Artist Peggi Habets thought other artists might benefit from her experience. I have decided not to use the company’s name because it didn’t happen to me. The message is valuable, however, regardless of the company in question. Peggi writes:
Here’s something new I should have already known, but only recently experienced: BEWARE of book competitions, i.e. competitions that publish your winning entry in a national book.
The [book competition in question], promised a "stunning, full-color publication of all the winning entries to be sent to galleries and bookstores around the country." When I was notified that my painting was included, I went to the web site and saw the series of books being published. My painting was on the cover of [one of them] with several other paintings. The design looked pretty nice so I purchased the book. What a disappointment! It was poorly designed, edited and printed. About half of the artwork was printed on a full page at a very low resolution, and as a result, blurry and bitmapped. There were numerous typographic errors, missing credits, and terrible typography. I had told the gallery that represents me about being in the book, and they promptly ordered one to display in the gallery. They haven’t received theirs yet, but knowing their standards, they will be as disappointed as I am. I guess this is what they call "vanity books." Luckily it wasn’t a big investment. The standard entry fee of $30 and the price of the book was $25. Still, not what was promised. Live and learn!
Image (c) Peggi Habets. Watercolor.
3 thoughts on “Beware . . .”
Check the inside cover. It probably says Made in China (to explain the bitmaps and typos). Print products from China aren’t the quality of American or European presses. The books cost the vanity publisher about $3 each. The big question is what publications, calendars and $5 paintings are now graced with newly pirated artwork?
This kind of thing has happened for many years with poetry. The scam is that everyone who enters ‘wins’ and gets the opportunity to see their work in print – at a price of course. Interesting that it’s now transferred to visual arts.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I might have been tempted as a way to build my business and visibility. Now I won’t – so thank you, ~ Diane Clancy http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog