@apalebluedot There is another publisher, but these guys are a bigger name. I do only have 2 choices, though. Others didn't think my book fit with their other books. 😂

@LadyGrace They are telling me that the general public wouldn't quite know how to respond to certain elements of the book. But I have done a little market research myself and it seems like people want different. They want to keep guessing and not know where a book is going to go.

@lauriethecolourful So have I and you are absolutely right ! I would be looking into another publishing company, seriously . They have no right to change what you have worked so hard for, all these years. It should be no skin off of their nose and who are they to determine what people will like. I always love a book that keeps me guessing . That is a great talent !

@lauriethecolourful I can understand how you feel, you have put your soul into it. BUT you have to make a decision, you may lose the book completely if you refuse. Do you want this as your career?

@Ian123 I don't want to lose the book completely. Honestly, I don't know. Being a professional writer has always been a dream of mine, but it's also not too realistic. If you're book doesn't sell, you're screwed. Haha I am also currently at university stupying journalism, and I think that will be my career. Writing is something I will do on the side. :)

@lauriethecolourful If you are at university then you have choices, go with your heart its usually the best way 😃 Ido hope whatever you do turns out well for you, and remember you are good enough to have the chance, not many can do that 🤗

@NativeOregonian I 100% disagree. You do that, and you will only self-publish the rest of your writing days.

As someone who has been a publisher and editor, I promise you, I don't spend money on nothing that didn't happen like I wanted. You want to fight? Get someone else to pay for it.

See, there's an expression in the writing world-- kill your darlings. What that means is that you have to be willing to remove the best romantic dialogue scene ever written, because it doesn't belong in your epic heist story-- the greatest plot ever written, especially during a climactic chase.

Writers miss these things because they love how they turned out. Problem is, that breaks stories. And instead of amazing masterpieces, we get sloppy, self-indulgent ego stroking dreck. Look at any film that is written, directed, produced, and starring someone. Majority suck. Just saying.

So, no. A GOOD publisher will work and craft with you. It's their money that's being gambled on you.

@GwydionFrost Then you suck shit as an editor/publisher, most likely one one of those scam publishers like Publish America that scammed my late fiancee. No self respecting writer will compromise their hard written and thought out book.

@NativeOregonian Publish America was a pay to print "publisher", more interested in charging you fees to prepare your book for publication. Real publishers don't charge you for the story they are buying to produce. They also want you to commit to promoting it. Signings, tours, cons.

But hey-- don't take my word for it. Talk to the writers on the bookstore shelf. ANY of them.

Good luck to you getting published if you listen to N.O.!

Sounds like he's got a bunch of successful author friends who are happy to have worked with him.

@Picklebobble2 The changes that they are trying to make seem very predictable to me. Once you hear the plot of my story, you think you will know every beat the story is going to take, but then it goes somewhere completely different. The changes are going to take that away.

@lauriethecolourful I suspect the changes they suggest would have more 'appeal' to other foreign markets should it be successful.

@lauriethecolourful You orchestrated your twists in such a way that they are the story, please do not compromise them away.

@lauriethecolourful Tbf I prefer to hold a book than an iPad when reading 🤣

@Sweetlikepoison Me too. :) That's why I have never wanted to publish on amazon or something.

Yeah makes sense! What’s your story about? @lauriethecolourful

@lauriethecolourful Well, that's the choice really, artistic integrity, or money, lol

It's a rare day indeed when you can have both xx

@Quizzical I agree. It's a shame, though. I understand that companies have to make their money back, though, and they are already taking a bit of a risk with publishing my book at all.

@lauriethecolourful Have they paid you a retainer's fee?

@Roatlamb I have 2 names in mind. Hahaha The name is also something they are iffy on.

@TwiddlerofThumbs They don't think the public could handle certain themes. Mostly because they think it's too gritty and realistic.

@lauriethecolourful As a serious avid reader I read what I want to read.

@Stereoguy It's not that I think the changes are terrible, but they are predictable. A lot of people would know where the plot is going. With the current version, it plays with your expectations and kinda takes you on a ride. 😂