The New Never-Ending PublishAmerica Thread (NEPAT)

Ol' Fashioned Girl · Feb 27, 2006

ResearchGuy said:
An ouch from the PAMB:

From the oft-quoted Carl ... see it while it lasts at http://bb.publishamerica.com/viewtopic.php?t=11559

--Ken

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read that. I took a screen snapshot for posterity!

Gravity · Feb 27, 2006

Could it be another PA cheerleader is throwing in the towel? If so, it would appear Ms. Watkins may be called on to do the heavy lifting alone...

John (bad John, bad)

Lisa Y · Feb 27, 2006

it will be our pleasure and privilege to keep the book under contract.

This is what I looked like after I read this line, but right before I spit cookie crumbs all over my computer screen (I still think we need a smiley for that).

Tilly · Feb 27, 2006

Carl Baxter said:
Spend only the money you can afford to lose.

I hope some of the new authors read that before it gets deleted.

roach · Feb 27, 2006

I don't know if White Raven's post will be deleted as he's advocating what PA wants: for authors to buy their books in bulk for consignment sale.

Sheryl Nantus · Feb 27, 2006

which should be a HUGE FRAKKING FRELLING FRICKING NEON SIGN right there, PA lurkers...

WHAT publisher tells you to buy your books on consignment because they can't sell them themselves?

even the OTHER VANITY presses at least give you a decent deal...

writerjenn · Feb 27, 2006

Lisa Y said:
This is what I looked like after I read this line, but right before I spit cookie crumbs all over my computer screen (I still think we need a smiley for that).

Well I didn't spit cookie crumbs, but I was looking for the shovel and hip waders to keep the sh*t to a minimum.

Jenn

SeanDSchaffer · Feb 27, 2006

Sheryl Nantus said:
Snipped....

even the OTHER VANITY presses at least give you a decent deal...

What sets PA apart from other vanities is that other vanities are upfront and honest about what they are....most of the time.

DaveKuzminski · Feb 27, 2006

Tell PA you're taking them to arbitration based on paragraph 24 and your royalty statements.

writerjenn said:
"Isn't that sweet? They're working hard to promote my little novel, which means placing it in online stores. Wow. I'm so impressed. And because of them, I'm still published... ooooo be still my beating heart.

DaveKuzminski · Feb 27, 2006

Ol' Fashioned Girl said:
I couldn't believe my eyes when I read that. I took a screen snapshot for posterity!

While Carl's statement here is important, so is Wilbert's. Seems like he's vying to be HB, Carl, and John "Certainty Guy" all rolled into one. I hope others can see that.

writerjenn · Feb 27, 2006

hehehe, I've formulated my reply and am now anticipating one of their infamous 'tone' letters. I think I'm just going to have a little fun for a while.

Dear ‘Author Support’ (since you couldn’t even dignify your response with a name):

Thank you for your prompt consideration.

Since we both are well aware that listing books on online sites is easy and takes no effort, I’d hardly call that a promotional effort.

As for being published, honey… I’m published several times over already. I don’t need Publish America for that. So regardless of a contract here or not, I’m still published—you can’t take the credit for that one.

Have a nice day deluding yourself anyway.

LloydBrown · Feb 27, 2006

writerjenn said:
Since we both are well aware that listing books on online sites is easy and takes no effort, I’d hardly call that a promotional effort.

Not to mention that LSI does it for them, anyway.

DaveKuzminski · Feb 27, 2006

Remind them you're going to show the arbiter how many they sold to the reading public and let the arbiter decide if reversion is appropriate per paragraph 24.

In the meantime, I need some verification emails on the amounts being pledged to the arbitration fund we've been building. I don't want to obligate it until we have enough to fund at least two hearings.

xhouseboy · Feb 28, 2006

From PAMB

I was at Office Max getting copies bound for sending to copyright office. A local author that has been in the paper (21 yr old boy) was spending a small fortune making copies of his book and having them bound there. I asked him if he ever thought of finding a publisher and he said they were all too expensive. I gave him my card with my cover on it and told him about PA and he was floored - he could not believe he has been doing it backwards. I told him he was ahead of me though because I couldn't get the paper to do a review for me because they don't do POD books they said. I told him he could take the book after he gets it published and remind them it is the same one they did earlier and he needs a reprint of the article.
_________________

Run, son... don't look back.

