NEPAT Overflow

[aruna]

Meanwhile, on the PAMB, same old same old:
http://bb.publishamerica.com/viewtopic.php?t=7923

There's a thread there about someone selling PA books on EB. They think it is PA itself; what's your take on this?

[Lady of Prose]

To repeat Jim's question. Anything new on returnable books at Publish America?

[Tilda]

(Re: http://bb.publishamerica.com/viewtopic.php?t=7923)

And this is what it boils down to for many people who chose PA (not all, but many):

Other authors that may be waiting for that publishing company to except his or her book and make millions, may still be waiting while we are selling books. I for one did not want to sit and wait. I can't imagine not being out there to brag about my book.

All in all, that thread is so full of misconceptions that it hurts one's eyes. For the record:
-I'm unpublished.
-I'm not expecting to get rich and make millions. I just want readers. I don't want to sell my books myself, either. I want to keep writing and leave the marketing to others.
-Yes, I will "wait". That translates to that I will edit my book until it is as tight, clear, awesome, etc. as possible (grammar & spell check are not editing, I'm talking content editing here)...I will research the publishing business carefully to find out the best ways to submit and the most suitable agents and publishers for my particular book...and I will keep on honing that query letter and synopsis until they're perfect.
Then, I will find a real publisher who pays me a real advance and promotes my book. And last, despite the outcome of the querying process, I will start writing another book, an even better one.

Why do I go at it "the hard way"? Because I want to be a real, published author.
That's why

[Tilda]

Originally Posted by Lady of Prose

To repeat Jim's question. Anything new on returnable books at Publish America?

I predict we'll see that when cows are spotted flying across the sky

Shame on PA for playing with the dreams of people!

[Lady of Prose]

Originally Posted by Tilda

I predict we'll see that when cows are spotted flying across the sky

Shame on PA for playing with the dreams of people!

Purple spotted cows.

One reason we have a chance to find a "real" publisher is that we do know the difference between "accept" and "except."

With each new crop of PA authors, the lack of knowledge in basic grammar and mechanics is overwhelming. And have mercy on anyone who tries to intervene and help!

[Bufty]

Originally Posted by Lady of Prose

To repeat Jim's question. Anything new on returnable books at Publish America?

The question has just been asked! http://bb.publishamerica.com/viewtopic.php?t=7951

[Lady of Prose]

Originally Posted by Bufty

The question has just been asked! http://bb.publishamerica.com/viewtopic.php?t=7951

Well, well. Let's see how long it takes infoidiot to step in with some gobbledygook answer.

[Bufty]

Oh pleeeese tell me I am imagining this.

I disagree TBOL -I AM the next JK ROWLING - I assure you!

You know why i love PA, coz i can promote my book myself, i am a sales person and i have entrepreneur blood in my veins. As soon as i get my book in print, i am sending it off to Hollywood! I mean it.

Publish America is going to only be as good as the effort you put in to it - For christs sake, they are printing our book, giving it a proffesional front cover, editing it and mass producing it - FOR FREE! All we have to do is be imaginative (not hard for a writer) and come up with our own plans to make our book seen!

Im already organising a launch party for next year, where i have THREE famous UK celebs coming and all the local media! My books not even been printed - you have to be positive to acheive anything!

Mass producing it FOR FREE????????

[Lady of Prose]

Originally Posted by Bufty

Oh pleeeese tell me I am imagining this.



Mass producing it FOR FREE????????

I could tell ya, but it wouldn't make it any less painful.

Per chance the "book" should land in a Hollywood agent's hands, what are your guesses as to what the person will do with it. And while doing it, will she/he laugh or cry?

As much as I hate the (i) I wouldn't get past the first page of PA'S editing job.

[Christine N.]

Uh, I hate to burst her bubble, but I am the next J.K. Rowling! (recent agent rejection letter notwithstanding)

LOL. Sorry, I couldn't resist. What part of "Print On Demand" does she not understand? There is no mass production anywhere in the equation. Ack.

[astonwest]

Originally Posted by Christine N.

What part of "Print On Demand" does she not understand? There is no mass production anywhere in the equation. Ack.

Simply displaying the same naivete many other PA authors have shown (and will show for years to come) with regards to the publishing process...

[Canada James]

Originally Posted by James D. Macdonald

Even being mentioned as "Also received" in a major venue can help get you stocked more places.

And yes, James, I'm proud of you. You avoided the Author's Big Mistake. (And some Very Big Names have failed that test, to their universal woe.)

My book has been mentioned (as in my name and a synopsis) in Publisher's Weekly.

C. James

[DaveKuzminski]

Good for you, CJ. I hope you see many more of your books published.

[Tilda]

I disagree TBOL -I AM the next JK ROWLING - I assure you!

You know why i love PA, coz i can promote my book myself, i am a sales person and i have entrepreneur blood in my veins. As soon as i get my book in print, i am sending it off to Hollywood! I mean it.

Publish America is going to only be as good as the effort you put in to it - For christs sake, they are printing our book, giving it a proffesional front cover, editing it and mass producing it - FOR FREE! All we have to do is be imaginative (not hard for a writer) and come up with our own plans to make our book seen!

Im already organising a launch party for next year, where i have THREE famous UK celebs coming and all the local media! My books not even been printed - you have to be positive to acheive anything!

Before I went to read this thread over at the PAMB, I knew who the writer was. My heart really goes out to this girl, she is so sincere and likeable in her honesty. We write in the same genre (well, somewhat), and quite honestly, anyone writing MG/YA fantasy will at some point fantasize about becoming the next JKR. I like the premise of this girl's book, and her names are interesting, but her text really is not (commercially) publishable yet. I feel so sorry for her, because her dream will not come true before she learns to heavily edit her text (and then send it to a real publisher).

