The Old Neverending PublishAmerica Thread (Publish America)

Aconite · Oct 3, 2005

Sparhawk said:
Was this a Troll fly-by and a book advertisment at the same time?

An ad, yes, but I don't think we should assume he meant it as a pro-PA post. It could just as easily be taken as an anti-PA-but-pro-his-book post, or a neutral one. I say we give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

Sparhawk · Oct 3, 2005

Aconite said:
An ad, yes, but I don't think we should assume he meant it as a pro-PA post. It could just as easily be taken as an anti-PA-but-pro-his-book post, or a neutral one. I say we give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

Fair enough

..

Duncan J Macdonald · Oct 3, 2005

"Britannica Breaks Copycat's Spell"

michael henderson said:
The London Times today has a short piece on page 26 reporting that the Encyclopaedia Britannica took legal action over the use of their name: 'The lawsuit has been settled, with PublishAmerica, the parent company, agreeing to stop using the name.'

See the full story [such as it is] here.

aruna · Oct 3, 2005

Jean Marie said:
Seems odd to me too Sheryl. Michael was printed by PA, looked it up on Amazon and he reviewed himself as well.

EB is too huge to let the scum off with nothing? Nope, I'm not buying it. And, yes, PA continues to sell my book illegally as my contract was cancelled in July. So for all you lurkers, you're hooked up with criminals and what they are doing to me cannot be disputed: it is a fact.

Just for the record: Michael diod not review his own books on amazon. He did post a review as "a reader", but in that review he simply quoted reviews from various sources. I've correcponded with him and let him know that it's possible to post reviews oneself in a separate area.
Michael has published several books before this one and has had trouble getting his book into bookshops and getting it reviewed.

aruna · Oct 3, 2005

From the PAMB:

I have a problem. When I published my first book with PA, my husband researched PA and said it was a scam and that I did wrong by publishing with them.

Then I sublitted my second book to PA and they accepted it and now it's in the process of being published.

My husband says that PA will publish all the books submitted to them no matter how bad they are.

When I try to defend PA to him, he gets mad and says he only wants the best for me and I can't become successful if I stay with PA. He also read an article last night that Barnes and Noble would never do a book signing with a PA author.

I told him PA now has a returnable clause and that makes it easier for PA author's do have book signings. I also told him that many author's have had book signings at B&N and have done well, but he doesn't believe me.

I appreciate PA for publishing my books. I guess my husband doesn't know the feeling of satisfaction when I hold a book in my hands that I wrote. My book will be around longer than I will (hopefully). My parents are thrilled to have my first book on their bookshelf and look forward to the next one.

I may not become rich with PA, but when my royalty check comes, no matter how small, I know that someone has bought my book and has read it.

Perhaps my husband is jealous. I do get defensive with him when it comes to my writing and PA, but this is a passion of mine and I don't think he understands.

My question for everyone is: have you had to defend PA and your choice to publish with them to a family member or friend?

I know I have friends on this board and treasure any comments.

Debbie
_________________

And one of the replies:

This author is appearing on Television today at 12:30 PM
This author is appearing on Television on October 13, at 10:00 AM
This author has a book signing next saturday
This author is speaking to a small group of seniors at the end of the week.

I've also been interviewed by two newspapers, and several more responded to my press release, putting a small article in their papers along with my picture.

PA is constantly growing and evolving (like most of the authors here). Any organization has problems. A lot of the negativity surrounding PA was from disgruntled authors who expected to do nothing after their book got published but sit back and cash their royalty checks.

No matter what publisher you choose, there is essentially zero advertising budget for a first time author. So it makes little difference.

There are issues such as PA's price point for retail sales and the degree to which PA markets its catalogue of books to major publishers, but I believe in time these issues will be ironed out.

One thing PA has going for it: POD minimizes publishing costs. The larger publishing houses are spending a lot of money shipping books in volumes that don't sell.

Go to any BJ or Sam's club (and no doubt many others) and see the deeply discounted books from major publishers. These books are in the 'remainder' process. These volumes essentially bring nothing back to the publisher and even less to the author.

One thing is for sure: THE MARKETPLACE DETERMINES THE WINNERS AND LOSER AND IS NEVER WRONG.

We're in the quality story business or we're out of business.
PA is in the money making business or they're out of business.

If everyone does their job, PA and its authors will be successful.

All the best,

David

Aconite · Oct 3, 2005

Duncan J Macdonald said:
See the full story [such as it is] here.

Duncan, your link is broken (you need to delete one set of "http://" in the url).

Wow, that article's barely a taste.

aruna · Oct 3, 2005

From the post above:

No matter what publisher you choose, there is essentially zero advertising budget for a first time author. So it makes little difference.

It's incredible how this urban myth persists among the PA crowd. It seems to be a game of Chinese whispers.

For the record, and for the umpteenth time: is it NOT TRUE that there is zero advertising for first time authors with commercial publishers. Quite the opposite! Since they hope to build a career for that author, they stand behind him/her and make sure the book gets out: into the bookshops, into catalogues. They send out review copies, arrange for interviews and radio shows for the author.

