Highland Press Warnings
By Jane • Apr 7th, 2008 • Category: Misc, Publishing News • •Highland Press authors have complained about lack of communication with its publisher, with all communication being diverted to a secret co-publisher, DeborahAnne MacGillvray. Ms. MacGillivray is an author published by Highland Press (among other presses including Dorchester and Kensington) and also serves as a cover artist for Highland Press.
Among other things, Highland Press is purported to do the following:
- Banning authors from author loops for speaking out against Highland Press
- Sending emails to subsequent publishers of those “problem” authors demanding that stock photography that the author purchased for the covers of her Highland Press books not be used by subsequent publishers. These stock photos can be used, as we know, by every publisher out there. I’m not sure on what basis Highland Press claims that stock photo cannot be used.
- Using MacGillivray’s position to delete reviews she has provided to these problem authors and deleting reviews of the author’s friends. (Of course, these are MacGillivray’s reviews and she is entitled to do whatever she wants with them).
A corollary to this is that the co-publisher uses a Yahoo Group list, Ladies in Waiting, change her Amazon reviews. When MacGillivray she gets a bad review, she tells the loop to click on the link to the Amazon page and vote “no” and then “report abuse”. With enough of those “report abuse” entries, the review is then removed. This was complained about on the Amazon board as well. One fan related a run-in with Ms. MacGillivray on a message board about the deleted reviews.
one thing macgillivray made a point of lecturing me about was the fact that the negative reviews were affecting folks livelihoods…like kids won’t eat and puppies won’t get fed, etc. i took issue with that because if reviews were here for the express purpose of putting money in the author’s pocket, the over-gushing reviews would be the only ones accepted by amazon or anyone else for that matter. it’s not my problem as the consumer to make sure an author eats. it’s my responsibility as a consumer to be honest about my feelings regarding a product so that the next consumer is educated enough to make a decision for or against the purchase of a product. period.
another poster here had her negative review for one of macgillivary’s books deleted and macgillivary defended that move too. in the end though, i find it difficult to believe this is some arbitrary thing when it seems the only author who is coming up in this discussion OVER AND OVER AGAIN is macgillivary.
As a reader, I am far more disturbed about the last item which appears that MacGillivray is using her position to game the Amazon review system. I’m sure that there are dozens of authors who would like negative reviews to be removed. Other fans and authors find this practice disturbing as well.
Jane is a long time romance reader whose passion is, you guessed it, reading. Jane also does not like to talk about herself in the third person, but apparently this is the way that this biography thing works (although in a true biography, someone else would be writing this blurb). Anyway, currently Jane loves urban fantasy authors Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews. She's really excited about this year's crop of historicals including Joanna Bourne's The Spymaster's Lady and Sherry Thomas' Private Arrangements and the upcoming Loretta Chase Her Scandalous Ways.
She's looking for a good contemporary author. Email her with a recommendation!
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[...] Press Warnings Dear Author posted Highland Press Warnings: “Highland Press authors have complained about lack of communication with its publisher, with [...]
The learning curve here seems to be incredibly steep, doesn’t it?
More and more I’m feeling that authors would be better served by having some sort of advocacy group beyond the RWA to provide assistance with contract terms, publisher track records, etc. And to evaluate the changing markets and business models in publishing that affect authors (essentially having authors be able to participate more proactively and effectively in these trends, instead of being simply affected by them on the back end).
Yup. I find myself growing increasingly frustrated with this notion that readers should be moved by appeals based on the “I might have to supplement my writing income if you buy my ARCs off of eBay” lines of logic. Those lines of argumentation — however true they may be — tend to emit a sense of entitlement, dimming rather than cultivating my sympathy. IMO livelihood issues are those that relate to the author-agent and author-publisher relationships, not to the author-reader link (which for me is more a book-reader relationship, which probably accounts for my view here). To justify the “abusive comment” report on Amazon via this logic offends me on so many levels it’s difficult to keep track of all of them, lol. Of course, I guess the way to respond to that is to contact Amazon and let them know that there are some readers out there who find minimal interference in the star/reviewing system necessary for Amazon to have any semblance of legitimacy. Not that Amazon comments are always the most helpful, but IMO it’s far worse for them to be unhelpful AND screened.
I’m offended as both a reader and a writer. This is worse than the author who rallied all her troops and their acquaintances–even the ones who didn’t read her book–to post positive reviews on Amazon to counter all “the haters.”
Four words my hapkido instructor always says to me: Suck it up, princess.
It is outrageous that anyone would behave that way and tell readers they don’t have a right to an opinion.
Writers advocating censorship? Disgusting.
You see this kind of behavior in online fandoms on occasion. A writer, generally average, gets a few fans and she starts going on this egotistical power trip. Anyone who disagrees with her fans and dares to say it is tarred and feathered. I always take it as a sign of immaturity and incompetence, because no one mature or competent would have to resort to such tactics.
That’s not only tacky and misleading, IMO it will actually harm book sales. Very short sighted and manipulative.
Some of us use those reviews (good and bad) to get an honest feel for whether or not we will enjoy a particular book. Negative reviews can be the most revealing, but don’t necessarily automatically kill a sale. Sometimes whatever is being whined about isn’t on my list of reasons not to buy…personal preference in our reading material is so very individual.
I read a (library) book yesterday that pushed several of my squick buttons & I thought was awful. Other readers love it and have it bronzed on their keeper shelf.
IMO this publisher would be wiser to quit censoring the flow of information and let customers decide what they like.
Epic Fail on all counts.
I am officially in love with Ann Bruce’s hapkido instructor. Carry on.
I can tell you from personal experience that Ms. MacGillivray is quite interesting to interact with on the Kensington author loop too (there’s no WAY I’d post this under my real name, due to certain relation; she loves to tattle to our editors about any behavior she views as negative or threatening). I’m soooooooo not surprised to find out she’s got her minions scamming the Amazon reviews.
Check it out. LINK
And yeah, not to be cowardly, but I’ll post anonymously so as not to dare the rabid mob to assault me with negative reviews or something.
Sending emails to subsequent publishers of those “problem” authors demanding that stock photography that the author purchased for the covers of her Highland Press books not be used by subsequent publishers. These stock photos can be used, as we know, by every publisher out there. I’m not sure on what basis Highland Press claims that stock photo cannot be used.
The only way thats possible, that a stock photo can’t be used, is if the picture is bought flat out, not given a “license”. You can buy the picture off some of the stock sites, Like Getty Images, but usually a photographer wont let it go for less then 500$ a picture (because they make more for the individual downloads. hell single images on Getty Images can cost an artist a mint, starting at 50$ a single image.) The thing is, If you buy the picture outright, and its NOT taken down off the stock site, then its still up for use for other people and other places. If she buys the work outright, and its off the site completely, then yes, shes right. If she didn’t, and the images are available at site(s) then shes completely in the wrong and that proves just how little she really knows about this part of the business. Not that her covers are earth shattering in the least.
New York publishers use stock photos now> I have seen several of them with the same photos as some of the e books and small press books. She has no right.
But seriously, if the author purchased the pictures, regardless of the license, its theirs to do with as they wish. Highland Press has no power there.
Now on the Amazon issue, Thats just crazy and egotistical. Authors that have those delusions and the stones to even attempt what shes doing don’t have my sympathy or my business. Not that I read her to begin with, but any morbid curiosity I had to try one of her books just flew out the window.
Holy freaking cow, that link is full of the crazy. They attack the reviewer, suggest that she needs to spend more time with her family, follow her around to other threads on the Amazon board and call her names? These are the actions of MacGillivray and her crit partner?
Holy poor English, Batman!!!
That’s a writer!? A published writer!?!?! WTF???
I’m not sure what boggles my mind more…what she’s saying or the fact that she can’t write in English to save her life. Why, why, WHY do these people get published? Why???
As a new author trying to break into publishing I’m distressed to learn of this sort of manipulation. I have been on the receiving end of several of Ms. Macgilliviray’s rants. Not only are they unprofessional and mean spritied, they are at time soul destroying and they almost always include the addition of a in your face reminder that she is with 2 NYC publishers and that a writer would never think to ask questions or have opinions with their NYC editors. Since I’m friends with several NYC published authors I have it on good authority a writer is seldome left with questions…as all details are addressed as a matter of doing business.
