Yes, Mark.  My wife (Vivienne) got one.  I can only think it was via a picture from her gallery that was posted on another site.  I checked out the publishers, which seem entirely genuine.  I have also written to Terri Jones but as yet have had no reply.

David

An associate from a Facebook papier mache group has also been solicited- I reckon they used this site as a shopping list.

Some thoughts on this I collected elsewhere:

Looking at the nature of publications by Schiffer, many are compendiums of contemporary artists- some of which impose upon those same artists to provide pictures AND text for the publication... and are not given even a single copy of the publication in exchange. Each artist that participates becomes an advertising node.

I'm not suggesting there isn't value for you- only to make that assessment with eyes open. Part of that calculus must be that participants are those who are willing to do a good portion of the work normally done by the publisher an author, and accept a contract that conveys little or no direct remuneration. Does that qualify the prestige of publication? Perhaps. You will have to decide if inclusion benefits or damages your brand.

When performing a Google search for Schiffer Publishing, the first suggested auto-complete by the search engine was "vanity press". There were many hits from that combination, as well as searches including "scam". The Better Business Bureau only has one complaint filed against Schiffer, which has not responded to the Bureau's request for basic information. Not definitive- just a starting point.

"What do I have to lose?" Worst case scenario? The curator of a juried publication/exposition reviewing hundreds of submissions gives yours short shrift or prejudice rejection after recognising on your short publication list the presence of a vanity publisher.

Depending on the print run, the primary value may be in filling out your publication history; if on-demand, electronic, or very limited print run, the actual document may server you less than the entry in your personal history. Ya, I know that is contrary to the concern I voiced above.

By-the-way: while searching for Schiffer Publishing on Amazon, all the merchant advertisements below the catalogue were for vanity publishers...
12 hours ago · Like

Well, I received an answer from Terri Jones.  It was very brief, careless in that it missed out a word that was necessary for it to be intelligible, and made no attempt to answer some points in my own email.  She said that she looked at this site for most of her links.
I have asked for a proper reply so will suspend judgement for the moment.

I do remember seeing something on the news about the Better Business Bureau and their questionable activities along the lines that you've just described, Sue.

As far as juried publications/exhibits go, I think the majority of them are fair, or at least they try their best to be so.  Sure, there's always going to be some people that show favoritism or have ulterior motives, but I feel that most people will give you a fair shake.  If nothing else, the judges/curators have their own reputations to worry about, and if they become notorious for being unfair, they aren't likely to get invited back to select artwork/artists again in the future, or, artists will choose to simply not deal with them or their organization(s), decreasing their influence.

Scylla has written this, which I post on her behalf . .
I'm away from home for a month, and didn't bring my PM forum password
so I can't reply to the forum. I also got the post, and my response
was similar to all of yours. I think the company is  looking for free
content, and I deleted the post. Like David, I found the email rather
unprofessional (I received 3 slightly different posts) in format and
content.

I had just submitted a proposal to a magazine called "Cloth Paper
Scissors" here in the US, because they had published a call for
submissions for articles regarding paper arts. For a minute I thought
the Schiffer post was related, but it is not. If you are interested,
here is the URL to the "Cloth Paper Scissors" artists submissions
guidelines (scroll to the bottom for info on 3-d works.
http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/conte … sions.aspx

Regards, Scylla

So the bottom line is that they make the money for cheaply publishing a book, and the artists may receive some advertising.  But... do the artists retain all rights to the works and photos, or will the "authors" feel free to publish the photos elsewhere?

The Rule:  If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Sue

I am fairly certain that an artist always has copyright of their own work. This has certainly been the case with the various publications I have had work in. Unless an agreement is met between the artist and the publisher, but I personally would not be seen for dust if I was asked to hand over copyright.

Okay, I got the submission form from Terri, here are all the details:





Submission Form

For each artist participating, we need: 

1. Information about the artist and the artwork. For artwork that is part of an installation, a brief history of the project will be needed. A brief description (250 words or less) of your techniques and creative process for each item is needed.   One purpose of the book is to allow the artists to tell their own stories about their artwork. An artist’s statement will also be required. Brief interesting anecdotes related to various pieces and installations are also welcome here. We will need to receive text submissions as Microsoft Word documents. Please do not send us articles written about you and your work by others. We are interested in your reflections on your own work, not the copyrighted words and ideas of others. A resume is required for the judging.

2. Four to ten examples of your work, captured in any of the following formats: slides; digital imagery, requiring an image with 400 dpi JPG in the fine format (quality of the image) in Adobe RGB color mode at a 4" x 6" size or larger (consider 4" x 6" to be the minimum acceptable size for a 400 dpi photo). If your image is larger than 4" x 6" at 400 dpi, please do not reduce the image to the 4" x 6" size. It will be fine as it is. Digital images may also be sent as raw files. Glossy prints measuring 4" x 6" or larger are also acceptable. All materials need to be properly identified for return once the project is complete. These need to be high quality images, images you would be proud to enter into any juried art show…considering they will be in print for some time to come throughout the United States and abroad. We ask that the images you send be of artwork that has not appeared in another publication. Materials accepted for the book remain safely with the publishing house until the book is finished and are then returned to the contributors, approximately 2 months after publication of the book, if the contributor has requested that they be returned.

