Back on the 4/09/2008 I started work on a anthology called "Deadly Dolls" for a small "publisher/ press" called NVF (also known as NVH) run by David Byron (at the time also known as "Iron Dave" more on this later). Originally, I had responded to a post on a message board requesting for a artist, I applied and ended up getting the role of cover artist for the book. I was excited to illustrate an all girls horror anthology ... cover art and interior pages per every story in the book. And then came the lies and the deception that David Byron weaves ... its now come to light that this malicious individual has done a lot of bad things in the small publishing world, and to writers as well as artists. I present to you a collection of emails between him and I when it became obvious that he was rotten to the core. Oh and by the way the emails are shown exactly how he sent them to me ... sorry about the language to come. Its a long post ... get a coffee, water or take that much needed toilet break before attempting to read this.
I originally did 14 pieces of interior art for each of the stories in the anthology.
Back in Dec 27 2008, I received an email stating that my artwork had been stripped out of the anthology due to pushing the price of the book to US $40. At the time I thought it was strange. Then emails came thick and fast that the images were getting spread over three different publications, I agreed as it would have been a shame to see these images go to waste.
I received the following email from him ...
Ok, here's the deal; I was lucky enough to find a publisher who will pay me my royalties on demand, so here is what I'm doing;
First month - cash payments
Second month - book copies
third month on - cash payments
So...I will send you payments for your services within 5 weeks of each royalty period, and will continue to do so as long as the book remains in publication.
Example:
First royalty period - around January 28th / will recieve payment through paypal to my bank account/ transference takes around three days/ then pay you through paypal by around febuary 1st or 2nd. Is this satisfactory?
And remember...your artwork is going to be in there, so promote, promote!
And I agreed ... seems okay? Right! Seems fair. And then the silence came ... until 11th of March 2009. In the form of this cryptic email.
I HAD TO MAKE A REVISION TO THE INSIDE OF THE BOOK, SO I WOULDNT ORDER ANY UNTIL FRIDAY.
I replied on the same day, asking that he was still sending me a contributors' copy (normal practice).
He responded on the 12th of March ...
As soon as the latest version is revised, yes. Be after the weekend.
And then I waited ... the small press industry can sometimes take a bit of time. But this was crazy. And at the time I was getting pretty feed up with it all.
Then on the 29/4/09 a follow up email of the last ... with this message ...
DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH AMAZON.COM. I WILL NO LONGER POST MY BOOKS OR MAGS ON AMAZON. THE MAGS AND BOOKS WILL BE PURCHASED THROUGH ME, AND MY BOOK STORE, OR WONT BE PURCHASED AT ALL.
RETURN OF INTERVIEWS FORINDIES FILM BOOK MUST BE APRIL 21ST, 2009, TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BOOK FOR A POSSIBLE JULY RELEASE.
, 2009, I WILL NO LONGER SHIP TO THEUK OR AUSTRALIA
WEEKS, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE ORDER BOOKS AND MAGAZINES FROM ME, BUT REFUSED TO INCLUDE SHIPPING COSTS. THEREFORE I WILL ONLY SHIP TO THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES:
USA
SPAIN
CANADA
I AM SORRY IF THIS OFFENDS ANYONE, BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY SHIPPING COSTS TO TOTHER COUNTRIES WITHOUT THE PROPER SHIPPING INCLUDED.
IRON DAVE
RETURN OF INTERVIEWS FOR
, 2009, I WILL NO LONGER SHIP TO THE
WEEKS, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE ORDER BOOKS AND MAGAZINES FROM ME, BUT REFUSED TO INCLUDE SHIPPING COSTS. THEREFORE I WILL ONLY SHIP TO THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES:
I AM SORRY IF THIS OFFENDS ANYONE, BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY SHIPPING COSTS TO TOTHER COUNTRIES WITHOUT THE PROPER SHIPPING INCLUDED.
