After the year that e-publishing has had, it boggles the mind that there are still people out there who will submit and sign with an e-pub without at least taking the time to find out all they can about the company. (And don’t get me started on authors who sign contracts without making sure they understand what they are signing.)

Not only that, but there are Aspies who will still sign with a house, even when there are red warning signs all over the place. I say those dumbasses deserve what they get.

Placing your literary masterpiece (at least in the aspiring author’s own mind) in the hands of e-pubs who have huge question marks in terms of their reputation, could be compared to choosing a rumoured sex offender to look after your kids. Sure they could be innocent, but would you really want to take that chance? A slightly uneven comparison perhaps, but I’m sure you get my drift.

I’m a big believer in learning from other people’s mistakes, and it amazes me that time and time again, authors hoping to get e-published are doing the same foolhardy crap, even with advanced warning.

I remember when Venus Press first opened, my first impression was, ‘Not a publisher I want to buy from’.

When Mardi Gras opened, I went onto the website and thought, ‘Not a publisher I want to buy from’.

I recall one of MG’s authors sending me an e-mail informing me of their opening, and at the time, I left a message on her blog basically telling her that the website was a mess, and if they wanted anybody to take them seriously, they would need to employ a decent web designer to at least give them the illusion of being a professional outfit.

I never heard back from that author. I’m guessing that she along with the others got shafted.

If I as a mere reader, can look at a house, and think, no, not for me, then shouldn’t every author/aspiring author be able to do the same?

Google can often times be an author’s best friend, thus the aspiring author should endeavour to become intimately acquainted with its inner workings.