3. Caption: For each image sent include the artist’s name, title of art (if applicable), identification of object form, media, technique, measurement, date, courtesy line as needed (i.e. both contributor’s and photographer’s credit). Please note that courtesy lines need to be included in the captions if they are to be included in the book. The reason for this is that at times when artists have provided such important information in cover letters or elsewhere, they have been missed in the final writing of the book and we want to avoid that situation. We will need to receive caption submissions as Microsoft Word documents. 

4. Release form: Please sign the attached release form, signifying that you are the owner of the copyright for the imagery you have sent us. If you need to have your photographer sign the release as she or he is the copyright holder of the images, please ask the photographer to add your name to the release form along with his or her own so we know which artist the photographer, and the release form, belong with. 

5. Please remember to provide a return address so your materials may be returned, and identify each image with your name.   

6. Complete the Contact Information Sheet that is provided.  Include any galleries or museums that showcase your work.

To recap, please, make sure your submission packet to us includes:

1. Your artist information, resumé, and artist statement

2. 4-10 images with captions for each

3. Signed Photography Release form(s)

4. A CD with your completed contact information   

Send all your materials at one time. 

Send to:

Terri Jones

Schiffer Publishing Ltd,

4880 Lower Valley Road

Atglen, PA 19310


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the thrust of the book? 

We are presenting the broad scope of work currently being done in this field. We want to represent all of the different forms, materials, and techniques being used in this dynamic field today. We are looking for images of work done within this last decade from each artist that has not appeared in a previous publication so readers may see what is happening now in the field. We want readers to become familiar with current, professional artists working in this field, artists readers may want to follow in years to come and artists whose work readers may want to invest in.

What sort of work should I submit?

Since this book seeks to show the range of work currently being undertaken in this field, we would like to see images that reflect the range of work you are creating today. This is your opportunity to put your best foot forward with a broad reading public. Choose the pieces that you feel best reflect the full scope of the work you create in this dynamic field. 

In what format should I submit my work?

Please, see the Submission Form.  For imagery, high end digital is the preferred choice, but other forms as described are acceptable.

May I email my materials?

No. Email makes it too easy for files to be lost or misplaced and too difficult to organize when it comes time to review all the submissions.

Is it okay for me to send this call for artists to a friend of mine who is also an artist in this field?  Or to my guild, association, etc.?

Yes, please do. All we ask is that you send folks the complete submission form and release form so they know exactly what we are asking for. 

Will I be notified if my work is accepted?

We will contact everyone who submits work to let them know whether or not their work will appear in the book.

How will I be notified that the book is out? 

The Marketing Department at Schiffer Publishing will let you know when the book is available.  Remember to keep us notified of any changes to your contact information should you move.  Email any changes to your contact information to arttoday@schifferbooks.com.

Will I get a complimentary copy, if my work appears in the book?

In order to help keep the publishing house’s overhead low and avoid charging artists a submission fee, as some publishers do, Schiffer Publishing does not provide complimentary copies of our books to contributing artists. However, a discount of 40% on any participating artist’s first book order is provided in appreciation of each artist’s participation.


PHOTOGRAPHY RELEASE FORM

Per our lawyers, the following form provides certainty that you own the images and are allowing Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. to use them for this book project (and only for this book project). Please sign this agreement and return it with your submission form and images.

   To: SCHIFFER PUBLISHING

4880 Lower Valley Road

Atglen, PA 19310

Attn: Karen Choppa   

1. I am the sole copyright owner of the photograph(s) and grant permission for their inclusion in the book known as _____________________________________________ (the “Book�� ) which is being published by Schiffer Publishing (“Schiffer�� ). I acknowledge that no payment is required for this use.

2. I hereby grant permission to Schiffer to publish the Photograph(s) in any and all editions of the Book. Schiffer will take reasonable efforts to ensure that credit accompanies use of the Photograph(s).

3. I also grant to Schiffer and its agents the right to use reproductions for promotion and advertising of the Book and for sales materials in connection with the promotion and advertising of the Book.

4. I warrant and represent that I have obtained any and all permissions, authorizations, licenses and/or releases pertaining to the Photographs, such that I have the full right, power, and authority to enter into this agreement and grant the rights herein provided.

ACKNOWLEDGED:

_________________________________________________________

Signature of Owner or Agent   Date

______________________________   

Printed Name of Owner or Agent   

If above is not the artist whose work is represented in the photography, please, print the artist’s name below:

________________________________________

Last edited by Patraw (2014-01-25 15:21:59)

I imagine that they use the same, or nearly identical, submission form for all the different kinds of art books that they publish.  There's nothing wrong with generalizing a form so that you can get more use out of it; I'd likely do the same thing if I was in that position.

I get commission offers, via e-mail, relatively frequently, but they've all been on the up-and-up; I've never gotten one like you described.  Anytime someone is looking for you to give them money, instead of the other way around, you should be wary.  The "I overpaid, so please send me the difference" is a classic scam.  I seldom do commissions, but, when I do, it's my policy to require a signed contract and 50% of the price of the piece up front (non-refundable).  That weeds out anyone who isn't serious.

Another type of e-mail I frequently get are offers from plastic injection molding factories in China that are offering to mass produce my work, and I believe that those are legit.  Given the nature of the content of my web site, they probably see it and conclude that I'm running a toy company, which is probably why they're soliciting me.

The message you replied to, Mark, was a scam, copying text from elsewhere and using it to carry advertising.  I have deleted the scam from jothikasuriya yadhavan.