I'm drinking a glass of ice water to clear the bad taste in my mouth. I just checked the Dear Author website here and read a post that made me sick.
Someone using the name "Anony2" posted the following comment on the Triskelion situation:
Just a few questions…
What leads anyone to believe that a contract with Triskelion is worth the paper it is printed on?
Ms Studts did not communicate with you when she needed you, why would she deign to do so now?
So what if your contract is breached? Where is your compensation going to come from?
A wise man once told me that “a good deal with a bad guy is a bad deal.” We may write about romance but it’s time to put the business cap on and leave the romantic notions behind.
Triskelion Publishing burned through someone’s money with big promises and nothing to back them up. You were warned months ago and anyone who stuck around deserves what they (don’t) get.
Oh, and where are those “Triskelion is a family” folks now?
It is hard for me to imagine the kind of person who could post this comment. I have a vision of someone standing over another person who has tripped and fallen. Instead of reaching a hand down, the bystander starts to kick the person on the ground in the ribs.
Life is about risk. We take them every day. Some risks are small, some are more calculated. Two of my favorite writers, both known as great humorists, had something to say on the subject of risk:
Will Rogers said, "You've got to go out on a limb sometimes because that is where the fruit is."
Mark Twain said, "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
Okay, the Triskelion writers took risks. And this last one didn't pay off. That's not a reason to rub their noses in it.
I'm going to end this post with the comment I left on Dear Author for Anony2:
Anony2: Those aren’t questions. Your post is pure schadenfreude.
The closest we can come to an English equivalent of schadenfreude is “taking pleasure in someone else’s misfortune.” In other words, malicious glee.
You can dress it up by pretending to be business-like, but what you’re really doing is crowing. It’s unattractive and petty and explains your “anonymous” tag.
I’m not a Triskelion author, but I feel sorrier for you than I do for them. They will move on. You’re stuck inside the skin you inhabit.
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9 comments:
Maya,
I loved your response to this person. Like you I was outraged at this person's attitude. She's probably the same one that made comments last month when RWA un-invited Trisk and more information came out.
My heart goes out to all the author's and employess at Trisk. This isn't easy on any of them.
Marie: To kick someone when they are down is one of the worst things you can do in my opinion.
My mother always said to be careful what you wish on someone else. My Wiccan friends tell me the rule of three is likely to kick in. Whatever you wish on someone else will come back upon you trifold.
It does seem very unfair that the authors who were loyal to Triskelion are now the ones who are going to be punished the most.
Jaynie: I think if I were a Triskelion author, your point would be one of the hardest for me to accept.
But, remember, life is unfair. As hard as it is to swallow, sometimes we just have to accept it.
I do know that assets transferred immediately prior to a bankruptcy are subject to review and reversal. It might not have helped them even if they had tried to get their rights back in the last few months.
Maya, as always, a very level-headed and pointed response on your part. And you're absolutely right--the comments were unnecessary and the posted a coward for hiding behind "Anonymous".
Maya,
Once again, you're comments were spot on (to use a British phrase). I've just been catching up on all the news, and I'm so glad Trisk never offered me a contract. My book sat on Gail's desk for 9 months!
I feel like I dodged a bullet.
Forgive the typo. :(
Sherry: I'm glad you dodged that bullet!
Regards,
Maya
I considered using Triskelion when I first started out, but I found that their submission guidelines didn't accept any LARGE manuscripts.
So I had to pass.
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