Kev: It’s disheartening, isn’t it? The rise of the blogosphere is one of the few things that gives me hope in situations like this.Until recently, readers had no way to respond to such insults from publishers.

But now bloggers can — and do — jump into the debate. Let’s hope it does some good. I’m encouraged by comments like yours, which show that people do care about whether or not they’re hearing the truth from publishers like Farrar, Straus.

Thanks much to both of you.

Jan

“They also show a lack of respect for readers, who deserve a better explanation for what is and isn’t true”

This is the crux of the matter. Publishers and authors alike ignore and disparage their readership at their peril. It’s time these falling standards were hauled up by their bootstraps. I fear however, the general malaise in music and literature, the “make do and mend” culture makes this target a long way off. We can only hope the public do as you suggest. The truth will out!