Publish America

The book industry trade publication Publishers Weekly is outing Publish America as the scam we all know that it is... it seemed only the desperate, aspiring authors who "sold" their books to the publisher couldn't see it.

Until now. 

A group of authors wronged by the vanity press have mounted a grassroots campaign to garner media scrutiny of Publish America's business practices.

Led by Dee Power and Rebecca Easton, the authors' group is mounting a campaign to alert the media about PA. A release with more than 100 e-mail addresses of aggrieved authors was recently sent to the press, and, after a story ran in PW NewsLine last week, PW heard from more troubled authors. The enterprise, said authors, is in many ways worse than a vanity publisher, because of how the house positions itself. "If they would just say, buy your books up front and pay X amount and we'll give you X, Y and Z, then that would be one thing," said author Kate St. Amour, who wrote a spiritual thriller called Bare Bones. "But they don't tell you those things when you sign up with them."

The authors said the goal is as much public awareness as restitution. "We hope to spare other people, perhaps thousands, the frustration and problems we've had with this deceptive company," Power said in her letter.

The authors allege that Publish America doesn't edit the books they publish, they don't pay royalties, and they make little or no effort to get their books into actual bookstores.  The article says that Publish America doesn't charge for printing the books, but they do require authors to provide a list of friends and family, which the company then hits on hard to buy books.

I don't remember Penguin/Putnam asking me for my Christmas card list...

Publish America's Executive Director Miranda Prather told PW that all the claims against the company are unfounded and maintained the fiction that they are a "traditional publisher." 

As for marketing to the author, Prather said, there's "no pressure on our authors to buy their books. That would make us a vanity press." She declined to identify the company's CEO and, unlike a traditional house, said that the company does not edit for content, only for grammar and spelling.

Uh-huh. Most "traditional publishers" aren't shy about identifying their CEO...nor do they take out half-page ads in the New York Times courting authors to sign with them and make their dreams come true. But hey, what do I know?

UPDATE: More on "A Writer's Life" about PublishAmerica:

http://leegoldberg.typepad.com/a_writers_life/2006/03/publish_america.html

http://leegoldberg.typepad.com/a_writers_life/2005/08/publishamerica_.html

http://leegoldberg.typepad.com/a_writers_life/2005/06/liberty_justice.html

http://leegoldberg.typepad.com/a_writers_life/2005/05/suckered_by_pub.html

http://leegoldberg.typepad.com/a_writers_life/2005/02/scamming_publis.html

http://leegoldberg.typepad.com/a_writers_life/2005/01/publishamerica_.html

http://leegoldberg.typepad.com/a_writers_life/2005/01/the_publishamer.html

Comments

[Dave Kuzminski]

Well said. Thank you for alerting more writers.

[Joy Lee Rutter]

As one of the once-published authors, I can attest to your facts and offer more complaints of my own. However, it is a repeat of all that others have gone through, some worse than others. My heart goes out to those who have worked so hard to promote a book that took months or years to write and then watch it crumble with bookstores' refusal to stock it, reviewers refusal to look at a PA title, and royalty checks that do not match actual sales. Thank you for a well written piece.

Joy Rutter

[Argile Stox]

Below are some other articles concerning PublishAmerica. They are worth reading, as well.

http://www.useless-knowledge.com/1234/new/article025.html

http://www.useless-knowledge.com/1234/new/article068.html

[Lisa Maliga]

Dear Mr. Goldberg,
Thank you for putting this article up on your blog. It's very important that legitimate writers such as yourself help tell new authors about the perils of PublishAmerica.
all the best,
Lisa Maliga

[Milton Stern]

I am recently published author with PublishAmerica. I too have been sucked in by their false claims. I am carting 15 copies of my book, "America's Bachelor President and the First Lady," to a local bookstore to sell to them at a 20% loss because they refuse to deal with PublishAmerica's questionnable business practices when trying to purchase books for their shelves. My book has actually appeared in required reading lists for those researching James Buchanan and Harriet Lane, but PublishAmerica has done nothing to promote it. I have done all the leg work and spent a ton of money doing so. I am hiring a lawyer this week to get out of the contract.

