Dear Susan, Thank you for your inspirational article. I'm still confused, though, because a published friend said, 'you write, you pay the publisher to print your book. If you're a big name, a superstar, then only do they not make you pay. Why would they do it for nothing?' Is this true?

I recently moved back to the US, but this stopped me cold. I haven't even tried to write for magazines any more; it seems so hopeless. Like you just said: it's awful. Hope you have time to explain this to us all. Thank you again. Mary Ann Davis, Atoka, OK

Also, in the new digital age, contracts should now be fixed-length, not based on "sales thresholds" or "in-print" or "publication" status. Because a digital book can be "in print" whereas a print book might not be, and still keep the author tied to the contract. The safest contract is one that is for a set length of years and that's it.

Also, watch out for clauses beholding you to a publisher for future books under that same pen name, even ones not related to a series/previous book. They're basically non-compete clauses and can really hamstring a writer.

Glad to help, Susan. And you're right - the industry is complex, and it's not getting easier. That's why it's so important for authors to learn what is (and isn't) industry standard, so we know when to be concerned.

When your contracts come, I'd better see them in my inbox, Jenny...*evil eye* - but I'm glad you know what to look for. It's so much easier to manage our careers when we know the good and the bad for ourselves.

Also - you're right that these wicked people are preying on authors' dreams, and it makes me really angry that they get away with it.

Thanks Tina! I'm delighted that you enjoyed it, and thank you for the share!

Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful.

Thank you, Judy. It's definitely a dangerous world unless you're armed with the knowledge to defend yourself!

The marketing one is getting really popular, because authors know not to pay for publishing costs, but realize they want marketing...so they fall for it.

Glad to, Fae. And you're right - this is exactly the old "vanity publishing" model, re-cloaked in new verbiage. Worse, with so many legitimate small publishers in business now, many of these vanity presses fool unsuspecting authors into thinking they, too, are legitimate. It's awful.