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: Wed, 01 Mar 2006 22:01:46 -0800
Organization: http://groups.google.com
Lines: 280
Message-ID: <1141279306.018608.94910@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>
References: <20060227162217.033$uX@newsreader.com> <1141111506.179801.261280@t39g2000cwt.googlegroups.com> <20060228041517.457$Ge@newsreader.com> <1141147577.958061.132170@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups.com> <20060228123655.645$74@newsreader.com> <1141175054.910256.226090@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: 24.176.135.36
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
X-Trace: posting.google.com 1141279311 31993 127.0.0.1 (2 Mar 2006 06:01:51 GMT)
X-Complaints-To: groups-abuse@google.com
NNTP-Posting-Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2006 06:01:51 +0000 (UTC)
In-Reply-To: <1141175054.910256.226090@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>
User-Agent: G2/0.2
X-HTTP-UserAgent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98),gzip(gfe),gzip(gfe)
Complaints-To: groups-abuse@google.com
Injection-Info: j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com; posting-host=24.176.135.36; posting-account=xTVomg0AAABWubARfqdSwopX4-ohW4-2
===================
Gary Jordan wrote:
> 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
> =================================
Thank you, Wholeman, for your information. Your reference to Australia
allowed me to find some online examples of the magazines that Group
MVP publishes. I spoke with Francine (the lady who has been my contact
with the company) and she told me that Group MVP has never had any
publications banned by any government. I was also unable to turn up
any references to such a ban in my extensive searches. She did tell me
that there is a publisher with a similar name, MVP Media Group, and
that Group MVP has no connections with that company. She did not know
much about MVP Media Group but thought that maybe you had the two
companies confused.
My experiences with this company have been very good. I have not yet
received the sample publications, but I was able to see the magazine
covers online. I mainly wanted to see that they produced a quality
product before I signed over the rights. I decided to go ahead with
publication of one novel and sent them my Letter of Authorization.
If you are interested in seeing the outcome, my novel "I Met My Old
Lover..." will be appearing in adult bookstores throughout North
America in early April. Unless a major problem comes up with this
project (and I have no reason to expect any problems), I intend to
pursue other publishing opportunities with Group MVP later this year.
If anyone wants to know more about how this turns out, feel free to
post questions here or e-mail me. For now, I am waiting for my book to
be printed so I can see the finished product.
Strickland83
> STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER ADVENTURES of STRICKLAND83 AND THE NORTHWEST
> MOUNTED PUBLISHERS.