Of course these sort of warnings will be ignored and excused as the rants of unhappy and disgruntled authors. My question is this…how can there be so many unhappy writers out there from one house? Perhaps the blame should be rightfully assumed by those that are causing the angst.
And I can tell you that as an unfortunate HP author, I am not being paid the monies owed me. Their reason = they will not pay until the money owed reaches a certain dollar amount. Yet, nowhere in my contract does it state this.
My contract also says that I will get statements quarterly…they aren’t even CLOSE to that. Their statements are a joke - even RWA said so when I mailed copies to them for inclusion in their rather large file on this house.
Ms. MacGillivray constantly tongue-lashes her authors both on and off the loop. If you disagree with her, ask a question about a release date, request a minor cover change or just happen to disagree with her point of view on the craft of writing, she will put you to no mail or kick you off the author loop completely.
Once off the loop, (and thankful for it), I was threatened with being blacklisted and told I all but ruined my chances in this small industry because I was on the out’s with her.
And yes, as sad and pathetic as it is, she makes everyone “Clickies” over at Amazon whenever a bad review is posted (which means under a 5 star) for her, Leanne Burroughs or Dawn Thompson’s books so that they will be speedily removed.
Of course, this will be dismissed as yet “another” rant from a disgruntled author. Um, disgruntled because I’m not getting paid? You bet!
The D MacGillivray response to the reader’s unhappy review is classic. excerpted for your pleasure:
Reba,
Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed “A Restless Knight” so much you read it twice. It’s always nice to hear this. I appreciate when people take the time from their busy lives to let me know what they feel about my books. Sorry, you didn’t let me know before. As it was my debut book, I was very interested in responses.
I think perhaps, as Anne posted, that you are a bit too much in love with Challon, and thus resistant to Damian. It does me credit that I can create a character who conjures such loyalty from you.
….
However, I fear you did missed the point of Damian wanting to fight Dirk. He was not fighting for Tamlyn, he was going to take Challon’s place - to protect Challon.
…
I am think you skimmed the book, sitting in an auto place, worry about big bad men sniggering, and didn’t bother to see why the characters did things, just took surface reactions. You are keying into Aithinne’s POV, which at many times is not accurate to what was really happening.
…..
And where you got he was hung up on Tamlyn by the middle of the, that is SOOOOO wrong. He knew from his return he was mean for Aithinne, she was THE ONE. You are reading your quick assessment into that. He was NOT hung on on Tamlyn at any point after his return and he saw Aithinne. For you to keep saying that, shows how totally you are missing the true emotions of these characters.
As for accusing Athinne of asking Dirk into her room - he is MALE. Male do silly thinks when they are upset and jealous. This is so TM - Typically male. Men do silly things at times of high emotions. Damian is human, not perfect.
…
P.S. Thank everyone for the lively discussion. Sales have jumped!
So, she’s insulting her reader and saying her point of view is not valid? Nice reply to a fan who bought and read her books. Sheesh!
Wow, that is hugely insulting of her to talk to someone like that on Amazon. If that was me, I’d have never bought another one of her books in my life. I don’t care how good the books are.
That’s just rude and uncalled for.
Male do silly thinks when they are upset and jealous. This is so TM - Typically male. Men do silly things at times of high emotions.
Ah, characterization.
Does that mean she read it in her car, hiding the cover from construction workers?
Edited: I just got it. She’s saying she was in a garage, reading fast while trying to hide the cover from the mechanics.
Okay. Yeah, that must be it.
This is profoundly disappointing to hear. I met Leanne Burroughs recently, even pitched a book to her. She was very friendly, very professional, and I walked away from the experience satisfied, but after reading all of this, I have no plans to send her the manuscript she requested. Whether she is aware of her partner’s actions or not, Highland Press doesn’t sound like the type of place I want my beloved work to be.
I’ve gotten negative reviews through my career. Hell, I’m quite certain every author has. There are the bad reviews, which just rag on the book and tear it to shreds, the WTF reviews, which offer no constructive criticism or even any indication that the reviewer dislike the book at all save for the final score (those are my personal pet peeves - the text of the review will gush about the writing, the story, the characters, and then give it a 2/5, leaving me wondering why), the “not my cup of tea” reviews, and so on. I try to learn from every piece of feedback I get. Sometimes I will agree with the reader, that I could have fleshed out Bob’s character more, or it would have made more sense if Jill had worked for the turnip seed plant rather than the apple orchard. Sometimes I won’t agree with them. What I don’t do is browbeat a reader and accuse them of “not getting it.” They did get it, in their own way, using their own circumstances and thought process. That’s what’s great about being a writer, in my opinion. That there can be as many interpretations of a book as there are people who read it. I loved being surprised by things I never saw in my own work, never included with any conscious thought, and yet here comes a reader pointing out parallels and themes.
Ms. MacGillivray has, unfortunately, done little more than make herself look like a baby.
Oh, jeez, not another one.
The one good thing? People like this make those of us who are relatively sane look really smart and reasonable.
Wow. I am agog! If I ever acted that way, I can only hope my friends would yank me aside and make me STOP. Hell, I know they would. Probably with a smack upside the head. :)
I can only hope she sees tthe online posts to her actions and instead of reacting, takes a step back and looks at what she is presenting to the world. Sure, no one likes reviews that are less than glowing but it happens. Frankly, I’d rather have someone either love or hate me, it’s the middle of the road that freaks me out. But no matter what the review, there is never a reason for talking down to a reader (that’s how I read the ‘big bad man’ remark).
Bullies rarely have friends.
“I am think you skimmed the book, sitting in an auto place, worry about big bad men sniggering, and didn’t bother to see why the characters did things, just took surface reactions. You are keying into Aithinne’s POV, which at many times is not accurate to what was really happening.”
“I am think” that’s the funniest s**t I’ve read in weeks!
That was the highlight for me…
Me too, Marianne. Caught that one right away.
This makes me feel sick to my stomach.
Did Debbie Macwhateverhernameis actually write this? She’s like….a paid writer?
An author responding to a negative review is always a bad idea–insisting that a reviewer is ‘wrong’ in their opinion and flat-out accusing them of skimming the book is such a stunningly bad idea, I can barely believe it. Especially interesting that she then gets all her cronies to pounce on the reviewer, too. Incredible!
Don’t know if you knew this, but Deborah MacGillivray is a top reviewer at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3GQKB1KF0CRPE/ref=cm_psrch_profile)
That’s where she reviewed before she was published. I don’t know if she has continued reviewing.
Does this have anything to do with anything? Who knows. But I find it interesting.
No one likes to have a bad review. But everyone is entitled to their opinion. I’ve read some books that I haven’t cared for, yet others have loved it. And on the other hand I’ve read books people told me not too, that I loved.
So if someone doesn’t like your work, say “Oh it wasn’t their cup of tea.” and move on.
I didn’t address the review issues and iStock issues because everyone else has, and I agree.
BTW did anyone notice that Ms. MacGillivray deleted her comments to the reader on Amazon about 15 minutes ago?
You’re not going to believe this! But our poor little DeborahAnne is getting talked about on Amazon!!! LINK
Amazing!!!
I am one of Highland Press’s authors who is in the DOGhouse. I was one who spoke up against the publisher and the secret co-publisher, DeborahAnne. I was one who was banned from the author loop and the Ladies-In-Waiting loop because of it. I am amazed how unprofessional this company is treating their authors. The owner lets DeborahAnne tromp on all of the authors and they are scared to say anything on the author loop for fear DA will chew them a new butt-hole. The very sad thing in all of this is that the owner, Leanne Burroughs, does NOT stick up for her authors. When authors email her personally for answers, she ignores us…or she sigs her secret co-publisher on us.
Do you want to hear what’s worse? Our contract is for SEVEN freakin’ years!!! I know they have breached their contract with me, but trying to find a way to prove it might be a little hard. But I’ll try!