If only everybody who wants to publish was forced to buy and read "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" first.

[Tilda]

Originally Posted by Lady of Prose

Purple spotted cows.

One reason we have a chance to find a "real" publisher is that we do know the difference between "accept" and "except."

With each new crop of PA authors, the lack of knowledge in basic grammar and mechanics is overwhelming. And have mercy on anyone who tries to intervene and help!

You took the words straight out of my mouth. No sane person would expect to book a concert at Carnegie Hall if all they could play was jingles. Getting to Carnegie Hall requires years and years of honing and perfecting your craft and the required talent to reach mastery. And when you finally play in your concert, your playing will be brilliant. Not riddled with errors and wrong notes.
The same goes for writing, but for some reason many don't see it.

[aruna]

Originally Posted by Tilda

The same goes for writing, but for some reason many don't see it.

I think the reason is that the tools of writing are so everyday: words. We all use words on a daily basis, even small children. Everybody learns to "write" at school, whereas most people recognise the playing of a musical instrument as a talent that not everybody masters. There is no secret about the use of words, unlike with all the other arts; everybody can string them together to make a point. The jump from there to "everybody can write" isn't a huge one.

[aruna]

Strangely enough, there are only three entries in ther guest book - unusual for a PA author. And one is negative.

My favourite PA author is this one: http://www.cassandrazaruba.com/

[Tilda]

I think the reason is that the tools of writing are so everyday: words. We all use words on a daily basis, even small children. Everybody learns to "write" at school, whereas most people recognise the playing of a musical instrument as a talent that not everybody masters. There is no secret about the use of words, unlike with all the other arts; everybody can string them together to make a point. The jump from there to "everybody can write" isn't a huge one.

Very true!

Originally Posted by aruna

My favourite PA author is this one: http://www.cassandrazaruba.com/

Yes, YES! I've been to her site and thought she's one of the rare PA authors who could have found a real publisher (with a bit more editing). She sounds so sweet, too. It's a shame she's trapped with PA I hope she finds her way here one day.

[Bufty]

Originally Posted by Tilda

...so sincere and likeable in her honesty.

I'm afraid that in my book, any novice writer who when courteously advised of the errors in their synopsis insists the way it is written is the best way, then queries what is meant by Point of View, then claims to have written the book that will topple JKR is suffering from a heady PA-induced mix of conceit and ignorance.

I agree about the book's premise and characters, but blind reliance is now placed upon PA's editorial competence, although she was warned by more than one person (including fellow PAers) many months ago.

It's desperately sad, but I hold PA responsible for the very painful awakening I fear inevitably awaits this young lassie, whom I believe is writing a trilogy.

[postshy]

I seldom visit the PAMB because I find it sad, sad, sad. So many people being deluded. Please tell me that exerpt from the "next J.K. Rowling" is the unedited version and not what has actually been published. Oh, the embarrassment awaiting that poor girl! The story appears to have merit, but it needs a lot of polishing. I read my own book at least twenty times in all initially, always finding mistakes, and then ten times after it had been edited by PA. A few things still got by me after printing- not major mistakes fortunately, but noticeable. Authors cannot do final edits of their own books, because the relationship is too close

Sorry, but I have to agree with the opinions expressed by others on AW. Books, with potential, but unedited, are not only going to hurt PA authors in general, but are going to hurt the overall publishing industry. Too many authors, too few readers and this sort of thing is going to turn off even more readers. Honestly, it makes me feel like crying, not just for her sake, but for all those other dreamers on the PAMB Board spouting the same mantra: "Those bashers are just jealous. PA gave us the chance our books deserve. Our books are going to be sold from sea to shining sea. Thank you, PA." Sickening!

I attended a book signing where, without glancing at my book first, one of the other self-published authors told me
that, after reading one PA book, where she could not get past the first seventeen pages because of the poor editing, she would never read another book from a PA author. That hurt; but I have to acknowledge that she had right on her side.

I shall now withdraw back into lurkdom and watch the PA boat sink, sooner rather than later, I hope.

postshy/Roberta

[Andrew Jameson]

Originally Posted by aruna

Strangely enough, there are only three entries in ther guest book - unusual for a PA author. And one is negative.

Her web site is screwy--she's got two home pages, an index.html and a Home.html. It appears that the only way to get to the second is to go through the excerpt page and click the "home" button from there. The two home pages link to two guest books: this one is the "real" one, with 46, all positive entries, and this one is the "hidden" one you saw. I don't think this was intentional.

I've seen this woman's stuff before--my goodness. That's all I'll say about the writing. Although I'm not surprised by the supportive comments from other people, I am surprised that so many people like the Web site. She needs a site designer, stat.

Originally Posted by aruna

My favourite PA author is this one: http://www.cassandrazaruba.com/

Um, wow. What a change. That woman's really good.

[aruna]

Originally Posted by Andrew Jameson

Um, wow. What a change. That woman's really good.

See, all one has to do is read one paragraph of her work, to know she's got "it". She's very sweet and modest, and nervous about her work - the latter often been the sign of a really good writer! I'm so sorry she landed up at PA.

[astonwest]

Originally Posted by Tilda

...will at some point fantasize about becoming the next JKR.

I'm going a completely different direction, and planning to do to science fiction what JKR did to fantasy... (that is, get young people interested in the genre, and have a reader base set for life)

[Sheryl Nantus]

there's a nice troll in the original thread who needs some loving...

[Bufty]

Originally Posted by Sheryl Nantus

there's a nice troll in the original thread who needs some loving...

I'm going to remain silent and let Jim cradle the luckywriter.