I agree, there are publishers putting out manuscripts that are poorly edited, with incorrect grammar, misuse of words and typos. Also, many self published books are not well edited, and would not pass a professional editor/publisher's criteria. And I might add...there are some well known/reputable publishers willing to publish books on content they deem relevant or salacious, even though the writer has not met the basic criteria of whether it be considered a non fiction genre. For example, I read a book last year with this book club called Educated by Tara Westover. In my opinion, and tons of others who read the book, and took the time to post reviews, she did not meet the criteria of it being listed as non fiction. So many parts of the book were at best a "vague recollection" (her words not mine), of what she said other family members felt, or what she imagined they were thinking or feeling. When family members were interviewed, they resoundly objected to Tara speaking, thinking and feeling for them. I could not begin to express my frustration with that book, so many discrepancies throughout the book by her own words. I still get frustrated, just thinking about it. And yet Penguin Random House, published the book as non fiction.
Another point I'd like to add, is there are publishers out there who advertise to get your book, have you invest thousands of dollars up front, by having you contract with them to buy a certain number of your books, to self promote, and then leave you high and dry, once they have gotten your money. I have a friend who had this happen to her. In investigating, and hiring a lawyer, she found out there were thousands of people this publisher did this to. They file bankruptcy, or just close up shop, and begin again under a new name. She had to pay for a lawyer to get her book back into her own possession, this took months, and was very costly.
You have to be very careful deciding to publish a book, it is not like it used to be, when you could depend on reputable publishing companies. Even those so called reputable, are out to make a killing, and publish what they see as salacious, especially if it has anything to do with politics or famous people. The DOJ is presently trying to stop the release of In the Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir, by John Bolton, through the publishers, Simon and Schuster, due to national security issues. The publishers have not been named in the law suit, so they don't seem to care if releasing this book, could endanger our country's national security, they see it resulting in bigger sales for them.
Then there is the controversy over the publishing of the book Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee, published by Harper Collins, and William Heinemann. I have read that the family friend/lawyer gave the book to the publishers without Harper Lee's knowledge or permission, after her sister Alice died, and Harper was in a elder care facility, in failing health.
In both of these incidences, I personally feel, the people closest to the President and Harper Lee, who had their trust and confidence, have taken advantage of their position and chose to profit from it. Publishers really don't care what the legal situation is in the dispute, they just know the more the controversy, the better the possible sales, which makes them all the more wealthier. I suppose the word reputable, no longer has any meaning, it's the same with newspapers and news outlets, media in general, anything for ratings and wealth. The rules and reputation are no longer important.
With social media, and ebooks, just about anyone can self publish, and promote their books today. They may not be as polished, with perfect grammar, correct spelling, etc., but then again, some publishers are no longer either.
