The Old Neverending PublishAmerica Thread (Publish America)

Sher2 · Apr 5, 2005

akaa1a said:
But, does anyone else get the impression that jck is stepping into CBM's shoes?

Maybe a dual posting nom de plume? We all know that "you know who" will be back...maybe he never really left....
or is like the "Invasion of the Body Snatchers."

Now THERE'S a scenario that makes sense!

PS...Thanks to all for my second little green box!
"You like me...you really like me!" (Sally Field)

God, AKA, you have a devious mind! It makes a sort of perverted sense, though. As with anything else in Poz, why not?

WhisperingBard · Apr 5, 2005

I have a hard time seeing Mem agreeing to a gag

*spits coffee all over the keyboard* Mem?? Not bloody likely.

James D. Macdonald · Apr 5, 2005

CaoPaux said:
But, does anyone else get the impression that jck is stepping into CBM's shoes?

Nah. English Bob there (y'all recall Unforgiven with Clint Eastwood?) is a typical new-PA-author. His book isn't out yet. He's full of blue-sky ideas. He's repeating the misinformation he's heard. He doesn't think it'll happen to him. He's not like all the whiners and losers -- he read his contract -- unlike them he's ready to do promotion.

Give him time. The 200 Author book will be ashes in his mouth long before it comes out.

FAUSTUS:

Come, I think Hell's a myth.

MEPHISTOPHELES:

Then think so, 'til experience change your mind.

Sher2 · Apr 5, 2005

WhisperingBard said:
*spits coffee all over the keyboard* Mem?? Not bloody likely.

Never! I think I can speak for her when I say she'd rather die. Semper fi.

ResearchGuy · Apr 5, 2005

Piers Anthony's Internet Publishing

Folks, I came across http://www.hipiers.com/publishing.html this morning, while Googling PublishAmerica scam (that, like PublishAmerica fraud brings up lots of sites). PA is in the list, but there is soooooooooo much more that y'all might find interesting and tangentially pertinent to this thread if you have not already seen it.

--Ken (the one with the hyphens ...)

p.s., someone mentioned Mary Carey, the porn star who ran for governnor in CA in 2003. I saw her at an appearance in Old Sacramento during the campaign. Pleasant, pneumatic young lady. Not well informed about public issues, but game to try. I took about 150 digital photos, and was asked by a Japanese news crew to comment for their camera--for broadcast in Japan. I declined, as right at that moment (but not for long, as other events got in the way) I was a consultant for another (and far more sedate) candidate. I also managed the entirely online campaign for governor of Squirrel of Capitol Park, recounted at www.capitolweasel.com.

lindylou45 · Apr 5, 2005

robeiae said:
We recognize how difficult self-promotion can be for first-time authors. To help, we are offering a new publishing option which includes additional marketing and promotional help beyond all that we already provide. You still won't be "paying to publish;" the additional monies will be used exclusively to further enhance the marketing of your book. To make this more affordable, rather than paying an upfront fee, we allow you to pay for this service from your book royalties. But buy selecting this option, you will no doubt sell many, many more books, so you will still see more (not less) royalties!!

Rob

Is this verbatim from another site, or did you just unknowingly write PA's new copy for them?

KellyS. · Apr 5, 2005

Kevin Yarbrough said:
I think PA has this no edit/edit thing going on is quiet simple. When someone complains that their book wasn't edited, or when a reviewer complains, or the authors mothers dog walker complains, PA can say "Hey, they opted to not have it edited." Now, if the author complains and says he did opt for it to be edited PA can say "No, you didn't. We have it right here." And if they don't have it right there, they will just lie, kick the author off, and be done. In the end all the editing problems will be the authors fault, even if they opted to have it edited. Guess PA thinks it will make things better for them.

If they don't have the proof, they will simply say, "No, we will not show you proof because of your nonsensical accusations. Now, when you are ready to be more cooperative, maybe we can talk again."

lindylou45 · Apr 5, 2005

Sher2 said:
Just heard from someone who's seen a contract signed by another "general partner," Michele Omran. Dang, has Poz gone co-op?

I hear the janitor has been "approached regarding a partnership" with PA. :scared:

Kevin Yarbrough · Apr 5, 2005

XThe NavigatorX said:
I'm also thinking this is what they intend to do, bit by bit.

