News
Yikes...
Clopper couldn't tell them a bestselling PA author...on National TV? Now that's scary!!!
Nice Job, Jenna
Yikes...
Clopper couldn't tell them a bestselling PA author...on National TV? Now that's scary!!!
Nice Job, Jenna
- Status
Re: "The Sting"
Phooey. It was really short. But Asa did cover some of the good points. Nice job, Cate!
Phooey. It was really short. But Asa did cover some of the good points. Nice job, Cate!
Re: AP Article
Cate Cavanaugh was the author they talked to and Jenna talked about red flags in publishing.
The slant was fairly negative on PA
Cate Cavanaugh was the author they talked to and Jenna talked about red flags in publishing.
The slant was fairly negative on PA
Re: NBC report
Okay, that was interesting. Jenna looked good. Wozzisface Asa, the reporter who did the story, was admirably firm and clear about bearing in mind that marketing and distribution are as important as anything else in the business. (Yay, Asa!)
He also said that even with as many titles as they've got in print, the head of PA was unable to mention one title or author of theirs who's hit it big. Of course, PA came back with a slick reply: most publishing houses can't point to a bestseller. Which is true -- but PA's the only publisher anywhere near its size that's had no successful books.
On balance, a good piece of work.
Okay, that was interesting. Jenna looked good. Wozzisface Asa, the reporter who did the story, was admirably firm and clear about bearing in mind that marketing and distribution are as important as anything else in the business. (Yay, Asa!)
He also said that even with as many titles as they've got in print, the head of PA was unable to mention one title or author of theirs who's hit it big. Of course, PA came back with a slick reply: most publishing houses can't point to a bestseller. Which is true -- but PA's the only publisher anywhere near its size that's had no successful books.
On balance, a good piece of work.
Re: PA Books
I have read close to twenty PA books. A couple were really quite good. There were close to ten that were quite awful, and I am being nice here. The other ones were not bad, had some promise, and could have benefited greatly from some professional editing. I know for a FACT that my book was not edited at ALL, and it would have been better if it had been.
The truth? I don't think any of them, including my own, would ever be a best seller...that's for sure. I have learned a lot since my first book, and feel that my second (a co-authored novel) is better. We are in the process of trying to find someone willing to take us on. So we'll see...
I have read close to twenty PA books. A couple were really quite good. There were close to ten that were quite awful, and I am being nice here. The other ones were not bad, had some promise, and could have benefited greatly from some professional editing. I know for a FACT that my book was not edited at ALL, and it would have been better if it had been.
The truth? I don't think any of them, including my own, would ever be a best seller...that's for sure. I have learned a lot since my first book, and feel that my second (a co-authored novel) is better. We are in the process of trying to find someone willing to take us on. So we'll see...
Re: RE: The AP Article
I'm back, after a longer and colder and windier weekend than I expected.
The embargo is apparently off the story of the sting manuscript; I've posted the links to it on a SFWA private site, so that those who helped with the creation of the novel will have the first crack at reading the whole thing.
More in a bit.
I'm back, after a longer and colder and windier weekend than I expected.
The embargo is apparently off the story of the sting manuscript; I've posted the links to it on a SFWA private site, so that those who helped with the creation of the novel will have the first crack at reading the whole thing.
More in a bit.
Re: PA Authors
Those are the people who are going to hang onto PA like it's a lifeline -- maybe their next PA book will be their lucky break. And all the while, they're thinking it's their fault when they don't become best-selling authors because they're being told they whined and sat on their duffs and didn't sell aggressively enough
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EXACTLY!
Those are the people who are going to hang onto PA like it's a lifeline -- maybe their next PA book will be their lucky break. And all the while, they're thinking it's their fault when they don't become best-selling authors because they're being told they whined and sat on their duffs and didn't sell aggressively enough
------------------------------------------------------------
EXACTLY!
HB....
I'm well aware of how he acts, and as per my earlier post, I'm not EXACTLY sure of his motives.
I do know he wants attention, and here and other places he sure seems to get what he wants....that is, a lot of it.
