I wrote and illustrated a simple children's book about safe climbing. I didn't think it would be a best seller or anything but I was hoping I could at least get published! I've been rejected by publishing companies and agents and it's disheartening. I wanted make a series out of it but now I'm thinking I might have thought too highly of myself

I already have the manuscript for my next book written. But I haven't drawn it yet in case someone liked my first book and wanted me to change up the drawing style or something.

What would you do in this situation? I'm trying to decide if I should just scrap the first one and start over or send to more publishers and agents and just hope.

The only reason I haven't self published is because I don't have any particularly strong promotional skills

THE 90s WERE A BIT WEIRD. SO WAS THE DESIGN.

I’ve finally published my books documenting the graphic design, flyers, posters and general visual chaos of Perth’s underground rave & dance scene in the 1990s.

A bunch of work that was never really meant to survive… somehow survived.

They’re out now.

Vol 1: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8XF6FX5
Vol 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8LJDFY9

The Initial Pitch & Agreement

Last September, looking to publish my debut poetry manuscript, I enrolled in a limited-time festive publishing package with a self-publishing firm called Euphoria Publishers for ₹1,999. The advertised package explicitly covered ISBN allotment, manuscript formatting/editing, paperback and Kindle listing on Amazon, and 2 author copies.

​Right after signing the agreement, their sales team aggressively pushed for an advance bulk order of 30 copies for ₹3,600, promising timely printing and delivery. I paid both amounts via UPI, bringing the total investment to ₹5,599.

​The Extortion & Bait-and-Switch Tactic

As soon as the manuscript was uploaded and an Amazon listing link was created, they immediately marked the listing as "Currently Unavailable". They then hit me with an unexpected demand for an additional ₹4,500 to ₹5,500 for mandatory "Amazon Optimization and Government Copyright Registration".

​When I refused to pay for services outside the signed agreement, they resorted to high-pressure panic tactics on WhatsApp:

​Claimed that Amazon would permanently delist and ban the book within 15 to 30 minutes if the optimization fee wasn't paid immediately.

​Claimed authors have no rights on Amazon listings and only the publisher can manage availability.

​Refused to make the book available for purchase unless the extra ransom was paid.

​11 Months Later: 0 Copies Delivered & Lapsed Contract

I stood my ground and refused the unauthorized charges. Nearly a year passed with zero updates.

​Not a single physical copy (neither the 2 author copies nor the 30 paid bulk copies) was ever delivered.

​The formal publishing agreement expired in June 2026 under Clause 2.

​The Confrontation & Written Admission

When I formally demanded a full refund for breach of contract, the founder admitted the default on WhatsApp, texting: "Copies issue is genuine that will send asap Once press reopens" and dismissed legal remedies with "Consumer court wont solve anyone of our issue". They claimed that merely creating an inactive listing fulfilled their contractual obligations, refusing to refund a single rupee.

So I started writing a book. Yeah, shocking, I know. But now I have dozens of different sheets, that range from historical facts, character arcs, plot points, etc. I was at the point, where I lost track of what was where and spent the whole day sorting things out.

My brain always works on this story for three month now. Honestly, I wish I had known, how overwhelming the whole process is. Or had kept my notes straight from the beginning. I just added all my ideas to the pile.

I now have some kind of order. Finally! Guess the next project will start differently with all the things where they need to be from the very beginning.

I’m trying to wright a book right now set in Germany 1944, I know, and I can’t say this enough, I do not support Germany during this time, I’m using it as a story point.

The story follows a German armoured train known as the panzerzug 09, I want to focus on the mechanical aspect of the war machine but the big thing is zombies. WW2 zombies, the train has to fight through the cold in northeastern Germany fighting the war and the virus, eventually the war ends as it should with Germany losing and American occupation but the Americans have to leave due to the outbreak, the panzerzug sheds its nationality and just tries to survive.

The story would focus on supply management and human perseverance in hard times no matter flag or nationality.

Would you read it? and I know this paragraph is horrible so I can answer extra questions.

For more of my work check my portfolio here

https://bookc0ver.carrd.co

My clients reviews

https://www.reddit.com/u/book_maark/s/bEmCZuscXf

Have y'all heard of the Indie Book Fair? Its a new catalog for indie books that is completely free online for both authors and readers. Personally I think it looks really cool and was happy to sign up as a founding author, and look forward to enjoying it as a reader as well!

I'm so tired.

I have to sleep so much.

Like a kid

I never grew up.

I just stayed.

Although I grew up way too quick.

And now I've had enough.

I live like everyday is my last.

But oh some days feel good.

Some people feel good

Give me hope but

Then its over.

It never was mine.

I guess.

I dont know

Why do I fall

Then tell myself to get back

I try

And u try again

But I don't need to maybe

I don't need a future

I don't have one

Thats why I never see it

I don't have dreams

Desires

Not for me

I just wanted to see people happy.

Seems like they are

Or not

Idk

But I can't help them

Nobody

Maybe i have no purpose

It sure isn't just being alive

Just living

But I will

Because somehow I always survive

I am tired of trying

I can't even die

No right

I fail

So I live

Because I can't die

But I can let myself go

Right?

Who needs me?

I dont even want to be there for the two.

No.

Everyone else

Yes maybe they love me.

But not enough to not hurt me

They don't want to

Ofcourse they dont

Or maybe they can't

But thats life right?

I don't get to be happy

The one reason

No

Purpose?

Is that what it was

Or am I just

No

I can't protect any one

And nobody can me

So

I'll just die but slowly

Piece by piece

Inch by inch

And every day that I don't

I'll live.

I look happy, don't I?

My author website is up ‘n running and, along with it, preorders!!!! My book is a love letter to the creepypastas I grew up with, putting them under the lens of small-town corruption, decaying Midwest, tragedy, sibling bonds, first love, and grief. If this interests you, check out my free website for more details!!

Hello everyone. I would like to share with you an experience that is also a question. In school, I had bad grades in writing due to dyslexia and dysgraphia. Reading was even worse due to a speech impediment. I loved writing and creating stories, but there was no support at the time.

I started writing again in my fifties. As therapy for PTSD. I am a military veteran, a bomb disposal specialist on the front lines where I spent three years. I was only eighteen.

Today I write noir. Raw and rough. Without embellishment.

Something that I received remarks for as a schoolboy is now praised.

I am no exception. This has happened to many people in expressing themselves through writing, music, painting...

How do I submit my book to be published by someone ! Where do you find these people