The problem is the name "PublishAmerica" is mud. No matter what they do, their actions to this point are going to be held against them. Today, tomorrow, and ten years from now, anyone who's paid just a little bit of attention is going to have a nasty impression of them, even if they clean up their act.

The authors are the ones who will suffer because of this, most of whom will be going in without any idea of the history. Many of the advocates here proclaim they want PA to change their ways, but I think that's unrealistic and overly optimistic. Even if that happens, PA's very existence will remain a detriment to any writer who signs up with them.

The name is not a problem, they have changed it before, they can again. I think with the new partners PA might be ready to change their name and have some new figureheads up in front instead of Larry, William, and Miranda. I think the original three will still be on, getting as much money as always, but will, at least in the publics eye, either not exist or will be like a consultant.

And maybe H to the B eyotch is not there anymore because one of the new partners said they would only by in if they got rid of him. And when he was going to do his dying bit they had the perfect oppurtuniy to get rid of him.

With their mouthpeice gone, new partners, and new contacts I think PA might be in for a image overhaul. Might be the same PA, or might not be, but I think a new name is on the way.

Zaz, you're not leaving me with the sheep. I'm not going to take the blame for things you might have done with them.

lindylou45 · Apr 5, 2005

Ed WilliamsMoe-randa said:
Sherry and I were just "discussing" in our other group what the new name of the big six should be. Leave it to Ed to come up with the perfect name!

Sher2 · Apr 5, 2005

lindylou45 said:
I hear the janitor has been "approached regarding a partnership" with PA.

If you'll lend me some money, I can probably outbid him. Once I'm a partner, I'll hire you to run the spell-checker. Deal?

Aconite · Apr 5, 2005

WhisperingBard said:
*spits coffee all over the keyboard* Mem?? Not bloody likely.

Well, I was a-tryin' out this here newfangled thingie called "understatement." Don't seem to work real good, tho', so maybe I'll jest go back to "statement."

*g*

Sassenach · Apr 5, 2005

If jck can write a book on the 'theory of everything', I'm sure he can figure out a way to get his books into B&N.

Christine N. · Apr 5, 2005

Sher2 said:
If you'll lend me some money, I can probably outbid him. Once I'm a partner, I'll hire you to run the spell-checker. Deal?

But Sherry, doncha know.. you can buy anything at PA for only a dollar! :roll:

Here's an interesting thread... really. http://www.publishamerica.com/cgi-bin/pamessageboard/data/main/11895.htm

These people need to worship at the altar of Uncle Jim! :hooray:

Seriously, BIC, people, B...I...C . Wish someone could do a drive-by with the link to the "Writing with UJ" link on the Novels board.

ResearchGuy · Apr 5, 2005

Kevin Yarbrough said:
I think PA has this no edit/edit thing going on is quite simple. . . . In the end all the editing problems will be the authors fault, even if they opted to have it edited. Guess PA thinks it will make things better for them.

Next up, the print it yourself option! Thus eliminated: all complaints about quality of printing, binding, and timeliness of delivery. For the complete package, authors may choose to edit, format, and print themselves (handle order fulfillment, too!), while obligated only to pay to PA all monies except the author's "royalty." Or perhaps pay PA an inverse royalty (commission?) of 92%. "Our authors treat us the old fashioned way: they pay us."

--Ken (with the hyphens ...)

lindylou45 · Apr 5, 2005

Anybody know how many times they'll try to deliver the thing?

3

Kate, I know you're up to your eyebrows in boxes, but it's time to organize the sit-in. I'm ready to chain myself to a radiator and sing Kumbaya.

I'm with you, too! :box:

Literary Lola · Apr 5, 2005

Kevin Yarbrough said:
And maybe H to the B eyotch is not there anymore because one of the new partners said they would only by in if they got rid of him.

No, Kev, you have it wrong; Mucus IS a partner. He had to die in order to get the position. After all, it isn't professional to be a partner AND bellicose...

keltora · Apr 5, 2005

*****"Congratulations on EMPRESS OF CLOUDS being selected as a 2004 BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD finalist, science fiction category!"*****

Go, Diana!!!! Whoooo!!!

Ed Williams · Apr 5, 2005

A couple of things...

...due to my sweet friend lindylou making mention of this, I want to correct a mistake I made earlier. It's not "The POD Squad," it's "The POD Squad." In the future, when we are asked who runs PA, we should simply reply:

"The New Three Stooges and The POD Squad."

