Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Does anyone work with this company? I might consider submitting materials... But want to see if they are legit, good to work with and if authors prosper from them and are happy. Please let me know what you think!

Let me preface this by saying I haven't personally worked with Sourcebooks, but a quick search around Goodreads and Google has given me some information that might help you.

It seems a few authors have been published by this company, each with giveaways and a sizable number of reviews attached to their respective books. The covers of these books, which you can see here and here, are also quite attractive, though I have no idea if these covers were created before or after they were picked up by Sourcebooks.

On the negative side, the ebook price for both of these books is extremely high, with price tags that would send most casually interested readers running for the hills. This could be explained by this post which was written by an attorney looking over a standard contract from Sourcebooks. It appears that virtually all control of your book is sacrificed to be published by them (with a pitiful royalty rate for the author), though this post is also several years old and things may have changed by now.

Is there a particular reason you're looking to be picked up by a formal publisher over self-publishing?

Hi there, thanks so much for your response! I am looking into it only because they offer the exposure, marketing and publicity that I do not have...I would think it would be an advancement since I pay to do everything out of my own pocket. I am not sure what expenses are like with this company.

Completely legitimate company. I know several authors published with them. My agent and I discussed submitting to them. I don't know anything about how they work or their contracts, but submit without worry.

If you can't read a contract then get an agent or a contract lawyer before you sign anything. I got an email not long ago from a publishing company wanting to publish one of my books, and right away I was suspicious. Legitimate publishing companies don't seek out unknown writers except through the slush piles of unsolicited manuscripts they receive every day, and even then they pick only the cream. After I read the contract on their website I ignored the request. You can sign away your life if you aren't careful. Don't let your desire to become a successful author override your common sense.

That's good advice Ken, and I appreciate it! In this case I would be submitting to them. I would definitely get a second (legal) opinion on any contract I see..

Sourcebooks has also published RITA-nominated books. And Publishers Lunch has one of its titles in the top ten of Kobo fiction best sellers.

Jackie,

Before querying any publisher, you may wish to visit your local public library. You are likely to find shelves of books and literary periodicals dedicated to subjects such as writing, editing, publishing, etc.

Some include lists of publishers that can possibly help an aspiring author attain their goal and other lists of those that claim they can, but actually don't. Most discourage utilizing the internet as a source, since the vast majority of manuscripts are rejected. Some do not take rejection well and seek to discredit or defame those publishers, that had the audacity to reject their masterpiece, on literary websites. Most such claims are false or gross exaggerations.

Regardless of which publisher you engage, if a contract is offered, it is always wise to have your attorney review it and advise you before deciding whether or not to sign.

Ken wrote: "If you can't read a contract then get an agent or a contract lawyer before you sign anything. I got an email not long ago from a publishing company wanting to publish one of my books, and right aw..."

That is not entirely true. I own a publishing company and I go out seeking books if I want something to fit into a special niche that I am lacking. For example lets say I have received 400 Sci-Fi Manuscripts but for my quarterly production I want a fantasy as well, so I go out and search for a fantasy author. In fact I just picked up four authors by seeking them out.

Also - I self-published a book, a non-fiction history texty type book. I did okay, well I get an email from a well known publisher in the realm of Military History. They saw my book on a desk of a friend and were interested in picking it up. It is due to be published in April and in pre-order now.

Jim wrote: "Jackie,

Before querying any publisher, you may wish to visit your local public library. You are likely to find shelves of books and literary periodicals dedicated to subjects such as writing, edit..."

I will attest to some authors not taking rejection well. I just had an issue with that. I was honest, but not brutal. 1) He didn't follow the submission requirements AT ALL, which I should have just turned it down but the query sounded interesting. 2) He took 5 chapters, pieced them apart and presented them as a "Sample Chapter" so they were disjointed. 3) When I called him on the disjointed nature and lack of having an editor he threw a fit.

Most companies average a 90 percent rejection rate if not higher. Be aware of that and do not get discouraged.