[Mark A. York]

I was the first to file a complaint in this new round about a year and a half ago. I campaigned for FTC violations but the PA authors weren't fully debriefed at the time and I was ridiculed and run off all of the message boards for writers. So be it, but I'm glad this thing is finally catching on.

The first batch of writers were blackmailed by the company and still many sign gag orders to leave. I didn't have to due to my tenacity. There will be more stories to come. I'll see to it.

[Marty Pandicini]

Publish America is a "dirt bag" organization. I know of a couple of authors who have been "played" and shuffled into a horrible situation, because of their unethical practices.

When problems occur, its always nice to know where the "buck" stops, in order to deal with a situation and resolve it with the right people. But, as indicated in an aforementioned submission on this site, "who's at the controls of Publish America?"

Well friends, seeing that this is the season of giving, allow me to offer this gift to all of those who would like to send Santa a little note about two little boys who are beyond "naughty."

The CEO's of Publish America are:

- LARRY CLOPPERS
- WILHELM MEINERS

These two malpractice "artists" have established quite the list of enemies, while "bunkering" themselves without risking any return fire. There's a purpose for their obsession to remain anonymous.

Well what fun is that?

No more however, as information will flow about these two; such as the color of their Suburbans, their Maryland licenes plate numbers, their e-mail addresses (as long as they keep them), their home addresses and little things that they don't want made public.

So, stay tuned and Happy Holidays!

[Michael I. Viets]

I got out of the contract with Publish America, but only because I figured out how. It was easy and only took 2 weeks. Just ask and I will share.
They lie, they cheat, and refuse to honor their own contracts. I warn all authors to look away from the evil they represent.
Regards.

[Frank Whyte]

Serious editing is non-existent. Promotions are the sole responsibility of the author. Traditional media will not accept Publish America works for review. Bookstores will not stock titles published by Publish America. The books are horribly overpriced. But...in the face of all of this, and for those who are somehow able to overcome it, they will insult you with false sales figures, and humiliate you with laughable royalty checks. It is criminal and somebody should do something about it.

[Elizabeth Francis]

I just posted this thread on the PA MESSAGE BOARD.. after I recieved a certified latter to day stating my grammer was inadequate. Which may be likely due to the fact it is a Historical Romance Novel set in the earlt 19th century. I think it has more to do with the fact it is a 300 page novel and would be costly.
I wish I would have taken a moment to research them..like I have now...

Ok…. I am sure this will be my one and only chance to express my disappointment.
I am sure after this thread is posted, my password will be evoked.

I signed my contract in February of 2004.

My manuscript was written following Dorchester Publishing guidelines for a Historical Romance Novel, stating that the word count is 100,000… a full-blown Historical Romance Novel.

My QA. Was finished in the beginning of June, and all seemed to be well.
The waiting process began, but I assumed it would be well worth the wait.

August 13,2004 I received my $1 and knew everything was about to fall into place.
Later that month I received an e-mail from my editor explaining my Dialogue tags were wrong… I immediately went to the message board and began asking for help…everyone was great!! Thank you.

I sent back my revised manuscript on September 16,2004 asking for a return e-mail to reassure me all was well. I received that e-mail later that afternoon, and was relieved.

November rolls around still no proofs…. No response to my e-mail’s asking if everything was ok.
Therefore, I posted a thread asking other author’s if this was normal.
The thread then disappeared… my user name unregistered… three days later I was aloud back on the message board. I would like to state in my post I never doubted PA… so it was strange to me as to why the thread would be deleted, but nevertheless it was.

I have e-mailed my editor several times… nothing. I even called PA... still nothing.
This morning I received an e-mail from the message board telling my picture will be posted, and when I went to the mail-box I had a registered letter from PA… telling me they have now decided not to publish my work…. After a year of waiting…. And now nothing.

