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PA Up in Lights Vers. 23451
The Sacbee just had an article about summer reading where several books are listed. At the end of the article is this:
Almost every LAPB article I see lately makes some mention or subtle snipe about PA. This is much different than just 6 months ago when the Post article came out. The word is out.
The Sacbee just had an article about summer reading where several books are listed. At the end of the article is this:
Almost every LAPB article I see lately makes some mention or subtle snipe about PA. This is much different than just 6 months ago when the Post article came out. The word is out.
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Lulu is free, dear. You could go buy my book, "An Unfinished Fresco" right this second, and it didn't cost me a thing to "publish" it. It'll cost you about 6.50 to buy it, but that's the cost of production and a 30 cent royalty to me. I didn't pay a dime, and I won't pay a dime, unless I want to buy some books for myself. And depending on the number of books, it could be much cheaper than $120. Of course, I don't have an ISBN. If I wanted one, it would cost either 34.95 for "Basic distribution" which is "get your scannable bar cod on the back cover your book listed in Books in Print, and the ability to take a bunch of your books into the local bookstore for them to sell. For $150, you can get your book in prominent online booksstores, open the doors leading to distribution channels, make yur book accessible to large chain and independent booksellers.
But if you just want a book to share with the family, that step isn't necessary at all. Still cheaper than PA.
ResearchGuy said:
There's a note on the ProBoards main site (somewhere in the forums) to the effect that until all of the upgrades are done on all of their servers all Version 4 boards and non-support boards are disabled. I think that means Shelagh's as well.
Should I ever write again?
After spending a substantial amount of money purchasing my own books, making my bookmarks, creating press releases and flyers, only to be rejected by store managers refusing to stock the book, newpapers ignoring press releases, and customers laughing in my face about the price of my book, I doubt that I will be writing another novel any time soon. While attempting to promote my book with no help from PA, an emotional rollercoaster has overcome any confidence I had as a writer. When I read threads saying that PA will publish anything, no matter what the content is, I wonder if any other publisher would have taken my manuscript. While writing my novel, it became part of me...the story, the characters, etc. As you know, it is a lot of work. I did this while working 2 jobs and being a mom of 4. So, I had such hopes once PA accepted my manuscript. Now, there isn't a day that goes by that my heart doesn't break for my dreams that have vanished. It all seems so worthless. I am afraid to put myself out there again by writing anything in the future. Every day I pray to God to give me a sign of whether I should write again or not. I don't want to make a fool of myself a second time.
After spending a substantial amount of money purchasing my own books, making my bookmarks, creating press releases and flyers, only to be rejected by store managers refusing to stock the book, newpapers ignoring press releases, and customers laughing in my face about the price of my book, I doubt that I will be writing another novel any time soon. While attempting to promote my book with no help from PA, an emotional rollercoaster has overcome any confidence I had as a writer. When I read threads saying that PA will publish anything, no matter what the content is, I wonder if any other publisher would have taken my manuscript. While writing my novel, it became part of me...the story, the characters, etc. As you know, it is a lot of work. I did this while working 2 jobs and being a mom of 4. So, I had such hopes once PA accepted my manuscript. Now, there isn't a day that goes by that my heart doesn't break for my dreams that have vanished. It all seems so worthless. I am afraid to put myself out there again by writing anything in the future. Every day I pray to God to give me a sign of whether I should write again or not. I don't want to make a fool of myself a second time.
Jacki, when I signed on with Publish America, I believed that they were a traditional publisher. I never would have signed with them otherwise. I did not know about the no-return policy either. Years ago there wasn`t much information on the net about P.A., and a lot of people who thought they were signing with a legit company got sucked in.
They are more like vanity publishing than self-publishing. If I had wanted that, I would have used iUniverse.
You see that`s the clincher. I didn`t want to self-publish or use a vanity, and I know for a fact that a major publisher would have published my book. That is the sad reality. How many best sellers will never make it now because they are locked into a seven year contract?
Boob <== That`s what I am for signing with them, but you live and learn.
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This is the sign, Dreamer.
You should write.
Even if what you write never gets published, you should write for yourself and for the greater glory of God.