Yes, her behavior on the K loop is frustrating and heavy-handed. Her comments about the SBs and DA in the midst of the CE scandal were not flattering in the least. Makes me sick to my stomach, all the bullying and tow-the-line threats.
OMG here’s the clincher:
Okay, beyond the question of whether any author has the only single interpretation possible, and even beyond the wisdom of “correcting” a reader, and finally past the unbelievable speculation about the circumstances under which a reader consumed a book, can we talk about who’s really not getting it when an author has to explain her book, lol?!!
Oh, and Jane, you forgot the “big smoochies” at the very end of her scholarly assessment of her unadulterated genius. Honestly, if it were April 1st, I would swear we were being punked by that.
If you have documentation concerning these allegations, please share it with P&E at prededitors@att.net .
Since when do you requirement documentation to soil a publisher’s reputation, Dave?
Oh, since the lawsuit? Yes, can’t say I’m surprised.
Well, well, well - aren’t you posters just a bunch of hippocrites!! You are doing exactly what you are accusing Deborah MacGillivray of doing - being unprofessional and insulting. A few posters are feeding you their version of the truth and all of you are feeding right into their hands - without knowing what is truth and what is not. How easily you all are being manipulated. Do you know the story behind Reba’s reviews of Miss MacGillivray’s books and why she wrote what she did in that one post? Have any of you taken the time to find out the truth? There are a few women out there set out to destroy The Highland Press and Deborah MacGillivray. Why? They lost their contracts due to their own fault/unprofessional behavior and they refuse to take responsiblity for their actions. So, they distort the truth and they out and out lie. They take their garbage to anyone who will listen (ask yourselves why they aren’t spending time on their writing careers instead). These women are out to destroy careers because they weren’t adult enough to handle their own. And, all you posters fell right into their trap. There are always two sides to a story, yet these “authors” count on feeding their line of bull to anyone who will listen and everyone lapping it up without finding out the truth. Shame on all of you for buying into their crap. Deborah MacGillivray and Leanne Burroughs are nothing but the utmost professionals and these spiteful children in adult bodies could do a lot worse. What they don’t realize is how this will all come back to bite them one day - their vindictiveness and jealousy (we should all be so lucky as to have two NYC publishers) and outrageous behavior. I hope all of you can sleep at night after villifying one person based on the distortions of a few with a grudge.
I can only hope she sees tthe online posts to her actions and instead of reacting, takes a step back and looks at what she is presenting to the world.
Oh she’s reacting all right. If you go back to the Amazon review link now?
Deborah MacGillivray says:
[Deleted by the author 19 minutes ago]
Anyone get a screencap of it before she tried to erase the evidence? Guess she didn’t realize her name would still be up…
Well, well, well - aren’t you posters just a bunch of hypocrites!! You are doing exactly what you are accusing Deborah MacGillivray of doing - being unprofessional and insulting. A few posters are feeding you their version of the truth and all of you are feeding right into their hands - without knowing what is truth and what is not. How easily you all are being manipulated. Do you know the story behind Reba’s reviews of Miss MacGillivray’s books and why she wrote what she did in that one post? Have any of you taken the time to find out the truth? There are a few women out there set out to destroy The Highland Press and Deborah MacGillivray. Why? They lost their contracts due to their own fault/unprofessional behavior and they refuse to take responsiblity for their actions. So, they distort the truth and they out and out lie. They take their garbage to anyone who will listen (ask yourselves why they aren’t spending time on their writing careers instead). These women are out to destroy careers because they weren’t adult enough to handle their own. And, all you posters fell right into their trap. There are always two sides to a story, yet these “authors” count on feeding their line of bull to anyone who will listen and everyone lapping it up without finding out the truth. Shame on all of you for buying into their crap. Deborah MacGillivray and Leanne Burroughs are nothing but the utmost professionals and these spiteful children in adult bodies could do a lot worse. What they don’t realize is how this will all come back to bite them one day - their vindictiveness and jealousy (we should all be so lucky as to have two NYC publishers) and outrageous behavior. I hope all of you can sleep at night after vilifying one person based on the distortions of a few with a grudge.
What are all of you getting out of this? Some school-yard bully satisfaction? HPDogHouseAuthor and all the Anons, are you all satisfied now? Getting your desired results because you screwed up your own contracts with HP publishing and are now paying the price? Does no one else see how immature and unprofessional you are being? Enjoy it while you can, but all of you spewing this garbage and hate will end up the losers at the end of the day. Slander and libel is very serious - but, guess you don’t care.
Hey, Happy HP - or shall I call you Debbie? Hope all that wool around your hand is keeping you nice and warm.
No one need to make anything up to make you…er Ms MacGillivray look like an ass. She’s condemned by the words she’s so busy deleting.
As for having a grudge? I’d be carrying a bloody big grudge too if my publisher wasn’t sending me my royalties, not to mention running a censorship campaign.
“Anyone get a screencap of it before she tried to erase the evidence? Guess she didn’t realize her name would still be up…”
Wow, EasilyAmusedAnon - how petty and vindictive you are. Your life must be so pitiful and small. I am sure I can guess who you are - one of the few who spends her days going to any site she can to spew her ugliness. You messed up your own career - grow up and deal with it. While you are at it, how about getting a life of your own?
Sorry, name isn’t Debbie, Ms. Somerville. As for making things up, are you sure about that? Guess you were suckered in just like everyone else. Not getting paid royalties - are you sure about that? Guess whose the ass now? Don’t believe everything you are told.
Happy HP Author - Perhaps you should pull your head out of Ms. MacGillivray’s butt long enough to sniff reality. There are over 17 “disgruntled” authors, not just a handful and not the same ladies. There is a file folder full over at RWA about that house, their failure to pay authors, their “fishy” royalty statements and poor treatment of their authors. I feel sorry you and her other drones…you have no pride at all. Your greedy desire to see yourself in print has blinded you from the truth. All I can say is, I hope selling your soul was worth the $30 bucks.
And my writing career is going along swimmingly, thank you for asking.
How is yours? Write anything besides a short story in the past three years? Didn’t think so.
Dear Happy HP Author,
I have no pony in the HP race and am not being immature and unprofessional over screwing up a contract. I am not the author who posted anonymously earlier to talk about Deborah’s behavior on the Kensington loop, but since it was brought up? Her behavior there is the sole reason I left that loop. I don’t have to believe what I’m told; I read it from the horse’s mouth, had enough and left.
Thankfully Jane copy and pasted it for our amusement in Comment #16
Personally my opinion of her is based on her own words and nothing else. There isn’t much she could say to make up for how she responded to that reader.
Anybody who would post this: “I am think you skimmed the book, sitting in an auto place, worry about big bad men sniggering, and didn’t bother to see why the characters did things, just took surface reactions” to a reader doesn’t know jack about professionalism.
And it only took 41 comments for the slander/libel card to be played.
Barely literate publishing professional with a superiority complex. Check.
Vague threat of slander and/or libel lawsuit. Check.
Accusations we’re all just jealous. Check.
Anybody holding a Wiccan threat?
So, Deborah MacWTF has caught on and deleted her Amazon comment 30 minutes ago and someone calling itself a “Happy HP Author” shows up here around the same time. Coincidence?
Yeah, I didn’t think so. Sorry, Deborah MacWTF, but we are harder to fool than the people you have been swindling on Amazon.
Wow, Anonauthor: let’s recap shall we? I am a drone, don’t live in reality,so greedy to see my name in print so I don’t see the truth, have my head up Ms, MacGillivray’s butt (love that one) - how am I doing so far? You are so sure I haven’t written anything but short stories in the last three years? Again, can you prove it? Your career is going swimmingly, you say? I doubt it - or else why the pettiness and vindictiveness? I mean, when do you find time to write with your smear campign in full swing? Guess I hit a really, really big nerve with you, huh? You are a funny person - pathetic, but funny! Thanks for the laugh.
While I am not DA MacGillivray, I did suggest she take it down around the time I posted. I told her since no one is bothering to find out the truth - the lies are so much more sensational, don’t you think? It’s better to take it down so no one else can post it and such - I mean, doesn’t anyone question those who posted it - their motives? Please everyone, stop being so gullible.
