Archive of the NEPAT

This is so sad - direct off the PA boards...

Subject: PA! Who else?


Message:
Why in the world would we want anyone else do our publishing?
I have heard nothing but good things about Publish America since I have been here.

Today I received an e-mail wanting me to give them my business and I toasted the e-mail.
I believe other companies are trying to copy PA's concept and through the reading of the boards they are getting our e-mail addresses, then trying to tempt us.
PA has my vote of confidence.How about the rest of you?"D"

Re: PA author can't get his book in chain stores

The responses are interesting, too: PA! Who else

Re: PA author can't get his book in chain stores

Oh, that one poor guy. Here's his post from that thread:

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>One of my sons is with a "major" book company...big time...He advised PA saying you cannot do better anywhere else.<hr></blockquote>


I can just hear what his son said:

"Dad, I read your book. PublishAmerica is the best that you're going to be able to get."

Re: PA author can't get his book in chain stores

James, you are bad! :rofl But that was too funny!

Deej

Re: The book in question

:gone :cry :smack I see you are discussing my book. I am not hiding anylonger. Night travels of the elven vampire has been taking a lot of flack over at Amazon, from a bunch of fanfic critics from www.fanfiction.net. A group who considers themselves gods of words. You have no doubt seen what they have said. Even on my website, told me to die. Well I am stating here the facts. Anyone knows how to help me out, holler. PA had to know, they are more knowledgable about such things than I am. They had decided on a grassy field for my cover for a vampire novel. Gave me one hour to do better.Been playing with my new software, and seeing what could be done. Unaware of a lot of things, as a newby to writing. Well months ago I ask them to change it, and begged. Finally they did. I have ask them again to remove the person from the tombstone. THey have not responded. I don't care if they remove the book. I gave up on it when I discovered the truth, of it, right after signing, too late then. I did discuss this with VIctoria by email, months ago. What can I do.....

Get on with your life

I can't help but think that if PA authors spent as much time working on a new book as they do posting about PA, which we all know by now is a rip off for authors, they would soon have another book to hawk around to real publishers. I don't see d the value of beating the PA dead horse any more. You lose if anger at PA keeps you from writing more.

Re: The book in question

:huh Some of you might think it a fanfic, but it is not. Neither is the main charactor Legolas. Alaric is not like him, and his model is more to the charactor of a movie 20 years ago, similar to LOTR. A dark haired elf. As you know I am the author. Yes it has flaws, and needed a good editor. I have learned a lot in the past year, and have written two more novels. Not sitting around trying to push this novel. I wrote it off, when I found the truth. The is more a series of ghost stories with two main charactors...two vampires, one sangreine and one psi. I have talked with others who read it, and they found no connection to the other charactors. I am from the south, and like to write about it. There is a plantation in our family, I used that. The south doesn't belong to Rice, or the creator of Gone with the wind, or Elves to Tolkien. My charactors have flaws, and have strong emotions, and not wooden.
Numerous times I have ask PA about the cover, and ask it to be changed, and ignored. I wrote again tonight. They don't care. They knew and didn't care. They know (supposedly all the legal stuff, concerning publishing) unlike a newby like myself.

Re: Get on with your life

"I can't help but think that if PA authors spent as much time working on a new book as they do posting about PA, which we all know by now is a rip off for authors, they would soon have another book to hawk around to real publishers."

Tish:
Many PA authors (or ex-PAers) have gone on with their lives. Some have even had books published by Traditional Publishers. I would suggest that you read www.mindsightseries.com for proof of my statement. It's nothing wrong with posting about PA (be it good or bad) or any other publisher for that matter.

Look at the postings in a positive way. They might possibly save a new writer from signing a contract with PA. Forums are the only way to warn new writers about the pitfalls of getting published by certain publishing houses and I thank God for Absolute Write, P&E and others.

Also, it doesn't mean that the writers are spending a great deal of time posting their messages. Come on, how long can it possibly take to write a thread? One minute to five minutes?
:shrug . In essence this leaves a writer the rest of the day to concentrate on their writing skills.

