Path: not-for-mail
From: Gary Jordan <gary.s.jordan@gmail.com>
Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.d
Subject: Re: {ASSD} Need some advice. (Tess, please note)
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:04:14 -0800
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===================
Uncle Sky wrote:
> "Gary Jordan" <gary.s.jordan@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Uncle Sky wrote:
> > > "Tesseract" <HyperTesseract@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > > > Uncle Sky wrote:
> > > > > I hope someone here can help me out. I have received an e-mail
> > > > > offer =
> > to
> > > > > publish some of my stories. I'm not sure I should get involved but
> > > > > can't help but think it would be neat.
> > > > >
> > > > > The company is Group MVP. Have any of you heard from or of them? Do
> > > > > y=
> > ou
> > > > > think they are legit?
> > > > >
> > > > > They want to send me samples of their publications. That would mean
> > > > > giving them my real name and addy. That scares me.
> > > > >
> > > > > Another thing, and the reason I noted Tess in the subject line, is
> > > > > th=
> > at
> > > > > they say they are in Canada. I thought it was illegal to publish
> > > > > what they consider child porn stories there. Am I wrong? Could this
> > > > > be a trap of some kind?
> > > > >
> > > > > At the moment I'm leaning toward not getting involved. I'd be
> > > > > grateful for any info any of you could supply.
> > > > >
> > > > > TIA
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Uncle Sky
> > > >
> > > > Here's what the law says, current as far as I know:
> > > >
> > > > 163.1 (1) In this section, "child pornography" means
> > > >
> > > > (a) a photographic, film, video or other visual representation,
> > > > whether or not it was made by electronic or mechanical means,
> > > >
> > > > (i) that shows a person who is or is depicted as being under the age
> > > > of eighteen years and is engaged in or is depicted as engaged in
> > > > explicit sexual activity, or
> > > >
> > > > (ii) the dominant characteristic of which is the depiction, for a
> > > > sexual purpose, of a sexual organ or the anal region of a person
> > > > under the age of eighteen years;
> > > >
> > > > (b) any written material, visual representation or audio recording
> > > > that advocates or counsels sexual activity with a person under the
> > > > age of eighteen years that would be an offence under this Act;
> > > >
> > > > (c) any written material whose dominant characteristic is the
> > > > description, for a sexual purpose, of sexual activity with a person
> > > > under the age of eighteen years that would be an offence under this
> > > > Act; or ....
> > > >
> > > > http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/C-46/180971.html#Section-163.1
> > > > You want to read section 163.1 of the criminal code.
> > > >
> > > > There is a defence of artistic merit that seems to exclude most
> > > > written works but don't count on it too much.
> > > >
> > > > Rick Pikul may know more. He seems to be a lawyer or he plays one on
> > > > TV.
> > > >
> > > > I never heard of Group MVP. It could be legit. It could be
> > > > entrapment, in which case it should not matter to you as your 1st
> > > > amendment is supposed to protect you. But remember Rose. And if what
> > > > they send you has pictures, even if you weren't aware of that, you
> > > > could be screwed.
> > > >
> > > > If they are offering a lot of money find an agent such as a lawyer to
> > > > act for you. If there isn't much money then you need a lawyer or
> > > > agent that will work for almost free. Ot a volunteer
> > >
> > > Thanks. I think I may pass. Too chicken.
> >
> > In the Yahoo Group ASSTR_ASSM_Authors =B7 The Unofficial ASSTR / ASSM
> > Authors Support Group - there has been some discussion of MVP. After
> > much discussion, one of the authors, who has been in contact by phone,
> > has decided to go for it. Stay tuned for further developments, as he
> > promises to keep everyone updated.
> >
> > I'll ask him to post here as well.
> >
> > Gary (yes, I Yahoo) Jordan
>
> Thank you. I look forward to hearing more.
Strickland83 said:
<snip>
Several authors have noted contact by MVP in ASSd, but nobody to the
extent that you have. Can I quote some of your adventure there?
- Gary
=================================
Gary,
Sure, you can quote me. I'm going to keep posting here as the
situation develops. I hope that my experiences may help other authors
here who may find themselves in a similar situation. I believe the
publisher is working with several authors right now to release their
stories as novels. Feel free to contact me here or by e-mail if you
have any questions.
Strickland83
=================================
I only have Strickland'83's permission to quote, so you won't see other
people's comments (lots of cynicism and a few "Good luck!"s and a bit
of help researching Canadian info.) - Gary
=================================
I got an e-mail out of the blue today from someone representing a
publisher. Before I responded (I answer all e-mail from readers who
leave a return address), I was wondering if anyone had heard of this
company, or if this was a known scam. The company is Group MVP from
Quebec, Canada. All I can find of them online is a phone book listing.
If anyone has heard of them, I'd appreciate anything you care to pass
along. Thanks.
