(no subject)

Utterly disgusted!

Laura Baumbach , author of many m/m books, and head honcho over at www.manloveromance.com to name but one of her many pies - has been shafted good and proper by the blinkered folk at Romantic Times.

Laura - always working hard for promotion of self (and selflessly of others, too) had signed up to the Romantic Times Faery Ball Court (which personally sounds the sort of thing I'd have to take an Uzi to). It's horrendously expensive but the CONTRACT said that "one book would be reviewed."

She checked with Faery Ball Court beforehand, too and they said "Yes, no problem, send the book." So she sent it and they sent it back saying 'NO. Our policy excludes reviewing M/M romance, Faery Ball Court member or not'. But they've made no effort to return her money at time of writing this.

If this had happened over here I'd have them in Small Claims Court before they could BLINK.

Unbelievable. A little while ago Romantic Times had one of their largest responses ever to their question "Do women really enjoy m/m?" to which there were about 21 pages of replies, mostly positive saying "Hell, yes!"

That they don't wish to review them is one point. To renege on a contract is just.... there are no words. This isn't the first time they've done this kind of thing either. I remember reading that someone, in good faith, paid for advertising in Romantic Times and then - as per the contract - sent their book in only to be told that the book would not be reviewed.

Affaire de Coeur HAVE, however, woken up to the 21st century, and have now agreed to review m/m books. Good for them! The fact that I didn't know that they'll only take books pre-publication is rather galling, and i'm a bit miffed my publisher didn't tell me this....*grump*

Romantic Times? I think that's rather a good name. Definition of Romantic: fanciful; impractical; unrealistic: You guys live behind pink glass and you are foolishly ignoring what's happening in the world and in publishing.

Perhaps you should think about rebranding to "Behind the Times"

Standish update!!

Now available

Amazon UK

Amazon Canada

Amazon Japan! (wasn't expecting that! thanks, busaikko)

Amazon Germany!  NEIN!  Ya!

*giggles*