Yes, lots of backstory in this, but the net result
is a lot of small publishers and their authors are
getting screwed, yet again...
[authors guild]
In a devastating blow to the literary community, Small Press Distribution
(SPD) has announced its immediate closure after 55 years of serving
independent publishers and authors. This sudden shutdown leaves many small
presses and their writers facing an uncertain future, as they grapple with
the loss of a vital distribution channel and the logistical challenges of
retrieving their inventory.
Founded in 1969, SPD has been a critical partner for hundreds of
independent literary publishers, enabling them to bring diverse,
experimental, and groundbreaking literature to readers worldwide. The
closure of SPD is a significant loss for the indie publishing world, as it
has played a crucial role in supporting authors who have gone on to win
numerous prestigious awards, including National Book Awards, Pulitzer
Prizes, and MacArthur "Genius" Grants. Nevertheless, SPD was not
without controversy, and had recently come under fire from some workers
for employment abuses, including unpaid wages and paying below minimum
wage
=====
rest:
https://authorsguild.org/news/small-press-distribution-closes-what-authors-and-publishers-need-to-know/
from other reports... it looks like quite a few publishers have
their books in the SPD warehouse and will have to pay to
get them back. Also, this shutdown occurred right before
SPD was going to make quarterly payments to the publishers
and authors...
_____________________________________________________
Knowledge may be power, but communications is the key
dan...@panix.com
[to foil spammers, my address has been double rot-13 encoded]
