It seems Stardust Press is closing as of Sept 30, 2007. This mean Bloodstained Innocence, which won their Creatures of Darkness contest (2nd place) will need to find a new home. I admit I am very disappointed, I had been hoping for a Halloween release, but it never made it to editing. I have to give SDP credit. Unlike other ebook presses that have closed this year, SDP is handling it all very professionally.

I am still trying to get permission to repost the entire letter from their senior editor Raine Richards, but here a clip that should explain things more.

Dear authors and editors,

After much discussion and negotiation and evaluation, it is with regret that we announce that StarDust Press is closing effective from September 30, 2007.

This would certainly explain the delay in getting editing notes on my novel and the reason getting an answer about it was so difficult. I feel bad for Raine and the other staff there that put so much effort into Stardust, and even more so I feel for the other authors that must now find new homes for their creations.

According to the email our rights revert back to us on Sept 30th of this year. Raine has given an email where publishers can reach her until the end of March to confirm the right reversal for the contracted authors. All royalties are being scheduled pay dates, and in truth everything seems to be quite well in order. The authors even get to keep the cover art Stardust paid for.

Now comes the daunting task for many of the Stardust authors to once again begin the submissions process. I am just glad we have the chance to do that rather then loosing access to our book rights like the authors of the recently bankrupt (or bankrupting) house have had to cope with.

To all the staff at Stardust Press…

Good luck in whatever you move on to, and thanks for handling a bad situation with so much class.

Moondancer Drake

Update…

I just received word from Raine and she had submitted a public acceptable letter to be shared with you all today.

Dear authors and editors,
 
After much discussion and negotiation and evaluation, it is with regret that we announce StarDust Press is closing effective September 30, 2007. We are saddened that despite all our efforts, SDP is bleeding, and the investors have decided to cut their losses.
 
We know that you would all be concerned with this development, so we address all your concerns one by one below.
 
1. Authors and editors would be paid the royalties/editorial fees due them.
 
2. All books would be taken off the website and Fictionwise by September 30, 2007.
 
3. From September 30, 2007 onwards, all rights to the published books revert back to the author, and as such, you can submit them to other publication houses for publication.
 
4. For unpublished books, you may send to other publication houses as early as now.
 
5. For authors whose books are currently under edits, we would send you a personal email on the matter. 
 
SDP was established to do legitimate business, however the environment wasn't conducive to its survival. And so, we have no choice but to take this step.
 
Thank you for all your support and we wish for the best for you all in your endeavors.
 
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reply to this email. Your question may also be the question of the others.
 
Thanks.
 
Raine
For StarDust Press management