Just a thought.
I'm well aware of how he acts, and as per my earlier post, I'm not EXACTLY sure of his motives.
I do know he wants attention, and here and other places he sure seems to get what he wants....that is, a lot of it.
Just a thought.
Re: "The Sting"
Those who don't live in NY -- like me -- can go to wnbc.com and see the story. There's no video, but you can read the story. At the top of the page, you'll see "Today in New York." Click on that, and when the next page opens, click on "Asa Aarons."
Good job, Cate.
Those who don't live in NY -- like me -- can go to wnbc.com and see the story. There's no video, but you can read the story. At the top of the page, you'll see "Today in New York." Click on that, and when the next page opens, click on "Asa Aarons."
Good job, Cate.
Re: RE: The AP Article
(lowers lantern, arm was aching)
Welcome back Uncle Jim
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Was Jenna in the broadcast, or am I getting confused?
Are there any websites for local NBC news? I'm looking but have had no luck yet.
Edit: Thanks Sher2!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(lowers lantern, arm was aching)
Welcome back Uncle Jim
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Was Jenna in the broadcast, or am I getting confused?
Are there any websites for local NBC news? I'm looking but have had no luck yet.
Edit: Thanks Sher2!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Woo Hooo!!! Go Jenna and Cate!
Wow! I am so psyched about the NBC report! You both did a great job!
Wow! I am so psyched about the NBC report! You both did a great job!
Sting Manuscript
For those who haven't been here all along (or don't have an eidetic memory), here's the origin of the project.
Briefly, it's in the "Did PublishAmerica Reject Your Manuscript" thread, where someone suggested putting together a Bad Anthology to see if PublishAmerica woulc buy it.
I said:
<Blockquote>The individual authors would have to give up their copyrights, and assign them, in writing, to whoever the person who submits the work turns out to be.
Rather than an anthology, this ought to be put together like Naked Came the Stranger.
It still wouldn't prove anything, (like Stranger didn't prove anything) but it might be fun.
You'd need to have someone in charge of making this work (the person assigning chapters, enforcing deadlines, and putting it together), someone to submit it (that'd be someone that PA has never heard of, and you know that they read these boards). You'd have to get a group of people who you know, face to face, who aren't PA plants, and who know how to keep their mouths shut.</BLOCKQUOTE>
A bit later, I decided to do it. I know a number of people in SFWA (the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America), professional writers who PA decided to slag off in their sleazy little authorsmarket.net tantrum. These are people who PA claims can only get published because their genre "does not require believable storylines" or "does not need believable every-day characters."
In contrast, presumably, to the books PublishAmerica puts out ...
<Blockquote>And, not surprisingly given all of the above, more than 3,000 authors knocked on our doors aspiring to join you as PublishAmerica authors. Roughly twenty percent of these may end up joining you as PublishAmerica authors!</BLOCKQUOTE>
as PA said a year ago in their letter trying to induce their authors to buy more of their own books.
<BLOCKQUOTE>Your manuscript will be reviewed by our Acquisitions staff, who will determine whether your work has what this book publisher is looking for.</BLOCKQUOTE>
Ah, yes! But what exactly is it that this book publisher is looking for? That is the question... to be answered soon.
For those who haven't been here all along (or don't have an eidetic memory), here's the origin of the project.
Briefly, it's in the "Did PublishAmerica Reject Your Manuscript" thread, where someone suggested putting together a Bad Anthology to see if PublishAmerica woulc buy it.
I said:
<Blockquote>The individual authors would have to give up their copyrights, and assign them, in writing, to whoever the person who submits the work turns out to be.
Rather than an anthology, this ought to be put together like Naked Came the Stranger.
It still wouldn't prove anything, (like Stranger didn't prove anything) but it might be fun.