Oh hey, Happy HP/Debbie/Sockpuppetus dramaticus
If you’re so goshdarned happy, how about a name and a link so we can identify you? After all, since you’re so busy kissing DM’s butt, you’re surely not worried about revenge.
Although it’s probably hard to fill in a webform while performing autofellatio.
When you pony up with a checkable name and a website, then I *might* be willing to accept your version of events. But since you sound completely insane, that’s by no means a given.
‘Kay?
And if you don’t have documentation concerning these allegations, should this post be considered factual?
‘Tis a fair court.
HappyHp Author
I can’t help but find this an Oxymoron.
You’re attempt at sticking up for the goings on at Highland Press is loyal. But you forget that you don’t know all that has gone on there,or been privy to individual e-mails where writers are called all sorts of foul names. Why….because you are queen of parroting those in charge. And another thing…one can not be sued for liable or slander when authors have proof of the threats, nasty e-mails and so on. I would suggest that before you hop on the bandwagon of siding…you get all your facts in order and perhaps listen to the other side. Let’s face it…so many upset writers can’t be wrong. And remember comments have been coming from other people that have nothing to do with Highland Press but have not been impressed with this woman’s behavior. So ask yourself this…why do so many people, writers, reviewers and so on take issue with the way they are treated by her? Are you seriously in denial that Ms. M. is not responsible for anything that has happened? All of these people are out to get her? Talk about paranoid.
And can you seriously deny the fact that you have not gone out and “clicked” no on a fair review? I don’t think so. Remember a review is nothing more then an opinion. If Ms. M thinks her writing is so strong…it should be able to stand up to a critical review.
You know, you can’t protect her from her own words. Don’t even bother trying. Yes, I understand she’s busy deleting the comments…why is that?What is being said here is not being vindictive it is what it is. You’re unwavering support is to be commended I suppose.
Ann,
Autofellatio.
:::snerk::: I’m so stealing that one.
I hardly see this as a mob attack, though if the rumors are true and HP authors were ostracized for speaking out against plagiarism during the CE scandal, then I can see how you might view this as such (I never thought that was mob mentality, either).
Bottom line, whether you like it or not, Happy, is that Ms. M’s actions are reflecting negatively on Highland Press. Claims of nonpayment muddy the waters further.
I’m not a disgruntled HP author. I’m not an HP author at all, and upon hearing these things, I don’t want to be. Whether it’s true or not, I’d be foolish to place my work there with these negative reports floating around. Because you see, Happy, one thing I’ve learned in this business is that where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.
I wonder why you are posting anon yourself if you’re not Ms. M?
Shannon, personally I’m holding out for the ‘you’re only picking on me because I’m a quarter Native American’ play. Worked for Cassie Edwards, didn’t it?
Oh wait….
I have one word CAREER KILLER anyone choosing to slag off a reader for writing what they think on a public forum/place etc obviously isn’t interested in keeping their career. I find it distasteful and I imagine that Dorchester and Kensington won’t be happy that one of their authors is doing such a thing. While authors have opinions on the reviews they get they don’t have a go at someone for saying what they did. As large as the web is - it is a small world when it comes to word and mouth.
Amen Anon 2!
I like how the ‘Happy’ author can’t spell hypocrite or vilify in the original post…but Ms. MacGilliwhatever’s name is always spelled correctly to the letter.
Draw from that what you will. ;)
I would follow these rages a lot better, and pay more attention, if these people were able to actually separate their rants into separate paragraphs. It’s awfully wearing to have to wade through a thick slick of words. Maybe the “stream of consciousness” style is meant to convey some kind of dynamic high emotion, but it makes the text a bit difficult to follow, and I fear I’m not getting full value from it as my eyes glaze over.
So please, if I may, to all future ranters. Could you please break up your sentences into paragraphs? You can remain as incoherent as possible, but the text will be easier to read with some accompanying white space. Thank you.
I do hope her Kensington and Dorchester editors find their way to this blog because Deborah’s behavior will surely reflect poorly on their houses.
I am finding this thread both hilarious and shocking. I have spent SO MUCH MONEY on books that got perfect reviews on Amazon and turned out to be pretty ordinary, or even just plain poor. And now I have learned two shocking truths:
1. Authors/publishers have ways of manipulating their Amazon ratings.
2. Authors/publishers, when they get excited, become both illiterate and incoherent.
I am deeply shocked. And amused.
Despite the fact that “Male do silly thinks” is so funny that I have just burned about 300 calories by laughing so hard, I can promise you that I will never knowingly purchase a book written by Ms. MacGillvray.
True! There are rumors of Wampanoag blood in my ancestry and I’m trying to get documentation of that so I can send away for my free Author Behaving Badly pass.
I’m sorry, but why would anyone think that losing a contract with a miniscule epress, with a terrible, difficult-to-navigate website that doesn’t even as far as I can see offer any excerpts of the books for sale, might be a “career killer”?
Looking at the website reminded me I had actually heard of this press-which I’d forgotten. I think I checked it out six months or so ago after hearing something about it (maybe on HiPiers?)–which I do habitually–and decided, from seeing how poor the site itself is and how little enticement it offers potential customers, that it was run by people with no idea what they were doing and would probably explode in a flurry of poorly spelled recrimination and hysterical (inaccurate) screams of “slander!”
So this is one more point for me. But seriously, if any of you Highland Press authors out there are genuinely scared–trust me. No one I know in epublishing has even HEARD of this company. You’re better out of it, IMO. I seriously doubt anyone’s seeing royalty checks in the double digits from this place. Sheesh, you have to scroll almost 2/3 of the way down the page to even find a link to maybe see what books are for sale! You have to scroll past pictures and gifs and “About” and Submission Guidelines…aren’t you trying to attract customers, Ms. MacGillivray?
And music? On a supposedly professional website?
It’s like a “What not to do” exhibit.
Well, today’s topic is interesting, isn’t it? I drop by most days to see what the Janes are talking about today. This one is quite something!
I have no stake in any of this. Not published by HP, Kensington or Dorchester for that matter. So take this or leave it for whatever it’s worth.
And Nadia, we’re not all like that, honest. I can spell, most days. Even put together a coherent sentence.
What I see here is someone trying to bully and hector (whoever that person is). What I see is verbal mud-wrestling. There seem to be some complaints here, and if royalties aren’t being paid, it gets serious.
What I’d say to unhappy authors (close your ears and eyes, Happy, this isn’t about you) is to invoke the audit clause of your contract. Find out for sure what sales are. It’s your right, and I only wish I’d done it with one or two past publishers.
To Happy, I’d say you have seriously dented your career. You don’t talk to readers like that. Anyone, for that matter. Bullying isn’t a nice trait, and for the most part, readers want to like their favourite authors And please, run a spellcheck before you post!
Because Ms MacGillivray writes for Kensington and Dorchester who are not so miniscule.
Deleting negative reviews is wrong. There’s a difference between a negative review and a flame. It’s how you deal with them that seperates the true professionals from the wannabes. *Newsflash* Even LaNora gets negative reviews. But she doesn’t throw a fit about them or demand they be deleted.
Anon 2, do you mean you think Ms. MacGillivray is slandering the authors up and down the halls of Kensington and Dorchester?
I wouldn’t worry about that either. A, because I’m pretty sure anyone who works with this woman has to know how full of crazy she is, and B, because if the book is good nobody is going to care anyway, and C, because I really doubt she’s going to want to discuss this situation with them, as even a few seconds’ worth of research is going to show anyone with half a brain what’s really going on here.
Honestly. I really doubt a busy editor is going to have time to sit down and take names while one of her many writers talks about how some writers are being sooo unprofessional to a minpress she does covers for. Heck, I don’t name names with any of my editors, and we have very good and friendly relationships.
Please, guys, you have NOT ended your careers by standing up for what’s owed you. Don’t listen to that crap. It isn’t true.
Lynne is exactly right up there. Invoke your audit clause. Check your contracts carefully and look for ways to get out of them. Put this behind you–quietly and professionally–and move on.
2. Authors/publishers, when they get excited, become both illiterate and incoherent.
*snort* I’d have to be seriously outraged to forget my spellcheck. Me w/out it = a serious mess.
