Austin Macauley Publishers accepting subs.

[Brian G Turner]

Is there a thread where we can discuss

I discourage discussions about what goes on at other websites, for the simple reason that it opens us up to accusations of defamation. All I can recommend is to try and resolve any issue on the website itself, and if not, walk away.

from a publishers point of view, AW is not a fair website.

And so it shouldn't be. The publishing industry is full of pitfalls and predators for the unwary, and AW has a reputation for trying to warn writers about these. All publishers can be expected to do is demonstrate their professionalism in handling comments, questions, or criticisms.

In the meantime, Jo Zebedee has helpfully pointed out existing discussion on Austin Macauley Publishers, from which people can make up their own minds:

They're a vanity publisher and I'd advise avoiding them:

Austin Macauley Publishers, Ltd. (formerly Austin & Macauley) - Page 6

 

[Dan Jones]

Back to the OP. Austin Macauley is coming in for a lot of stick here, and while certainly I don't feel duty bound to defend them, I thought I'd act as Devil's advocate to provide some balance.

The term vanity publishers rightly has a bad reputation in writing circles, but I think in the last few years there has been an effort within that sector to rebrand and change their business models in the wake of the upsurge in self-publishing. These days companies like AM* tend to call themselves "professional self-publishing". Yes, they charge for publication services, but they offer a lot more than simply publishing these days. They offer cover design, editing, proofreading, marketing, web and social media support, and, crucially, distribution. Often these services aren't cheap, but from what I saw at the Fairs (they have quite a large stand showcasing a wide range of books) the end products look pretty good, and they've had one or two modest successes. So, if you have the cash and want "fast-track" self-publishing with promotional extras, I'd say that it's worth investigating, actually.

Obviously, all of the above services can be done for free, or at least on the cheap, and marketing and PR can be done well if you're time-heavy and cash-light, and if you get a traditional publishing deal then most of the above will be taken care of. But there is a market for this stuff, otherwise they wouldn't exist, and if you're cash-heavy and time-light, then it's probably quite an attractive proposition.

*My BBC-style Caveat: other self-publishing services are available, such as Matador, and Authorhouse (who both also exhibit at LBF).

 

[Tirellan]

A & M offer distribution? Other than making it available to order do they actually get books onto shelves? I have never seen an A & M book in a bookshop. I very strongly suspect that their editing, cover design and proofreading is more expensive than comparable services bought from freelancers.

 

[Dan Jones]

Yes, so far as I'm aware. Matador definitely do (and IMO struck me as the more professional outfit), but you'll have to forgive me forgetting what the details were, it was a few months ago now.

I very strongly suspect that their editing, cover design and proofreading is more expensive than comparable services bought from freelancers.

I suspect you're right, but I stand by my original post: if you've got the cash, it's probably a very convenient one-stop-shop to get your book out there without having to deal with multiple suppliers. It's not something I would opt to do, but there's clearly a market for it, or they wouldn't exist.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

They exist because they dupe people into using their services by pretending to be a publisher with an offer on a manuscript. They are being extremely aggressive at the moment (I've just responded to almost the identical post in another forum, with a writer who does not know the business having received an offer - she, and Stuart, were wise enough and had to people to ask, many others do not.)

They also exist by producing over priced products that they know the person's family and friends will buy and making enough to cover their costs. Their distribution will not be into shops but perhaps onto listings banks (in AM's case, Ingrams) which a bookstore can order from. Which is what Lightning Source, for example, does.

No matter how much money someone has to throw at getting their book out, there are better outfits than AM. They are notorious for a good reason. Matador's website, at least, is upfront about what they do - AM's does everything it can not to say what it is.

 

[Dan Jones]

Like I said, I did get the impression that Matador were more professional about their approach. I think they'd had more successes, too. In any case, this is not something I would do, and I was only saying it to be Devil's Advocate.

 

[River Boy]

I had experience with this Austin & MaCauley once. They did not only send me a vanity/publishing offer, but they first made out they had accepted the title and were full speed ahead, then - after about 3 months of correspondence - they claimed to have had a meeting at the last minute and, consequently, still wanted to publish but needed £2,000 as an incentive for the 'board'. No thanks!