OF COURSE IT IS MY FAULT…. I ask you when you receive an e-mail one day telling you everything is great and then nothing… and then a certified letter stating … sorry about your luck.

As I said I will probably be unable to post after this…
Good Luck to all of you… but be careful.

ElizabethFrancis
The Keeper of my Heart
Elizabethfrancis.bravehost.com

[Rose]

Hello again Lee ,you will see most of the replies to this blog are from the authors' group who is mounting a campaign to alert the media about PA. Led by Dee Power and Rebecca Easton, Googling PA,reveals a great deal of writers' forums taken up with long-winded, visceral rants.

Margaret Atwood, Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain, and Virginia Woolf are among the many authors who self-published early in their careers.

I for one am a newly publish America author and to date I’ am very pleased with the service that I have received from them. I found the text edited well and they made changes in my poor grammar.

They first sent me a cover for my book that I was unhappy with and when I emailed them they responded in a quick and timely fashion. They worked side by side with me to design a cover that was to my liking.

I would like to see my book priced lower yes, but the fact is I have a book and it is selling.Chapters did say that they will cary my book.

They did request that I send them a list of friends and family, however I only sent them ten names. They sent out only 1 letter to them notifying them of my release. They have never pressured me or my family and friends to purchase the book.

I have two books readings scheduled for the month of February and have had many positive reviews of my book.

When I have questions regarding my book they answer in a timely response. I knew the deal when I signed my contract and I for one think they are being fair.

I would suggest anyone having second thoughts about choosing PA as your publisher; wave the Pro’s and the Cons.

Do not let unhappy authors make your decision for you.

Look at both sides of the situation and by all means talk to other Authors who are happy with Publish America and have had success stories.

I wish you the best of luck in your writing career with whatever company you choose and thank you for letting me voice my opinion in your blog.

Rose DesRochers

[Darrel Day]

I am a published author with PA. My book Abduction was released to the bookstores today. I have signings up and coming in several bookstores. I have not experienced any problems as far as bookstores excepting my novel to place on their shelves.
I agree fully with Rose and have stated so in every site including writers.net and useless-knowledge. The people who are upset with PA are snowballing and grabbing every young or new writer they can and taking them down with them. If you are dis-satisfied witha publisher than by all means, choose another one. Pa does and has done exactly what every writer that signed with them asked them to do... Published their book and got it to the bookstores on and off-line.
As for closing the thread to avoid a war, I guess I would say duhhhhhhhh... That would only hurt Pa and those of us that have enjoyed working with them. The only one that would benefit from that would be the people upset with PA. I have a second book due out with them very soon and my third novel will also be placed with them.
I will echo my own words and say once more. If you are unhappy with your book sales then perhaps you need to be sure that you have done what was needed to do to sell it. Leg work to get into as many bookstores as you can is not a crime!!!!!!! If you believe in your book then Sell it like you do. Selling your book is an interactive works between you, PA and the bookstores.
I have my book being advertized over two radio stations and through 4 newspapers now. I didn't pay for it... I convinced the papers and radio stations that my novel was THAT good. Word of mouth and a little walking is going to sell the book... If PA printed up 10,000 books for you, that doesn't mean they are going to sell. That is where you come in.
If you did this and the book still didn't sell, then have another look at your book and see what you might need to do to make it sell.
I don't know if they are the best or the worst... I just know they have done me and a great number of other authors good. Everyone has their own thoughts and are entitled to them until they become a war zone. Then... hmmmmmm??? I wonder what we look like to people looking in.

[Thumper]

If amazon and barnesandnoble.com carry your book, they are doing a great job of hiding it. A search at both sites and on the net for your books under your name, and "D.R. Day," turns up zippo. Which is exactly what you are going to get in royalties from ScamAmerica.

