural bias.

No matter how hard any publisher tries, unfortunately there will be some people who are unhappy. Feel to address complaints to customerservice@venuspress.net –

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 03:34:20 +0000

Angie – She’s referring to the Ebony Side description:

In the submissions area, it says “We are also open for multicultural stories as well, but they will be placed within the above genres as well as the “Ebony Sideâ€�? line.â€�?