You'd need to have someone in charge of making this work (the person assigning chapters, enforcing deadlines, and putting it together), someone to submit it (that'd be someone that PA has never heard of, and you know that they read these boards). You'd have to get a group of people who you know, face to face, who aren't PA plants, and who know how to keep their mouths shut.</BLOCKQUOTE>
A bit later, I decided to do it. I know a number of people in SFWA (the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America), professional writers who PA decided to slag off in their sleazy little authorsmarket.net tantrum. These are people who PA claims can only get published because their genre "does not require believable storylines" or "does not need believable every-day characters."
In contrast, presumably, to the books PublishAmerica puts out ...
<Blockquote>And, not surprisingly given all of the above, more than 3,000 authors knocked on our doors aspiring to join you as PublishAmerica authors. Roughly twenty percent of these may end up joining you as PublishAmerica authors!</BLOCKQUOTE>
as PA said a year ago in their letter trying to induce their authors to buy more of their own books.
<BLOCKQUOTE>Your manuscript will be reviewed by our Acquisitions staff, who will determine whether your work has what this book publisher is looking for.</BLOCKQUOTE>
Ah, yes! But what exactly is it that this book publisher is looking for? That is the question... to be answered soon.
PA response?
What is interesting through all of this is that PA has said absolutely NOTHING about any of the articles. I'm wondering if authors are feeling a bit abandoned by their publisher...I would think that circling the wagons might be in order?
Also, there's been no mention on the PA Boards of the CNBC spot as of yet. Perhaps they are bumping posts as soon as they are received.
What is interesting through all of this is that PA has said absolutely NOTHING about any of the articles. I'm wondering if authors are feeling a bit abandoned by their publisher...I would think that circling the wagons might be in order?
Also, there's been no mention on the PA Boards of the CNBC spot as of yet. Perhaps they are bumping posts as soon as they are received.
attention...
www.publishamerica.com/cg...e/7411.htm
Joe,
Your buddy is not funny.
There is no doubt that HB needs to work on his comedy routine. There was nothing funny in his post about eating a live dog.
Definitely a reason not to purchase his books of humor.
Are you here to keep HB's name in the discussion?
P&C
www.publishamerica.com/cg...e/7411.htm
Joe,
Your buddy is not funny.
There is no doubt that HB needs to work on his comedy routine. There was nothing funny in his post about eating a live dog.
Definitely a reason not to purchase his books of humor.
Are you here to keep HB's name in the discussion?
P&C
Re: Sting Manuscript
Here is a copy of the accepance letter. I've altered it in the following manner: I've removed the "author" name; that individual who acted as my surrogate in submitting the manuscript can identify himself if he cares to.
(Note: this acceptance letter, with full headers, is already in the hands of counsel, should PA decide to make cartoony "legal" threats.)
----- Original Message -----
From: PublishAmerica Aquisitions [[email protected]]
To:
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 12:53 PM
Subject: Atlanta Nights
Dear Mr.XXX:
As this is an important piece of email regarding your book, please read it completely from start to finish.
I am happy to inform you that PublishAmerica has decided to give "Atlanta Nights" the chance it deserves. An email will follow this one with the sample contract attached for your review. If you do not receive the email with the attached sample contract in twenty-four hours, please contact me, so I can resend the document via another method.
I will be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning the contract and to guide you through the contract negotiations phase. Please note that once you have requested that we send the official contract, we cannot further amend the contract.
Upon receiving your e-mail in acceptance with the terms, we will forward the final contract documents to you via regular mail for your signature. Along with your e-mail acceptance please include your legal name, current address, telephone number and title of work as you would like it to appear on the final contract.
The main terms of the contract are that we will pay you climbing royalties starting at 8%, you retain the copyright, and we will begin production on the book within 365 days of the date we receive the signed contract. A symbolic $1 advance underlines that all financial risk is carried by the Publisher, as we firmly believe it should be.
Once the signed contract has been processed in our offices, you will be contacted by our Production department regarding "the next step" for your book in the publishing process.
After both parties have signed the contract, you will be contacted by our production department with a list of questions and suggestions. Please feel free to e-mail any concerns or questions dealing with the terms of the contract to [email protected]. Also, please visit our web site at .
Welcome to PublishAmerica, and congratulations on what promises to be an exciting time ahead.