I actually got the MOST advertising/marketing for my first book, more than the second and third put together!

aruna · Oct 3, 2005

Duncan J Macdonald said:
See the full story [such as it is] here.

That's a weird "article". Looks as if they started writing one story, and ended up writing another!
Here's the correct link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1808680,00.html

Aconite · Oct 3, 2005

aruna said:
For the record, and for the umpteenth time: is it NOT TRUE that there is zero advertising for first time authors with commercial publishers. Quite the opposite!

In Profit Motive, Denise Little sets out the average costs of an average commercially published book--the kinds of things commercial publishers do for all their books, first-time authors' books included. Publicity- and marketing-related ones (I'm not including the printing costs, overhead, advances and royalties, shipping, or packaging costs) include:

Original cover art: generally at least $5,000, more if the cover includes hand-lettering or wraparound art (going to $20,000 or higher for a well-known artist). Do you really think PA spends $5,000 on your cover art?

Publicity and marketing per se, including both visible publicity expenses (author tours, launch parties, etc.) and behind-the-scenes ones (printing advance covers, catalogues, and order forms; putting together sales kits; presenting the book at sales conferences and to sales reps; etc.): generally $2-3,000 (going to a million or higher for bestsellers). Does PA spend $2-3,000 promoting your book? Does it expect you to do so?

PA authors may also be interested to learn that commercial publishers spend upwards of $3,000 to have a novel copyedited, and another $1,000 or so for proofreading. Don't imagine for a moment that it costs PA $4,000 to run a spellchecker over your manuscript.

Jean Marie · Oct 3, 2005

aruna said:
Just for the record: Michael diod not review his own books on amazon. He did post a review as "a reader", but in that review he simply quoted reviews from various sources. I've correcponded with him and let him know that it's possible to post reviews oneself in a separate area.
Michael has published several books before this one and has had trouble getting his book into bookshops and getting it reviewed.

Thanks for pointing that out-it looked odd where he placed it.

As for the drivel, the husband is 100% on the mark, too bad his wife won't listen to him. What baffles me is why these authors submit a second book???? After a brief period of time you know what the hay PA is all about and yet you willingly sell your soul to the devil another time? I do not get it and probably never will. And I don't care how obstinate the cheerleaders want to be, you cannot justify/excuse stealing.

Aconite · Oct 3, 2005

Jean Marie said:
What baffles me is why these authors submit a second book???? After a brief period of time you know what the hay PA is all about and yet you willingly sell your soul to the devil another time?

A lot of PA authors submit their second book before their first has come out, while they're still in the honeymoon phase and giddy over their supposed success. PA counts on it.

Jean Marie · Oct 3, 2005

Aconite said:
A lot of PA authors submit their second book before their first has come out, while they're still in the honeymoon phase and giddy over their supposed success. PA counts on it.

Heck, I can't write that fast. I think I'm on my final read through of my first book. Then it's off to Lulu for me to satisfy orders while I query it out.

I do understand what you're saying though-guess that's what makes PA even more shameless. They're wicked, evil opportunists.

AnnaWhite · Oct 3, 2005

aruna said:
That's a weird "article". Looks as if they started writing one story, and ended up writing another!
Here's the correct link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1808680,00.html

It is a bit weird.

I was interviewed for the article, and thought it was about PublishBritannica's scamming practices. I hope it does give people a hint, though, that PublishAmerica and all it's other PublishXxx businesses are crooked.

thelatemitchellwarre · Oct 3, 2005

PublishAmerica

:Shrug:

DaveKuzminski · Oct 3, 2005

Have one of those people contact PA with a threat to sue them and you over that book. That might get PA to do something quick since they don't want to enter any courtrooms. They just narrowly avoided one last week.

Email me for some other ideas.

Aconite · Oct 3, 2005

thelatemitchellwarre, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. If you're being harrassed or threatened--even in a vague way--you need to contact your local authorities. I'd suggest you also contact a lawyer familiar with publishing, and discuss your situation. Good luck.

Rose colored glasses · Oct 3, 2005

A lot of the negativity surrounding PA was from disgruntled authors who expected to do nothing after their book got published but sit back and cash their royalty checks

This particular LIE that is perpetrated by the PA faithful is offensive...extremely offensive as well as being presumptive.
I am here criticizing PA. I have also spent countless hours promoting my book.
I've made over 300 contacts.
I've sent out over a dozen copies of my book, gratis.
I paid for PRweb and other promotional avenues.
I signed up for "Search inside" on amazon.
I've promoted it on message boards, email groups, and agencies that help people in my situation.
I've done everything I could think of.

I've sold about 40 copies since July, and most of those were to friends. It's not for lack of promotion on my part, and not because my book is unreadable. I have good reviews and none of them are by PA authors.

It's just hard with all the challenges we have.

If you are happy in the little PA universe, fine. Good for you. Don't make an a$$ of yourself by assuming what others do or don't do.

