It is my intention to report my experiences regarding this (new to me) journey to publish my book. Last Friday I made the commitment to work with Balboa Press. They took my personal and credit card information and we discussed a payment plan. Today the agreement I am to sign electronically arrives in my inbox. Yay.
Lesson one: Always (no, not sometimes, not often, ALWAYS) read what you sign. I am not a lawyer, I am a creative person – but we must use our brains. On the last page of an eight page agreement, is the incorrect payment plan, which I did not agree to on our taped phone conversation, and which favored – let’s take a guess here – not me.
It’s interesting and I don’t want to make this a self-fulfilling prophesy (on the contrary I want to believe that the parent company – Hay House – will live up to their spiritual beliefs and do the right thing) but my antennae are raised. I don’t want to wishful think my way through this process, it’s too important, I want to be real.
The person I had many conversations with, before signing, sounds sincere. Of course I have the irritating belief that people are genuinely nice, (even when they aren’t). Although she seems to be, and it is possible that the mistake wasn’t intentional (not that sloppy work is any excuse) I am reserving judgment.
This journey will be an interesting one. How quickly will they respond to my queries? Are they mistake-prone? Are they intentional and respectable (as their brand suggests)? I have no issue with Balboa making money, as long as they do what they agree to do, and produce a professional looking book.
I am still a believer in the process. Perhaps doing a few peace-inducing yoga poses wouldn’t hurt. I shall keep you informed regarding responses, behaviors and assuredly this ever-exciting process.
Onward. Deep breath. Down dog.
Wendy Karasin - Musings of a Boomer 
Fascinating stuff — this whole new world of self-publishing. Perhaps you could write a post on how you picked this press over the others? All the best with this venture!
For the record, your question deserves a more thought out answer (mine was hasty). It’s actually a major process, or at least it was for me. If I don’t blog about it, we can talk on the phone one of these days!
That’s a great idea. I’ll consider it, and if time allows, I’ll write about it. It was a long process, many back and forths, but ultimately it comes down to which people and presses you feel comfortable with, can afford, and their terms and agreements (although the contracts I looked at weren’t all that different). I picked Balboa Press because of their connection with Hay House, a publisher known for mind/body/spirit involvement and non-fiction books.
i’m still optimistic!
Me too, Mimi. Thanks – positive energy is always good!
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Did they fix the ‘mistake’?
Interesting, yes and no. They cannot change the information on the agreement (kind of ridiculous), but they assure me, in an email, that I will be on the payment schedule we discussed on the phone. I have to decide if I want to trust them or not. I am going to call the woman I originally spoke to, and see what she has to say. My guess is I’ll go forward as my desire is to get the book published (imperfect as that experience may be!). Stay tuned!
I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s
both educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit
the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few
people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I came across this during my
hunt for something relating to this.