The Old Neverending PublishAmerica Thread (Publish America)

Renee · Mar 7, 2005

It's not the first-time PA has accepted a teenager to publish. The odd thing is they have an age limit on who can post on teh message board, but they can accept teenaged writers. PA - God knows I'll never understand their "logic."

That's sad that the 14-year-old is to now be added to the list of crushed dreams.

mdin · Mar 7, 2005

Hey, Keltora. Is that your website that hosts the free version of Atlanta Nights? Could you tell us how many times it's been downloaded? ***

I've been spending more and more time lately writing, so the whole bikrpreacher incident went completely over my head. I understand there was a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes that I missed, so I'm not going to pretend to know everything. This is Jenna's board, and I respect that. But I am going to miss Bikr. She put a lot of unbridled enthusiasm and emotion into her posts, and I liked that about her. Cya, bikr!

James D. Macdonald · Mar 7, 2005

Several web pages host free downloads of Atlanta Nights, including Embiid, Critters, Absolute Write, and SFF.Net.

When I asked the nice folks at Embiid, they said that since they weren't charging for it, they weren't set up to record numbers of downloads.

realitychuck · Mar 7, 2005

Renee Bagley said:
That's sad that the 14-year-old is to now be added to the list of crushed dreams.

The upside is that, at 14, she's still resiliant and by the time she's 18, she'll have put the whole episode past her. Heck, by the time she's 21, she'll have the rights to her book back.

CaoPaux · Mar 7, 2005

From http://www.publishamerica.com/cgi-bin/pamessageboard/data/lounge/8100.htm

Getting a book out on the market takes time! It is like throwing a stone into the middle of a lake and waiting for the ripples to reach shore. Some of us (including myself) expected things to happen "right away" but it takes a little time, and don't forget that your book or books will be in the public eye for 7 yrs. I am anxiously waiting for the proofs of my 2nd novel before I throw that pebble into the lake. Patience my friends," patience!

A rep point to the first to spot the false premise.

Galoot · Mar 7, 2005

"public eye"

Ha! Gimme my point.

reph · Mar 7, 2005

drgnlvr said:
Sadly, PA got another one. Someone I know, whom I debate with on a regular basis, was just "accepted" at PA.

She's under no obligation until she signs and returns the contract. Can you get to her in time?

writerjenn · Mar 7, 2005

tab said:
I wonder who signed the contract.

Good point. But as long as she isn't expecting greatness, she'll be fine. Oh what am I saying? She's 14! Of course she's expecting fame and fortune!

Lordy, I hope these people don't destroy this girl's dreams of being a published author forever.

Jenn

(Edited cause I can't count--or I'm just afraid of teenagers.)

CaoPaux · Mar 7, 2005

Galoot said:
"public eye"
Ha! Gimme my point.

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner! :Trophy:

Thanks for playing, Galoot, rep point on its way.

Galoot · Mar 7, 2005

CaoPaux said:
Thanks for playing, Galoot, rep point on its way.

If only I could apply these things to my credit rating...

By the way, I just figured out how to satisfy everyone. PA authors can make money, PA itself can make money, and we can be happy that the writers aren't being scammed. Add the following line to your website, PublishAmerica: "Our books are priced starting at $5000 each."

AnneMarble · Mar 7, 2005

mistri said:
We need to make room for one more:

This won't be up longhttp://www.publishamerica.com/cgi-bin/pamessageboard/data/lounge/8068.htm

Dang, some of those responses... :Headbang:

Maybe it's just me, but I think that people who are telling him (and other writers in the same situation) that he should take it up with PA privately instead of putting it on the boards must realize that these problems are making PA look bad. Otherwise, why get upset about the question, and for that matter, why go so far as to suggest that PA take down the board? (They should also know by now that taking it up privately never works, either.)

And calling him unprofessional for asking about royalties?! And if I see one more person saying "read the contract" instead of offering real advice and condolences (people need them at this time!), or better yet, waking up... :Hammer:

underthecity · Mar 7, 2005

Nonfiction PA title with narrow subject

Found an interesting post on the PA board. This author wrote a how-to guide on ferret care. It's not printed yet, but she states that she has presold 500 copies. She picked a great topic, lots of people like ferrets and her book appears to have found a niche audience through her pre-promotion efforts.

However, her advice to fellow authors is ill-advised:

It seems that the problem is PA's lack of promotion, and author's lack of self-promotion.
My book is being edited before my final approval. Through internet contacts I already have 500 copies sold, and it hasn't been printed yet.
Self-promotion is key.
Go to the book stores and libraries. Show them your book. Sell yourself!
Build a website. Start a group on Yahoo or another server. Get the word out.
The books aren't going to sell themselves until they are on the store shelves, if you have to beg and plead to get the book on those shelves, DO IT!
I am of the opinion that PA may need to work on their own promotion skills on behalf of their authors. But the authors also have to promote the books.