LeVerne:
I'm sorry about the problems you've encountered. Have you might considered requesting your contract back from PA? I noticed in your post that you've are continuing to write. That's wonderful!! Don't give up on your dream(s). :heart

Re: Get on with your life

Yea teena,
I am not waiting for success to come from this book. I look higher and better. I have hopes for my books to do well with real publishers, who give advances, and put them in real stores.
I recieved an email from PA today, told this was their last word on the subject, and they changed my cover last week on good faith. Finally. But haven't seen any new cover.
I think any further emails from me will be ignored now. Contracts are pretty impossible to get out of. When you are ignored. Can't afford lawyers anyway, am disabled and on fixed income.
I am not giving up, I write every day. I learn new stuff everyday about writing too. Doesn't matter if its a good book or not, it will never be taken seriously. This lesson was costly.

Re: Get on with your life

Getting out of PA's contract is discussed a few places on this board, including here: How do I get out of PA contract?

Good luck.

Re: Get on with your life

Thanks for the link. I did check it out. I had written them before and got no reponse. Was wondering with the stink over the cover, if it would be the wrong time, if certain lawyers were fixing to file lawsuits. Or would it be the best time, since they are angry with me, for bugging them to change it, and the knowledge that a lot of people now know, and they can't ignore it anymore.

Re: Get on with your life

Another <a href="http://p197.ezboard.com/fabsolutewritefrm32.showMessage?topicID=24.topic" target="_new">how to get your book back from PA</a>thread.

Re: Get on with your life

Thanks James, They are so mad at me at the moment, maybe they would release me. But they like to ignore me anyway. They claim they changed the cover last week. If anyone finds out for sure let me know. I am going to use a pen name for other writings, after all this. I don't claim my book when I contact other publishers. Ashamed to do so, with its errors, its not the book I wrote. But like they say we learn from our mistakes. It cost us books to do so. But I think my best books are still to come. Though I want this one back to fix.
Have you heard anything about them having options on our second books? I didn't see it in my contract. Have a good weekend.


www.freewebs.com/elven_vampire/

Re: Get on with your life

I'm told PA has an option clause. If you could send me your contract, I'd be happy to look through it to see what's in yours.

(I am not a lawyer, nor an agent, though.)

Re: Option Clause

Most of the newer contracts have had the option clause (I'm assuming this means the same thing as right of first refusal...so if it's something different, I would love to hear what it is) removed...old timers such as myself still had them in...

The trick, though, is that even though they have the 'right of first refusal', doesn't mean that the author and publisher will agree on the terms of the contract...and if both parties can't come to a mutually accepted agreement, the contract has been fulfilled......

(For the second contract they offered me, I requested changes to all sorts of things (editing, royalties, etc.)...what they offered up in response was unacceptable...so they declined my second work, and I'm free to ship it anywhere now)

Re: Option Clause

My contract as of last March does not mention any other book I write. So I am clear of that. But concerned about this, it sounds as though it you don't buy you lose your book for good, if it doesn;'t sell.
" when in judgement of the publisher the public demand for the work is no longer sufficient to warrent its continued manufacture, the publisher many discontinue further manufacture and destroy any or all plates, books, sheets, and electron ic files without any liability in connection therewith to the author. However the publisher agrees to notify the author of such decision in writing and will offer to transfer to the author the work and its rights in the copyrights thereon, the plates , the bound copies and sheet stock on the following terms, F.O.B. point of shipments. The plates at their value for the old metal, the engravings, at on-half price of the original cost, the bound stock at 0ne-half the list price and the sheet stock at cost of gathering, folding, sewing and preparing for shipment, all without royalities. In the latter even unless the author shall, within 30 days, accept said offer and pay the amount set forth in said writing, the publisher may dispose of the work, copyrights, plates, books, sheets and other property without further liability for royalities or otherwise."
If no one did anything to promote their book, and it didn't sell, you lose it perminently. Why should the author have to buy it, if they don't want it anylonger? They could sell it to anyone.

Option Clause

LaVerne:

"when in judgment of the publisher the public demand for the work is no longer sufficient to warrant its continued manufacture, the publisher many discontinue further manufacture and destroy any or all plates, books, sheets, and electron ic files without any liability in connection therewith to the author. However the publisher agrees to notify the author of such decision in writing and will offer to transfer to the author the work and its rights in the copyrights thereon, the plates , the bound copies and sheet stock on the following terms, F.O.B. point of shipments."

