Author: Steve Talbot
Date:   03-25-03 14:19

Okay, I realize that this is probably going to hit a nerve. I would like to hear from anyone who has PERSONALLY had dealings with Publishamerica. They are offering to publish my work and I am VERY skeptical. I am only interested in contructive comments please, not from those among you who are mean-spirited and cannot resist the urge to say something that is smart-assed (and you know who you are). Thanks

Author: A.C. Crispin
Date:   03-25-03 20:04

I am not a Publish America author, but I have read their current contract, and, while better than the former version, it still, to put it into technical terms, *sucks.*

If you don't believe me, get any IP (intellectual property) attorney with publishing experience to read it.

-Ann C. Crispin

Author: Steve Talbot
Date:   03-26-03 03:48

Thank you Ann for your valuable input on the subject. I can see from your web page that you are someone who knows what you are talking about! I suppose that the reason that I am so troubled by PA is the fact that they did not have the manuscript for 24 hours before they sent me an email congratulating me on my book's acceptance. I mailed it on Saturday and they responded on Tuesday morning. I think that fact was the final nail in the coffin for me with regards to PA. They could not possibly have read it and so why would they be so willing to publish it?

Another reason that I a apprehensive is that not more than a week after PA invited me to send the manuscript of my first novel, an agency (well respected one by the way) in New York wrote to me and requested to see the manuscript of my second novel, which I had finished and had begun to promote as well. And so, now I am thinking that if my work is good enough to at least get me this far I should not be dealing with PA at all. Thank you again for your valuable advice, and thanks to everyone else who might have some advice for me. I am at a time in my life and in the beginning of what I hope will be a rewarding career where I just feel alone and value any assistance that any of you are willing to give.

Author: A.C. Crispin
Date:   03-26-03 08:23

Steve, definitely pursue things with this promising agent, and I wish you the best of luck.

Put PA on the back burner; you can always send them your book again and expect to receive a virtually instantaneous acceptance. You're right, they probably didn't do more than skim it (if that) before accepting it. Publish America publishes well over 50% of what they are sent. Possibly closer to 80% of what they are sent by first time submitters. This is NOT a good percentage, unfortunately, because these vanity -- or, in PA's case, vanity business model -- publishers that don't do much, if any, editorial "gatekeeping" are thus dismissed by commercial publishers instead of being regarded as a genuine publishing credential.

I'm not saying that PA doesn't publish any good books. They do. But a hard look at their list reveals far more chaff than wheat.


-Ann C. Crispin
Writer Beware
www.sfwa.org/beware

Author: Will Garret
Date:   03-26-03 13:09

Steve, you asked for responses from folks who have personal experience with Publish America (PA). My most recent title was released by PA, so thought I'd weigh in.

The first thing I worry about in this business (agents, editors, publishers, publicists, lawyers) is outright dishonesty. PA fulfilled every contractual obligation and has conducted itself in an organized manner. Their staff has been accessible and fairly entertained every suggestion and concern. I have never been billed a penny for anything (some misinformed folks stubbornly refer to PA as a vanity or subsidy press; they're not) and received my first royalty check within appropriate time frames.

Regarding the merits of the contract: I believe business contracts demand individual decisions and am leary of folks who dismiss deals out-of-hand, especially when advising others. Look PA's contract over and see if it works. You're the only one who knows what needs to be accomplished. A contract that "sucks" for some may be suitable for others. I don't want to editorialize too much, but it's fair to say that most established authors represented by legitimate agents may not like PA's standard contract. But the deal they offered was appropriate for me and the book in question. That is why I signed.

I encourage you to browse the Author's Message Board on PA's Web site (publishamerica.com). The general public can view posts on various topical forums, which offers an inside look at PA from the authors' points of view. I think that would be more beneficial for you than automatic dismissals, questionable accusations or any individual's (including my own) personal opinion.

Good luck; hope things work out well for you.

Will Garret
The Burning Hills

Author: Lewis
Date:   03-26-03 16:20

I'm a little confused by your statement that, "I have never been billed a penny for anything." I thought there is a fee attached to being published by iUniverse, PA, and the like?

Author: Gary Kessler
Date:   03-26-03 16:56

No. PA's paradigm is that they pay a $1 advance and cover all the production costs. After that, they are quite similar to other POD producers (but, arguably, set their book prices higher than most others)--little or no editing, a higher than normal incidence of the wrong material between the covers and missing sections, and almost no promotion.