The only listing I could find was --- where else? -- at the ScamAmerica (aka Publish America) website, where they trumped the news that ONE BOOKSTORE has ordered a copy or two of his book. Wow, that's impressive. One store. Hell of a publisher you got there, Darrell.

[Marie Pacha]

To date two of my books have been published by Publish America. I read my contract carefully; after all there were seven pages of terms. Publish America has complied with all of the terms listed.

My books have been purchased through Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com, and are listed online with a number of other companies too. I had a poetry reading and book signing at a Barnes and Noble in Yonkers, N.Y.

Did Publish America ask me if I would like them to send an announcement to my family and friends...Damn straight they did, and MY family and friends were delighted to see that sign of my success. I have a copy of the letter they sent, and it was not pushed upon any of us. On my first book I only sent it to about three people, and Publish America did not demand more names from me.

I'm sure there are authors who are disastified with Publish America, just as there are some people who are not satisfied with anything.

I am however, quite pleased with all my contacts with them.

Thanks for your time.

Put my name in on Barnes and Noble, my books will appear.

[JackV]

Hi All, I was just ready to submit my novel (which took about 8 years to write) to PA. Boy, glad I did some reasearch first, Whew!

Any ideas/comments about www.american-book.com before I submit?

Thanks again for stopping me with PA

[Lee Goldberg]

It's another scam...

We provide our authors all the professional services of editors, book designers, and book publicists to ensure their success.

In other words, you ARE A CUSTOMER.

We may issue publishing contracts with offers of financial advances to authors who have been published and have already established their popularity.

Convention publishers don't work that way. When they say "we may issue publishing contracts with offers of financial advances," it means that standard practice is THAT THEY DON'T. But they will kindly make an exception of they can trade on your good name.

We may issue publishing contracts to professional writers who have become accomplished in their writing career and the contract may neither offer an advance or request a deposit.

A deposit??? This should be your big, fat tip-off that this is another PublishAmerica vanity press scam. But in case you missed that subtle clue...

We may issue publishing contracts to talented writers who have not been published before or become accomplished in their writing career, and this contract may request a one-time deposit of $780 that is returned to the author the first quarter after the book has been formally released.

Publishers pay YOU, you don't PAY THEM. Don't let your desperation to be published blind you into forking over money to what's obviously a vanity press operation.

[JackV]

Thanks Lee. I missed that paragraph about the $780 fee.

As a new author (just completed my first novel that I started in 1996), any other helpful info?

I had 2 professional editors review and offer suggestions for my manuscript that I eagerly fixed. They are excited about my work but I'm apprehensive about taking the step on getting it published. From everything I've been reading, its Hell out there.
I'm going to try the following publishers for now:

www.american-book.com
www.bancroftpress.com
www.tatepublishing.com
www.tor.com

Any helpful insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

[JackV]

www.american-book.com incorrectly made this list again. Sorry about that.

[Lee Goldberg]

Stopping looking for a short cut, Jack. Tate is another vanity press, so is Bancroft Press. You don't research this stuff very hard, do you? Just a casual *glance* at Bancroft reveals it's a vanity press. This is from their website:

All service fees at Bancroft Editorial are flexible and negotiable. We offer payment plans that fit you best—by the hour, by the page, or by the project. We price ourselves competitively among others in the industry, but if you are price-shopping for an editor, we are probably not your best bet. If quality and expertise are your top priorities, we welcome your business. The author pays for all incurred expenses, such as travel. Fees and billing schedules will be discussed in our initial consultation.

C'mon Jack, it took me 30 seconds to find that out. Make an effort to look into these companies yourself.

Tor Book is the only reputable publishing company on your your list.

You might also want to visit:

http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/peba.htm

for their handy overview of the different publishing houses and scams out there.

Better yet, just walk into a bookstore, go to the shelves, and look at the books they are selling. Note the names of the publishers and their addresses.

