Return of a Man Named PAMB and its Quotes

Cyia · Feb 7, 2010

The thing that gets me about that post is how blase the writer is about the bookstores allowing a booksigning. The whole "day trip" assumption isn't only ridiculous, it's downright rude - like store should accommodate this person just for showing up with a pen.

Booksignings are usually treated as "events" (minor or major depending on the size and who's in attendance). They require time and effort for advertising - which at the least involves printing posters/fliers and an on-line announcement. It's not something that can be tossed together because someone's planning a vacation.

That's something else I've noticed with the people on the PAMB - they act like they're entitled to special attention right out of the gate, which seems like it would grate on a store manager's nerves. Are most new authors like that? Because it doesn't make sense to me.

Gillhoughly · Feb 7, 2010

There are a ton of writing newbies not with PA who assume that once one is published, one is on equal footing with the likes of King and Nora Roberts.

The ones with PA have finally gotten the validation they've been craving. They are now members of that elite world they've been trying to break into, assuming that now they've gotten the secret handshake that all doors will now magically open and lesser mortals will see how special they are.

Heck, I've seen that in non-PA writers, but the pro-pubbed ones smarten up a lot faster. Usually a chat with a real editor--there are none at PA--or one's agent--none will use PA--sorts the pro newbie out.

But PA keeps the illusion going until the first royalty checks go out. They need those book orders from the newbies while they still believe that being a (still grammatically incorrect with those caps) "Published Author" means anything outside of a print mill in Fredrick, MD.

PA writers--you are a source of cash for the Stooges. Nothing more. Wake up and smell the damn coffee.

Deb Kinnard · Feb 7, 2010

What Cyia said -- but never having sent anything to PA, I went through the same clueless-newbie stage with my first small press book. I waltzed merrily and dumbly into the local Christian bookstore, assuming they'd order my book -- I was a local author with a print book, right?

And got kindly but firmly shown the door. "We can't stock your book," they said. "We'd love to, but all those decisions are made by faceless bean-counters in some other state. We have to sell whatever they send us." (Not their words exactly, to be sure. But it boiled down to the same thing.)

It is hard, and daunting. I'm now looking forward to my 8th book, with a much bigger publisher, and nowadays I expect to be told "no" by bookstores. Anytime I hear "yes" it's just whipped cream on the sundae.

Cyia · Feb 9, 2010

From the thread about an author wanting to set up book signings and having no luck because her book is non-returnable/POD in the B&N system:

A hardcore kool-aid drinker responds:

Amen to that. I think they just should be honest and tell you straight out that they are snobs and will only do signings for big name writers and publishers instead of making some excuse they we have heard too many times to be credible!

Yeah, darn those snobs and their computer systems. I mean if they give you the same excuse over and over it can't be credible...

The poor OP replies:

Thanks for the input but it's not much help The lady I talked to was very nice but because it shows in there system that my book is a prepay nonrefundable and a print on demand they won't do it how do I get around this. I'm new to this and Is this a standard practice Can they return any books that are unsold if they want to also can I have someone from author support call and talk to them and give me some help

I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

LexiCan · Feb 9, 2010

Can someone shed a light into this for me please. I was under the impression that PA has return policy. I found out today, that they only have return policy only for book signing (which is very nice). I just wanted to know do they have return policy for books ordered via bookstores? (my message got deleted last time when i asked this question)
will some one help please.

All the misinformation is one thing, but pretty soon this poor guy is going to notice that in PA world "don't ask too many questions or off you go".
So far no one has ventured a reply.

And the answer from InfoMonster:

Returnability is an ongoing experiment, and it is currently on hiatus. PublishAmerica is in the process of changing primary wholesalers, moving our titles to Baker & Taylor.

Marian Perera · Feb 9, 2010

Ironic, considering that the loyalist who takes PA's word as gospel posted on another thread to say,

ask PA to intervene for you. PA books have been returnable for three to four years now. Email [email protected] or their booksigning department. Maybe PA can send you a copy of the email they sent us authors when they first made their announcement about the books being returnable and I will copy and paste it here for you. It sounds like they just make excuses because you are not a well known author yet but with a little work and presistence you might be some day:

What follows is a copy-and-paste of the email PA sent out years ago about their books being returnable.

So... when stores say that PA books are not returnable, does this mean that:

1. The store managers are being snobbish or are lying?

or that:

2. "Returnability is an ongoing experiment, and it is currently on hiatus"?

merrihiatt · Feb 9, 2010

Returnability is an ongoing experiment.

I'm sure Random House (or any other real publisher) has this same philosopy. Not!

PVish · Feb 9, 2010

Returnability is an experiment?! What else are they experimenting with?

BenPanced · Feb 9, 2010

Running a publisher.

Cyia · Feb 9, 2010

I see another offer of "we're not waiting for them to request" after this one.

http://bb.publishamerica.com/viewtopic.php?t=31787

I'm still learning all of this stuff on this website, but wanted to announce that my two books, [...] and [...] are not selling very well, and I'm not really sure how or where to get them to sell, but I have decided to turn in my children's book, I'm hoping that it sells or maybe even gets noticed by DISNEY!!!

So the 1st two books aren't selling well, the author subbed a third... that's heartbreaking.

It amazes me that for all the claims of PA not being a self or vanity publisher, the authors who use them continue to hope that their books will get picked up by a bigger (EVIL!!! SNOBBISH!!!!) publisher.

From another thread:
http://bb.publishamerica.com/viewtopic.php?t=31788

i have wrote to the book siging dept twice, about a month ago and just recently, and i know they are very busy but i only want to know how longit will take to hear from them. does any one know?