Still, they will correct production mistakes, and they are no worse at promotion than other POD producers who charge up front fees--and, as Will indicates, the bad aspects of their contracts only matter if they really affect what you planned to do with a book you'd been unable to get published by traditional means (or if you didn't walk into the contract with your eyes open and your research in order).

Author: Lewis
Date:   03-27-03 16:07

So they pay royalties and do not charge anything to publish the book? I thought POD outfits were a form of vanity publishers. Thanks for the information. Looks like I need to do some digging on this topic. I'm trying to sell two novels to agents and traditional publishers and have done a lot of research on them, but not so much on POD and electronic publishers.

Author: connybryce
Date:   03-27-03 18:15

I have 3 books with PA. There will not be a 4th. I don't even think they read the books before accepting them and they sure don't edit them. Those reasons, plus the big stumbling block of the price, are the primary factors for me.Amazon has not discounted my books in past 8 months, they are all lsited at $19.95, so I don't even bother promoting any more. I never pay that for a book, so why should anyone else at my suggestion?
But if you just want to be published, go for it. I am working on a special book now and will keep it unpublished rather than go the POD route again.

Author: Jamie
Date:   03-28-03 18:33

Ok, I had to put my two cents in on this.

I have looked at PA's website, and immediately was tipped off by the fact that they have a page dedicated to endorsements. What publishing house (POD or not) has to lure writers with testimony?

Second, I have recently found out an old college classmate of mine had been published by PA. I went and bought the book, as I was curious about what this person could write, and had a hard time locating it. PA does not put their books on store shelves, so it has to be specially ordered; Amazon.com also has their titles but you wait at least a month before hand.

When I recieved this book, I was in awe that such crap would be published by anyone. I found numerous flaws with this book, and have since decided that I would be ashamed to have my name in print by the same publisher.

Author: Matt Dinniman
Date:   03-29-03 01:57

http://www.mindsightseries.com/discus/messages/6/1865.html?1048573528

read that discussion. It's very eye opening. While I haven't published through PA, I was offered a contract by them. I had an attorney look over the contract, and she actually laughed. They say the contract isn't as ridiculous as it used to be (they used to have a clause in there that gave them right of first refusal for your next book) but it's still pretty bad.

The contract is for 7 years. Thats about 4 over the norm.

They take almost all of your subsidiary rights, including some of the most precious ones, like movie rights and international rights and e-rights.

Plus there's some scary lawsuit language in there. It's pretty terrible. I would rather be unpublished than go through them.

Author: anna weston
Date:   05-25-03 10:37

I know you all wrote responses a long time ago but I'm hoping in the future a needy author will stumble upon this and be warned against publishamerica.

I have expericed similar problems that many of hte already been published by P.A. has experienced. I'm young and I wanted to be published for the sake of being published and since they agree to help get the book ready for publication then I though, 'Hey, this could be fun'. Boy, was I wrong. They didn't even edit my book! And when I was promised I COULD rewrite it and send it back, they sent me this nasty little letter in the mail and this woman, M.Pratherm, told me that she sent me an email stating we had to use the original copy. I wrote back and told her that I thought she was supposed to help (or an editor at least) and she responsed saying that I shouldn't be 'nasty' or 'unprofessional'. And I'm like, "What the hell!" They promised to help me fix the book up, that's why I went with them. But instead they use the book that I wrote in a month and had accepted in two days after emailing them.

I HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT PROMOTE MY BOOK! EVER! AND THEY CAN KISS MY ASS!

