Trafford

I finally got in touch with Trafford by phone.  I let them know I was looking for another publisher and the rep outlined the fees.  For $150.00 for the text and $150.00 for the cover, for each title we can have the high resolution files.  These we could give to another publisher and generate a new book with new ISBN for 200-400 per title.  We have the rights to the books, in as much as we own our original files that we submitted to Trafford and we have the right to cancel the relationship with Trafford, who owns the rights to the actual physical book and the ISBN.  So, for about a grand and a half, we could publish with someone else.

I asked the rep if the new company was working to improve customer service for existing authors and the rep said she wasn’t aware of any problems and what I was taking about…with not being contacted and an absence of quarterly statements…was a “once in a blue moon” experience.  ;-)  She said she would talk to her manager, but no attempt was made to solve my unresolved missing statement or poor quality of book covers. 

I’ll sleep on it. 

New Adventures

After a month of trying to get in touch with Trafford for a re-print and a month break for family, I have decided to pursue swapping publishers.  I have no idea if our POD file is transferable (legally), which in hindsight, sounds like a pretty stupid thing to miss, but I never could have anticipated this.  Have I mentioned we haven’t gotten a royalties statement since Trafford sold to another company in 2008?  This is the first time I’m glad it isn’t a best seller.  

Soon, we will find out how this works and how much it will cost.  I look forward to telling that story.  In the meantime, I have photos from our most recent foray into the San Antonio art scene. 

Blue Star LAB: Spanish Young Art

I really loved these:

Oscar Carrasco, Carababchel 3   (This piece is huge---78.7 in x 57.1 in)

This was Gordon’s favorite:

Fernando Sanchez Castillo, Pegasus Dance  (Video)  This shot was part of a beautiful video using water cannons (for riot breaking).  I tried to find the full piece online, but haven’t yet. 

This piece was amazing:

Cristina Lucas.  La Liberte Raisonnee (Video)  This photo was taken at the show, so it’s not great, but there are some images online.) “Lucas appropriates one of the greatest symbols of art history “The Liberty guiding the people” by Eugene Delacroix, to reflect the evolution of women’s rights throughout history.  (In the end, liberty gets viciously murdered by all the men)

My only regret about this show is it hardly broke the surface.  One or two pieces from each of these talents is not enough.  I feel like they could have done more…but, the show was first at the New World Museum in Houston, so I don’t know what space limitations they might have had.  All in all, I recommend!  It’s at the LAB all month.