Oh, Harelquin, why??

[rhienelleth]

I was going to comment on the Harlequin self publishing vanity press bruhaha, but Jackie Kessler says everything I could have/would have, and so much more.

The upshot: money should always flow toward an author for having your work published, not away.

Comments

[dragonsinger.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that announcement made me a little nervous. I don't understand the point of a vanity press. I mean, how do you know if you're any good or not if you're paying someone to publish your stuff?

[woodrunner.livejournal.com]

MWA (Mystery Writers of America) wrote a similar letter as RWA disavowing Harlequin as a legitimate publisher; Preditors and Editors also adjusted the Harlequin listing to "vanity publishing", and...

Via Kristin Nelson's blog, Harlequin is surprised by the strong reaction. They're upset that RWA didn't allow them to discuss RWA's stance, and to placate the masses, will be renaming their vanity press so that it isn't associated with "Harlequin" anymore.

Um, okay. But: damage control after damage is already done (and how) -- good luck with that.