When Real Life Shoots You in the Foot

[Michael Hopcroft]

It's kind of hard for me to concentrate on publishing right now. I just lost my day job after only three months, my rent comes due on the first of February, I haven;t been paid yet for the books that have been sold already, and in other words I don;t feel very good about myself right now.

Under the circumstances, I'm wondering how I am going to pursue the projects I've already started, get my website back up (it's down right now -- the provider auto-billed the wrong card), and get some actual cross-promotion going within the fandoms I am trying to reach.

I know a lot of publishers suffer adversity, but to suffer so much adversity ion so short a time -- and right before a convention appearance yet -- boggles my mind.

I'm thinking that if I concentrate enough on the creative side of the work that I'll be able to get through this. But I must somehow dispell this gloom that is encircling my head.

[Andrew Martin]

I wish you all the best, Michael. Please concentrate on getting a day job, so that you can pay for the inevitable costs of living, and so still be around for the fun stuff of life.

[J. Backman]

Sorry to hear this Michael. It truly seems that the bad stuff always happens to the nicest people.

[Ron Edwards]

Hi Michael,

I hear ya - getting paid what you're owed is the roughest thing in the so-called industry right now. It's not working well for a lot of us.

Best thing to remember, I guess, is that it doesn't reflect badly on you when someone else is being a deadbeat.

Best,
Ron