IRON DAVE
Oh no ... WTF?! That rules me out ... I'm in Australia
Dave,
You have 48 hours before I start contacting various places to submit breaches in our contract. You need to get in contact with me before than ... please understand I don't want to do this but you binding my hands.
- Stephen
You have 48 hours before I start contacting various places to submit breaches in our contract. You need to get in contact with me before than ... please understand I don't want to do this but you binding my hands.
- Stephen
The next day I got this from him ...
I didnt even get these emails until today. I have had a bad case of bronchitis. Anyway, your royalties have been next to nothing; Deadly Dolls sold only 4 copies to date. And the reason you havent recieved a free opy is because my printer was down for weeks, doing ''revision'' on his service. Now, the printing costs and shipping costs are so high, I annot even print my magazine anymore after June. So, you will have to wait until at least the middle of May for your money and book.
On the 1/5/09 I get from him ...
I NEED YOUR POSTAL ADDY TO SEND YOU THEN D DOLLS BOOK.
AS OF APRIL 30TH, 2009, AT 9:30 PM, DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES, {BLOOD PRESSURE PROBLEMS} I CAN NO LONGER OPERATE NVH MAGAZINE BY MYSELF, OR PUBLISH IT IN PRINT FORM. THIS MAY ONLY BE TEMPORARY, BUT IT DOESNT LOOK AS THOUGH IT WILL BE.
WWW.FREEWEBS.COM/NVFINPRINT NO LONGER EXISTS. THE DEADLY DOLLS AND NEW VOICES IN HORROR BOOKS ARE OUT OF PRINT.
NVH ISSUES 4, 5, AND 6, AND FEMME FATALES OF FRIGHT ISSUES 1 AND 2 WILL BE SOLD AS E-BOOKS HERE www.freewebs.com/nvhstories . AT A REASONABLE PRICE. BACK ISSUES OF THE PRINT FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLY AS BULK ORDER ISSUES OF 5 OR MORE, AVAILABLE ONLY UNTIL THE END OF MAY.
HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING BOOKS WILL BE PUBLISHED WITH www,bearmanormedia.com WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME:
FILM PRODIGIES & LEGENDS
QUEENS OF SCREAM
THE INDIE FILMMAKERS HANDBOOK
CINEMASSACRES
BEST WISHES,
IRON DAVE
WWW.FREEWEBS.COM/NVFINPRINT NO LONGER EXISTS. THE DEADLY DOLLS AND NEW VOICES IN HORROR BOOKS ARE OUT OF PRINT.
NVH ISSUES 4, 5, AND 6, AND FEMME FATALES OF FRIGHT ISSUES 1 AND 2 WILL BE SOLD AS E-BOOKS HERE www.freewebs.com/nvhstories . AT A REASONABLE PRICE. BACK ISSUES OF THE PRINT FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLY AS BULK ORDER ISSUES OF 5 OR MORE, AVAILABLE ONLY UNTIL THE END OF MAY.
HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING BOOKS WILL BE PUBLISHED WITH www,bearmanormedia.com WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME:
FILM PRODIGIES & LEGENDS
QUEENS OF SCREAM
THE INDIE FILMMAKERS HANDBOOK
CINEMASSACRES
BEST WISHES,
IRON DAVE
Sounds like, he's going to send me a copy, note the change of illness (bronchitis and now blood pressure problems)! On the 14/5 I get the same email ... weird! So I asked the following ...
David,
How is the progress coming along with getting the book printed, and sent to me?
- Stephen
How is the progress coming along with getting the book printed, and sent to me?
- Stephen
Which got this response on the same day ...
Like I said, it will be the END of the month.
Than on the 28/5/2009 I got this email ...
DUE TO MY MOTHER FALLING AND BREAKING HER ARM, AND RECIEVING A CONCUSSION, I WILL NOT BE ON LINE AS OFTEN FOR NOW, BUT I WILL DO MY BEST TO ANSWER ALL EMAILS, AND CONTINUE WITH MY WORK AS SCHEDLUED, ON VARIOUS MANUSCRIPTS.
