New book

[Don]

To All,  

My long awaited new book, BURDEN OF YOUTH, IS NOT TO BE.  

A few years ago my present publisher, Random House, bought out my exixting publisher at that time, Presidio Press.  In the process Random House also acquired my contract and the rights to my four books, Currahee, The Road to Arnhem, Seven Roads to Hell and Beyond the Rhine.  

I have put a lot of time and thought into my new manuscript "Burden of Youth" and feel it is a book that is different than other books on war and would be widely accepted by all, a best seller.  My agent states it is one of a kind and did his best to place the manuscript with Random House, to no avail.  Random House, now owning my previous four books by contract had the FIRST RIGHTS OF PURCHASE TO ANYTHING I WRITE. feels the new manuscript as a book would out-do my first books and interupt their sales and therefore turned it down.  In doing so Random House relinquished all of their rights to BURDEN OF YOUTH for now and all time and I am free, but THERE WILL BE NO "BURDEN OF YOUTH" in the near future.  

I fulfilled the articles of my contract in allowing the first rights to Random House to accept or reject my new manuscript "Burden of Youth" which after holding it for some length of time Random House REJECTED it.  With Random House's rejection I now have full rights to "Burden of Youth" and will work to see what can be developed.  

This is not the end of the trail, it is a release and now allows me the freedom to go ahead with my life without the restraints of a cramped contract.

Hanging in there, Don Burgett

[fiwi463pfa]

Hi Don, I don't know what to say. In a way it's bad news but in the end maybe good news ?

[Rebelsoul]

Don,
I'm sorry to hear that,but I know that it's got to be a relief of some sort.
We will all be pulling for you no matter what.
Rick

[Yuri]

Dear Don, sorry to hear that.
I was looking forward to reading the book very much.
I am also amazed that you lost the rights to your own first 4 books to Random House.

But, just know you have a huge following here, and I am sure we are all interested in helping you out one way or another. Maybe some of us can help out with self publishing or in an other way.

You now have all the "cards in your own hands" and can make your own plan.
Once you figured something out, I am sure you can always come here for suggestions or help.
On the bright side... you don't have to worry about all those publishers and other people who want to take money from you.

All we would like, is to read and learn about your experiences and thoughts, and remember what has been done for our freedom.

Support, always!

[ljwagg]

Don,
Sort of a good news/bad news deal.  Random House would have been a quick and easy deal, yet by retaining all rights/contol you're free to do whatever you wish.  Personally, with your track record I don't think you will have any problems finding another publisher.  Thanks for keeping us informed.  We're all so looking forward to this new book, we can wait a little longer (difficult as that is for us.)  At least we know it is done and just awaits printing. 
BEst,
Larry

[Frank Gubbels]

I am really sorry to read this Don. We will always support you and let's hope some good news will turn up at the end.
Hang tough,
Frank

[john1012]

Hi Don,
mmmmmm I wonder do Random House feel a bit like the A/R guy who thought the Beetles would not amount to much. To hell with the begrudgers Don, publish via pdf and download directly from your on-line shop. The PDF file can be highly protected against theft, printing etc. Its just one option. Just sorry to hear that once again publishers are a pain.
Later,
John.

[moose]

Don, " Don't let the bastards grind you down......" You're one hell of a guy....

New orders for your C.O. ... Place one big smackeroo right on your cheek..

[Deinhorn24]

Don, sounds to me like you won.  Complete freedom to do your own thing.  Not worrying about someone who may or may not get it.  Self-publish.  Whatever number of members you have, we'll all buy and look forward to it.  Dalton

[Don]

My sincere thanks to all for your support and kind words. 

Just as in Bastogne, we didn't surrender then and I am not done yet, I will need a couple of months and I'll be back.  And as Dalton states, "I won" I will not be saddled on this one any longer by a one sided contract. 

My advice to all, if you write and if a publisher makes an offer - Get yourself a GOOD attorney.  When one places a manuscript with a publisher for print the publisher must make an "Offer" of an advance.  An advance is exactly that, AN OFFER.  One does not have to accept the "offer."  An "offer," is exactly that, AN OFFER, and is subject to negotiations. 

If a manuscript is good and a publishing house wants it they, through experience, will figure what they feel that manuscript in book form will bring them in profit in one year and an "honest" publisher will "offer" that amount to obtain that manuscript.  That advance will be repaid to the publisher by the author out of his royalties. 

I believe that publishing houses are going out of business, that's progress.  We are on the verge where all writers will handle their own business with a good attorney but without an agent and without a publisher.  Sales can be handled between the writer and the public through electronics.  The writer can be having money deposits to his account while he is asleep or off on a mirrored lake, fishing.  This method is safer and more honest than most publishers. 

Have fun, and thanks to all, Don Burgett

[rankedpsiguy]

I agree with Dalton - this is VICTORY!  That is a fantastic title!

We're here for you my friend.  Whatever it takes I want this book!

The beauty of self-publishing is we the readers will get EVERY WORD!

I will be buying several copies when available.

The publishing houses are SCUM.

Carl Horoho
Greentown, IN

[Hammerhead]

Hang in there Don.  While this certainly cannot be any fun, you've been in plenty of tough situations before, and have always come out on top. 

Seems like its always a matter of time to let themselves work their way through, and trusting that in the end, all will be well.  Your a gifted writer, and have four classic books to show for yourself.  Step away from it for a while, take a break, and see how things look in a few weeks or months.  The path may not be clear at the moment, but eventually it will be.

Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you out.

A couple final suggestions:  Let your mind clear and calm itself by spending a few days out on the ice filling a bucket with bluegills.  And if you need a little time away from it all, drop me a note and come hang out in the mountains of montana.  No snow to shovel or wood to carry- just lots of big fish to catch.

Best Wishes--

Dave

[reccewoody]

Don old friend,

Sorry to hear the news, but as Dalton said - SELF PUBLISH.  It's easier than you think and you will retain complete ownership

Paul

[holeshotrob]

Mr B,
While I am saddened that we will not have your book soon, I am happy as hell that I will be able to recieve a copy directly from you if you choose to self-publish! I would pay whatever cost applies and then some to recieve a copy of your book with no editing by someone who has no idea of what combat is like. He doesn't have the first idea about what should be left in or not.

Please consider self-publishing and I know that everyone on this forum as well as the others I frequent will purchase a copy and spread the word of your new book. I will help in any way possible and if you need someone to design your cover, let me know and my work is yours at no charge. I am a designer and have been doing it for over 15 yrs now, so just say the word and I'm all in!

Either way, congrats on retaining the rights to your work and we all will be looking forward to seeing it in the near future!

Rob

[Sedated2000]

I will be buying a copy of your book no matter what.  Looking forward to it.  Hopefully you get what you deserve from your publisher because you've put a lot in to it, and every book you've written is at the top of its kind.

-Travis Zickefiise