It's great that she is promoting it so much and has found so many potential readers. That's outstanding. The problem is that she is blaming the the low sales of her fellow authors' books on their lack of promotion, as she sees is the only problem. If only they would promote more. They too could sell 500 copies before release! Success! Street parties will roar through the night. Fireworks will light up the sky. Champagne will flow like water.

However, her pre-success points to the vanity model: a narrow subject with a specific audience. This argument logically makes PA a what?

Authors on the PA boards have already done ALL of her suggestions, as we have seen for many many many months. It has never changed, and it won't for most of them. It's the sad reality all here know too well.

At least she openly identifies one of PA's many faults. Is she allowed to do this? I wonder how long the thread will be up? Check it out here.

underthecity

NicoleJLeBoeuf · Mar 7, 2005

More on cults, if you want it

Just because the timing was too perfect.
http://comicfacts.blogspot.com/2005/03/getting-it-right.html

Suspension of Disbelief is a blog in which the bloggers fact-check comic books. In the entry link, the story under discussion is Birds of Prey issues #69-73, which concerns--what else?--a cult. On the way to a conclusion, the blogger discusses the various symptoms of cult behavior in great detail.

Just another yardstick to add to the growing pile by which we measure PA.

Crunchy Frog · Mar 7, 2005

Minors signing with PA

Renee Bagley said:
It's not the first-time PA has accepted a teenager to publish. The odd thing is they have an age limit on who can post on teh message board, but they can accept teenaged writers. PA - God knows I'll never understand their "logic."

When PA sends the contract, do they ask if you're over 18? Do they say you have to have your parents/guardians sign it if you are a minor?

T42 · Mar 7, 2005

Renee Bagley said:
Oh and Mem can you email about the Austin thing you were talking about? I'm in Texas too.

Hey Renee, I'm hoping we can start a yearly campout. We are moving to the hill country in June and I would love to see something happen this fall but I don't know if that will give everybody time to plan. I will post something on the outdoor thread about it and get suggestions from everyone. What part of Texas are you in? I'm off to bed so I'll catch you all tomorrow. :gone:

Renee · Mar 7, 2005

Crunchy Frog said:
When PA sends the contract, do they ask if you're over 18? Do they say you have to have your parents/guardians sign it if you are a minor?

The minors that I've talked with said their parent or legal guardian had to sign for them. But as far as remember PA doesn't really know ages or at least mine until the AQ part of the process..

And Mem,
I'm in central Texas, about 5-6 hours north of Austin. Keep me updated. I'll look for that thread too.

tjwriter · Mar 7, 2005

These parts

As per paragraph 12 of your contract, royalty checks and statements are issued in February and August. The February statement will reflect sales from August 1 to January 31, and the August statement reflects sales from February 1 to July 31.

Also, the statements will only show sales from that royalty period for which we have been paid. Most retailers and distributors have a grace period of 30, 60, or even 90 days. Any sales not shown on one statement should certainly be included on the next.

from this thread really bother me from an accounting standpoint. I think I am going to take it to one of my accounting professors after spring break and ask his/her opinion about it. Something is setting off bells and whistles about those statements.

writerjenn · Mar 7, 2005

AnneMarble said:
Dang, some of those responses...

Maybe it's just me, but I think that people who are telling him (and other writers in the same situation) that he should take it up with PA privately instead of putting it on the boards must realize that these problems are making PA look bad. Otherwise, why get upset about the question, and for that matter, why go so far as to suggest that PA take down the board? (They should also know by now that taking it up privately never works, either.)

Yeah, and if PA would respond to author emails, there'd be no reason to 'take it to the messageboard'. Perhaps those authors berating Pete haven't thought of that.

Jenn

Crunchy Frog · Mar 7, 2005

Renee Bagley said:
But as far as remember PA doesn't really know ages or at least mine until the AQ part of the process..

Hmm, do you think it's possible for some teenager to sign the contract, not knowing their parents are supposed to do that? I wonder if PA could get in trouble for not making that clear. Wouldn't that be great if we could nail them from that angle somehow. (Probably not though. Poetry.com has probably snared a whole lot more children, and they haven't got in trouble. Oh well. Just a thought.)

Diana Hignutt · Mar 8, 2005

Ed Williams said:
...black, here's HB referring to PA people questioning PA...

Bruised egos, sour grapes, and self-inflicted anxiety are not something you can reason with. You aren't going to be able to change someone's mind who already talked themselves into something. They're right and the world is wrong. And when all else fails it's freedom of speech or their right to complain when they feel slighted. Backing down means a luxurious dinner of humble pie with a side of crow.
HB, you should take those words, step in front of a mirror, and read them slowly and carefully...