NVH MANAGEMENT
NVH MANAGEMENT
Oh no .... at least he's looking after his mum. So I waited till the 28th of May 09 and asked...
David ... any progress? The end of the month is looming and I'm concerned. I think it would be wise to at least try and sort this out before than.
- Stephen
- Stephen
I got this ...
I AM WAITING FOR PAYPAL TO LIFT MY MONTHLY LIMIT BACK UP TO PAR, THEN I WILL HAVE THE BOOK SHIPPED TO YOU ASAP.
Paypal lifting limits ... what?! Sounds like Paypal offering a credit service ... ah what? Than my bullshit alarm was ringing off the hook .... so on the 2nd of June 09 I sent ...
Times up, David! All I get excuses ... you said mid last month, I gave you the benefit of the doubt by giving you till the end of the month. I suggest you sort things out now. I am at my final straws with you, I spent over 180 hours (imagine if I charged at a rate of us$10 an hour for my services) drawing the interior and cover, only to find that you can't hold up you're end of the deal after waiting for six months or more. I will not tolerate this at all, this is my last warning. Its obvious now that you've done this sort of thing in the past with various artists and writers, I am not hearing very nice things about your ethics and how you abuse people who have helped you along the way. I've asked for one simple thing a copy of the book, to be credited for the cover art (as it is owned by me the artist of the work), you are in breach of copyright, and failing to pay any means of commision that is owed.
Sort it out!
- Stephen
Sort it out!
- Stephen
And I got from David Byron ...
AND I TOLD YOU TO BEGIN WITH, YOU WOULD BE PAID BY MEANS OF ROYALTIES AFTER THE BOOK WAS RELEASED. TO DATE, IT HAS SOLD THREE EBOOK COPIES AND FOUR PRINT COPIES. HOW CAN I PAY YOU OUT OF THAT? AND IN ADDITION, I TOLD YOU RECENTLY THAT I WOULD SEND THE BOOK ASAP. IF THUIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU, THEN I WILL PULL THE BOOK FROM SALE
I sent a response on the same day ...
Watch the capitals, I'm not screaming at you AM I?! You need to grow up, you failed to credit me for the art work which I have asked you many times (from a legal point of view anyone can scan that cover image and use it for their own work/book), you've had plenty of opportunities to provide e-book copies of everything that I have helped you with at the very least. Providing a hard copy of the book is the very least that I expect from you ... every publisher I have every worked with has always made sure that is sorted straight away, not only does it allow me to have a copy of the book but also show it to other people (which in return generally will buy a copy).
As to being happy ... far from it mate! Sort it out ... work out the commisions as it stands and pay me, I don't care what you have to do but you need to get a hard copy to me as soon as possible. As for pulling the book, well thats about the best idea I've heard from my side of things ... why should you profit in any kind of way when you can't even provide the proper earnings or agreements to the contributors based on your own agreement, and from the past experiences I would say that this would be an ongoing issue between you and I. Consider things very carefully, you're the one in breach of copyright ... all it takes is a few emails to Amazon and Lulu stating the breach and abuse of my art work, this is not a threat and is the only rightful option that you are giving me. Its up to you what choice you make, and what the outcome will be.
- Stephen
As to being happy ... far from it mate! Sort it out ... work out the commisions as it stands and pay me, I don't care what you have to do but you need to get a hard copy to me as soon as possible. As for pulling the book, well thats about the best idea I've heard from my side of things ... why should you profit in any kind of way when you can't even provide the proper earnings or agreements to the contributors based on your own agreement, and from the past experiences I would say that this would be an ongoing issue between you and I. Consider things very carefully, you're the one in breach of copyright ... all it takes is a few emails to Amazon and Lulu stating the breach and abuse of my art work, this is not a threat and is the only rightful option that you are giving me. Its up to you what choice you make, and what the outcome will be.
