Trestle Press Continues Despite Author’s Reactions.
If you are not up to speed with Trestle Press’s issues over the last week. Please visit my deviantArt journal here.
The Authors
Many of the vocal authors made a stand last week. They decided that even though they had contracts with their pieces and project’s they wanted nothing to do with a company that steals art. When I first discovered the art theft, I was then worried about my art. Would that get stolen too?
Here’s a list of the authors who have stated they are leaving along with their corresponding Blog that states it. If I missed any, please let me know and I’ll add it to the list.
The Sinking Ship
Trestle Press had also released a statement that they later had pulled. It can be found here. They also plan on continuing their radio show, like nothing ever happened. I wish I could get on that radio show. 🙂
Here’s the list of people who have posted that they are staying, regardless of proof. Most of them seem to only stay stating that they signed a contract and will stick to it and calling others unprofessional for doing otherwise.
What Now?
We strive. We learn and move on. In many cases Trestle Press was just hurting writers with bad editing and stolen covers. They would then take a larger percentage of the profits just to “Advertise”. I’m sure many of the writer’s work speaks for itself like Nigel Bird and Paul D. Brazill’s and all the others. So buy their books.
Don’t buy them because you feel bad, buy them because you want good literature. Buy them because you can and you know that all their profit goes to them, not a man who steals and lies. Buy from them to keep literature alive and because they are honestly good people who just want people to be happy. They write, because you like to read; and you read because of people like them.
So buy a short story from an indie writer or just drop them a comment, because reading your comments is like fuel. It’s fuel that we pour into our pencils and laptops and then we do that little waltz with our fingers. In the end, that dance is for you.
L. Vera
lverawrites 
I’m one who left as well: my post is here.
February 6, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Thanks. I also added a couple of others.
February 6, 2012 at 6:53 pm
I left also but didn’t do a post on the blog. I had written 2 shorts that he asked me write as a favor. I didn’t have an author contract or anything, but I did make sure that he pulled those two books from everywhere and I cut all ties with Trestle. When I posted about the debacle on Facebook I even received some fun scoldings from a couple of the authors who are staying with him.
February 6, 2012 at 7:09 pm
I know an author who was briefly with TP last year. There were rumors of stolen art and unhappy ex Tp authors giving warnings to get out asap. Guess they were right. Yes, my friend and one other jumped ship within a week of warnings. Win!
February 6, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Michel R. Vaillancourt
http://michelrvaillancourt.com/2012/02/01/taking-corrective-action-and-a-public-apology/
February 6, 2012 at 7:22 pm
I looked for your blog and could not find it. 🙂
February 6, 2012 at 8:24 pm
I’ve left as well, I had three short stories with Trestle Press. GG approached me after he did a review of my novel.
February 6, 2012 at 9:06 pm
You haven’t mentioned Sam Lang. I don’t think he’s blogged about it, but on Facebook and on Whit Howland’s blog he confirmed:
“I’m staying put. There has been some blustering the past 24 hours amidst the small circles in which I travel. Trestle Press have been good to me.”
And don’t forget this fine statement:
“Peer pressure from other authors acting unprofessionally does not constitute proof. I am not arguing Trestle’s position or defending their/his actions. I am hugely disappointed in the behavior of the authors that abandoned someone with which they had an agreement, albeit verbal. I am staying with Trestle. I’ve read the other posts. I have not experienced any of those other alleged behaviors. When the question of cover art arose, I requested that any of mine that were questionable be changed. Guess what? They are in the process of being changed, some for the better. Is Marvel really going to take Gio to court over a few dollars? No, they will send him a letter to take down the content, but that is already done. These authors are as equally complicit in any wrong-doing over the past year. Amazon made the most money on those $0.99 books, why are we not all boycotting them or reporting them for copyright infringement? The whole thing is still not going to amount to anything, especially now that the covers are changed. Too many people handled it the wrong way. Being an author is about patience and perseverance, not knee-jerk, mob reactions.”
February 7, 2012 at 10:22 am
I mentioned my exit from Trestle on my blog here: http://www.edithmaxwell.com/2011/12/working-hard.html
I withdrew from my contract two days before the reputed release of my mystery novel in December because he still had not returned edits and I hadn’t seen the e-formatted versions. He had already lied to me several times about release date and the reason for the delay and I felt I could not trust this press. I had my own cover done (for pay) after he proposed found after round of horrible fonts on a photograph for which I had permission, so I wasn’t involved in Covergate.
In retrospect I should have heeded the red flags of:
1. Gelati contacted me on twitter asking if I was looking for a publisher.
2. He didn’t read the whole ms before accepting it.
3. He said it wasn’t necessary to physically sign the contract.
February 7, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Thanks. I’ve made the update and also put a slash through Stephen H. King since he has now left Trestle Press.
February 7, 2012 at 10:56 pm
Thanks for the post. I agree that support is like fuel to anyone, especially if the tank has been emptied. I pulled my novella out, just to clear things, but I didn’t break contract because I didn’ t have one. I’ve been lucky to have Smoke picked up and I’d like tp wish the crew the best of luck, a liferaft after a wreck. Best of.
February 11, 2012 at 7:33 pm
I left as well, plus I located the artist who created the artwork that GG stole and paid her restitution.
http://slschmitz.com/2012/02/06/how-to-destroy-a-publishing-company/
March 28, 2012 at 1:53 am
Sorry, I somehow missed you. You’re on the list and I’m glad to see a happy resolution with the artist.
March 28, 2012 at 2:39 pm
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Add my name to that list as well. Giovanni has drawn his shortest straw with me. I will make sure his company, Trestle Press, burns to the ground. I took up for him and stood by his side through the past red flags that have risen from previous incidences. I am now a pissed off statistic. Lets take him down.
September 26, 2012 at 4:58 am
make sure to send an email to the link on the other post. 🙂
September 26, 2012 at 10:10 am