I’ve posted before about All Romance eBooks, which I’ve always regarded as a nice little niche market for my work, despite eccentricities like taking $1 off my royalties if they paid me through PayPal, and constant “sales,” not to mention a long wait for royalty payments.

Truthfully, nothing seems solid or healthy in the world of indie publishing, and I was struck by the sudden shuttering of Torquere Press recently. Ellora’s Cave was another notorious example of a mismanaged company which ended up badly letting down its authors.

But sadly, All Romance eBooks has joined the ranks of the baddies. In an abrupt and shocking email entitled “All Romance Closure” yesterday, head honcho Lori James told writers that the site would be going dark on December 31, 2016, and that the company would not be able to pay its fourth quarter royalties. She offered 10 cents on the dollar to authors.

Authors and small publishers who made a great deal more than I do on the site must be incredibly pissed at the news. I’m still shocked and saddened that once again a female CEO has shown, let’s say, disregard for the people who publish with her.

I will genuinely miss ARe. For authors who are righteously angry and feel utterly betrayed, this excellent blog post by Celina Summers that I came across on Facebook today will perhaps give some pointers going forward. Them’s fighting words!