- Stephen
And in return I got the following email (and a copy of the PDF) ...
Here is a pdf copy of it, for what it's worth. I will pull it today. And, you will have to wait until I can actually leave my mother alone long enough to mail the hard copy to you. And why dont YOU GROW UP? I am not yelling at you, my friend. If I was you WOULD KNOW IT. Best chill out.
As far as royalties tothe contributors goes, why should I send them a mere $1.25 a piece when I can wait and send them more? Would YOU want a royalty payment like that? I think NOT.
Just CHILL OUT.
Which I replied ...
What is your problem? I've been considerate and patient from day one, as for waiting to generate more royalties ... well, if you're pulling the book, than how am I likely to get an increase in royalties? Doesn't make sense here.
In all honesty, I am sorry to hear about your mother ... but the issue has been avoided from your side of things months before, you've had plenty of opportunities to set things right. As for chilling out ... I'm actually quite calm, I've had sleepless nights (in the past) knowing the effort that I made for this book only to feel like I've been abused, I feel like a damn fool when I've promoted the book in various forums.
You tell me what time frame is going to work for you ... if you breach the date, I will have no choice but to quote a full cover rates, and include a legal Arts law document for breaching and infringing on copyright which you will have seven days to reply before I send this onto where ever Deadly Dolls is published, which may result in you being blacklisted from using Amazon, and Lulu.com services. The art work is copyrighted to me, the artist of the image and you have failed to hold your side of the contract.
- Stephen
In all honesty, I am sorry to hear about your mother ... but the issue has been avoided from your side of things months before, you've had plenty of opportunities to set things right. As for chilling out ... I'm actually quite calm, I've had sleepless nights (in the past) knowing the effort that I made for this book only to feel like I've been abused, I feel like a damn fool when I've promoted the book in various forums.
You tell me what time frame is going to work for you ... if you breach the date, I will have no choice but to quote a full cover rates, and include a legal Arts law document for breaching and infringing on copyright which you will have seven days to reply before I send this onto where ever Deadly Dolls is published, which may result in you being blacklisted from using Amazon, and Lulu.com services. The art work is copyrighted to me, the artist of the image and you have failed to hold your side of the contract.
- Stephen
He replied this is on the same day ...
TIME FRAME FOR WHAT?! I SAID I'D PULL THE VERSION WITH YOUR COVER, AND YOU DONT LIKE IT. WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU WANT?
My reply ...
Till you are able to get a hardcopy of Deadly Dolls that has my cover art. I've worked hard on this book, I'd like to be able to see how it turned out, for what its worth.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND? YES or NO?! AGAIN WITH THE CAPITALS ... ? Seriously, you are an un-ethical individual, I'm really sorry that I ever meet you, I look forward to seeing/reading how many other people you've offended or abused.
Here's some advice and consider it well, don't STEP on the people that lay the foundation to you're books; the writers, the artists ... without them you've got nothing. Oh and send me my royalties ... it'll be a great reminder of this whole little red herring! I hope someday, that someone treats you like how you treat others. I look forward in warning others about your lack of ethics where ever I can.
Don't bother sending me another email unless its one that states ... I've posted your hard copy of DD. I'm tired of communicating with you and your padded ego!
IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU?!
DO YOU UNDERSTAND? YES or NO?! AGAIN WITH THE CAPITALS ... ? Seriously, you are an un-ethical individual, I'm really sorry that I ever meet you, I look forward to seeing/reading how many other people you've offended or abused.
Here's some advice and consider it well, don't STEP on the people that lay the foundation to you're books; the writers, the artists ... without them you've got nothing. Oh and send me my royalties ... it'll be a great reminder of this whole little red herring! I hope someday, that someone treats you like how you treat others. I look forward in warning others about your lack of ethics where ever I can.
Don't bother sending me another email unless its one that states ... I've posted your hard copy of DD. I'm tired of communicating with you and your padded ego!
IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU?!
I got from him ...
YOU WILL GET YOUR BOOK ASAP, BUT IN THE FUTURE, DONT EMAIL ME ANYMORE, EITHER. AND YOU CAN SLANDER ME ALL YOU WANT; YOU ARE THE ONE WHO WILL LOOK UNPROFESSIONAL AND VENGEFUL. BETTER LEARNT TO CONTROL YOUR TEMPER. AND I CAN JUST ABOUT BET THAT I HAVE ALOT MORE FRIENDS LEFT ON MY SIDE THAN YOU WILL YOURS.
So I replied ...
Thats too cool for me ... as for slander, that truely is unprofessional and to be honest it would probably help advertise you and you're so called publishing company, I am just going explain the 101's of warning signs of a bad publisher, which you fit under, I would consider this whole ordeal as a good lesson for me.
Vengeful hmm? no, you're the one who continues to abuse writers and artists. You're the one who has breached copyright laws ... unprofessional.
I am simply disappointed in how you behave, its not the first time you've done this according to various individuals, even to the point that this is a common practice for you.
Temper? All I simple asking is for, is what you offered and you've failed to make you're your own agreements. I'm not the one with serious CAPLOCK issues ... lol! Funny stuff!
Vengeful hmm? no, you're the one who continues to abuse writers and artists. You're the one who has breached copyright laws ... unprofessional.
I am simply disappointed in how you behave, its not the first time you've done this according to various individuals, even to the point that this is a common practice for you.
Temper? All I simple asking is for, is what you offered and you've failed to make you're your own agreements. I'm not the one with serious CAPLOCK issues ... lol! Funny stuff!
"BETTER LEARNT TO CONTROL YOUR TEMPER. AND I CAN JUST ABOUT BET THAT I HAVE ALOT MORE FRIENDS LEFT ON MY SIDE THAN YOU WILL YOURS. "
What are you in 5th grade or something? Wake up, and smell the roses! As for friends well, I spoke to a publisher (someone I consider as a friend) who advised me on my options, and also gave invaulable input on my rights ... it also happened to be someone you've be in conversation regard a potential project, so naturally, it highlighted just what kind of person you are, and hopefully, they make their own mind up whether they want to get mixed up with your sort of dealings.
Thanks again, for reminding me what kind of person you are. Last email for night for me ... and for you (for good)!
- Stephen
Thanks again, for reminding me what kind of person you are. Last email for night for me ... and for you (for good)!
- Stephen
And then I get from Iron Dave ...
I have abused nobody. I state clearly to people the specifics ahead of time, and if they cant understand why certain things happen that are out of my control, I cannot do anything to change that. If the money isnt made, I have none to give. If people wont pay what I charge, then I cant sell anything. Its not all MY FAULT. I'd like to see you take a walk in my shoes for a week or two, see what you think then. Why are even emailing me for?
My suggestion?
Seek THERAPY.
Thanks for the advice, and I waited till the 4th of Jun and sent this email ...
David,
Please remove Deadly Dolls from Kindle, Amazon, LULU.com, and Turner Maxwell books. You promised me that you have pulled the book (with my cover image) from sales, when clearly you have not.
As for getting a hardcopy of the book, you could have ordered one from Turner Maxwell from day one.
- Stephen
Please remove Deadly Dolls from Kindle, Amazon, LULU.com, and Turner Maxwell books. You promised me that you have pulled the book (with my cover image) from sales, when clearly you have not.
As for getting a hardcopy of the book, you could have ordered one from Turner Maxwell from day one.
- Stephen
I had sent an email in the middle of this to confirm if there were any issues with the printers Turner Maxwell printers as per some of David's reasons for delays. I was sent an email back from the basically saying "Printers are down? They're never down!"
David replied ...
