Somethings can really piss me off, and yes, I am a passionate guy about the things I am involved with in my life.
  
That being said this can sometimes cause me to bump heads with folks and make some enemies, which I can live with, because if you don't have enemies it means you don't stand for anything.
My newest grip is with a guy, whom I will not name because this is more about me venting then calling him out, and his business plan for a new distribution company for comics.
Now, I am a firm believer that the industry needs another distribution company.  Diamond is one of the largetst problems in this industry.  The standards they have set, with the 60% discounts, 20% fees, benchmarks, and selection process have just about killed indy creators.  So, my grip is not that someone wants to have another distribution company but I have several problems with the business plan he is trying to establish.
One, this new company claims to be for the "indy" guys.  Yet, they still take the same fees, give retailers the same discount and charge for shipping that Diamond does for any product.  So, really the only difference in this company is the benchmark and selection process.  Now, when I confronted the guy about not really being any different from Daimond, he told me that he had to give 60% discounts, he had to take 20% and he had to charge for the shipping.  All of which is bull crap.  This business plan is the same as what Diamond has and understand the 60% discounts to retailers was never established or approved by the creator but by Diamond.  Diamond set this standard.  Now, I know that this is the common standard now in the distribution market for comics but that is due to Diamond.  Retailers and distributors need to understand that the present outline does not work.  In the last five years we have seen comic shops all over America close and countless number of creators unable to substain their creations.  You can't take 80% of a product and expect the producer of said product to be able to continue producing.  It is way too much.
Secondly, this gentelman once confronted, and given the numbers, did two things that are very unprofessional and sure isn't going to help his cause in the "indy" world.  He first questioned who I was.  As if I had no idea what I was talking about and that I was not a legit comic book creator.  Which even if I had never worked in the industry or done creator owned books does make what I am saying in less legit.  Then once I answered him, and told him that it would not be too hard to find out who I was, he removed my post from the conversation and took me off the fan page.  Now, my question to you is; if what I am saying is not legit why would you worry about others seeing it?  Also, being a potiental customer with legit concerns; you ignore me and erase me?  Really?  This industry is pretty freakin small.  If you are trying to start a business this is not how you treat a potential customer, period.  You deal with the concerns and listen to the advice because you never know what you may actually learn and it could be something that could help your business.
Now, this is one of my biggest issues with this industry.  Stupid freaking people.  Yes, I said stupid.  This is industry is dying and you need to have as many fans, customers and supporters that you can get.  Don't be stupid enough to let your actions run them off, and worst yet, have them start something on the inter net about how bad you treated them.  This is acting stupid and not acting like you know anything about business and I have run into more then one of these type of folks in this industry.  Now, some may say, well Will you aren't really taking your own advice; by posting this you may piss someone off.  The difference with me and someone like this gentleman is that I am not looking to start a business that is dependent on others.  What I mean by that is, my products will be produced because I pay folks to work for me and I have the ability to do my own work.  I have never set out in this industry to work for someone.  So, I have the luxury of telling publishers when they do something that is wrong or distributors for that matter.  I create books for fans.  I love the fans of my products and I would never tell a fan that "I don't need or want them".  This has happened to me before too, when a editor told me that flat out on a public forum.  After which he also said he would ruin my career.  I do not set out to appease other artist or editors.  I actually stand for something and if you are screwing folks, well, then I am going to call you on it because, sir, you are part of the problem with this industry.
So, I know that I have said the things this guy did that was wrong.  This is how you fix it.  
First, do not go into a business telling people you are not in competition with the other company.  That is just stupid.  That is part of being a business.  You are in it to make money and have control of what ever product you are pushing.  This idea that you are not a competitor is just a lie.
Second, do not follow the same pattern as the other guy.  If their plan is not working then you don't repeat the same thing they are doing.  DUH.  
Thirdly, be nice.  I do not work for you.  I am the creator.  I pay you, hence you work for me.  This idea that I should be thankful that you carry my product is nonsense.  I make your company strong and pay your salary.  You work for me.
Fourthly, use this business plan because the old one just isn't working.  Retailers, you don't get 60% discounts.  Sorry.  We live in some tough times.  Actually learn not to buy 20 issues of a Marvel book that isn't going to sell.  Instead, retailers get 40% on 5 issues ordered, 50% on 10 issues ordered and 60% on 20 or more issues ordered.  This will be an incentive to order more books.  Like the same thing most comic book shops do for those who subscribe at their shops.  You know the pull boxes in which you give a % based on how much they buy.  See how that works?  This means the shops are still almost doubling their money on a purchase.  And yes I know that not every book sales.  This just means you have to know your job and don't just order willy nilly style and think that every Marvel and DC book are going to sale 20 copiees.  Distributors, you get 10%, yes.  That is all.  You make money on selling adds and you take the 10%.  Quit being greedy.  Out of the whole creative process you have given the less.  So you don't get more then the actual creator who put their time, money and sweat into it.  Distributors your main job is to get the books to the shops.  It isn't to determine what is worthy to be in shops.  That is the fans responsiblity.  Creators, you have to produce quality material.  This may sound like a no brainer but so many folks do not understand that some products just aren't ready to be printed and sold.  Keep the bad stuff out; so the good stuff has a shot.  Creators, you also need to live up to your obligations.  Do not try to sale a book in stores when you can't produce more then two issues.  You are only hurting the industry.
I know some of you are going "but why should we follow what you are saying Will?".  Because if something doesn't change this industry isn't going to last.  If you look at the trend of the market in the last 5 years it isn't hard to figure out.  If we all, and I do mean all, don't do something to change the way we do business then there will be more shops, more creators and more books lost.  I am sure some of you are saying to yourself that this could not happen because Marvel and DC will always be here.  Yeah, you could ask the people just laid off by Marvel and DC if that is possible.  This idea that comics can't implode is nuts, with digital media, video games and future technology on the rise, it could happen very easily.  
In conclusion, this post was about me and my love for this industry.  I do not want to see it die, and it could be revived, but we all  have to chip in and fix it.  You can't keep riding a dead horse.  It will get you no where.  Either we learn from what is not working or be as a dog returning to its vomit and continue practicing a business plan that doesn't work or we fix it.  I hope for the later.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9