Look, I don’t have a pony in this race, either. But I just want to assure the authors who are unhappy that the editors and publishers at Kensington and Dorchester probably don’t give a rat’s ass about anyone’s opinions but their own. They don’t care if you had a tussle with some small epublisher. They just care about the quality of your story.
Look, I’ve written for three publishers in my twenty years and I’ve never gotten the impression that anyone there cared what my opinion was about other authors. In fact, it would be considered extremely bad form for me to bad mouth another author. In other words–it would say more about me than it would about the other author.
My bottom line? Stand up for yourselves. Don’t give in to bullying. It only breeds more bullying and makes you the victim. You have a right to a fair contract and royalties and on-time payments. Kudos to those of you who are fighting against bad publishing practices.
I did not breach my contract. I decided I wanted no future contracts with a company that allowed others to call me a bitch, fling the F-word at me, tell me to go to hell and threaten me with physical violence, if only I lived close enough to the person making the threat (this all happened on the Highland Press Author’s loop). I requested a story under submission, but not contracted, be pulled. In addition to that being returned, and in reaction to the unprofessional behavior of others on the loop (because I used no foul language, made no threats)I was told by Leanne Burroughs:
“I believe it would be best if we keep our professional dealings to
books currently released. That said, I am releasing [contracted work]
back to you as well.”
As upset as I was at the way I was treated, I planned to fullfil my obligation to this company and live up to my contracted works. Instead I was kicked off a project that I proposed to the press and three other people where allowed to publish in the anthology that I thought up and proposed.
Now, I request that you post what I did that breached my contract. I have only seen you say we did something, but you’ve offered no proof. And, hon, talking to other authors about the rants of a co-publisher is not contract-breaking worthy.
It’s been five months since this happened and Highland Press is still bullying ex-authors. Because it was not us who caused this latest fiasco, but Highland Press’s owner when she contacted another publishing house and caused trouble over a public photo. If you’re going to play with fire, you’re going to be burned. Highland Press could have let us all go our merry way. Instead, they stuck their nose where it didn’t belong and now, it’s having to deal with the consequences its own actions.
I didn’t put up with bullying when I was an author with them and I sure as hell am not going to put up with it when they breached a contract and kicked me out of their house. Once you do that, you don’t have any rights over me.
This is so childish. I wouldn’t air my dirty laundry in front of the world. Nobody wins in this situation. Tempers flared and shit happens. Get over it everybody.
The former writers obviously do not have a case or they’d be running to a shyster instead of showing their panties on the internet.
Playground Monitor
Clearly you’ve never been on the other side of a rant that is totally unwarrented. As for the former writer…you’re wrong. They have a legit complaint and things have posted and reported to various locations including RWA. This is more then tempers flairing. And airing dirty laundry is the only way to prevent other authors from making the same mistakes these writers have.
Actually getting a lawyer could be too costly. Unless I knew for a fact it would be worth it, I’d just move on.
Nadia, honest to God, plenty authors can maintain control of their spelling/literacy faculties when they are upset. ;) I love my spell check.
A comment to Happy HP Author~
Speaking as another author who has no pony in this race, I don’t know DM, I don’t write for HP or Kensington or Dorchester, I have no deep-seated jealousy issues at work, no bone to pick, nothing but an opinion I’ve formed while reading through the comments… and I tend to be pretty objective about things, however, you may choose to believe that or not, doesn’t matter to me.
But my two cents?
You aren’t helping anything here. I’m getting a sense of outraged loyalty from reading your posts.
I admire loyalty when it’s deserved~but again, since I don’t know DM and since I don’t write for HP, I can’t fairly say one way or the other.
However, loyalty or not, I have to say, you’re not helping. You’re being too condescending, you’re being insulting, and you’re being catty. While you may believe you’re doing DM and/or HP a favor, you’re just causing more damage.
Playground Monitor
It’s been my privilege to be friends with these fine authors who have been treated horribly by HP. Everything they’ve shared is true and I can assure you they have a case. They’ve been working for months through the proper channels, but their case here is simply to warn other writers about HP.
What you see as airing dirty laundry, we see as yet another forum to warn and inform. These women were censured and despised by DeborahAnne MacGillivray, Leanne Burroughs, and their cronies, for speaking the truth and standing up for what is right and good.
If you aren’t an HP cronie, you certainly sound like one.
HappyHP & other DM defenders - I don’t have a pony in this race either, as I am not even an author. I am a big romance fan that spends mega bucks on books and reads a good 200 romance novels per year.
In a nutshell: I emphatically appose Deb Mac’s tactics of raising her reviews by manipulating the Amazon system and unfairly having honest reviews deleted. I began noticing the Deb Mac review issue long ago as the statistical probability of receiving hundreds of rave reviews with no negative ones was beyond the pale. Even the holy bible gets more negative reviews. Do you see a pattern here? And many others noticed too, but we didn’t have a collective voice then. Now we do. (Amen!)
I am sorry it has come to the bashing, and I am very sorry for the authors who got duped by her business. But I think good will come out of this, so I will be able to sleep just fine tonight.
Wow, DeborahAnne MacGillvray really must be a scary mofo considering how many people for and against are posting anon. I don’t really get why the people who’ve already been burned by this author/company aren’t signing their names - what more can they possibly do to you?
That’s a serious question, by the way.
Have you not noticed? The lady is not writing with a full quill of ink. They stalk you. They haunt you. They don’t just let you go. They post bad reviews at Amazon on your books under false names. They send spies after you to see what you’re doing. They stalk you at Myspace. They contact your current publishers with asinine demands that you take down your iStock cover because they are using the same picture on one of their releases…the list goes on and on…
I haven’t been with HP for awhile now and frankly, I don’t want to risk getting anymore of Ms. MacGillivray’s “love grams” in my inbox. Ever.
I will however, do what I can behind the scenes to ensure that the proper channels know about this house - and yes, that includes RWA.
Eh, I’m not an anon but I could make a couple of guesses…
One, they don’t want anons showing up at their virtual doorstep and attacking them over having an opinion.
Second guess is that they might worry there’s some truth to the implied ‘blacklisting’ threat.
Professionally run publishers are NOT going to blacklist an author for having an opinion. Prancing around like a diva, insulting authors/readers/editors, etc probably isn’t going to win you many points, but just to calmly state your concerns? There’s always a way to voice concerns, to discuss issues without getting insulting and without making yourself look unprofessional.
Ann:
Many of us cannot disclose our names for reasons I cannot discuss here. Suffice to say, just because we do not share our name doesn’t mean we’re afraid of her or intimidated by her. On the contrary. But it simply means we cannot sign our posts at the moment.
Yes, seriously, read Reba’s story about how she merely put up a 3-star review on Amazon and the loyal fans stalked her and her family.
Here: Pg. 4 - 5
Well, I don’t write for HP, or know anyone who does, really, but I think I know the answer to this. She is a reviewer for about a half-zillion internet review sites, a top reviewer at Amazon, and on the board of the RIO reviewers organization. I imagine people fear having their books trashed across the ‘net in retaliation. Her posse clicking “report abuse” on Amazon and posting the glowing reviews?? They’re her fellow reviewers and friends. Think tentacles in just about EVERY online romance review site….
I’m going to take a bit of a different angle here, since the psychological and character issues have been adequately covered.
Hasn’t anybody wondered how Dorchester and Kensington — not exactly small fry in the publishing world — could offer contracts to individuals with demonstrably horrendous writing skills? (That last word, by the way, was very loosely applied.) This kind of crap never ceases to amaze me. Never. What exactly is it publishers are looking for? Weirdly named characters that slither along corkscrewed plotlines, spelling and grammar be damned?
Please, somebody explain before my head explodes!
Cool line.
Anyway, I’ve seen this behavior on a loop-I-shall-not-name — and it is amazing to me the authors who have been encouraged to believe there is nothing wrong with manipulating Amazon reviews. Not everyone, of course, but a handful.