Normally PA keeps them the seven years and does not renew them. At that point the author has a chance to get everything related to their book back. All the nonsense following about plates, and sheet stock really does not apply as they use digital printing. There have been instances where they have claimed to have 49 copies of a book in stock and used that as a means to bilk a little more money out of the author in order for the author to get the rights to their book back. They have not done this with everyone and since it would be simple enough to find out when they ordered the 49 books from lightning source to prove whether it was true if they had 49 copies in stock, I have not heard of them doing this for a while. If the author agrees to buy all the junk associated with making the book and the on-hand inventory the rights go back to the author. Pa cannot dispose of the book without first contacting the author and offering them the opportunity to get it back first.

Re: Option Clause

If your book stopped selling before the 7 years are up. You don't want to buy those books, and you just want the rights to your book back. Can you without buying? If they stop printing it, doesn't it revert back to the author?
As to the end of the contract. Again if you don't buy the books, since there never is any in stock anyway. IS the book yours again to do whatever with?
My contract says nothing about at the end of the contract period of 7 years, except they can extend it with agreement from the author.
I did contact a lawyer who deals with writers, actors and other entertainers and their rights. I ask him about this, and the damn cover. Waiting for his response. I let him know who the publisher is too.
I found if you dont' want them to take your second book. Make a mess of the first few pages, and ask for the moon, lots of free books, and special covers, and special editing.....:grin . They don't like that at all. Then you are free. Send it in with your manuscript, in your letter, saying when you publish this, I want these things......

Option Clause

I am not sure. According to their website the only rights they have are the book rights. As the use Print On Demand technology there should be no copies of your book in inventory to buy. If they cease to want to print your book they should have to return the rights to you. As all of the possible buy out provisions should not apply, except for the couple of copies they may claim to have in inventory, it should be no big deal to get the rights back and they aren't going to order a large number for their inventory because of the capital outlay they would have to pay LSI and still run the risk of you saying "keep it, it's not worth that much to me".

There are not a lot of instances where a book that has languished in PA's catalog for seven years is going to get many offers without a rewrite, even if it is the perfect manuscript I don't think many other publishers would buy the book rights from PA due to not wanting entangled with PA's reputation, or any legal battle than may ensue from the author trying to get the rights back from PA. It would be more trouble than it is worth to them when they have piles of submissions in their own office that they can acquire more easily.

When all is said and done I think it is easier to continue writing books and let that one stay forgotten on the PA shelves. After seven years or when it has not sold a single copy for a while they will decide to send your book back to you. If they want their inventory bought out, see how many copies it is and get a lawyer to find out from lightning source when those copies were ordered. If it is close to or after the date that they sent you the letter stating their requirements for you to get the book rights back then you have a case that they are trying to defraud you for <insert $ amount>.

Re: Option Clause

"... when in judgment of the publisher ...

<Blockquote>
[I.e. "If we feel like it."]
</blockquote>

... the public demand for the work is no longer sufficient to warrant its continued manufacture, ...

<Blockquote>
[What do they mean? We're talking PoD here. With PoD even one order should be sufficient to warrant continued manufacture, since the books are manufactured one at a time.]
</blockquote>

... the publisher many discontinue further manufacture and destroy any or all plates, ...

<Blockquote>
[Since the books are only manufactured when an order comes it, how would you tell that they'd discontinued the manufacture of a book that hadn't had any orders? And these are books produced by digital printing technology -- there aren't any plates.]
</blockquote>


... books, sheets, ...

<Blockquote>
[There aren't any sheets, either. These books aren't printed on sheets that are later folded and bound. It looks like a lot of this verbiage is copied from other, older, book contracts in an attempt to throw up a smoke screen.]
</blockquote>

... and electronic files without any liability in connection therewith to the author. However the publisher agrees to notify the author of such decision in writing and will offer to transfer to the author the work and its rights in the copyrights thereon, ...

<Blockquote>
[PA doesn't have any rights in the copyrights on these books. The books are copyrighted by the authors, at the authors' personal expense. PA is asserting at right that they don't possess.]
</blockquote>


... the plates, ...

<Blockquote>
[As above, there aren't any.]
</blockquote>

... the bound copies

<blockquote>
[Under the digital PoD model there shouldn't be any.]
</blockquote>

... and sheet stock ...