Rambling · Feb 28, 2006

I was at Office Max getting copies bound for sending to copyright office.

Wait a second... you mean PA not only expects authors to pay to register their copyright, they make them print the copies themselves?

Bonnie Gibson · Feb 28, 2006

My rights back

BY CERTIFIED MAIL

Feb 22, 2006

Dear Ms. Gibson,
I am informing you that, as per your request for termination of your contracts, we are discontinuing the publication of your books... ... as of this day.

Your final royalty statements will be sent as usual. All rights under the copyrights are herewith returned to you.

Sincerely,
Jessica Lewis
PublishAmerica Inc., General Partner

:hooray:

Just received this morning.
Bonnie

Tilly · Feb 28, 2006

Congratulations Bonnie. :snoopy:

LloydBrown · Feb 28, 2006

Yay, Bonnie! :snoopy:

They haven't changed their form letter yet from that nonsensical "under copyright" phrase. :Shrug:

Lisa Y · Feb 28, 2006

he could not believe he has been doing it backwards.

Aack! Doing it with PA is backwards!!! Where the heck is that spitting food/drink on my computer smiley when I need it...again!

And yes, you do need to print/copy/mail the book to the copyright office (along with 30 dollar check) when you publish with PA.

DaveKuzminski · Feb 28, 2006

Congratulations to the latest group of authors to receive reversions.

In the meantime, we're closing in on the goal of enough money to fund two arbitration hearings. So, don't let the reversions convince anyone that the fund isn't needed. All we need is enough to get it going because authors going into arbitration will first agree before we fund them to repay the fund from any arbitration awards so that it will be self-perpetuating. It might take awhile this way to work through gaining a release for 17,000, er, 16,985 authors, but it can be done.

PVish · Feb 28, 2006

ResearchGuy said:
An ouch from the PAMB:
From the oft-quoted Carl ... see it while it lasts at http://bb.publishamerica.com/viewtopic.php?t=11559
--Ken

It can't last long now that the new guy has had his moment of realization:

I have been trying to figure out how to sell my books. If publishamerica.com is charging $20.50 for them, and if they are only giving a 5% discout to the book stores, I don't think I will be selling many I don't find a way to market.

Somewhat dissolusioned about all this. Thought I knew everything. Now I wish I didn't.

This makes two newbies who've had a moment of realization in the last few days. Can more be far behind?

Sheryl Nantus · Feb 28, 2006

they're not dumb.

PA keeps this sort of information far, far away from their authors until the very last minute... how many threads have we seen asking what their book price might be and other authors shrugging it off, 'cause "Quality Sells" or some such dribble...

PA lurkers - think this one over - what publisher not only keeps the price of your book SECRET until the very last minute (when you know they must have an idea long, long before it goes to press) but also gives such a dismal discount that no legitimate bookstore will order it in under the "returns" policy?

why don't they tell you? Because they COUNT on you to be shocked and dismayed and that you'll buy your own books under a crappy discount to try and sell on consignment, like all the "other" PA authors do. They count on you to be ignorant about economics and the basics of publishing.

don't be embarassed - fight back! Demand your contract be broken! It can be done - we're seeing it done here and now!

and if you have to go to arbitration... well, remember that it's on the books that PA's primary audience ARE THE AUTHORS, NOT THE BOOKBUYING PUBLIC!

'nuff said.

NancyMehl · Feb 28, 2006

Well, royalty checks will be mailed today - probably about 4:59 p.m. from the Frederick post office. (I can almost hear the squeal of pain coming from Larry and Willem. I mean, it's probably enough to cover one of their expensive business lunches.)

Checks (such as they are) will begin arriving tomorrow, although most of the "happy" authors will receive theirs a little later in the week.

Roll out the red carpet and put on a spot of tea. Company's coming!

Nancy (Who's feeling particularly snarky today.)

James D. Macdonald · Feb 28, 2006

Somewhat dissolusioned about all this. Thought I knew everything. Now I wish I didn't.

No worries about him telling his students to publish with PA.

Gravity · Feb 28, 2006

James D. Macdonald said:
No worries about him telling his students to publish with PA.

Absolutely right, Unk. I believe we've just witnessed the shortest learning curve in recorded history.

John

The New Never-Ending PublishAmerica Thread (NEPAT)

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