Author: David Gardiner
Date:   07-31-03 17:35

I am pasting-in the reply below which I originally submitted to another thread. I make no apology for this, what I have to say about PublishAmerica deserves to be read.
=========================================================
The facts about PublishAmerica are pretty plain. They will publish more or less anything, just like the fee-charging POD publishers. They will not charge you anything initially but they will require a list of something approaching 100 names and addresses of people you believe are likely to buy your book (friends and family essentially). They will then produce the book, give it a cover price of at least $19.95 almost regardless of its length, and send a flyer to each person on your list asking them to buy it at a "special introductory price" which is in fact exactly the same price any customer pays if they buy it off the PublishAmerica web site. For a typical $19.95 book the "special" price is $16.95, plus shipping. If you want to buy copies to sell yourself you can order in lots of 50 and get a 50% reduction on the $19.95 price (in round figures, $10 a copy). If you argue about prices or give the impression of criticizing them in any way, all hell will break loose, they will call you a "jerk" and ban you from using their message board. Your role is to be grateful and sychophantic at all times and behave as though they are doing you an enormous favour. What is actually happening is that your friends and family are paying your POD publishing fee. They claim that on average 18 people from the "friends" list buys each title, so even if this is an accurate figure each title generates on average $16.95 X 18 which is $305. iUniverse charges $199 to provide exactly the same service and presumably makes a profit. If the author buys one batch of fifty copies you can add £500 to PublishAmerica's income from the title. Obviously there is no need for them to do promotion or do anything else to sell a title. And indeed they don't.

If you want to read a fuller account of my experiences with PublishAmerica please look here:

http://www.ukauthors.com/modules.php?name=Journal&file=display&jid=979

Author: Grace
Date:   12-17-03 20:49

I will never send anything to this company again. I suspect there is one person sitting in a little grubby office somewhere handling the whole deal. I feel like I'm not in Kansas anymore! Someone's behind a screen working with bells and whistles, smoke and mirrors. The editing is terrible. A friend sent in a check in September for copies of my overpriced book and never recieved them...got the canceled check back through! I can't correct the listing on Amazon.com no matter WHAT I do, no bookstores will carry the book because they can't send back unsold copies, and the price is too high. I wouldn't pay that much for a book, why should anyone else? I'm a professional and I've had professionals recommend and praise the book...before they saw what had happened to it. I don't know how to break into the real publishing world but I sure as hell won't go back to PublishAmerica. Beware!

Author: Denise
Date:   01-02-04 18:32

My manscript was recently selected and now I am not so sure after reading about PublishAmerica. Is there any information someone can give me before I received the contract. I had planned on an attorney looking at the contract before signing.

Thanks

Author: laylin
Date:   01-10-04 20:50

How can I break contract with PA? My book has not come out yet...and i DO not want it to be published. I don't care what I have to do to get out of it.

Any idea what will happen to me if I do decide to try and break it?


Any help would be...well, helpful.

- Laylin

Author: Paul R Neumann
Date:   01-15-04 10:41

I was interested in your comments regarding Publishamerica
as I have recently submitted a book to them.

Perhaps there is more to them than I suspected. Please let me know if your book with them was successfully launched and whether it has sold appreciatably

Regard Paul

Author: J Charles Cheek
Date:   01-20-04 23:10

To find out how to break a contract with PublishAmerica, or anyone for that matter, just ask them, "What do I need to do to get out of my contact with you?" Or, you can pay a lawyer to ask the same question for you. In any event, only the other party in the contract can make that decision.

Author: doug hanson
Date:   02-01-04 09:53

I have a book in process with PA right now and so far see no problems.

I think people get confused about what it is an editor and a publisher does. PA publishes your book, yes they will probably edit for misspelling, bad punctuation, etc. But they do not edit a book that\'s a job for an editor. If you need one go hire one there are a lot around, my self included, and they (we) are expensive.

You as an Author should not be submitting a manuscript unless it is in perfect shape, that means the best written, correctly spelled, and punctuated correctly. If it isn\'t you should be ashamed to put your name on it. If you can\'t do that and take pride in the quality of your work, maybe you should consider selling \"used Cars\" instead.

Writing is an art, a profession and a damn lot of hard work, if you arn\'t willing to spend the time to write it right, why should someone else be expected to \"Fix it for you\" especially if they are doing it for free...

JMHO

Author: Christine
Date:   02-02-04 05:15

I wanted to reply to this for 2 reasons, one, you should read the good with the bad in judging Publishamerica. What are your reasons for submiting a book to them? Mine was/is, that i believe my book will do well, and I don't have a lot of patience, and they are the only one's that I submitted to, (all authors aren't rejected hundreds of times first!), and I believe people should read their site for contract information, there seems to be a misunderstanding of the contents...
Second, google takes all these words and puts them into the search, so for my gain, book title is 'Child of an Alocholic to Daughter of the King.' by me of course, Christine Bartholomew

PS when looking at the price of a book, did you all look into what others are charging for the same type book? Mine is Christian, and Christian books are expensive...just wondering.