<Blockquote>
[Again referring to a non-existent item.]
</blockquote>


... on the following terms, F.O.B. point of shipment. The plates at their value for the old metal,...

<Blockquote>
[This is clearly lifted from an antique publishing contract. The reference is to the old hot-metal printing plates that predated photo-offset.]
</blockquote>


... the engravings,...

<Blockquote>
[Which likewise don't exist in the digital process.]
</blockquote>


... at one-half price of the original cost,

<blockquote>
[Assuming they hired an engraver. Yeah, right.]
</blockquote>

... the bound stock at one-half the list price and the sheet stock ...

<Blockquote>
[PA books aren't printed on individual sheets that are later gathered, folded, or sewn. They're talking about old technology here. This is clearly lifted from an old contract in an attempt to confuse the author.]
</blockquote>


...at cost of gathering, folding, sewing and preparing for shipment,...

<Blockquote>
[There isn't a single PA book anywhere that's been sewn. This is an attempt to charge money for services that aren't, and can't be, rendered. The "cost of ... preparing for shipment" is undefined -- it can be anything their little hearts desire.]
</blockquote>

... all without royalties. In the latter event unless the author shall, within 30 days, accept said offer and pay the amount set forth in said writing, the publisher may dispose of the work, copyrights, ...

<Blockquote>
[Ah ha! There's the sting! Unless you pay whatever money they ask for, they're asserting a right to dispose of the work and the copyright. By signing this contract, you've assigned the copyright to them when the book is no longer being offered for sale. Don't you feel like a sucker now?]
</blockquote>


... plates,...

<Blockquote>
[Which don't exist. This is just more smokescreen so you won't notice the word "copyrights" that came just before it.]
</blockquote>

... books, sheets ...

<Blockquote>
[There aren't and never were any sheets, and under the PoD model there shouldn't be any books, since books are only printed when they are ordered.]
</blockquote>

... and other property without further liability for royalties ...

<Blockquote>
["Other property" is what? And they won't give you any money in any case. This is another scam clause here. Suppose they had (for some obscure reason) a hundred copies of the book lying around. You've just given them the right to sell those books and not pay you the (pitiful) royalty that they'd normally owe you. A real publisher would pay you the royalties. Not PA. And you've signed off on it. Sucker.]
</blockquote>

...or otherwise."

<Blockquote>
[This is supposedly the contract that lawyers love? The contract that's supposedly so clear and straightforward? Did you notice how in the final sentence you made it so they're not liable for anything? Notice that the one thing that they have that might actually be of value -- the electronic files -- aren't being transferred to the author. This contract is as bogus as everything else PA does.]
</blockquote>

Re: Option Clause

Thanks James, you got that right. Can't they get into trouble for any of that? They misrepresent that part. After all they tell us writers that they are traditional publishers. Who is the printer, Ben Franklin with the equipment? See they get your book even at the end, unless you pay the ransom.
Heres #8
No payment shall be made to the author for permission gratuitously given to others to publish extracts fromt he said literary work to benefit the sale thereof, but all compensation in book form, or for translations, or for abridgments, or as a book club selection, shall be divided in the porportion of 50% to the author and 50% to the publisher. All compensation recieved by the publisher for the dramatic or motion picture rights, or for the first serial rights, prior to book publications, or for foereign, radio, dramatic, cheap edition, televison, and or all other rights in the said literary work shall be similiarly divided between the author and the publisher, as hereabove set forth.
First serial rights? cheap edition( is that the ebooks?) What lawyer would say it was a good contract?

The Reversion Clause

Just a couple of brief comments....

Can't they get into trouble for any of that?

Probably not. After all, it's your responsibility to read and understand the contract that you signed. Morally, they're culpable. I doubt that they are legally.

They misrepresent that part. After all they tell us writers that they are traditional publishers.

They don't say that in the contract, if I recall correctly. More, another clause in the contract that you sign states that the contract itself is the sole inducement that caused you to sign with them.

What that means is: They could claim on their website, in their messageboard, in private email and telephone conversations, and on billboards across America that being published with PublishAmerica would give you white teeth, thin thighs, and a date with a major movie star on Friday night. Yet when those things didn't happen you wouldn't have cause to complain because you'd agreed that the only reason you were signing the contract was the contract itself (which didn't say a thing about teeth, thighs, or dates).