Oh my Gawd! I'm simply at a loss... Okay, it's passed. "Bruised egos, sour grapes"? How does some one like me fit in there? Or Nancy Mehl? We worked darn hard promoting our books. Few people have ever worked harder. I held up my end of the deal. Three national tv interviews (including The O'Reilly Factor). Radio interviews on hundreds of radio stations across North America. National (okay transgender) magazines (can I help it if I'm a folk hero in those circles?), major regional newspaper coverage in almost a dozen papers (including the Philadelphia Inquirer). Book signings, readings. Major award nomination. Yet, there I was with little to show for it. I don't think it's considered sour grapes if the grapes really are sour. What else should I have done? What else was there to do? There was only one way to succeed with my PA book--take it back. So much for the "all bashers are lazy and didn't do well because they didn't take the time to promote their books hard enough" (paraphrased) argument. What's next?

diana

James D. Macdonald · Mar 8, 2005

underthecity said:
However, her pre-success points to the vanity model: a narrow subject with a specific audience.

To be more precise, the self-publishing model.

Self-publishing is exactly like commercial publishing, except the author and the publisher are the same person. Money is still flowing toward the author (if it's being done right), it's just that the money is coming out of one pocket and going into another pocket in the same pair of pants.

Diana Hignutt said:
They're right and the world is wrong.

Click to expand...

How about "they're right and the world agrees with them"?

underthecity · Mar 8, 2005

James D. Macdonald said:
To be more precise, the self-publishing model.

Self-publishing is exactly like commercial publishing, except the author and the publisher are the same person. Money is still flowing toward the author (if it's being done right), it's just that the money is coming out of one pocket and going into another pocket in the same pair of pants.

Jim, of course you're absolutely right. It was late, I was tired, and I mixed up the terms. I should have said "self-published," not "vanity."

:Shrug:

underthecity

Ed Williams · Mar 8, 2005

Meanwhile, in the great and mighty Land of Poz...

....where birds chirp so sweetly that it resonates through the trees, and the New Three Stooges do just as they please, we find the following, which invites rebuttal:

If someone on this board truly wants to solve a problem with PA, that person needs to address PA professionally and privately.

That's correct, the only problem appears to be getting PA to professionally and privately respond back. Or just respond back at all.

My fellow authors and I on this board can not solve problems of that nature. What are we going to do if you have a problem with your royalties, Dolan? Do you expect the people on this board to cut you a check?????????

Let's not blame Dolan alone for royalty concerns here. Looks like a whole lot of your fellow authors have them as well, y'all have two large threads going over there as we speak addressing this item (and several more smaller ones), and many in the threads don't seem to be happy campers.

I was always taught to deal directly with the people I have a problem with. Be professional, Dolan. This has nothing to do with your idea of freedom of speech. You just want to make yourself look good to the other PA Haters.

Is the PA definition of free speech just that speech that supports PA? The PA message boards are prime evidence that it is.

You want them to all pat you on the back and say something like, "You go, Dolan." That's it and that is all.

I can't resist, "You go, Dolan!"

....such is another day over in the great and mighty Land of Poz....

T42 · Mar 8, 2005

The Pa Tour

Has anyone ever taken a tour of PA? I was looking for information about the three stooges. I am assuming that we have three people involved with what I have heard from conversations on this board. I have been trying to find out who those three people are that own PA. I took a tour and noticed that PA looks like someone’s house. The pictures are of staircase, pictures, plants, bookshelves, back yard and the same thing you would find in most peoples home. This does not look like a publishing company to me. I wonder if any of the many published authors have ever taken the online tour? What a joke! I would love to show up at their door unannounced. I did not find anything about who the “founders” of PA are. Are they afraid for people to know their identities?

Sheryl Nantus · Mar 8, 2005

Ed Williams said:
....where birds chirp so sweetly that it resonates through the trees, and the New Three Stooges do just as they please, we find the following, which invites rebuttal:

That's correct, the only problem appears to be getting PA to professionally and privately respond back. Or just respond back at all.Let's not blame Dolan alone for royalty concerns here. Looks like a whole lot of your fellow authors have them as well, y'all have two large threads going over there as we speak addressing this item (and several more smaller ones), and many in the threads don't seem to be happy campers.Is the PA definition of free speech just that speech that supports PA? The PA message boards are prime evidence that it is.
I can't resist, "You go, Dolan!"

....such is another day over in the great and mighty Land of Poz....

*scratches head*

do any of them even KNOW where AW is?

I'm getting the feeling that they really are doing a lemming rush here and have no idea of where these supposed cut and pastes are, but are swarming around looking for a good fight.

next time, Dolan - point them here if they want to see the truth - compared to the doo-doo PublishAmerica's been feeding them.

The Old Neverending PublishAmerica Thread (Publish America)

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