PublishAmerica demoralizes people. They've done it to lots of people. Your experiences with PA mean no more about your talent than if you'd left your manuscript in your desk drawer.
Write, and take joy in the act of creation.
You should write.
Even if what you write never gets published, you should write for yourself and for the greater glory of God.
PublishAmerica demoralizes people. They've done it to lots of people. Your experiences with PA mean no more about your talent than if you'd left your manuscript in your desk drawer.
Write, and take joy in the act of creation.
Dreamer, I know it is discouraging, but never give up your dream. Write another book, and find a real publisher.
I wrote another book, and it is being considered by a large publisher presently.
There are many ex-PA authors HERE who have written other books and were published traditionally.
I know I was conned, but I`ll be damned if I`ll let them get the better of me.
Boob.
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The best technique to produce a sign from some god out there would be to write, query and if someone accepts you, well there is your sign. You will not get a sign unless you actually try. (Or if all else fails, self publish through Lulu. A fair number of strangers buying your book would be an adequate sign that writing might be a good idea.)
Jim said it best though, if writing makes you happy then that's your sign right there.
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Dreamer said:
Dreamer...so did I. But I took the advice of some very good people here (uncle jim, namely), and wrote a new, better book. It was published commericially with a good mid-size CBA house last June, and the sequel will be out in October. In February I signed a contract with them for the next one. Don't let PA kill your dreams, Dreamer; don't let them win.
John
My fingers are crossed for you Boob! Don't forget, nothing wrong with small publishers either!
Dreamer, I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I hope you don't stop writing.
Publish America publishes anything, that's true, which means it also publishes good books which would have eventually found homes at commercial publishing houses had their authors continued submitting. Authors with Publish America have gone on to find commercial publishers who want to publish their books.
What ever you do, I wish you the very best.
Publish America publishes anything, that's true, which means it also publishes good books which would have eventually found homes at commercial publishing houses had their authors continued submitting. Authors with Publish America have gone on to find commercial publishers who want to publish their books.
What ever you do, I wish you the very best.
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For whatever it is worth, Bill's NEXT book (which looks wickedly funny, by the way) was published by someone else (Trafford), not by PA. I think you can read something into that.XThe NavigatorX said:
--Ken
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Reminds me of a story. Fellow is stuck on his roof during a flood. Water everywhere, and rising. He cries out, "God will save me!" and waits patiently. Soon a helicopter comes by and hangs out a rope ladder. He declines the ride, saying "God will save me!" After a while, a man on a rubber raft drifts to the edge of his roof, and offers a ride to safety. The man on the roof declines, saying "God will save me!" The water rises more, and the man clings to the chimney. A fishing boat pulls up to the chimney, and the fisherman offers the man a ride to safety. He declines, saying "God will save me!"Dreamer said:
A few minutes later the water surges and the man drowns in the raging river. He reaches the gate of Heaven, approaches God, and says, "I had faith in You, yet I drowned! Why?" God replied, "I sent you a helicopter, a raft, and a fishing boat! What else was I supposed to do??!!!"
Dreamer ... Uncle Jim and others are tossing you a rope ladder ...
--Ken
Thanks M,
It`s being considered as we type. If they happen to say no, I will submit to other publishers, even small publishers. It is a great story and will eventually find a home.
I crossed everything, including my eyes, and now they`re stuck.
Thanks for the words of hope.
Thanks for your words of hope. Maybe sometime soon, I will be able to put this behind me and continue to do what I used to believe I was meant to be doing - write!
Boob, I wish you loads of success with your book. Keep us posted.
And, Research Guy, thanks for the laugh...that was a good one! I'd better keep my eyes open for those signs.
Once again, thanks for everyones kind messages.
Dreamer
Thanks for your words of hope. Maybe sometime soon, I will be able to put this behind me and continue to do what I used to believe I was meant to be doing - write!
Boob, I wish you loads of success with your book. Keep us posted.
And, Research Guy, thanks for the laugh...that was a good one! I'd better keep my eyes open for those signs.
Once again, thanks for everyones kind messages.
Dreamer
Re-quoted for emphasis.