Re: Option Clause

Here's #8

No payment shall be made to the author for permission gratuitously...

<blockquote>
[I'm not certain that 'gratuitously' is the best word here. True, 'gratuitously' primarily means 'Given or granted without return or recompense,' but the meaning 'Unnecessary or unwarranted; unjustified' is sure to pop into mind.]
</blockquote>

... given to others to publish extracts from the said literary work to benefit the sale thereof, ...

<blockquote>
[You don't get paid for short bits of the work being used to advertise the work, provided they don't get paid either. Not that they're going to try to advertise the work -- nothing here says that they must -- but it's nice to think they might, eh?]
</blockquote>


... but all compensation in book form, ...

<blockquote>
[That's bizarrely worded. Is that an accurarate transcription of the contract?]
</blockquote>


...or for translations, or for abridgments, or as a book club selection, shall be divided in the proportion of 50% to the author and 50% to the publisher.

<blockquote>
[Don't they take, in other sections of the contract, worldwide book rights for seven years, plus electronic, reprint, translation, serial, book club, and abridgement rights? Can the author legitimately even attempt to sell those rights? Does this mean "we'll take half the money if any of these things sell, but we won't bestir ourselves to market them, and you can't either"?]
</blockquote>

All compensation received by the publisher for the dramatic or motion picture rights, or for the first serial rights, prior to book publication, or for foreign, radio, dramatic, cheap edition, ...

<blockquote>
['Cheap edition' usually means mass market paperback, though I suppose one could make a case they mean electronic/e-book rights by the phrase.]
</blockquote>


... television, and/or all other rights in the said literary work shall be similiarly divided between the author and the publisher, as hereabove set forth.

<blockquote>
["All other rights" is the tricky bit here. They're asserting ownership of all rights. They want 50% of everything. If lightning strikes and you sell your novel to Hollywood on your own, this looks like they're going to want half.]
</blockquote>

Re: The Reversion Clause

As I've been stating for years now, it's a poor contract that's unfair to writers, the majority of whom do not have the knowledge themselves to properly interpret a contract and are too poor to hire a lawyer to do so. In fact, most attorneys are not expert enough in intellectual property matters to be of much use because it's a specialized field, so it further means seeking out one who is.

However, many courts do look at what was stated within advertisements as an inducement regardless of what the contract might state.

What I'd really like to see is for one writer to sue PublishAmerica based upon their statements without settling out of court for the right to force PublishAmerica to back up their claims such as getting their books into brick and mortar stores.

I also believe there are enough misleading statements in the contract to void it in court as predatory.

Wonder how long this PA thread will remain posted?

Subject: Have you had this problem?


Message:
I am a first time author, and my new book, "Untouchable Legend" has been out for a little while now. The bookstores in the town where I was born and raised are not stocking it, nor are the bookstores in the major city I live in now. I have been met with the reply that "the book is POD, and I will be stuck with it if I buy it to sell". I told the one I just got off the phone with that I was the author, and to my knowledge the book isn't POD, but when you get right down to it, I don't think any publisher just prints up hundreds of thousands of one book and sits on them (with the exception of some vanity publishers I'm sure), which makes every publisher a POD. He didn't seem to like that too well, and in general had a snotty attitude overall. Guess I can strike that store off my possible booksigning list.
My question is, has anyone else met with this same situation, and if so, what did you do to overcome it. I think it is pitiful that I am selling off the shelves in another state, but the stores in my hometown(s) won't even stock it and at least put it in their local section. I am happy that it is at least selling somewhere, but I have mixed feelings that the places that I devoted my adult life thus far to protecting and serving as a VOLUNTEER Deputy Sheriff and Firefighter won't even order at least one or two just to see if they will sell.
I know that I should be happy to have just gotten to serve my community, and I am. I wouldn't trade a minute of it for 10 books on the best seller's list. It's just aggravating. If anyone can help, by all means jump in. OKay, I feel a little better now.

Jeremy Todd
Untouchable Legend

Terrance B

6/05/2004
21:28:53


RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
I have yet to experience what you're going through Jeremy, but I can imagine it must be very disturbing (to say the least).