I'm a stickler for properly addressing people, especially the glorious group noted above in blue.

My newest friend, ResearchGuy, had this to say:

p.s., someone mentioned Mary Carey, the porn star who ran for governnor in CA in 2003. I saw her at an appearance in Old Sacramento during the campaign. Pleasant, pneumatic young lady.

Pleasant is not the word I would use, RG, but it's a start. If you're a friend of Mary's, then you're a friend of mine, which means you get to go with ZaZ, Kev, and I when we all soon make a road trip out to L.A....

My soon-to-be road trip buddy Kev said:

And maybe H to the B eyotch is not there anymore because one of the new partners said they would only by in if they got rid of him. And when he was going to do his dying bit they had the perfect oppurtunity to get rid of him.

Kev, I had been thinking the same thing, glad to see you put it in words. If I were PA, I would've lived in constant fear of the twice dead one saying or doing something that would imply liability. I think he decided to pull his stunt, and The POD Squad pickled him, played him, and ultimately filleted him...

Christine N. · Apr 5, 2005

Yay, Diana! You are now not just THE woman, you are my hero! I can't wait to come to your reading (May 2, right?)

.. Yep, I live not too far from this wonderful writer, so neener neener neener, I'm gonna get to go see her! Guess I'm gonna have to get a copy of EoC for her to sign for me, so I can say "i knew her when.."

Ok, back on topic.... things that make you wanna go :Headbang:

:Smack:

http://www.publishamerica.com/cgi-bin/pamessageboard/data/main/11894.htm

Kevin Yarbrough · Apr 5, 2005

He isn't a partner Lola, couldn't be. They might have gave him an honorary partnership but it doesn't mean anything, just looks good in a frame on the wall next to his one dollar advance.

And, how do you invert your bellybutton? I already run down the freeway nekkid.

Sorry about the spelling peeps, having a bad migraine day and am not catching them. My spelling is bad to begin with, but to day is worse.

ResearchGuy · Apr 5, 2005

Christine N. said:
...Ok, back on topic.... things that make you wanna go :Smack:

http://www.publishamerica.com/cgi-bin/pamessageboard/data/main/11894.htm

"most authors don't realize is that having your book on a shelf in a bookstore isn't likely to generate many, if any, sales."

LOL! As opposed to all the sales generated by NOT having your book on a shelf in a bookstore! (Or on a display table, and endcap, a counter ...)

I wonder how many books, of all those that get an ISBN every year, were never intended to BE on general bookstore shelves in the first place? Like, for example, scholarly works, association/organization publications, and government publications from those that do the ISBN cha-cha (like my former employer did).

--Ken

Sher2 · Apr 5, 2005

Christine N. said:
But Sherry, doncha know.. you can buy anything at PA for only a dollar!

Well, gee, Christine, I just happen to have one. I guess I'm buying my way in PDQ. Yippee! PDQ to the POD. Pssst, need a job? No way can we eff it up any worse than it already is.

Kevin Yarbrough · Apr 5, 2005

Christine N. said:
Yay, Diana! You are now not just THE woman, you are my hero! I can't wait to come to your reading (May 2, right?)

.. Yep, I live not too far from this wonderful writer, so neener neener neener, I'm gonna get to go see her! Guess I'm gonna have to get a copy of EoC for her to sign for me, so I can say "i knew her when.."

Ok, back on topic.... things that make you wanna go :Smack:

http://www.publishamerica.com/cgi-bin/pamessageboard/data/main/11894.htm

Christine, you may be able to say you knew her when but I will be able to sell my story of me being in her hotel room, drinking alcohol, and partying to the Enquirer.

CaoPaux · Apr 5, 2005

Sassenach said:
If jck can write a book on the 'theory of everything', I'm sure he can figure out a way to get his books into B&N.

*koff* Sorry.

The Old Neverending PublishAmerica Thread (Publish America)

Auroraless ExPAtriate

Wary...and weary

Your Genial Uncle

Auroraless ExPAtriate

Resident Curmudgeon

The Stooge Slayer

*****

The Stooge Slayer

Will write for peace of mind

The Stooge Slayer

Auroraless ExPAtriate

5 W's & an H

haz a shiny new book cover

Resident Curmudgeon

The Stooge Slayer

haz a shiny new book cover

Will write for peace of mind

Resident Curmudgeon

Auroraless ExPAtriate

Will write for peace of mind

Mostly Harmless