Now, to be honest, I can think of worse things than manipulating reviews. But it is a kind of fraud — to the reader, to the reviewer who truly dislikes a book. It is also childish. Bad reviews happen, much like dog poo on a shoe, but as with the poo, you scrape it off, ignore the smell, and keep on trucking. It’s not the dog’s fault. It’s not your fault. It’s a necessary fact of life, and just because it is icky, does not mean you go on a crusade to stop it from happening. Because if you do, things will turn out rather nasty for you, and the poo will pile up in different ways, and really, no one needs that kind of mess.
Which is a complicated way of saying that bad reviews should be ignored and left alone. They are not that big of a deal. And, except for rare occasions, never personal. Unless you make it so.
I find the following (quoted by Reba on the Amazon board) absolutely terrifying. And all over a negative book review???
Honestly, after reading through the threads on that post, I’m getting to the point that I feel like I am so over Amazon, incredible savings be damned…
Happy HP Author,
Me think you doth protest too much. While your loyaty is well…nice I would say you have not helped their cause here. Your nasty reply was biting in the extreme. If the publisher is so bloody well thought of why has there been so many unhappy people coming away from them. you can’t sue for slander if the statements are true. If there has been foul language used in e-mails to authors, threats and what have you, sorry the person who wrote that is in the wrong. And if they were stupid enough to put it in writing…well there is nothing like being hung by your own words. And why aren’t they responding here? Or were you the one nominated for that chore? I must say you might want to step back and take a clear look at things.
Playground Monitor
Personally I find this kind of thing eye opening. Since I’ve read things here I have gone out to other sites such as Piers and P&E. Yup sure enough there are complaints out there. I have an author friend not affiliated with HP but with another small press that as been having issues. She has reported things to both of these sites and had to have vaild “proof” in forms of e-mails and what have you. In today’s day and age with so many small press houses opening and closing this sort of exchange of info is important.
My overall response
Where there is smoke there is generally a fire…this one seems to be buiding into a three alarm hum-dinger!
I am not with this house but at one time I did consider submitting, long before the drama. Let me go on record that I am glad I managed to side step this sort of footnote in my writing career. My heart goes out to the writers that have had issues.
I have read thing in other forums by Ms. MacGillivray I was put off by her tone in her e-mails, her high handed not to mention condesending attitude towards others that would dare have an opinion or idea. E-mail is always a difficult venue to communicate in. One can’t hear tone of voice, see facial expression and body language. With that in mind she should be more careful of what she says and how.
The fact that this house would reach out to another and request a stock photo not be used is beyond my ability to understand. This is none of their business. The fact that they would take time out of their business day to do this makes me A) wonder what they are doing with their time B) how did they know that this stock photo was being used. The only answer I can come up with to the last question is that they must be watching these authors. Now how professional is that? What do they care if authors that are no longer writing for them do? I don’t want to be with a house who’s so goal is to bother a writer once they leave. Especially if they were booted out to begin with!
This is disgusting that someone with a NYC contract would be so abusive to fellow writers and readers. Hello, these people are your customers. Let them have their own opinion. What is the harm? No one is perfect and if you think you are above it all you are not only nasty but delusional to boot.
I’m with you, another anon butting in. That stalker-y shit is INSANE. I hope Reba is taking all due steps to protect herself and her family and, if necessary, throwing the kitchen sink at these people from a legal perspective. She has a few options there, I’m thinking.
So I get why the critics are hiding - that really is scary stuff and I know what it’s like to have loonies after you for imaginary sins. It’s easy to say you should stand up to them and ignore them, not so easy when they’re writing to fellow authors and your husband and anyone they think might listen to their nonsense. I hope Reba does take this as far as she can.
Still doesn’t explain why the pro Macgilliwotsit camp are hiding behind anons. Or why Playground Monitor sees fit to deliver the smackdown but not who it is making it.
I went and read Reba’s posts…
Poor Reba was informed that they had checked out her family tree and knew addresses and what have you. That is horrifying. What is wrong with these people??? This is seriously not amusing. I continued to read her posts and she did report it to the better business bureau, Kensington, and the police, Amazon, and the FBI. What a horrid experience all because she paid for a book she did not care for…and yet she rated it 3 stars. Ms. M is a diva and she should be totally ashamed of herself.
The idea of reaching out and offering threats to a reviewer leaves me with goosebumps. Anyone that would condone that kind of action is clearly unhinged!
I am not affiliated with any publishing house at this time, but have hopes of breaking in through small press when I’ve finished my current book. Because of this, I found the subject interesting in the beginning. As I continue to follow this thread, however, I’m becoming more and more disgusted. Women who behave this way actually write romance?? How bizarre.
It is truly hard to believe that these women who suppose they’ve been poorly treated by their publisher aren’t using better methods to achieve their goals. Assuming they really wish to receive recompense for their written material, shouldn’t they be taking legal action? Seems to me they are more intent on slandering people than anything else. If they aren’t seeking legal action, perhaps they have no case to begin with? Just a thought.
Removing negative reviews is the act of a gutless writer.
I do not buy nor will I read the works of gutless writers.
As this woman’s unethical and reprehensible behavior becomes more and more well known in and out of publishing circles, I suspect I will not be the only one.
Nor would it surprise me to learn that readers here and elsewhere have decided to voice their dismay to her publishers; although her publishers will no doubt be well-informed by this and other blogs on the matter.
I hope those publishers will act accordingly.
Anne Porter,
You have no problem, it seems, with a publisher failing to pay royalties or harassing its authors, but you’re disgusted by people speaking out against such practices?
You may be in the wrong business. Do you not see how a publisher behaving unethically might be relevant information for other authors? No? Google any one of the following: Mardi Gras Publishing, Triskelion Publishing, New Concepts Publishing, Silk’s Vault, Ocean’s Mist Press, Venus Press. The list goes on. I can tell you from experience that going through a publisher meltdown sucks monkey nuts.
You best wise up if you want to break into this industry, darling, because there are more sharks in these waters than fish. I hope you never have to experience what so many other authors before you have. (honestly, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy) But if you don’t open up your eyes that’s exactly where you’re headed.
And for the record, I hear no one slandering anyone in this thread. That could be because slander constitutes oral statements and this is the Internet. But, I haven’t seen any libel, either. (these are also definitions any author needs to get nice and cozy with) Have you considered the possible costs of legal action? It’s not cheap. Maybe the royalties they haven’t been paid aren’t very much, a hundred bucks, two. I don’t know what HP averages, so I can’t begin to guess. An attorney would cost far more than that. Just because legal action is not a viable course of action doesn’t mean they need to sit on their laurels and duct tape their mouths shut. I don’t care if they’ve been stiffed out of $1,000 of royalties or $0.50. As an author, and one who was literally days away from dropping a requested manuscript in the mail to Highland Press, these are things I want to know. There’s nothing to say these ladies AREN’T pursuing that legal avenue, but whether they are or not, it’s their choice. And if they choose to warn other authors (to which I say brava, and thank you) that too is their choice.
K.Z. Snow
Believe me, you’re not the only one who wonders that.
I actually spent a few months as an Amazon Vine reviewer before the lameness of the program wore out my patience. In that time, I received a few ARCs.
I was told I wasn’t allowed to judge the books on their atrocious spelling, grammar, and writing style, because they’re ARCs, they’re not finished products, blah blah blah. I wasn’t allowed to remark on very obvious cases of an author being too lazy to even hit their spell check button. It was not okay for me to express horror over paragraphs that extended over the course of several pages, or that these paragraphs were full of useless rambling and unnecessary detail, not to mention horrible, awkward phrasing.
Some of what I saw…I would never send in a manuscript looking like that. And if I was a publisher and I saw that, I would never buy it. If an author can’t be bothered to learn their trade and at least try to send in a professional product, I want nothing to do with them. But for some reason plenty of them still get published.
Well, this discussion is certainly interesting. It’s going on at the SB’s, Amazon and here of course. I can’t say I am sad to see this come to light. The vote petitioning does happen. I hope some of the Amazon people that are reading this take note that not all HP authors or personnel are unethical.
I figured it was only a matter of time before someone over at the Amazon threads mentioned here began saying this. I can see why such wide generalizations would eventually come about though; nature of this kind of beast, though they are no less hurtful. I’ll say it again though:
NOT ALL participants involved with Highland Press are unethical, immoral or even a part of this recent scandal.