Please note what Mike said about a literary attorney. While the guy who defended you in court against that latest traffic ticket might be a great lawyer, it is likely that unless he directly handles cases dealing with literary/entertainment contracts he or she will probably know as much about them as you do - and if you do some reading here, he or she probably knows less. I recall several people here stating that they took the old PA contract to their attorney and that attorney pronounced it "fine".
Things I have learned at AW:
The road to being successful = writing your book + learning about the business side of things + making the best decisions you can + writing your next book + repeat.
========================================================
News from PA:
In an effort to further cut costs and payroll to meet luxury car payments, PA has laid off their web-design team and will be recycling their old web page content on a regular schedule. This means that William Meiners will soon be appearing on Hollywood Squares and sitting in Jamie Farr's chair. No word yet as to whether Mr. Meiners knows that Hollywood Squares has been cancelled for over three years but we have just heard that he will be "nominated" for a Nobel prize for his appearence.
We wish him the best.
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Thanks Dreamer, I will do that. All the best with your future writing as well.
One moment please... I need to vent!
Ah, that`s better. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.
Boob.
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Ahhh, we find over in that Great and Mighty Land...
...one who predicts the following for Curlem's book:
1. There may well be a book written about PublishAmerica one day by someone other than Curlem. Probably by an author named Fisher or someone equally talented/knowledgeable.
2. Well, the audience for a potential movie would exclude most everyone outside of the 13,000 or so signed PA authors. And let's face it, far from all of them are happy, so, if a movie can be made that will satisfy a relatively small number of people, well, then it will happen.
3. This is a great story, the largest literary scam in the world destroyed due to its very avarice and also by deficient cerebral power amongst its management. Let's see, Jack Nicholson can play Larry, Butterbean can play Curlem, and Elvira can play Moe-randa. HB can play HB, but, to save on filming costs, his character can die during the first few minutes of the film and then revitalize just in time to get loaded into the paddy wagon at the end.
....such is another day in that Great and Mighty Land, where the skies are blue, and the message boards are bland....
...one who predicts the following for Curlem's book:
Let's take this item-by-item:
1. There may well be a book written about PublishAmerica one day by someone other than Curlem. Probably by an author named Fisher or someone equally talented/knowledgeable.
2. Well, the audience for a potential movie would exclude most everyone outside of the 13,000 or so signed PA authors. And let's face it, far from all of them are happy, so, if a movie can be made that will satisfy a relatively small number of people, well, then it will happen.
3. This is a great story, the largest literary scam in the world destroyed due to its very avarice and also by deficient cerebral power amongst its management. Let's see, Jack Nicholson can play Larry, Butterbean can play Curlem, and Elvira can play Moe-randa. HB can play HB, but, to save on filming costs, his character can die during the first few minutes of the film and then revitalize just in time to get loaded into the paddy wagon at the end.
....such is another day in that Great and Mighty Land, where the skies are blue, and the message boards are bland....
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Jackie
Jackie,
This is why it is wrong to support PA.
Nancy
(Dreamer - I have to get off my computer. Big thunderstorm just hit. I know other people here will encourage you while I duck for cover. But you should know that I felt the way you do when I realized what PA really was. Now, it's just a bad memory. I've sold two books since then with smaller but good publishers. A top notch publisher is looking at another novel right now, and they're taking a long time. Hopefully, it will be good news. HANG IN THERE!!)
Dreamer said:
Jackie,
This is why it is wrong to support PA.
Nancy
(Dreamer - I have to get off my computer. Big thunderstorm just hit. I know other people here will encourage you while I duck for cover. But you should know that I felt the way you do when I realized what PA really was. Now, it's just a bad memory. I've sold two books since then with smaller but good publishers. A top notch publisher is looking at another novel right now, and they're taking a long time. Hopefully, it will be good news. HANG IN THERE!!)
Re: Should I ever write again?
Dreamer:
If you love to write, and you believe God wants you to write, then by all means write.
Someone on these boards always says this: There is life after PA.
You can do it, Dreamer. And just because you were the victim of a scam once, doesn't mean it'll happen again. This I know from experience: I also am a PA victim, as are many of the writers on this and other writer's boards all over the Net.