Sincerely,
Meg Phillips
Acquisitions Editor
PublishAmerica
<HR>
Counsel informs me that, in the state of Maryland, the offer of a contract is sufficient, there is no need for us to sign and return the contract to say that an offer was made.
Here is a copy of the accepance letter. I've altered it in the following manner: I've removed the "author" name; that individual who acted as my surrogate in submitting the manuscript can identify himself if he cares to.
(Note: this acceptance letter, with full headers, is already in the hands of counsel, should PA decide to make cartoony "legal" threats.)
----- Original Message -----
From: PublishAmerica Aquisitions [[email protected]]
To:
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 12:53 PM
Subject: Atlanta Nights
Dear Mr.XXX:
As this is an important piece of email regarding your book, please read it completely from start to finish.
I am happy to inform you that PublishAmerica has decided to give "Atlanta Nights" the chance it deserves. An email will follow this one with the sample contract attached for your review. If you do not receive the email with the attached sample contract in twenty-four hours, please contact me, so I can resend the document via another method.
I will be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning the contract and to guide you through the contract negotiations phase. Please note that once you have requested that we send the official contract, we cannot further amend the contract.
Upon receiving your e-mail in acceptance with the terms, we will forward the final contract documents to you via regular mail for your signature. Along with your e-mail acceptance please include your legal name, current address, telephone number and title of work as you would like it to appear on the final contract.
The main terms of the contract are that we will pay you climbing royalties starting at 8%, you retain the copyright, and we will begin production on the book within 365 days of the date we receive the signed contract. A symbolic $1 advance underlines that all financial risk is carried by the Publisher, as we firmly believe it should be.
Once the signed contract has been processed in our offices, you will be contacted by our Production department regarding "the next step" for your book in the publishing process.
After both parties have signed the contract, you will be contacted by our production department with a list of questions and suggestions. Please feel free to e-mail any concerns or questions dealing with the terms of the contract to [email protected]. Also, please visit our web site at .
Welcome to PublishAmerica, and congratulations on what promises to be an exciting time ahead.
Sincerely,
Meg Phillips
Acquisitions Editor
PublishAmerica
<HR>
Counsel informs me that, in the state of Maryland, the offer of a contract is sufficient, there is no need for us to sign and return the contract to say that an offer was made.
Re: LOL...huh?
The NBC report:
www.wnbc.com/askasa/4124957/detail.html
When they showed a clip of me showing Asa some books, what I was doing there was talking about Lisa Young's book and how it deserved a real publisher-- then comparing cover prices with other books, like debut author and AW columnist Karyn Langhorne's A Personal Matter. I was also pointing out a book I was able to buy easily long after PA had reverted the rights to the author.
The NBC report:
www.wnbc.com/askasa/4124957/detail.html
When they showed a clip of me showing Asa some books, what I was doing there was talking about Lisa Young's book and how it deserved a real publisher-- then comparing cover prices with other books, like debut author and AW columnist Karyn Langhorne's A Personal Matter. I was also pointing out a book I was able to buy easily long after PA had reverted the rights to the author.
Re: Sting Manuscript
The main characters in this book are:
Penelope Urbain
Bruce Lucent
Isaac Stevens
Henry Archer
Margaret Eastman
Richard Isaacs
Callie Archer
Irene Stevens
Andrew Venice
Arthur Nance
Isadore Trent
Yvonne Perrin
Rory Edward
Steven Suffern
Note that their initials spell out:
PUBLISHAMERICA IS A VANITY PRESS.
The main characters in this book are:
Penelope Urbain
Bruce Lucent
Isaac Stevens
Henry Archer
Margaret Eastman
Richard Isaacs
Callie Archer
Irene Stevens
Andrew Venice
Arthur Nance
Isadore Trent
Yvonne Perrin
Rory Edward
Steven Suffern
Note that their initials spell out:
PUBLISHAMERICA IS A VANITY PRESS.
Re: Some questions I wish the reporters had asked PA
Jim, do you want the title in that post?
Jim, do you want the title in that post?
- Status