Many of them, as have stated here, are very unhappy with their experiences at HP. I’m a soon-to-be author with the press. Am I happy? No, for certain I am not 100% happy. I’ve been waiting to fulfill my end of my contract and I will not be submitting to them anymore. I do not want to be associated any more than that with people that conduct themselves in this manner and made that decision a long time ago (speaking of the vote petitioning, the verbal lashings that go on–I’ve read some of them on author loops, the nasty comments left for reviewers on Amazon). I myself have been on the receiving end of a tongue lashing from this MacGillivray, on the author loop, right there for everyone to read. I had not done anything wrong. Oh well, it hurt, but I got over it. I did not feel welcome there anymore though, not really. But who needs crap like that?
I’ll go ahead and admit I participated in the voting. I’m NOT proud of it. At one time, I clicked on some reviews that I genuinely thought were unhelpful and maliciously written–you know the kind, we’ve all read the ranting ones. Then “no” votes were asked for on reviews that were well written and stated their reasons for the low ratings clearly and very reasonably. There IS a different between a low-rated review that explains well and one that is a ranting mess. I stopped clicking. I felt more than a bit ill. It was plain wrong, and I was very in the wrong for ever having participated. I even went back and reversed my votes on some of the reviews (did you know you can do that? Click Yes if it was No before, simple as that).
All I ask is that people try to not judge every single author that is currently writing for Highland Press in the same light as they are MacGillivray. Her actions do NOT paint everyone at Highland Press in the same light, an it is most unfair in the extreme to lump them all into this mess. There are some genuinely good and serious writers there just trying to get a career going, like anywhere else.
Happy HP. I don’t write for Highland. I can read quite well and form my own opinion of the writer. This one slashed at a reader over a lukewarm review. The reader was pounced on, insulted, stalked.
Over a review.
I find that pitiful and unprofessional, and just plain sad.
Manipulating reviews on Amazon? Also pitiful, unprofessional and just plain sad, imo.
Your attack post made you look exactly the same.
And my career’s doing pretty well, thanks.
Okay, did anybody else besides me crack up over this line?
I don’t even have a pony, let alone a pony in this race, but I’ve wondered about DM’s mental health diagnoses for some time.
My exposure to DM occurred several years ago when an historical chapter of RWA was forming. I thought she was a few chips short of a chocolate chip cookie then. When she moved into a leadership position with the chapter, I left the chapter, having absolutely no desire to be a part of anything she was a part of. Her less-than-sane leanings were obvious even then.
Boy, am I ever glad I did. I think it’s about time for her to have her medication re-evaluated because she sounds like she’s gotten worse.
NOT ALL participants involved with Highland Press are unethical, immoral or even a part of this recent scandal.
WhoaNelly:
Your statement above is very true. As an author who suffered at the hands of Ms. M, and consequently Leanne, I know who at HP fall into the unethical and unprofessional category. The two biggest offenders are the above mentioned women. There are a few others, but I don’t think anyone is saying everyone at HP does what Ms. M and Leanne do to their authors, past and present.
HP was a bomb ready to explode. You can’t treat fellow authors as rudely as Ms. M did and expect it to go away. Her bullying tactics have way too many HP authors running scared. So many of them will not speak out because they run the risk of an acerbic tongue-lashing from Ms. M and another who is an HP staff member. The sad thing is Leanne, as owner and publisher, lets it happen.
The many authors who have spoken out against HP’s practices do so to warn other authors of the dangers and emotional fatigue they’ll suffer at HP. These authors had trouble writing through their experiences there. It is a real mentally draining thing to go through. I am glad you have seen the writing on the wall and will not stay with HP. You’ll save yourself a lot of future heartache.
On My Mind, just to clarify, my statement you quoted was in regards to follow-up I am seeing over at Amazon, where one poster said something to that effect of all HP authors could be considered immoral (paraphrasing). This alarmed me. As I can’t post anony over there though…and we all know why we are…nuf said. So yes, not everyone was saying that, but it’s a statement that could potentially be run away with and blown out of proportion.
If there are genuine complaints (and we know that there are), it’s a GOOD thing this is coming out. Yes, other writers need to know about this, so that they can make a better decision for themselves as to what to do with their careers. Any writer with smarts looking to publish would want to know about these potential problems up front.
Is this woman for real? She sounds like a cross betwen Creulla de Vil, Lady MacBeth and the Wicked Witch of the West, complete with her band of flying monkeys. Combined with her semi-literacy, I wonder if she actually exists.
On a more serious note, I’m in the same boat as Nadia. I’m angry because I’ve been the dupe of ‘rave’ reviews in the past, when I didn’t know of the existence of good and credible review sites like this one.
What robin said above: as far as I’m concerned, a reader’s relationship is with the book: to have a reader castigated, hounded, stalked, insulted on the basis of her opinion is repulsive.
I don’t trust Amazon reviews, haven’t for a long time, but I feel sorry for anyone, who like me in the past, might be fooled into buying a book on the basis of these so-called reviews. This is a real shame, and reflects poorly on the genre.
It’s kind of been a year of shame, hasn’t it?
I have no books with HP, but am intimately familiar with the goings-on as I am a dear friend of one of the authors who was contracted with them. I was by her side as all h*** broke loose at HP and she was indeed taken off the author loop and her emails by the owner ignored. (From a perceived infraction to DeborahAnne’s ego.) The unprofessionalism over at HP is scary. Even more so with the veiled threats of blacklisting.
All school-yard bullying aside … I think a discussion like this is important. Authors looking to break into the publishing world often times submit to small presses to make a name for themselves as they continue to pursue publication with larger houses.
HP seems like the kind of place that would welcome new talent. But what happens after the contract (and if you’re lucky enough to make it through the editing phase) and after publication is horrible.
The author forum of a publishing house should be a nurturing environment, a place where authors can question and learn. But that is not the case at HP as the moderator (DA) excercises her right to edit, delete, and remove any negative responses to legitimate concerns.
What
I think it’s important that authors have a chance to weigh all the facts. With so much dissension here … it should make someone think twice before submitting to HP.
Just my $.02.
My apologies, that posted before I was ready. Please forgive the unfinished sentence.
But you get the drift.
I think you understate it, DD.
A writer would have to be certifiably insane to submit anything to Highland Press at this point.
Fortunately, there are now several quality, competent, professional epublishers and up-and-comers. A big thank-you to the writers who have shared their information on this ego-monster, so this publisher can be avoided by the rest of us.
I have been following the posts on here and Amazon and I am amazed at the audacity of DM. I did not care for Restless Knight either, that doesn’t mean I deserve to have a “restraining order” against said author.
I enjoy all kinds of authors but don’t always love everything they publish. I form my own opinions and go with my own free will, as anyone would.
That being said….
I am choosing not to buy books from DM….(using my free will on this one)
Thanks
Hi Deborah! *waving*
I don’t have a pony, a pussy, or even a duck-billed platypus in this race, but Happy HP author, you are truly an idiot of fucktard proportions.
What concerns me are several things.
Dear Author is a blog of writers AND readers. What will this do to those innocent writers WhoaNelly cited? Those writers who desire to publish their books and build trust with readers? Will readers now pass judgment against their work because it is a Highland release?
Think about it.
Doubtful that if someone choses not to purchase a book by Ms. McGillveray because of her actions on Amazon that it is going to cause them not to ever pick up a Kensington title. But what about small press? That is my concern as I read through all these posts. I have heard good things about their titles from folks who have read them (and I tend to ignore Amazon reviews anyway.) But even those Highland authors here that seem to be happy at this publishing house are, in my opinion, reflecting in a negative way on their company simply by the tone of their writing.
They are not discussing. They are attacking. Jane’s first post here was to open a discussion in a professional way. The intent was to connect readers and writers in what is often a very tough business.
I merely hope that readers of this blog won’t think all books/authors are bad because of bad management. I say this because I purchase a lot of books from small press–even have a subsidy title or two on my shelf. I know a lot of writers who are trying to get into the business. I can only imagine the fear they must have right now of small press!
