Where is TNHT and where is Randy Speeg?
I am one of the authors whose story was accepted for THE NIGHT HAS TEETH.
TNHT was supposed to be released at Horrorfind last weekend. It was not. And no one seems to know why.
I have had no communication with Randy Speeg since April, when the contracts were sent out. Several of the other authors whose stories were accepted also said the same thing. No one I spoke with at Horrorfind has heard anything from Randy in several months.
I sent Randy an e-mail last week, but I haven't had a reply yet.
I understand the contract says that the publisher has 12 months to put out the book, and I can understand if there's a delay. But what I can't understand is the lack of communication from the publisher.
At this point, I don't know if the book is going to come out or not. I know of one author who withdrew a story already due to failure to publish and lack of communication.
The project has been in the works for a substantial period of time. If memory serves it was due for release before WHC, then at WHC, then at Horrorfind. I've given up.
Coop JiH Registered User
Posts: 4
(8/22/03 11:44 pm) Reply
Re: Where is TNHT and where is Randy Speeg?
Furiouser and furiouser, to misquote Alice.
Me Too
I've given up and I ain't waiting the 12 months. When a publisher disappears, that's an indication that I needn't keep the faith anymore. Since it's been this long, I'm in the process of leaving TNHT as well.
-Mikey-
gorelets Moderator
Posts: 60
(8/23/03 10:50 am) Reply
preordering
It's sad to see this book falling apart... it has so much promise and looks really good to me!
To be safe, I recommend that pre-ordered books from DarkVesper Publishing should probably go through shocklines.com, since they won't be charged until the book actually ships from the store:
Coop JiH Registered User
Posts: 5
(8/23/03 4:49 pm) Reply
Re: preordering
Has anyone actually been paid on this project?
What were the termination clauses of your contracts?
I'd appreciate an email from anyone having difficulty with Randy, here. If Dark Vespers is dead, there is no reason why any of us should consider our contracts binding. With the lack of communication on his part, he's making it difficult to determine whether or not he is still in business, and to make us all wait for the Duty To Publish clauses to come up and be invoked is really not fair.
I understand that beginning a business venture can be tough, and that most of them fail. I can sympathize on that aspect, really. HOWEVER, this Paduana-esque behaviour of running into the basement to hide from those you've left hanging is NOT cool.
I can respect someone saying, "Hey, I @#%$ up," and making amends where and when they can. All I'd like is a blanket statement--an open letter on the website, a mass email, a bunch of smoke signals, a fleet of pigeons, I don't care about the method--releasing the writers involved here --and in other projects-- from their contractual obligations, reversion of rights to the authors and termination of the contract.
Does anyone really want to work with him anymore? Anyone? Anyone at all? Bueller? Bueller?
Dead Market
Dark Vesper is a dead market. Plain and simple.
This happens every few years. In the 80's, it was Stan Tal. The 90's brought us Mike Paduana. Now we have Randy Speeg.
It's tempting, especially when you're a new writer, to say "Well, this is my first professional ale. i'll hang in a while longer." Except that it's NOT a professional sale. Nothing about Dark Vesper has been professional.
My advice, for what it's worth, is to pull your story, send him a registered letter informing him of your intent, and try elsewhere.
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