The New Never-Ending PublishAmerica Thread (NEPAT)

[LexiCan]

I agree with Merri, there's nothing wrong with a POD facility for folks who may want to self-publish. I just want them to BE that and stop duping poor authors into thinking they are actually being published.

[ResearchGuy]

Originally Posted by merrihiatt

I don't mind PA being in busines, I just want them to state what and who they really are and stop misleading people into believing they are something they are not.

Then it would be a completely different kind of business. What you are asking is like asking a skunk not to stink or a mountain lion not to eat deer or bank robbers not to rob banks. It's what they do. What scam artist announces, "Hi, I'm here to exploit and deceive you!"?

Anyway, vanity presses have been thriving for generations (Vantage was LONG established when I was in college more than 40 years ago, for example). PA has a different technique, but it is in the same line of business.

--Ken

[DaveKuzminski]

Actually, the Australian government put together a scam literary web page a few years ago that warned writers on the page that it wasn't real and yet quite a few still submitted to it.

[Scribhneoir]

Originally Posted by DaveKuzminski

Actually, the Australian government put together a scam literary web page a few years ago that warned writers on the page that it wasn't real and yet quite a few still submitted to it.

How odd. What was their purpose in doing this? Was the government looking for people to save from themselves?

[DaveKuzminski]

If I recall correctly, it was supposed to be an example of a scam site. The folks who designed it thought that writers would read everything on the page and discover that it wasn't for real. They were wrong.

[Susan Gable]

Originally Posted by DaveKuzminski

If I recall correctly, it was supposed to be an example of a scam site. The folks who designed it thought that writers would read everything on the page and discover that it wasn't for real. They were wrong.

I have discovered that some (too many - but then, ONE is too many to me. <G>) writers seem to have problems with reading comprehension skills and following directions.


Susan G.

[JulieB]

Originally Posted by smsarber

Too bad none of us know how to embed in big bold letters "SCAMSCAMSCAM!!!" into PA's homepage, maybe next to "Up in Lights." Do they still have that? I haven't been over there in over a year.

Hacking a web site is a crime, as far as I know. So I wouldn't do it, even if I knew how.

[smsarber]

Originally Posted by JulieB

Hacking a web site is a crime, as far as I know. So I wouldn't do it, even if I knew how.

***Disclaimer- Nothing smsarber has suggested now or in the past is EVER supposed to be taken literally. Do not commit crimes in the name of smsarber!***

And in case that wasn't clear enough- it was a joke. Plain and simple.

[Don Davidson]

Originally Posted by merrihiatt

I don't mind PA being in busines, I just want them to state what and who they really are and stop misleading people into believing they are something they are not.

In a perfect world PA would be honest and upfront about their business model. In the real world, PA will never do so except under extreme duress--such as government pressure.

[Don Davidson]

Here is something interesting that I never noticed before. At the bottom of almost every page on PA's web site is a link to "Site Disclaimer." That link takes you to a page that says:

"This site is provided by PublishAmerica, LLLP on an "as is" basis. PublishAmerica, LLLP. makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of the site, the information, content, materials or products, included on this site. To the full extent permissible by applicable law, PublishAmerica, LLLP. disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. PublishAmerica, LLLP will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of this site, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental punitive and consequential damages."

When you buy a used car "as is," it means you are buying it with all faults and defects. Thus, if the car is a lemon, you have no recourse. So is PA saying that they have no confidence in what is on their own web site--including the parts they wrote themselves?!!!

[Sarashay]

Originally Posted by Don Davidson

Here is something interesting that I never noticed before. At the bottom of almost every page on PA's web site is a link to "Site Disclaimer." That link takes you to a page that says:

"This site is provided by PublishAmerica, LLLP on an "as is" basis. PublishAmerica, LLLP. makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of the site, the information, content, materials or products, included on this site. To the full extent permissible by applicable law, PublishAmerica, LLLP. disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. PublishAmerica, LLLP will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of this site, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental punitive and consequential damages."

When you buy a used car "as is," it means you are buying it with all faults and defects. Thus, if the car is a lemon, you have no recourse. So is PA saying that they have no confidence in what is on their own web site--including the parts they wrote themselves?!!!

That reads like a boilerplate disclaimer that somebody suggested they throw on there as a CYA.

[merrihiatt]

They might as well say, "Ignore the company behind the website" (as in The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy and the group were supposed to ignore the man behind the curtain).

[Leigh.Lyons]

Originally Posted by DaveKuzminski

Actually, the Australian government put together a scam literary web page a few years ago that warned writers on the page that it wasn't real and yet quite a few still submitted to it.

De-lurking to say, people want to be published. Some want it so much that they will take the lie if it means they get their wish. I know that I almost subbed to them, just to say, "yes, I do have a book out (F*CKING FINALLY!!)."

There was a group of well-known writers who wrote a sci-fi (Sy-Fy :groan book that was full of inconsistencies and gaping plot holes to PA and to see how good the editors are. Nothing was changed from submission to print.

Now I'm actually doing a little joke book to submit to them along with 15 other people. We are taking the same premise and seeing if they have really stepped up their editing since then like they said. It should prove entertaining.

[Mythical Tiger]

OK, this is sad. I'm reading posts on PA's board and it's like these guys worship PA. I mean, really!!!! Also, I noticed that all of the members have been there since, at the latest, November 2008. In there posts they acctually say that there books are really good because of there high price.


I made an account and am waiting for approval. If I get approved, I'm posting a link to this thread and I'm going to warn them about PA. I expect some serious attitude.


~Sam

[megoblocks]

Originally Posted by Mythical Tiger

I made an account and am waiting for approval. If I get approved, I'm posting a link to this thread and I'm going to warn them about PA. I expect some serious attitude.