Most reputable publishers don't have websites telling you about "the professional services they offer to writers" nor a schedule of fees.

[JackV]

Thanks for the fast reply.

Ya I know… I’m searching through the deluge of sites out there.

The bookstore shelves is the best bet for seeking potentially repeatable publishers.

I’ll keep my pestering to a minimum by fully researching these things before asking. Thanks for the link.

[KL Albert]

I was seriously considering sending in my manuscript to PA. It's almost five hundred pages, and I've worked on it way too long for something like this to happen to it; now I'm rethinking whether I should trust PA or not. I don't want to risk it.

[Maria]

I sent in my manuscript to PA. And I am having some serious doubts about, what to do. It has become increasingly apparent that these people are frauds. So my concerns stems from they having something I've worked so hard on. Thankfully I haven't signed anything so I am not tied in to them yet. Thank you all for posting it has really helped me out a great deal.

[Robert Ross]

All
I wish to say is that I paid a fee to have the PA contract assessed by the Australian Society Of Authors, Contract Advisory Service. This is the industry journal for Australian writers. What they said was, you amy find it enlightening and assist in dampening down some of the emotion and hysterical bile that you seem to be drowing in:

CONTRACT ADVISORY SERVICE
ROBERT ROSS with PUBLISH AMERICA (“PA”)

Dear Robert

What follows is an assessment of your contract addressing your specific questions and the contract in general. Any clauses not commented on should be regarded as acceptable as they stand.

Consistency with Australian arrangements

In regards to its terms and conditions, this agreement is similar to most Australian contracts. I have seen other US publishing contracts which differ, but this one follows the Australian template quite closely. It is a straightforward piece of contract writing with no catches.

Publishing, promotional and distribution obligations on PA.

The obligation in clause 2 to make the volume; “attractive and substantial looking” is one I haven’t heard before. However, it would work to make PA use their “best endeavours” to produce a good quality work and would leave them liable if there was a quality issue down the track. To keep yourself in the decision making process you should ask for the following to be added to clause 2 after “... substantial looking.”:

“The Publisher agrees to take account of the Author’s reasonable views on these matters.”

Clause 9 contains the substance of PA’s promotional obligations and the obligation is fairly easy on them. The obligation can be tightened up, but it is inevitably up to the Author to keep themselves informed of what is being done on their behalf by the publisher. The clause should at least state that:

“The Publisher agrees to use his best endeavours to distribute ...”

The words: “at his discretion” should be deleted. Further along in tis clause the reference to: “media outlets of the Publisher’s own choice” should read media outlets that the Publisher, in their opinion, deem best suitable for the purpose of promoting the work.”

The best way to make a publisher publish your work is to work a “best endeavours” provision into the obligations wherever possible. These words do have a legal impact in any dispute as a failure to use their “best endeavours” will represent a breach of terms of the contract. The difficulty, of course, is that it is for the author to police this aspect of the publishers performance. A poor return and the lack of a good explanation from PA is one sign of a failure to apply themselves.

There is no reason why you shouldn’t be continually asking for details fro PA as to where they are with the promotion and distribution of your work. If they value their relationship with their authors, they should provide you with acceptable answers to your questions.

Other Observations

Clause 3. It would be better to start at 10% and move up to 12.5% after 10,000 copies, but don’t lose the 12.5% if they suggest a move to a flat 10% as an alternative.

Clause 6 should be deleted if you are indeed the sole author and all subsequent numbers should be amended

Clause 7 should end as follows: “ ...negligence on the part of the Publisher, its employees or agents.”

Clause 10. 2 copies of the work is poor, Ten or even a dozen should be no problem really.

Clause 17. Should state that you will make yourself “reasonably available to media interviews ...” and that; “The publisher agrees to fully meet any travel costs and accommodation costs incurred in the course of promoting the work.

Clause 18. Try and have this deleted, I have already suggested an amendment to clause 2 which covers this, instead you could word the clause as follows:

The Publisher agrees to consider the reasonable opinion of the Author in all matters dealing with design and publication of the work.”