I have informed Amazon, so if hasnt been pulled yet, I can do nothing about that. As far as TMB books goes, I have infotrmed him, too. If he hasnt pulled it, I can do nothing about it, either. If you want qicker results, I sugeest you contact them yourself. You are being very unreasonable about this; I CANNOT perform miracles with this situation, so you will just have to wait until the other parties comply with my requests.
And then he sent this to me ...
This is all Lulu said when I requested it deleted:
Deadly Dolls was retired because it could not be deleted.
Please be patient with us, it will take a few days for your change to be reflected on Lulu.com .
If that isnt good enough, then too bad. I cant spend all my extra time filling your requests, either.
This was supposedly a from LULU.com the top paragraph anyway ... written kinda like how Dave writes ... HMMM! There goes that bullshit alarm! I sent a reply...
Thanks David, I'll send emails as per your suggestion. Can you answer me this for me, as it perplexes me ... Why couldn't you have ordered a hardcopy of DD through Turner Maxwell books for me? And at the start of the whole project you were stating that you had advances royalties on the books what was that all about?
- Stephen
- Stephen
I got ....
I could not order books through TMB for people because I could not afford it. I have to sell books before I can have the money to buy any for people. As I have stated before, and I will state one more time ONLY: We have sold ONLY three or four ebook versions and three or four print versions, so there isnt enough money to send anyone right now. And I have news for you about something else; if I remove your name from the credits and use a totally different book cover, I can sell all the copies I want to sell. now, dont email me again about this, or you wont recieve ANYTHING from me.
Simple enough for you?
Which I sent this ...
David thanks again ...
And I got ...
THATS IT. NO MORE CORRESPNDENCE OR RESULTS.
And I sent ....
I was being pleasant, not trying to be rude. I appreciate you're effort.
And Dave reared the beginning of his ugly head ...
I SAID DONT EMAIL ME ANYMORE. YOU JUST SCREWED YOURSELF.
And then on the 5/6/09 ... the most amazing news. Guess my emails to LULU.com hit!
HAPPY NOW? NOW I CANT EVEN SELL IT WITH A NEW COVER OR WITHOUT YOUR NAME IN THE CREDITS. ME AND MY CONTRIBUTORS SURE ARE NOT HAPPY. YOU ARE AN IDIOT.
Date: Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 7:45 AM
Subject: Copyright, Trademark, and/or Intellectual Property Infringement: Account ID 1245827
To: db5948@gmail.com
Dear Lulu publisher,
The question of copyright ownership was brought to our attention regarding content you published, “Deadly Dolls” CID 5460013 & 5459106.
As our Membership Agreement states in section 3b, "By uploading Content to the Site you represent and warrant, at all times during the term of this Agreement, that the Content does not violate any copyright, trademark, trade secret or other intellectual property right of any third party."
As a result, we have removed your content from availability, as per our Membership Agreement, which states "Lulu reserves the right to refuse to permit your publication on the Site of any Content that Lulu, in its sole discretion, deems in violation of the terms and conditions set forth above."
If you own the copyright for the content you published via Lulu, then please provide the licensing and/or ownership information in a reply to this email.
For more information on the terms and conditions of publishing through Lulu.com please review our Membership Agreement at http://www.lulu.com/about/member_agreement.php.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Regards,
Questionable Content Team, Lulu.com
Subject: Copyright, Trademark, and/or Intellectual Property Infringement: Account ID 1245827
To: db5948@gmail.com
Dear Lulu publisher,
The question of copyright ownership was brought to our attention regarding content you published, “Deadly Dolls” CID 5460013 & 5459106.
As our Membership Agreement states in section 3b, "By uploading Content to the Site you represent and warrant, at all times during the term of this Agreement, that the Content does not violate any copyright, trademark, trade secret or other intellectual property right of any third party."
As a result, we have removed your content from availability, as per our Membership Agreement, which states "Lulu reserves the right to refuse to permit your publication on the Site of any Content that Lulu, in its sole discretion, deems in violation of the terms and conditions set forth above."