~Sam

Your post will be deleted the moment infocenter sees it and you will be instant banned. People know about these threads for the most part. Check out a lot of the quotes in the other threads (maybe this one too) where people flat out say "I've seen all the negative stuff about PA, but I decided to sign anyway"

If you get any replies before your purging, they will probably just be of the "You're a hater and couldn't get published" type.

[Gillhoughly]

Sam--save your time and effort. Miranda's job is making sure all is well in Stepford Frederick.

No contacting PA victims directly, either. That's one thing AW frowns upon. It just makes PAers cling all the harder and gets them mad and upset.

Think of the Kool-ade addicts as being like the underage teen who's been told she's not allowed to go out with the tat-covered, middle-aged biker covered in herpes sores who has a shiny new Rx for Viagra. No matter what you say, she's gonna cling to him 'cause he's her one twu wuv and gave her the chance she deserves.

[JimmyD1318]

Originally Posted by Mythical Tiger

I made an account and am waiting for approval. If I get approved, I'm posting a link to this thread and I'm going to warn them about PA. I expect some serious attitude.


~Sam

Unless you're a PA author under contract you can't get on their message board. Like Gill said...don't waste your time.

[Don Davidson]

Originally Posted by Mythical Tiger

OK, this is sad. I'm reading posts on PA's board and it's like these guys worship PA. I mean, really!!!! Also, I noticed that all of the members have been there since, at the latest, November 2008. In there posts they acctually say that there books are really good because of there high price.

I think we are all failing to recognize the great opportunity PA provides for new and underappreciated authors. After all, life would be boring if not for the challenges we face. And PA provides the tremendous challenge of trying to sell your book despite such handicaps as a ridiculously high price, an unfavorable book return policy, and a publisher that not only offers no assistance whatsoever but whose reputation and policies actually impede your efforts. Anyone who manages to sell a significant number of PA books can be proud that they have really accomplished something extraordinary! And PA gave them that opportunity. No wonder they love PA so much!!!

[BenPanced]

Originally Posted by Mythical Tiger

OK, this is sad. I'm reading posts on PA's board and it's like these guys worship PA. I mean, really!!!! Also, I noticed that all of the members have been there since, at the latest, November 2008. In there posts they acctually say that there books are really good because of there high price.


I made an account and am waiting for approval. If I get approved, I'm posting a link to this thread and I'm going to warn them about PA. I expect some serious attitude.


~Sam

Originally Posted by megoblocks

Your post will be deleted the moment infocenter sees it and you will be instant banned. People know about these threads for the most part. Check out a lot of the quotes in the other threads (maybe this one too) where people flat out say "I've seen all the negative stuff about PA, but I decided to sign anyway"

If you get any replies before your purging, they will probably just be of the "You're a hater and couldn't get published" type.

Originally Posted by Gillhoughly

Sam--save your time and effort. Miranda's job is making sure all is well in Stepford Frederick.

No contacting PA victims directly, either. That's one thing AW frowns upon. It just makes PAers cling all the harder and gets them mad and upset.

Think of the Kool-ade addicts as being like the underage teen who's been told she's not allowed to go out with the tat-covered, middle-aged biker covered in herpes sores who has a shiny new Rx for Viagra. No matter what you say, she's gonna cling to him 'cause he's her one twu wuv and gave her the chance she deserves.

And since the stooges troll/lurk here, your plan's just been foiled and you'll never get an account approved over there. I know it's the "wet paint" syndrome, but it's just teaching a frog to sing: you'll waste your time and annoy the frog.

[Cyia]

Originally Posted by Don Davidson

I think we are all failing to recognize the great opportunity PA provides for new and underappreciated authors. After all, life would be boring if not for the challenges we face. And PA provides the tremendous challenge of trying to sell your book despite such handicaps as a ridiculously high price, an unfavorable book return policy, and a publisher that not only offers no assistance whatsoever but whose reputation and policies actually impede your efforts. Anyone who manages to sell a significant number of PA books can be proud that they have really accomplished something extraordinary! And PA gave them that opportunity. No wonder they love PA so much!!!

If you've ever seen the vid for Away from the Sun, it's a perfect representation of the kind of helpful opportunities provided...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bX2IyXejGk

[James D. Macdonald]

Originally Posted by Leigh.Lyons

There was a group of well-known writers who wrote a sci-fi (Sy-Fy :groan book that was full of inconsistencies and gaping plot holes to PA and to see how good the editors are. Nothing was changed from submission to print.

I think you're thinking of Atlanta Nights. No, that wasn't an SF book. It was a realistic novel set in modern America, featuring realistic characters and situations (the sort of thing that PA says SF authors can't write).

Nor did PA publish it. We withdrew it after they'd sent an acceptance and a contract, and printed it via Lulu.com (so you can get it for under sixteen bucks, as opposed to PA where a book of similar length these days would cost you darned near thirty clams) without giving a penny to PA. (In terms of sales -- Atlanta Nights has surpassed most PA books, with over a thousand sold, none to the author(s).)

[Don Davidson]

For more on Atlanta Nights, check out this web site:

http://www.wizardessbooks.com/html/PA_stories.htm.

It appears to have been a sting operation by SFWA writers to see if PublishAmerica would offer to publish "the worst book ever written," to prove that they will publish anything. Of course, they did.

[merrihiatt]

As Jim said, Atlanta Nights wasn't actually published by PA. It was accepted by PA for publication, but no contract was ever signed.

[DaveKuzminski]

And PA doesn't like being stung.

[smsarber]

Originally Posted by DaveKuzminski

And PA doesn't like being stung.

No, they like to do the stinging.