Clause 27 should read “The Author covenants and represents to the best of his knowledge that ...”

Clause 32. The figure for your advance should be 50% of the royalties you can expect from the first print run of the work.

All in all, Robert, a good agreement. Please feel free to contact me through the ASA if you require any further assistance.

A merry Christmas to you and best of luck with the book.

Carl Baitup
for the Australian Society of Authors

[Darrel day]

I wish only to say this to Thumper. Before you o rolling your fingers over the keyboard, you might want to make sure you have the right information. Both Amazon and Barnes and Noble as well as BAM, Tattered Cover, Target and several other stores have my novel listed on their site. Type in Abduction and see for yourself!
Your constant travels of writing against PA must be taking up a great deal of your "Novel" writing time. Perhaps you would better serve both yourself and others that tire of the constant complaining by settling in and writing us a nice novel so we can see that talent you are so upset about.
Life goes on and we all learn what is or isn't right. We each also have the choice to switch or ride the waves. Let's be done with this and do what we all are wanting to do. Write books and poems for the enjoyment of the kind readers that buy our books... Darrel...

[Penny Weigand]

I am an attorney. The PA contract is straight forward and they offer to even negotiate details and terms. Most of the sites with threads are linked to subsidy presses. I am thinking about accepting the contract and investing in myself. I see Publish America authors on Amazon.com and on the Barnes and Nobel site. I was considering self-publishing and this requires no initial layout of money, so why not? How many take their two free books and run? Authors should think of themselves as the voice of the future to the present. Getting into Random House is too difficult and a lot of stuff out there on bookstore shelves is just plain garbage. I think the most important thing for an author is to promote themselves. All this negative stuff is only hurting writers, not explaining what PA is "all about".

[David J. Montgomery]

Don't they own the copyright for 7 years? That right there is reason enough not to go with PA.

Any book with an ISBN number (which only requires the paying of a fee) can get listed on Amazon or B&N, so that's not much of a recommendation.

The problem with publishing with a company like PA, regardless of whatever else one thinks about it, is that your book will have no credibility. It won't be reviewed, it won't be respected, it won't be read.

If your book is good and there is a market for it, a traditional publisher will accept it. Just keep trying and keep working on your craft.

Good luck!

[Lee Goldberg]

What PA is "all about" is exploiting the desperation of aspiring writers... and offering a bait-and-switch. Anybody who signs a contract with PA now... after their questionable business practices have been exposed by a number of news organizations (and well documented on countless blogs and websites)...deserves the screwing they are going to get.

[Elizabeth Padillo Olesen]

Hi,

It is really good to read some of the positive and negative comments on PA. I have been planning actually to send my manuscript and try to have a first hand experience. It is because PA`s profile in its homepage appears very good. This will be my first time to try. I have been waiting for many years to find a publisher that can publish my story or stories without financial obligations from my side.

I am convinced I have a story to tell. My heart continues to call me to that higher purpose. I have not really found one that can help me. Can anyone lead me to other publishers who have a good reputation? Addresses please!

Elizabeth
a Filipino immigrant in Denmark

[Bunny]

Thank you Mr. Goldberg for your warning to aspiring writers. Unfortunately, a relative of mine who is barely getting by on a disability check and government subsidized housing, now believes that her dreams of becoming a published poet have come true. I wonder how many people she will beg to buy her book before she realizes what Publish America really is. Just to see how easy it was to sell a book on Amazon.com, I posted about 20 books that I had lying around the house. One didn't have an ISBN that Amazon.com recognized, so all I had to do was write a detail page. At least, I might make some money selling used books....but my poor relative has expectations of being rich and famous. She is sold on Publish America's lies. Her book of poetry just came out a few days ago and already some used copies have appeared on Amazon.com. Probably books that she bought herself. This is all very sad.