SandyDe

6/05/2004
21:37:00
RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
I, like Terrance, haven't gotten to the point that you're at. But I do understand, it is a hard road we travel.

Sandy
www.sandyslibrary.com

ps...hey Terrance....



Renee Bagley

6/05/2004
22:07:56


RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
Jeremy,

There are probably a lot of other options for you to go. The one I think of is ask them if they will let you bring your own books into their store on consigment. This has worked for me adn a lot of other authors. Of course if you can think of a better way (and I'm sure there is one) then do that.

On consignment I offer Hastings a 20% discount off my books I keep 80%. I will not give them any more than that, though some do and that is their choice.

This could be an option for you though.

You won't get a royalty this way but I've made more money in some aspects doing it that way.

I wish you all the success in the world keep trying!

Renee
www.authorsden.com/reneebagley

Jeremy_Todd

6/05/2004
22:30:19


RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
Thanks Sandy and Terrence for your sympathy. It is very frustrating. From what I have learned thus far in my short writing career, that POD is pretty nuch the mark of death to an author. I hope there is some way to overcome this. Take care and thanks for your feedback.

Jeremy Todd
Untouchable Legend

Jeremy_Todd

6/05/2004
22:34:45


RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
Renee,

I do have one bookstore which is a mom and pop store that is wanting to do just what you mentioned. I ordered some to sell to people I work with and abroad. If I were to go this route, how would I figure the example of a 20% discount-does that come off the retail price or my price? I am also going to enlist the help of a retired police lieutenant to help me get the word out. I just got off the phone a little while ago with my local Borders, and the night manager was more enthusiastic about the possiblity of a booksigning by a local author than I was. So, maybe the evening isn't a total waste. Thanks Renee for your help too. I wish you all the luck in the world also.

Jeremy
Untouchable Legend

Terrance B

6/05/2004
22:39:04


RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
Hey Sandy!

Terrance B

6/05/2004
22:41:15


RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
Hey, anytime I can be of help Jeremy, just post something and sooner or later I'll stop by. Ask anyone here!!!

Renee Bagley

6/05/2004
22:52:41


RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
Jeremy,

I give the 20% off the retail price. Plus if you are like me you can order your books when PA gives a huge author discount/special promotion, which gives you more profits in your pocket.

I don't tell bookstores what discount I get from PA. I offer the 20% and they go for it. Which is still a good deal.

I had a longer reply but my computer keeps illegal operationing...I hope this helps.

[email protected]

Jeremy_Todd

6/05/2004
22:58:27


RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
I just caught that I misspelled your name Terrance. Sorry about that. I was in a hurry to get the post on there. I hope you accept my apologies.

Jeremy

Jeremy_Todd

6/06/2004
10:47:08


RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
Yeah, that helps Renee. Thanks ever so much. Nice picture by the way.

Jeremy

donnamiddlestad

6/06/2004
12:01:34


RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
Jeremy; Word of mouth is a great sales tool. I gave a few copies of my book to friends that frequent a local restaurant. Every time I go there people are talking about my book. When asked where to buy it I tell them to order it from local stores or go online. I believe it is working!

Donna
"Little Miss No Name"
www.littlemissnoname.com


Jeremy_Todd

6/06/2004
12:43:40


RE: Have you had this problem?


Message:
Donna,
I have put up a flyer at a pizza joint (guess you can tell I'm from the country) close to where I work. All the people that work there have ordered one or bought one from me directly. They have also had people call back and want the website addresses to where they can order one, as well as, write down the information on the top of their pizza boxes when they come in to pick up their orders. So, guess I am a celebrity there at least, and you know something, it gets me extra cheese at no extra cost, hehe.
But yeah, I learned a long time ago that word of mouth is very powerful. I have put up flyers in laundromats, salons, and in the office of my apartment complex. I too have mentioned, rather loudly, about the book while out in public with friends. I have been working a lot of hours at my "real job" and haven't had much opportunity to get out and do more things. I am sure I'll figure out some way around this obstacle. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, if it were, then everybody would be a writer, right? I am giving serious consideration to Renee's suggestion of consignment. Thanks Donna for the help, and to everyone that has posted. It makes me feel so much better to hear from you. Hope everyone has a great weekend, well, what's left of it anyway.

Jeremy