Author: Dave Barker
Date:   02-02-04 12:48

I'm not an attorney but if they are not fullfilling your signed contract aren't they in "breach"? If they are doing something wrong why aren't the feds looking at them?

Author: TL Gardner
Date:   03-01-04 15:11

What a great debate!

I will have to throw my small opinion onto the side of PA.
Being a PA author, I have found their services very accomidating. Considering that I am a first time author, and also considering the fact that most agents/traditional publishers, will not even look at new writers work, let alone accept them, I found PA a good risk.

And I agree, the name is Publish America, not EditAmerica... If you have a well written manuscript, get it edited. I have not put out a dime when it comes to my own manuscript, mostly because I didn't have that dime to put out. But I have my name out there, now, and I have faith in my skills as a writer.
Yes I was disappointed by the price they set for my book, but still.... I have my five copies for free! If the only book I sell through them is one of these I sell to my mom for 5 bucks, then so be it. I have something to be happy about.

So basically, I gotta give them the credit. I am satisfied. I went in with no accolades or references, I will leave them as a published author, and it cost me nothing!

Author: M Hardigree
Date:   03-21-04 16:36

I sent my story to PA and thus far they have done everything they said they would do. I need to see the cover, then it will be printed.
I am a Senior Citizen and this is my first writing and it was in very good form when I sent it to PA. Since it is the story of my life I would not want any changes made.
I am now thinking of another book. Does anyone have another Publisher in mind if I decided to change?

Author: George L Hoffman
Date:   04-04-04 15:13

Greetings---

Yes I have had my own experiance with PublishAmerica! They promised much and were eager to publish my novel, THE CLAIBORNE INSTITUTE. It is still posted on their website but no copies have been sold in the past eighteen months. They have little or no catalogue of categories that my book appears on, and no way to steer interested buyers toward its existence. The only copies that have been sold are those I bought myself (60) and a dozen or so to my relatives or friends who were on a list they requested that I send them.I send them. Their marketing efforts were "zero" while mine were stymied by newspapers refusing to give me publicity coverage unless the book was to be found in local stores. That never happened!

The book never appeared in any of the "thousand of brick and mortar bookstores" they had so glowingly suggested were to be my outlets. The company clearly exists as a skiming opwration in which their retail listing prices are so high that their margin on even a small number of sales is profitable. Printing technologies have made it possible to print small paperback book for dollar or per copy. Don't be mislead by their fancy promises and testimonials. They are mostly hype! The money does flow from the writer to the publisher in this case.

Let me know about future developments. In these days, if a publishing offer seems too good to be true. it probably is! George L. Hoffman

Author: Tina
Date:   04-19-04 08:17

Isn't that against the law? I mean all the lies P.A. has spelled out on their website. Can't we do something about it? I was promised line by line editing...books on bookstore shelves. These are lies! That is why many P.A. authors are angry. Why don't they speak the truth, then we would have known what we were getting into!

Author: Marc Rice
Date:   04-20-04 08:40

Do you realize how difficult it is to be published by anyone if you're a first time author? Let me tell you it is damn near impossible. And as for providing them a list of people who know you and would probably buy one of your books? I need someone to explain to me what you feel you deserve for paying absolutely nothing? If you want to be recognized as a professional, you should act like one. True, if they are making unrealistic promises they should be held accountable. But, again, you are not established, little if any writing credentials, and would probably never be published by any house if it wasn't for PA. Stop your complaining and go back to school. That way, you won't be so disappointed when PA, by their good graces, agrees to publish your horribly written manuscript. Go ahead and break the only contract you'll ever recieve!

Author: Joyce Ann Edmondson
Date:   05-08-04 15:45

I wrote a good manuscript, edited it myself, corrected it over a ten year period, and sent it to PublishAmerica who accepted it three weeks after I sent it. At the time I did not realize how much marketing I would have to do, but am finding the process fun and interesting, as I am learning so much. When I first wrote the book, I sent queries to about 25 publishing houses without any luck. Some said it was too "Protestant," some said it was too "Catholic," some said the subject was not on their agenda for the year, some said their publishing house would not be capable of printing it. None said it was bad.