[Mark A. York]

That contract review is chilling. Great except for all of these caveats, “at his discretion” which to PA means never. This is a POD vanity scam that after two years of hard work from myself and others especially SFWA has been exposed for the snakes they are. They won't even deliver the books once someone buys them. My apologies to the reptile commnity.

[Mark A. York]

Publishers

Here ya go Elizabeth.

[Bunny]

This morning, I placed some used books on sale at Amazon.com. My reason for doing so was to test Publish Americas boast that their authors are stocked by Amazon.com. It was so easy to place a book for sale on Amazon.com that since this morning, I have sold 7 books in a few hours. I am actually making more money selling used books in a few hours, than most Publish America writers see in royalties in an entire year. I am selling my used books to total strangers, who are buying for their reading enjoyment. This should tell you that if you have to buy your own books or ask friends and relatives to buy them, then something is wrong.

[Mark A. York]

I've never sold used books that fast, but I've sold many especially textbooks that way. Publishamerica books are too overpriced to sell anywhere. That's the real test.

[Carla Johnson]

Check out your books on e-bay. You will find 101 copies for sale by a bookseller. Can we say...Show me the money come August PA?

[Lee Goldberg]

Check out your books on e-bay.

Whose books are you talking about?

[Mark A. York]

Good question. Whose books indeed and ones that had the rights returned pray tell?

[Mark A. York]

Mine are but it's legitimate. Nothing from PA, but that doesn't mean they're not doing it with others. In fact I know they are.

[Elizabeth Padillo Olesen]

Dear Mark York,

Thank you very much for taking time providing me list of publishers. I have been very excited reading the profiles of some of them. I hope this can lead me further in my search for a good publisher. The stories I have written for a number of years continue to scream out in darkness. They, too, long for to be shared, read and heard.

God bless you.

Elizabeth

[Mark A. York]

You're welcome, but getting them out of the dark depends on the people who run the business. You're gonna need to convince an agent too, possibly first.

[Elizabeth]

Dear Mark,

What should one do to convince an agent that his work is worthy to be published? Should one write or should one have a personal contact? I thought of sending my manuscript just by online. Are there more things to be done?

Have you published your works? Have you been contented with your publisher? What themes do you write about?

Beth

[Penny Weigand]

I am now starting my own publishing company and keeping control over my work. Look for Bella Publishing out in the market in the very near future. I am a published writer and an attorney so I decided to try it all by myself--no subsidy publisher, just me; and it is freeing not to have to worry about political marketing of my art. I have been wanting to do this for some time and know someone who has opened his own comic book press who is very happy; and he is a well known comic book artist who just decided to make a go on his own as I have now decided to do--so I am not going with PA or anyone else who is after my work. I have an advantage of knowing the law and how to do this stuff, so I decided to take advantage of my ability and knowledge.

[Mark A. York]

That would make you a self-publisher. I'm still chasing agents myself since my two experimental PODs like all of them did nothing. That's the name of the game in order to sell a manuscript to a real publisher that we've all heard of with books on shelves. You write a good query. Good luck.

[Derek Rush]

Oh boy. Not liking what I'm hearing from everyone here. I'm recently inked a contract with Publish America.

What should I do?

[Elizabeth]

Dear Derek,

Go ahead and congratulations. Negative comments will always be there. But there are also those who can come up with positive comments. Let PA be your first hand experience. I should like to do that. Share what happens after your contract.It will be very exciting to know.

Beth

[Lee Goldberg]

What, exactly, are you congratulating him for? The honor of being taken advantage of by a publishing scam? Shame on you, Elizabeth.

The truth about PublishAmerica has been exposed quite effectively by the media...and dozens of aspiring authors that the company has bilked. The lesson I hope Derek has learned is to do his research BEFORE signing a contract.

If I was you, Derek, I'd ask PublishAmerica to release me from my contract immediately. They have no legitimate reason to refuse you... especially since they have done anything for you yet. If they do refuse, please come back and share their letter with us so everybody can see the type of people you're dealing with.