If you own the copyright for the content you published via Lulu, then please provide the licensing and/or ownership information in a reply to this email.
For more information on the terms and conditions of publishing through Lulu.com please review our Membership Agreement at http://www.lulu.com/about/member_agreement.php.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Regards,
Questionable Content Team, Lulu.com
Thanks LULU.com ... you sure write different than the one Dave sent to me! So I replied ...
Idiot? Right?! Whats the chances that you're doing the same to them?
Them being the female authors of Deadly Dolls. And then I got another email ..
Your ARE an idiot. You need to grow up. And I have contacted all of the ladies in the book yesterday, and so far, all of them have been on my side of things. And besides your contract didnt state anything at ALL about paying you pro-rates or paying you until the money was there to pay you. If you persist with your childish emails, you will recieve NO cooperation fro me.
I hit back with ...
Enough David! You broke agreements multiple times, remember the payment schedule back in jan ... first month payment, 2nd month copy of the book, 3rd month payment etc until the end of the publication? I didn't write that you did! I gave you 30 days last month to be able to get a hard copy of book, you even re-asked me for my postal address, still nothing came ... you had no intentions of following through.
I understand you don't want to pay for the book out of your own money to be able to get a copy to me, but truely understand this I spent a long time reading, illustrating interior art and designing the cover ... that to me is time that I could have spent on working on other projects/covers. There was this company who was willing to give you advances so you could be able to provide payments straight away (according to your own email), what happened there?! If it fell over than, a simple email explaining this could have helped, in fact at any point if you had of simply contacted me explained that you couldn't send a copy or sales were low I would understand. I currently have a contract with another publisher who pays me per sales of books percentage commission, the economics are very tough, there is no doubt, so the sales on that book are low, and I can happily accept that all payments would be put on hold until the accumilate to $20 dollars.
Why am I okay with this?
The communication was professional, they advised me at every step, when a 3 month period passed I would get a sales statement. And at no point were they telling me that they'd get a copy to me and not deliver. Where I have hear over a period of three months, don't stress a books coming ... even back in March you were promising to send a copy of the book out ... "By the weekend I will have this sorted out."
I would suggest you start communicating with me with at least some respect, no matter what you feel; trust me, I am alarmed about your conduct but I am not going to stoop down and start name calling. As for the Dolls I am truely sorry for them, they're just innocent parties in this whole affair between you and I, I respect them greatly, I was proud to represent them with my cover art, but when you could/ wouldn't meet to your own agreements than I am not going to allow for my own work to be used. Simple as that.
- Stephen
I understand you don't want to pay for the book out of your own money to be able to get a copy to me, but truely understand this I spent a long time reading, illustrating interior art and designing the cover ... that to me is time that I could have spent on working on other projects/covers. There was this company who was willing to give you advances so you could be able to provide payments straight away (according to your own email), what happened there?! If it fell over than, a simple email explaining this could have helped, in fact at any point if you had of simply contacted me explained that you couldn't send a copy or sales were low I would understand. I currently have a contract with another publisher who pays me per sales of books percentage commission, the economics are very tough, there is no doubt, so the sales on that book are low, and I can happily accept that all payments would be put on hold until the accumilate to $20 dollars.
Why am I okay with this?
The communication was professional, they advised me at every step, when a 3 month period passed I would get a sales statement. And at no point were they telling me that they'd get a copy to me and not deliver. Where I have hear over a period of three months, don't stress a books coming ... even back in March you were promising to send a copy of the book out ... "By the weekend I will have this sorted out."
I would suggest you start communicating with me with at least some respect, no matter what you feel; trust me, I am alarmed about your conduct but I am not going to stoop down and start name calling. As for the Dolls I am truely sorry for them, they're just innocent parties in this whole affair between you and I, I respect them greatly, I was proud to represent them with my cover art, but when you could/ wouldn't meet to your own agreements than I am not going to allow for my own work to be used. Simple as that.
