Hey Kevin.
I did ask them about the press releases. Here's my email:
Author Support,
I would rather address someone by name, but since
you choose not to reveal one, that is all I have. I have a question.
>>No press releases were sent out by you regarding my book as was stated.
Yes, they were.
In the above, you state that press releases were sent out. Please tell me
where you sent these and when.
Thank you,
Kelly XXXXX
Here is their response:
> Ms. XXXXX,
> No, in the face of such nonsensical accusations, we will not even bother to
> defend ourselves. It is very common knowledge that we send out press
> releases for all of our authors.
>
> It is you who should be on the defensive, not PublishAmerica. Instead of
> repeating the same incoherent nonsense, the right thing to do would be to
> apologize for saying things about us that are not true. And, to make the
> issue comical, your own "evidence" shows that what you are saying is nonsense.
>
> You sent us a screen shot to back up what you are saying. The problem is,
> of course, that the screen shot backs up exactly what we are saying, and
> neatly contradicts what you are saying:
>
> "Bookstore availability is not necessarily the same as bookstore shelf
> display. For a book to be stocked by a bookstore, someone high in the
> hierarchy must decide to order it. Typically, it's not the store manager
> who makes such decisions, unless he runs an independent store. Larger
> chains such as Waldenbooks and Borders have "buyers" who select which
> titles are to be stocked. Oftentimes, they want to see some noise happening
> before they move."
>
> Your apology and acknowledgement that we treated you fairly, is expected.
> Then, at that point, you might get some better cooperation.
>
> Author Support
HERE is the link to the screenshot:
http://web.archive.org/web/20030202143011/www.publishamerica.com/faqs.htm
Haven't sent this part and won't at the moment, but it does clarify my reasoning on the screenshot:
So, since I wrote you an email with my concerns, you are going to call me incoherent and expect an apology? My screenshot backs up my case of the way you present your company. Instead of straight out saying that you will not be of any help in getting the book in stores, you say bookstore availability doesn't necessitate shelf space. I think if you are going to help "first-time" authors that you could do it in a more straightforward manner. I'm being treated as if I were the only author to ask questions. I know, for a fact, this isn't true. I've seen several emails from you to authors who've asked. They are all the same. Why not address the issues instead of trying to sweep authors under the rug? I asked about the 30, 60, 90 day policy on the message board. What did I get? I got an answer from info center calling me negative. When I went to reply, guess what? My password no longer worked