If their publisher looks bad… will they? I know if I purchase a Highland title I will give the words the attention they deserve. I will look at the story, the plot, the characters. That is what matters.
I hope readers will not hold anything against writers like those WhoaNelly mentioned. Her post struck a chord.
I do not think all HP authors will be punished for the actions of a few. I myself will buy a book if it interests me, I don’t look at the Publisher first when I pick up a book. I will still follow the same guidelines I always have when I make my choices.
The difference, I think, is that it’s HP’s owners and staff acting like fucktards.
If Kate Duffy or John Scognamiglio was acting the same was as Deb M or LB? You bet your ass I’d stop buying Kensington books.
I don’t either I would never consider innocent authors involvement in a mess like this. And I too buy the book because it interests me not the publisher - the only publisher I don’t like buying from is Piatkus UK and mainly because when they transcribe or whatever they do for US authors to cock up the whole book with all sorts of errors and how do I know I buy the US versions too and have compaired on several occasions. I’d rather pay extra and have them shipped direct from the US or buy an ebook version, which I do more often than not these days.
Sorry, but you seem pretty ignorant to me.
I was at the Goodreads website just now and noticed that there are several members who have all joined in February 2008, have not bothered to give any other information about themselves than their username, and all have reviewed only and given five stars to the same 20+ books by DM, LB, Dawn Thompson etc. For example, “Blue Moon Enchantment” has 37 reviews and the impressive average rating of 5.00. I guess this is going on at so many review sites. Just so sad.
Truth is a powerful weapon against injustice, and I admire anyone who takes a stand. As an HP author, I have all but bitten my tongue in half, tried to be professional and just do my work. However, I cannot stand by and watch other authors be labeled as disgruntled simply because they took a stand against unethical treatment and irresponsible management. I find it appalling that slings and arrows are directed at them for telling the truth and trying to warn others. I especially find it insulting when their valid allegations are being denounced and deflected by a ‘Happy HP Author’ who has no concept of what is really going on.
Not only have I had similar experiences, including problems with royalty statements (or no statements at all), and questionable reporting procedures, but also received an email from Ms. MacGillivray where she threatened to ruin my career if I complained. I have been intimidated and made to feel that if I questioned anything it was a personal attack. I was made to feel guilty and ungrateful for being responsible about my work and asking pertinent and relevent questions about my rights. I have been told the romance publishing business is small and to be careful what you say and to whom you say it. Do not shoot yourself in the foot. Pick your battles.
Well, Happy HP Author, there is a battle waging, but make sure you have the facts before you side with the devil. If you want to live in fantasy land and discredit people who not only respect their work but expect to be treated in a professional and ethical manner, that is your choice. But DO NOT demean and vilify people who have been put through HELL for standing up and trying to right a wrong done not just to them, but other authors.
~Me, not you~
This just struck me as: I’m rubber and you’re glue. Just did.
It’s a difficult situation, but when you hear–again and again this statement from authors: ‘Ms. MacGillivray where she threatened to ruin my career if I complained.’ it’s very, very disturbing.
When you hear–again and again, that reviews are being manipulated, and some readers insulted or attacked, it’s also very, very disturbing.
When you can read for yourself the words written to a reader by the author in question, it’s impossible not to see them as attack and insult–for me anyway.
Gee does this post look familiar or what??? Found this at Urban Fantasy… Happy HP author…Hmmm…
“The best thing to do in these types of situations is to find out the facts - all of them. I am a very happy and satisfied Highland Press author. The so-called authors who are hurling these accusations are the same women over and over. They are on a pathetic campaign to smear The Highland Press because they breached their contracts and, as is their right, The Highland Press cancelled their contracts. They are screaming to anyone who will listen - but they neglect to leave out why their contracts were cancelled - they have no one to blame but themselves. They are loving the attention - the “oh, my gosh, what unprofessional people you dealt with - poor you.” Has it stopped the growth of The Highland Press? Not in the least. Only shows how pathetic they are in their attempts to ruin a publishing house that tried to give them a chance. Now they are using Deborah MacGillivray’s name outright - they have accused her and the publisher of stalking, yet, the way I see it, they are stalking The Highland Press and Deborah MacGillivray, in particular. Stalking, libel and slander. I have strongly recommended The Highland Press seek legal counsel and get a restraining order. These women are truly pathetic. All I can say is what comes around, goes around - their day will come and they will be poison in this business for their tactics.
Comment by Victoria Bromley | April 7, 2008″
So yes, I went out to the HP site and checked…Victoria Houseman…you have only had a few short stories printed…so I guess that anny author post had you dead to rights. I guess we proved it! I guess your writing career is going swimmingly…so why were you so quick to be so catty??? Are you stretching your writing wings to seek publication elsewhere…or are you sticking with the fantic bailing method of saving this sinking raft?
Who says we aren’t? That kind of action is very expensive. I’ll tell you now, if I’d received an advance, I would have spent every penny of it on a lawyer. As it stands, I have been advised to give this house a chance to rectify it’s problems before pulling out the big guns and causing another Trisk situation. That is never good for anyone involved and I do still have an active and valid contract at this house.
But I am confused as to what you’re saying…should we sit and be quiet about this? Stew silently and let these things happen to others?
Perhaps you would drop that finished ms in the mail, sell it to them, go on the author loop and find out for yourself only when it’s too late. (It costs $250-$500 to buy your rights back, so you can’t just pull your book and leave.)
You’d ask why hadn’t anyone warned you? Why wasn’t there anything when you googled them? Why wasn’t anything at P&E, Piers Anthony or a file at RWA, since anyone can contact RWA about a publisher and ask questions about the house they are interested in.
Oh, but wait.
Now there is. :)
We are doing what we can to warn other authors - well, authors who do their research at least. And I will be the first one to post a positive remark about this house when/if they rectify their wrongs and above all, PAY me my royalties they are holding hostage!
I am not a writer. My sister is one of the disenfranchised authors at HP. This was because she does not drink and chose not to go on a bar run with Ms. McGillveray at a convention. Now, maybe she should have made an appearance, you should do what the boss wants. But she had made prior plans, and believing that took precedence, my sister made the fatal mistake of not partying with the boss.
I have noticed that the one book that is still on the HP site is not listed under any heading except her name, and does not have a review. I have not checked it out on Amazon.
As an avid reader, I am appalled at everything that has occurred in the past year because Ms. McGillveray was slighted by my sister in such a minor way. The foul emails, broken contracts, stolen ideals that made money for other authors, outright lies, etc. I am really glad to see that the truth is finally coming to the public eye.
I am relieved that maybe some of the HP authors will be able to sleep a little easier at night, without so much fear of retribution.
I am doubly glad that perhaps maybe Amazon will do something about the current system that allows writers and ‘The Fan Club’ to manipulate the book reviews.
This is directed to the “Happy HP” authors and those who question the integrity of those dismissed as ‘disgruntled’. There is only so much a person can handle before they react. I’m not sure how the issue was brought to this loop, but I find it very interesting the warning here coincided with a posting string that’s been going on for quite a while at Amazon. I’m not surprised because when I first joined the HP loop, it was very common to see continual posts requesting ‘clickies’. I wish I had kept the biting response I received when I inquired what a “clickie” was. When I discovered the purpose, I didn’t engage in the practice, nor did I continue voting over and over and over again in response to the daily browbeating issued on the loop to assure that Ms. MacG and her friends won a contest. It was supposed to give more creditability to HP as a publishing house. Sure!
In this case of the “disgruntled”, no one banded together to form an army to attack and destroy. It seems to me to be more like a movement to question why nothing was ever done to stop the bullying that happened everyday at HP. There, and on other loops, it’s a brave person who dares disagree with Ms. MacG. Even if you post something that has nothing to do with her, she has an opinion and a way of making people feel insignificant. Of course, it isn’t her problem. She’ll tell you. We are all just insecure and take things to heart. We need to toughen up if we are to survive in this industry. The big publishers would never put up with our crap. Well, I’m sorry to say that my suit or armor is at the cleaners and I purposely use lots of lotion to keep my skin soft. I’ve been published for a number of years now and I’ve never encountered the gross treatment and bullying I experienced at HP.
Unfor