In a stunning move for an independent Canadian publisher, but not an unexpected one, ChiZine Publications founders Sandra Kasturi and Brett Savory have stepped down.
Their statement on the the ChiZine site is here.
High Fever Books is doing an admirable job of keeping up with the stories that continue to come out from complainants. Kelsi Morris is the latest person to come forward with a story about bullying, uncomfortable rape jokes, and being on the inside of the machinations at ChiZine.
The link to High Fever Books' regularly updated blog is here.
Monday, November 11, 2019
Sunday, November 10, 2019
ChiZine Publications Authors and Others Come Forward with Complaints
Well, wow. Just... wow. For those not in the know, ChiZine Publications is a fairly well known independent Canadian publisher that has published weird, subtle, surreal, disturbing dark SF, fantasy since 2008.
Last week, ChiZine author author Ed Kurtz came forward with a grievance, claiming he has not been paid in full his due royalties from the independent publisher. Kurtz's complaint, as though finding a flaw in a dam, encouraged a floodgate of not only other writers, but employes, editors, and acquaintances to also come forward with their stories of mistreatment at the hands of the publisher.
The most striking commonality for me is that the grievances and stories are across the board - from not paying royalties, not paying staff, mistreating people, alienating people, and bullying people. One of these stories would be damning enough. Together, they're a maelstrom.
If you're interested, here's context - a reasonably cogent summary of the number of the people airing their stories from High Fever Books.
This week, U.S. horror author Brian Keene will be discussing the entire ChiZine debacle on his popular The Horror Show With Brian Keene, of which I am a follower. Needless to say, I'll be listening to this, however surreal it will be to hear an American podcast analyze a Canadian small speculative fic press' controversy.
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