Industry & Advocacy News

Authors Guild Negotiates Closure of TouchPoint Press: What Authors Need to Know

The Publishing Industry

September 19, 2024

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In recent years, the publishing industry has seen an unfortunate increase in micro-publishers failing to meet their contractual obligations to authors. TouchPoint Press has emerged as a notable example of this trend. The press, founded with the aim of bringing well-written and engaging work to readers, initially succeeded in publishing numerous books, some of which garnered critical acclaim and literary awards. 

The Authors Guild, which helps its members with legal issues including nonpayment, began receiving numerous complaints about TouchPoint Press in 2023. Authors reported:

• Missed royalty payments
• Lack of communication from owner Sheri Williams
• Failure to publish books in a timely manner
• Non-responsiveness to authors’ termination requests

As these complaints accumulated, it became evident that TouchPoint’s issues were not isolated incidents but indicative of broader problems within the company. The Guild has been working with Ms. Williams since 2023 to revert rights to authors and to get them paid what they are owed. While the Authors Guild members that we are representing in discussions have had their right returned to them, few have been paid money due them in the last couple of years.

On Friday, September 13, 2024, representatives from the Authors Guild met with Ms. Williams to address some of the ongoing concerns. During this meeting, Ms. Williams agreed to cease all publishing activities related to TouchPoint. This decision includes shutting down the TouchPoint website, leaving only the home page with a closure notice. She also committed to contacting all authors who have not yet had their rights reverted, including those not represented by the Authors Guild, to inform them of TouchPoint’s closure and the reversion of their rights.

The financial impact of TouchPoint’s issues is significant. Ms. Williams, by her own account, owes nearly $40,000 in unpaid royalties to authors. To address this debt, the Guild is working to establish a court-enforced escrow account and payment plan. Under this arrangement, a portion of Ms. Williams’ wages will be automatically deducted from each paycheck and deposited into the escrow account. Any incoming funds for TouchPoint will also be directed into this account.

This case highlights the importance of careful research when selecting a publisher. The Authors Guild advises writers to investigate potential publishers and to  ensure a publisher is a company with assets and staff. Check to see if there have been complaints at Writers Beware. Authors Guild members may reach out to our legal services team if they are aware of any issues with a publisher.