Strickland83
=================================
[deleted],
This will probably turn out to be a scam by a vanity press, but it is
interesting anyway. They said that they were publishers of adult
magazines, digests and now novels. They have been reading my works at
ASSTR and they wanted to talk with me about publishing my writings.
I wanted to find out if this was already a known scam before I
responded. If they were sending out messages in bulk to everybody who
posted on ASSTR, that would have told a lot. They will get a response,
all fan mail gets a response from me, but I don't have high hopes for
the outcome. I'll let you know what develops, though.
Strickland83
=================================
On Friday, I called the publishing company and spoke with the woman
who had contacted me. We had a very productive discussion where she
answered all my questions. The company is Group MVP and they are in
the process of contacting many authors who publish online. They are
interested in publishing romance oriented erotica that has already
appeared on the Internet. They want to purchase the non-exclusive
rights to distribute the stories in print. The author retains the
copyright as well as the right to distribute the story through all
other channels. Their target market is women who shop in adult
bookstores in the US and Canada.
I don't see any major obstacles to dealing with this company so far. I
am moving forward with looking into publishing some of my stories with
them. They have expressed an interested in publishing several of my
stories as short novels. They don't pay much, but the author has no
restrictions on furthur distribution of his stories. They are offering
US$100 per novel. I won't get rich doing this, but I'll get wider
distribution and it is money I wouldn't get otherwise. I can't see any
other publisher being interested in publishing a story that anyone can
download from the Internet for free. I'll try it with one story and
see how it goes.
A few things I have done to keep my pen name and my real identity
separate may come in handy to some of you. I called them using Skype
Out so there was no connection between the phone call and my phone
number. It also allowed me to call their office in Canada for 2 cents
per minute. Their caller ID (if they had one) would have shown the
incoming call as "0000123456". For incoming calls, I setup an incoming
number with Stanaphone (for free). They originally asked for a phone
number but have not since requested the number. I also intend to get a
post office box for them to send payments and sample prints. I will
eventually have to reveal my real name when I sign the publishing
agreements and when they issue payment to me. They assured me that all
documents containing my real name will be kept in a confidential
locked file and they will refer to me at all times by my pen name
only. They currently work with many authors in the US and Canada.
If anyone wants further information, feel free to contact me. I will
post here on this topic as the situation develops. Thanks to everyone
who offered information and opinions. Compared to the situation
described in the Literotica thread that was mentioned earlier, my
dealings have been quite different. The company was newer then and
might not have had much experience dealing with authors yet.
Strickland83
=================================
Update on the publishing adventure -
I made several requests of the publisher which were denied. I wanted
to hear from other authors who publish with them. This was denied to
(according to the publisher's management) protect the individual
authors' privacy. I asked for a time limit on the print rights they
were buying. They said they only intend one printing, but there is a
slim chance there will be enough demand to warrant a second printing.
Still, they insist on buying non-exclusive rights without a time
limit. I asked for the sales figures but they said they don't release
that information. They have sent me samples of their magazines and
digests so I can judge the type of material my stories will be
published alongside. If I don't see anything in there that scares me,
I'll probably do this really soon. I've decided on the first novel
I'll sell to them.
I had to rent the Post Office box in my real name. I had to provide
two kinds of picture ID to confirm my identity. This is even though I
rented from a "Box and Ship" shop. At least the publisher is willing
to send mail to the box without putting my real or pen name on the
envelope, just the box address.
The big step is mailing in the Letter of Authorization. I have to step
out from behind the false identity I have created and sign it with my
real name.
I'll let you know how the rest goes.
Strickland83
=================================
Update on the publishing adventure -
In spite of their refusal, the publisher did have one of their authors
contact me. I was able to verify that he is real and has been
publishing erotica on the Internet for several years. He spoke well of
his relationship with the company.
They sent me an updated Letter of Authorization. They modified the
terms after speaking with several authors who they are trying to get
to publish with them. The new terms now restrict distribution to North
America. The time that the print rights are being granted are now
limited to one year, with a maximum of two printings in that year.
They will accept the signed and scanned Letter of Authorization by
e-mail.
I still have not received the samples of their publications. I am
waiting to see the samples before I sign over my rights. I have sent
them a copy of my story and they are editing it at this time in
anticipation of publication in less than two months. They are also
designing the cover so I haven't seen the cover art yet.
We have exchanged several more e-mails this week that continue to
bolster my confidence in this arrangement. I spoke with them again
today to clarify some points and discuss the other stories they are
interested in publishing. I will wait to see how the first story comes
out before selling the rights to any others.
I will continue to keep you updated on how this turns out.
Strickland83
=================================
STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER ADVENTURES of STRICKLAND83 AND THE NORTHWEST
MOUNTED PUBLISHERS.