If you need a sign, just look at all the people who are coming to your aid on this thread. God loves you, and gave you a dream because He wants you to pursue it.
BTW, Welcome to the AW boards. It's good to have you here.
Dreamer said:
Dreamer:
If you love to write, and you believe God wants you to write, then by all means write.
Someone on these boards always says this: There is life after PA.
You can do it, Dreamer. And just because you were the victim of a scam once, doesn't mean it'll happen again. This I know from experience: I also am a PA victim, as are many of the writers on this and other writer's boards all over the Net.
If you need a sign, just look at all the people who are coming to your aid on this thread. God loves you, and gave you a dream because He wants you to pursue it.
BTW, Welcome to the AW boards. It's good to have you here.
Dreamer! You cannot give up, ever!
Let me just say: if writing is your dream then do not let PA stop you from fulfilling that dream for yourself. The real dream - through a a real, legit publisher. Having published with PA I can very much relate to your frustrations. For awhile I pondered through the same questions in my head. Anything worth having is worth fighting for, right? The same applies here. If you are passionate about writing you'll continue to write. If you stop writing then it will be in your hands, not PA's or anyone elses. What you do from here is strictly up to you (of course), but I'd like to encourage you to keep writing. Most importantly, don't let a piece of crappola company like PA stop you - in any aspect in life. They cannot stop you, period, only you can stop you....
It's not all worthless to write - if that's what you enjoy doing. Don't let one bad PA deal dictate the rest of your life, k? We all make mistakes and for those that haven't published through PA, well they make mistakes to - just in other aspects of life. So why worry about looking like a fool? It's human nature to be imperfect - we can't always make the correct decisions, we can only learn from them for future posterity..
Don't be afraid to make an *** of yourself - that just means you took a chance, you put yourself out there. There's nothing wrong with that!
PS- Please tell me you aren't going to submit another book to PA. Also have you stopped spending money on your PA book's promotion? I hope so, 'cause I learned the hard way that PA has a concrete dead-end set up for all of their PA authors. I can't stand the thought of them making a penny off of those they have turned into temporary victims!
If you need someone to talk to shoot me a PM, anytime. I'm pretty good at giving the occasional pep talk!
Never give up, never!
Renee
Dreamer said:
Let me just say: if writing is your dream then do not let PA stop you from fulfilling that dream for yourself. The real dream - through a a real, legit publisher. Having published with PA I can very much relate to your frustrations. For awhile I pondered through the same questions in my head. Anything worth having is worth fighting for, right? The same applies here. If you are passionate about writing you'll continue to write. If you stop writing then it will be in your hands, not PA's or anyone elses. What you do from here is strictly up to you (of course), but I'd like to encourage you to keep writing. Most importantly, don't let a piece of crappola company like PA stop you - in any aspect in life. They cannot stop you, period, only you can stop you....
It's not all worthless to write - if that's what you enjoy doing. Don't let one bad PA deal dictate the rest of your life, k? We all make mistakes and for those that haven't published through PA, well they make mistakes to - just in other aspects of life. So why worry about looking like a fool? It's human nature to be imperfect - we can't always make the correct decisions, we can only learn from them for future posterity..
Don't be afraid to make an *** of yourself - that just means you took a chance, you put yourself out there. There's nothing wrong with that!
PS- Please tell me you aren't going to submit another book to PA. Also have you stopped spending money on your PA book's promotion? I hope so, 'cause I learned the hard way that PA has a concrete dead-end set up for all of their PA authors. I can't stand the thought of them making a penny off of those they have turned into temporary victims!
If you need someone to talk to shoot me a PM, anytime. I'm pretty good at giving the occasional pep talk!
Never give up, never!
Renee
Well my God! *GG*
GG I saw that! I didn't know that was you! Now, get your azz back in here 'cause I know that you aren't the type to give-up or give in...
IT'S SO AWESOME TO HAVE YOU HERE!
GG I saw that! I didn't know that was you! Now, get your azz back in here 'cause I know that you aren't the type to give-up or give in...
IT'S SO AWESOME TO HAVE YOU HERE!
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