Once you get your manuscript back, do look for an easy way or a short cut into publishing. Submit to reputable publishers. How do you find them? You can start by walking into a book store and taking down the names of publishers with books on the shelves... then do you research. Make sure they are legit. Then submit your book to them.

Here's a hint: Do not go with any publisher that wants to charge you any kind of fee or wants a list of your relatives to market your book to.

Lee

[Mark A. York]

What Lee said. First don't send back the proofs when you get them. Ask to cancel. Tell PA you won't promote the book in any way. This has worked for others, so it's worth a shot. Beth, do your homework.

[Derek]

Are these guys really that bad? How can they afford to stay in business with all this purported bad press?

I can't comprehend how they'd be able to make money by publishing someone's book, then telling them to go promote it. It doesn't make much sense to me.

Then again, I've been wrong before.

It was just great to go from a kid who mispelled every other word in high school, to sitting down one day and writing a horror novel. And better yet, to have what I thought was a decent publisher show interest in what I busted my ass to accomplish. Then this.

You have to realize what a crappy feeling I have in my gut right now, having an actual contract, and thinking of turning it down to try again. It's like hitting the lottery and returning the winning ticket in hopes the next jackpot will be more lucrative.

Being a first time author, I'm sure my manuscript isn't up to par with the likes of Steven King or Dean Koontz, but I have faith in the story, and see my writing as pretty damn good--and I'm my own worst critic. But to tell this PA I'd like to back out has gotten a bit insane these past couple days.

My book has 166,000 words to it. Most of the other publishers frown on first time submissions over 100,000. And it's not all garbage filler in between good scenes. The plot is there. The story is there. The characters are there.

With the contract with PA inked, can I give them a go and pull out once I learn they are doing nothing to promote my book? Isn't that part of signing with them, that they are suppose to promote it? And what if I don't think the quality of the book itself is any good; is that grounds for pulling out of the contract?

[Lee Goldberg]

You have to realize what a crappy feeling I have in my gut right now, having an actual contract, and thinking of turning it down to try again. It's like hitting the lottery and returning the winning ticket in hopes the next jackpot will be more lucrative.

You're deluding yourself.You haven't won the lottery. You don't have an actual contract with a real publisher. It's exactly that attitude that has made you ripe for the picking by predators like PublishAmerica.

You want to believe the fantasy that you've landed a real publishing contract. Then go ahead, live the fantasy. Just remember that it is one.

[David J. Montgomery]

Derek,

What PA does, based on innumerable stories in the media and testimonials from people they've conned, is:

*agree to "publish" your book -- any book, regardless of quality
*make it available for purchase online (along with approximately 3 million other titles)
*do nothing to promote it or get it in bookstores
*do nothing to get your book reviewed (no mainstream outlet will touch it)
*pressure you, your family, friends, neighbors, casual acquaintances, people you went to high school with, etc. to all buy copies of your book
*market it to no one else

It costs PA a couple bucks to print your book, and they sell it to you and your list of suckers for $20. That's how they make their money.

Unfortunately, this does not count as being published in the traditional sense, nor in any other meaningful sense. All it does it make your book available for you to purchase for yourself. This is known as vanity publishing.

If by some miracle of miracles a real publisher should actually want to put out your book once you've signed up with PA, they control the rights for 7 years (!) and will take a hefty cut of any royalties you should get.

If that sounds like what you're after, go for it.

[Mark A. York]

Writers love their own books and so they will buy and sell at least 75 copies of it. That's the goal of the company and with a page count that high you're looking at $39 for a POD trade paperback. it isn't going to sell to anyone but you. That's how it works.

Real publishers offer the books at discounts to stores that are benefical to both parties. PA gets around this by offering short discounts no store will accept so they don't.

Reject the contract. Don't submit the proofs. They do promote the books: to the author and their family.