Answers open on the same page, so feel free to click around.
If you have a question that isn't covered here, please contact me, and I'll be happy to address it.
General
There's a good chance the poor thing ended up in your spam folder. Please check there, and make sure that you whitelist the "from" address in that email.
Not in your spam folder? Drop me a line, and I'll see you settled in two shakes of a dragon's tail.
I usually reply to all messages within 1-2 days.
If it's been longer, there's a good chance the reply landed in your spam folder (same as with activation links). Please check there, and make sure you whitelist the guiltless-pleasure.com domain.
Another option is that you mistyped your email in the contact form. My replies go out to the address you provide; I have no other means of contacting you. Please double check the address you enter. It breaks my heart every time I get a delivery failed notification, picturing you waiting and waiting for an answer that can't come.
Meet Mistique, the default avatar of GPP.
Not quite representative of your unique personality? Make your comments and forum posts special by uploading your own avatar:
1) Log in and hit the "your account" link at the top of the sidebar.
2) When your account page comes up, switch to "edit".
3) Browse for your avatar file in the "Upload picture" field.
4) Don't forget to hit save at the bottom of the page!
For best looks, upload a picture file of 60x60 pixels.
I know of at least one person. Made you look!
Forums
There are discussions about erotica, fanfiction, reading, writing, and whatnot. There's also a board for professional writing discussions and a cozy critique group, which will become visible to you once you're a registered member.
You must be 18 or older in order to enter the forum section.
1) Log in and hit the "your account" link at the top of the sidebar.
2) When your account page comes up, switch to "edit".
3) Enter the signature of your choice in the "Signature" field.
4) Browse for your avatar file in the "Upload picture" field.
5) Don't forget to hit save at the bottom of the page!
See you in the forums...
Certainly! Working on your manuscript in the forums doesn't hurt your chances, it increases them. It's a great way to get an idea of GPP's standards and tastes.
Readers
Excerpts for Counterpoint are already here!
The ebook will be released July 31st, and the print book will follow a month later. These dates are subject to Force Majeure events.
Writers
The submission process
My full guidelines, including information on how to submit, are available here.
Gladly! I'm open to everything that passes the guidelines' Do and Don't-Do checklists.
Heavens, no! Any publisher who asks you for money is a vanity publisher. Writers are supposed to be paid, not to pay.
This publication caters to a female audience. Now, we have nothing against men - in fact, as the polls here suggest, we love you guys - but man-written erotica seldom appeals to women (and vice-versa, by the way).
There's always the possibility of submitting under a female pen-name, but please take into account that the odds are genetically stacked against you.
Nothing at all. You're a step away from becoming a full member and being able to submit your work. Please check at the email address you've entered, where you'll find an email with a special activation link. Once you follow that link, you're home free!
If you don't receive the confirmation email within 15 minutes of your registration, please contact me for help.
At the very bottom of the form you should see a "Save" button. Once you hit that, your submission will be sent. You can then track it through the "My Submissions" link.
Yes, you can. Please write in the Comments field that this is a repeat submission, and let me know what major changes you've made.
Certainly! Working on your manuscript in the forums doesn't hurt your chances, it increases them. It's a great way to get an idea of GPP's standards and tastes.
The production process
Yes. I'm currently working with a Print-on-Demand supplier that will make your print book available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. Your book may not be available in bricks-and-mortar stores, but it can be ordered from such stores through Ingram, the largest wholesale distributor of book products in the world.
Never. One clause in the contract is that a final version of the manuscript will be presented to you for approval before actual production. Any editing done is done with your consent and co-operation.
There's a certain look and feel I'm cultivating for all Guiltless Pleasure books. I would gladly hear any ideas you have for your book's cover, but I can't guarantee I'll be using them. I can assure you that your cover will be drawn by a first-rate artist, and will be drool-worthy.
Advance, royalties & rights
I pay $750 (USD) advance against royalties, and 40% royalties on print and digital net revenue.
When you sign a contract with Guiltless Pleasure Publishing, you'll be paid an advance of $750 (USD) before the first copy of your book sees the light of day. This advance represents my faith in your work - I believe you will exceed that amount in royalties. It also means that you'll be paid again only after you've exceeded that amount.
For example, if you've earned $500 in royalties during the first quarter, you will not be entitled to payment. If by the second quarter you've earned a total of $1000, then you will have "covered" the advance, and you will receive an additional payment of $250.
For payments under $100, only PayPal will be used.
For payments over $100, you have the choice of receiving the money through PayPal or by check. Please note that my checks are issued by an Israeli bank in USD currency.
Royalties are paid out four times a year. The advance is paid in part on signing the contract, and the remainder, once the editing process is complete.
For all sales by third-party outlets, you will receive a copy of the reports that are passed to me. These reports will be made available to you four times a year, along with the payment of royalties.
Direct sales through publishing's website are more exciting – you can track them online from your account here, in real time.
Since ebooks have practically no production costs, it might seem strange that royalties are based on net revenue and not on cover price.
The reason for this is simple: distribution channels. GPP's ebooks will be sold not only through this site, but through third-party channels that take their cut off the cover price. That, combined with the fact that commission percentage changes from channel to channel, makes net revenue the only practical calculation for ebook royalties.
