Times are tough for small publishers, and their authors. Virginia-based Potomac Books is no exception. The press, which was acquired by the distributor Books International in 1999, has been slow in paying a number of its authors and, in some cases, has not paid royalties dating as far back as 2009. Potomac, which specializes in military history, admitted it has hit a rough patch but says it is still very much open for business.
A number of Potomac authors PW spoke to complained that, after the press had been delivering late payments, it appears as though the house has stopped making paying altogether. Some Potomac authors said the press has made promises that it will send out payments, but were told the company is dealing with a significant backlog. One author indicated he was owed royalties on mutliple titles, in addition to an advance. Potomac authors interviewed estimated they were owed anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 each.
Sam Dorrance, who wears multiple hats at Potomac—he is publisher, director of sales and head of subsidiary rights—readily acknowledged the press has fallen behind on royalty payments. "Cash flow has been an issue," Dorrance said, “but we are looking to clear things up as soon as we can.” Dorrance blamed the late payments on a combination of factors, from the overall tough economic climate to the recent closing of Borders.
Potomac has not eliminated any positions—it currently employs 10 people—but it has trimmed its list. In the past three years the press has decreased its output from 90-100 titles annually, to about 70 titles. The press is also paring back on formats, decreasing the number of paperbacks it publishes. Dorrance said Potomac is still working on converting a number of its backlist titles to e-book, and is hoping to release e-book editions of frontlist titles whenever possible.