Marian Perera · Feb 9, 2010

Cyia said:
So the 1st two books aren't selling well, the author subbed a third... that's heartbreaking.

There's a term for doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I can understand making the PA mistake once, maybe even a second time... but a third? When you know the first two aren't selling well?

BenPanced · Feb 9, 2010

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 257 times...

Cyia · Feb 10, 2010

Newbie with a Caps Lock problem.

http://bb.publishamerica.com/viewtopic.php?t=31794

I AM NEW TO THIS WEBSITE AND FORUM AND I AM ALSO A NEW AUTHOR

THIS IS MY FIRST SHOT AT PUBLISHING A BOOK OR EVEN HAVING A MANUSCRIPT ACCEPTED FOR PUBLISHING

AND AFTER BEING PUSHED HARD BY PEOPLE AND FRIENDS I FINALLY GAVE IN WROTE OUT THE MANUSCRIPT AND TO MY GREAT SHOCK AND SURPRISE THE MANUSCRIPT WAS ACCEPTED

I HEARD A MIX OF DIFFERENT REVIEWS ABOUT PUBLISH AMERICA BEING A LEGIT PUBLISHING COMPANY AND KIND OF STAND ON SHAKEY GROUND TRYING TO TRUST THEM WITH MY MANUSCRIPT AND BOOK

ALTHOUGH FOR THE MOST PART THEY HAVE TREATED ME REALLY WELL

BUT I DO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS FOR THE MORE EXPIERENCED AUTHORS PEOPLE HERE

THE FIRST BEING HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR PUBLISH AMERICA TO PRINT OUT YOUR BOOK FOR OUBLISHING AFTER THE MANUSCRIPT WAS ACCEPTED

AND WHAT WAS THE STEPS YOU WENT THROUGH AFTER WARDS LOL

AS OF LATE THE BOK IS SUPPOSED TO BE SOMWHERE IN THE TEXT DEPARTMENT AND I AM AWAITING TO BE SENT SO,E PROOFS TO LOOK OVER AND APPROVE

SO THE BOOK CAN FINISH THE PROCESS OF BEING PUBLISHED

I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN I WILL BE SENT THIS

BUT I AM NERVOUSLY AWAITING

AND AM HAPPY AND EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE BOOK WILL LOOK LIKE IN THE END

ANY INFO OR HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

THANKS AND GOD BLESS

Another one who found out about PA after they signed on, it seems. And I'm not sure that the response she got counts as a vote of confidence for PA.

I have been waiting since December, 2009 I have been led to beleive that it takes 4 to 6 months for the entire process.

"Led to believe" is usually reserved for someone who's realized they were sold a bill of goods.

I'm just waiting for the current board cheerleader to chime with recommendations of ignoring all of the negativity surrounding PA's reputation.

DeadlyAccurate · Feb 10, 2010

THE FIRST BEING HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR PUBLISH AMERICA TO PRINT OUT YOUR BOOK FOR OUBLISHING AFTER THE MANUSCRIPT WAS ACCEPTED

That depends on how long it takes you to reach for your pocketbook. They don't print out the book unless someone (read: you) orders it.

TheTinCat · Feb 10, 2010

*Finally de-lurks and makes first post ever - huzzah!*

So I've read through the entire, glorious behemoth of the "PAMB and it's quotes"-threads, and I'm slightly in awe that the same people are present all the way through. The same kind words and support, the same patience. After all this time, all these slow motion train wrecks and all this hot head-on-desk-action.

You guys rule.

Gillhoughly · Feb 10, 2010

TheTinCat · Feb 10, 2010

Thank you very much. I shall now conquer my social phobia of posting on message boards, or cringe to death trying!

And also, another poster responds to the new writer above:

When you read the statement and find that you don't understand or have questions you can email PA's royalty team at: [email protected]

Yes. You do that. I'll hold my breath in the meantime.

Gravity · Feb 10, 2010

TheTinCat said:
*Finally de-lurks and makes first post ever - huzzah!*

So I've read through the entire, glorious behemoth of the "PAMB and it's quotes"-threads, and I'm slightly in awe that the same people are present all the way through. The same kind words and support, the same patience. After all this time, all these slow motion train wrecks and all this hot head-on-desk-action.

You guys rule.

You read the entire thing? Caramba. I think we have an award for that. Croix de Migraine, or something like that. Gill, what did you do with it?

TheTinCat · Feb 10, 2010

You read the entire thing? Caramba. I think we have an award for that.

I did.

*cough*

Twice, actually.

It's an utter addiction. I admit it.

Cyia · Feb 10, 2010

TheTinCat said:
It's an utter addiction. I admit it.

There's a thread for that, too.

merrihiatt · Feb 10, 2010

Welcome, TheTinCat! :welcome:

Kudos to you for putting up with blurry eyes from all that reading on the screen!

Jersey Chick · Feb 10, 2010

The whole thread?! Egads - that's a lot of reading!

tlblack · Feb 10, 2010

Welcome TinCat! Reading the entire PAMB threads... twice? WOW! Glad you can still see. :welcome:

TheTinCat · Feb 11, 2010

*social phobia fading*

Marian Perera · Feb 11, 2010

Welcome, TinCat!

TheTinCat said:
So I've read through the entire, glorious behemoth of the "PAMB and it's quotes"-threads

That's quite a feat.

Hope you'll give the NEPATs a go as well some day. Especially the oldest thread, because PA has quite the history.

Return of a Man Named PAMB and its Quotes

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