- Stephen
And in true Dave form ...
PISS OFF.
Nice ... then I hunted some more ... and found that he had used my art in another LULU.com publication of his without my agreement. I was furious and sent this ...
Remove Issue 5 NVF as well. Or I will send a new request.
A another of how smooth Dave's emails are ...
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
So I gave him a hint ... of what he should know. Seems when you steal so much stuff you tend to forget things.
Table of contents list my artwork inside this volume as per lulu.com review search, as per my request last month I stated that I'd didn't want any of my work to be published by you, present or past. I will however allow you to modify it and up load it again with my image removed as well as my name, hence not affecting other innocent parties. Are there any other issues with my art work in? If so I suggest you modify them as well.
Dave hit back with ....
Ok, I forgot about that. I will comply with that. But there is notihing else. So, I'd advise you leave me and my publications well enough alone, or I WILL CONTACT legal council for a stalking and harrassment suit. And believe me, I WILL WIN.
Which I replied ...
I am protecting my rights as copyright owner of the material, its not considered in anyway as stalking or harrassment. And in no emails have I been offensive unlike yourself, or conducted myself in any criminal way. All I have asked is that you remove any material that is rightfully my own, I have not received payment or my hard copy as per your own agreement, I have kept all emails retaining to this matter.
On a side note ... I like the fact that he think it'd be cheaper to hire legal council which would have to contact another legal council in Australia
And then I got an email from Dave on the 6/6/09
WELL, I HAVE KEPT ALL EMAILS PERTAINING TO THIS MATTER AS WELL, AND IT DOESNT LOOK GOOD CONSIDERING I ASKED YOU NOT TO EMAIL ME ANYOMRE. I HAVE SHIT-CANNED THE ISSUE 5 FROM LULU, AND HAVE PUT ''UNDER REVISION'' ON MY BOOK STORE, UNTIL I REMOVE YOUR NAME ETC., FROM ISSUE 5, WHICH WILL BE TODAY.
THAT IS AS FAR AS I GO.
GO BUG SOMEBODY ELSE FOR A CHANGE. YOU ARE REALLY BREAVE WHEN IT COMES TO SENDING EMAILS, BUT I BET YOU WOULD BE REALLY ''NICEY-SWEETY'' IN PERSON., YOU COWARD.
So how does this guy write all these books when he can't even spell; lets put it this way I'm not the best at grammar or even spelling at the best of times. I stopped dealing with jerk after this ... no books turned up as I expected. Turner Maxwell books removed Deadly Dolls as did LULU.com.
But let me tell you this ... if you're a writer, artist and heaven forbid someone who is think of buying any of his books ... simply don't. You giving your money to a scammer. It has come to light that he stole a large amount of books, that an author had bought through him directly, and I would suspect it was at the time when he sent through an email about sending to a limited amount of countries. He also sent me a Christmas present in the form of one of his books "Lucid Nightmares" it wasn't until recently that I found that he had STOLEN the story from Rick Moore (read his blog for more details ( http://thewriterandthewhitecat.blogspot.com/2010/10/pin-tail-on-this-plagiarist.html ) which was copyrighted in 2003. According to David Byron he had copyrighted it in 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008. So please read Rick's amazing blog, it informs that he has a new company out, and he has a number of new aliases and don't be the next victim.
Some more info this time a post by J.A. Aarntzen's post regarding David Byron, Iron Dave, Leo Wolfe or the latest name ... Jack Burnett http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewnews.asp?id=28921
Some more info this time a post by J.A. Aarntzen's post regarding David Byron, Iron Dave, Leo Wolfe or the latest name ... Jack Burnett http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewnews.asp?id=28921
While it probably took awhile to read through this post, save yourself the possible lose of months that I lost to try and stop this fiend and the offending book. Keep safe and remember support honest small press.