I will be delighted if my friends, relatives and colleagues know about the book and have the opportunity to purchase it on line or anywhere, and I intend to visit the bookstores in my area and request them to make it available.

My husband has been in the publishing business for about 20 years. He tells me it is a standard contract and found nothing negative to say about it.

Of course PA has to make money to pay their employees, print the books, etc., etc. Why would you deny them that?

Author: Yvonne Johnson-Pressley
Date:   05-15-04 09:55

I am so happy to read something positive about PA! I recently submitted a book of poetry to them. I know my works are meant to be shared with others, I pray for the world to be enlightened by my works. If this works out I will be blessed. Thank you for your comments.


Yours in Christ,
Yvonne Johnson-Pressley

Author: Yvonne Johnson-Pressley
Date:   05-15-04 10:01

I was delighted to read your message. I, like you feel that PA has given me an opportunity. May God bless and keep you. I pray that your book will be a sucess.


Yours in Christ,
Yvonne Johnson-Pressley

Author: Marilyn
Date:   05-15-04 12:04

My book "Life, Love & Asparagus" has just been published by PublishAmerica. I believe they are there to give us first time Authors an opportunity.
You can look my book up if you go to Google and look up the name of the book.
It is a true story of my life and I wrote it a few years ago, then after losing my husband I had to add more. I am a great grandmother so it is very exciting for me. I didn't write it to become wealthy. I wrote it in the hopes it would help others.

Author: Tandy Braid
Date:   05-18-04 13:10

Steve- I have a children's book published with them. The Tattle Tail Tale. They are cost effective if you do not have the money to self-publish, the buyer pays the price eventually though. My 28 page illustrated book sells on their site for 11.95, kind of pricey for a paperback! I would do it again, if I had to though.

Author: Carol Troestler
Date:   08-10-04 09:12

I have a book under contract with Publishamerica. I have been involved with contracts having had my own business and also doing writing for hire with the state I live in. I thought it was a straight forward contract.

Secondly, my book is historical fiction about a family member. A the very least my family members interested in the book will be able to get a copy. I have seen books published by publishamerica and they look better than some I have seen by other publishers. I think my book will be in a very nice package.

I am disappointed that editing won't be more in depth. I have edited my book many times but it is a little like being your own doctor. You need a second opinion. If I had it to do over I would have had a grammar and puctuation editor before sending it in.

The research for my book was extensive. My husband doesn't think Universal Studios does research as extensively as I did. I also read a great many books in my research and found much conflicting historical information. I also read some books that were not as nicely packaged or done as Publishamerica's are published by other publishers with bad information and poor writing.

My husband has a local musical group that has made CDs. They have sold well but they are not "stars" and are not becoming rich. If my book sells as well as their CDs I will be satisfied.

Most of all, I want my book to be correct and I want people to like reading it and learn something from it, about family, about history.

I gave up on publishing about 20 years ago when a publisher kept my book for a year giving me ongoing information of their praise for my book and that "they were working on it." Then one day I got a letter they would not be publishing it. Later I self published it, set up a mini bookstore with popular published books and went to conferences in my state. My book was the best selling book.

I know I am a good writer. But I also know publishing can be difficult and I was thrilled to find Publishamerica. I have talked to others published with them who were satisfied.

Carol Troestler

Author: Ned Millis
Date:   08-12-04 00:37

I can't help but put my two cents in.

I published my first book, Sound of Shadows, through the Writers Press division of IUniverse. Yes, I paid $199 to do that and I consider that a bargain. They did everything they promised to do and I admit my considerable book sales were the result of intense self promotion. They did NOT edit the book for that price and depended upon ME to deliver a first class, well written and edited MS to the process. They provided a first class book layout with a top flight cover.

I submitted my second book, September Shadows to PublishAmerica because they do NOT require author payments to publish.

My manuscript was NOT reiviewed and returned in a matter of days, but weeks.
I am told that PA accepts only 10% of the MSs submitted to them.

They do NOT promise to edit my book but rely on ME to provide a well written and well edited book for publication. I have inspected many of the books they have published and find them to be of exceptional quality and broad in interest range.

As a former company President and Vice president of Marketing I see PA as a young, aggressive publishing enterprise that is creating unprecedented opportunity for authors who will never get a chance to be published by the big publishing houses with their stables of 'saleable' authors.