Rose colored glasses · Oct 3, 2005

Ordinarily, I wouldn't care but someone in my local town googled my name and is now issuing vague threats against me. They may be kidding, or they may not be seriously determined to follow it through--I don't know. But just the idea of the situation is an ugly one.

I don't blame you for being upset. I hope you can get PA to make the needed changes, and soon. But don't hold your breath.

And may I just say that the PA website blows? I've been trying for two days to check on my book in their online bookstore, but I can never get past the search page. This isn't the first time it's happened. I wonder how many potential customers give up in disgust after numerous failed attempts to find someone's book.
Good going, PA. I guess that's another way to avoid having to print for anyone other than the author (<-- in mass quantities.)

CaoPaux · Oct 3, 2005

thelatemitchellwarre said:
Hello, I've been lurking here off and on for a while....

It's truly amazing that PA manages to splash muck on even those trying to avoid the whole mess. I presume PA didn't bother printing a "this is a work of fiction" disclaimer in your book? Is there anything that could actually be identified with the person(s) in question?

Liz James · Oct 3, 2005

thelatemitchellwarre said:
They listed my legal name instead of my pen name on a part of their website--and have refused to take it down, even when I asked them to.

Believe me I can empathise with this, having had a similar experience. My real name ended up on a National Archives web site, then it was picked up by Google, because of the carelessness of a publisher. (Not PA) I had quite a hassle getting it removed. Oh everyone was obliging enough; it's just that something like that takes time -- weeks in this case. Then just when I thought the matter was resolved, it showed up again on the Google cache feature.

There were no legal implications for me; no one could have seen himself in the book, or that sort of thing. But I’m an extremely private person, and it simply galled me to the quick, I felt naked, betrayed and very distressed. And the thing is, I would never have known my real name was up there for the world to see, if a friend hadn’t called and told me about it. SURPRISE! ;-)

The lesson to be learned from all of this? I would never…ever give my real name to a publisher – any publisher – ever again. You just can’t trust other people to be as careful with your personal details, as you would be yourself. All business is conducted in my pen name, that IS my name in the publishing game, and that’s the way it will stay. As far as I know this is perfectly legal, but I don’t give a jot if it isn’t.

If I were you Mitchell, I would threaten legal action if they don't remove your real name. And I don't know how much it would cost to have a lawyer send them a letter, but it might be worth the price. That is, if your goose is not already cooked. ;-) In which case, it seems logical that you could hold PA responsible for not practising due care with your personal details, then refusing to rectify their error.

Good luck either way.

Christine N. · Oct 3, 2005

Yeah, that's all well and good, Liz, but if you don't give your real name, you won't get paid. Publishers (other than PA) need all your information if you expect to get a royalty check and/or tax forms.

It's legal to have a pen name, sure, but your real name must be signed on the dotted line. It's up to the publisher to keep it secret, and most of them do. Of course, mistakes happen, but overall it's a common practice within publishing.

astonwest · Oct 3, 2005

Jean Marie said:
Heck, I can't write that fast.

Some folks simply had more than one manuscript laying around...and submitted them as soon as they could.

Fortunately, I was not one of them...

Aconite · Oct 3, 2005

Liz James said:
As far as I know this is perfectly legal, but I don’t give a jot if it isn’t.

It's not legal, and I imagine you'd care a lot when the IRS investigates you for unreported income. I suggest you talk with a lawyer about this.

Liz James · Oct 3, 2005

Christine N. said:
Yeah, that's all well and good, Liz, but if you don't give your real name, you won't get paid. Publishers (other than PA) need all your information if you expect to get a royalty check and/or tax forms.

It's legal to have a pen name, sure, but your real name must be signed on the dotted line. It's up to the publisher to keep it secret, and most of them do. Of course, mistakes happen, but overall it's a common practice within publishing.

"Unfortunately, it is no longer as easy to keep your real name a secret from your publishers. In the past, one could often use a pseudonym for all editorial correspondence, and simply make an arrangement with one's bank to have checks deposited under one's pen name. Now, however, publishers are required to inform the IRS (via Form 1099) of payments made to writers, which means that they must have your social security number and your real name. However, if you are using an agent, you may be able to handle such payments through your agent and not reveal your identity to publishers."

http://www.writing-world.com/basics/pseudonym.shtml

Aconite · Oct 3, 2005

Liz, you do understand, don't you, that what you quoted only says that you may be able to keep your real name from your publisher by going through an agent--who will have your real name?

The Old Neverending PublishAmerica Thread (Publish America)

Aconite

Sparhawk

Jenna's Cabana Boy

Duncan J Macdonald

Plotting! Not Plodding!

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

Aconite

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

Aconite

Jean Marie

calm waters ahead

Aconite

Jean Marie

calm waters ahead

AnnaWhite

thelatemitchellwarre

DaveKuzminski

Preditors & Editors

Aconite

Rose colored glasses

Rose colored glasses

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

Liz James

Christine N.

haz a shiny new book cover

astonwest

2 WIP? A glutton for punishment

Aconite

Liz James

Aconite