Many PA authors have learned how to market their own work and find a great sense of satisfaction in being brought face to face with readers of all ages. After all, writers write to be read.

PA is no pie in the sky, promise the moon, publisher preying on unsuspecting writers. They are in the publishing business and taking a fair amount of risk in what they do.

If those of you out there think this is a slam dunk business you need to read 'The Best Seller' by Goldsmith.

If you're looking for a publisher that will fall all over you with a big advance, massive marketing support and subsequent movie deals it ain't gonna happen.

Under today's publishing practices Margaret Mitchell might have a tough time publishing 'Gone With the Wind'.

It's a grimey business and it's through the efforts of a PA that some first timers stand a chance of making it.

Writing and getting published is a big melting pot but ya gotta get in the pot to melt.

Ned Millis

Author: robbi atkins
Date:   08-15-04 12:17

I do not understand all the bitching about PA. They have done great by me. It is a great way for first time authors to get their foot in the door. How can it possibly be compared to POD? They do NOT accept everything they read, and you do NOT pay a dime! I know people that have been turned down by PA and PA is not on the list of publishers that Barnes and Noble will not work with- and I have seen that list, I have a relative who manages our local B and N in my hometown. PA did great with my cover art AND editing, and gave me two chances to look over their editing job before going to print. Also, why all the complaining about sending an address list of friends and family? Wouldn't anyone want their friends and family to hear a press release on their book? I was glad to do it.

Author: patrick shanahan
Date:   10-27-04 18:36

I read with interest the many comments and opinions about PA and would like to add my slant.I am in the process of being published by them and about the contract, I negotiated better terms than I was sent. You do not give up any movie rights unless you sign an additional contract, you are not required to submit a list of 100 people who may be interested in your writing, you cannot have over 100 on the list and if desired you don't have to give them a list at all, if you intend to keep your literary talents a secret. About the cost of the books. I plan to get as many orders from anyone I know who may be interested and sell them for the authors orignal price (50% off if buying at least 50 books) I don't expect to make money on my first venture, I hope to attract some attention so my next book will have a following before it comes out. As far as the editing they do, what do people expect, edit it yourself to the best of your ability. Promotion: They have a ton of titles on the market so figure on doing your own promoting. How much faith do you have in your work will determine how hard you try. I have seen some awful examples of writing by some authors on the PA site and I grant that they will publish a lot of material that shouldn't see the light of day. Unless you're Tom Clancy or Ophra Winfree expect to carry your own ball, at least on the first try.

Author: Dark Shadows Press
Date:   08-12-06 11:14

Yoiu can check out the consumer report about Publish America at: http://www.badbusinessbureau.com/reports/ripoff104646.htm

There is a website from what I understand that is coming soon and is parked at the moment called www.publishamericasucks.com

Author: Joshua Bligh
Date:   08-18-06 02:49

I am a PA author. Pleased and satisfied thus far. I agree, Publish America has been nothing but fast, courteous and prmpot to all of my questions, concerns etc. I'm sick of all the slander and BS circulating around the internet about PA. The main ones criticizing PA are those who are still under the frame of mind that writing books should be an elitist formatted parameter oriented bunch of pencilnecks, that fear to break the mold; stay within guidelines.

Grammar is important, yes. So is punctuation. Other than that, the sky should be the limit with imaginitive writing and adventures out of the literary norm, not boxed in. Most cross/genre books most major publishing houses wont touch with a ten foot pole. That's right, I said it. Most people (authors especially) who post negative press about PA authors need to examine their own dry stale books and stop blaming authors who write outside the box, for invading their "precious" market with imaginitive peices of prose.

I'm on PA's side all the way, they are making people's dreams come true, and some insufferable people have the audacity to spit in their faces after being given the chance of a lifetime.

Joshua D. Bligh
The Interstate Generation

Author: James Macdonald
Date:   09-03-06 19:06

Hi, Joshua. I'm just guessing now, but your PublishAmerica book hasn't come out yet, has it?

Come back six months after your book hits the streets and tell us how you're doing finding readers, okay?

Author: Andrea Capron
Date:   08-11-08 19:11

What do I do? I just signed the contract but only sent them three chapters in. Ha, they accepted the book from looking at three chapters>that should of been a red flag for me.

So I want to know how I can get out of this mess...?