Thank you for this forum!

nancy sv · Jun 7, 2011

I just wanted to pop on here and say thank you to you all for your efforts here. I never, ever thought I would need what you have to say, but last night I did.

I was chatting via FaceBook with a friend of mine who is self-publishing a book. She casually mentioned that she had narrowed her choices down to Lulu, CreateSpace, and PA.

My heart started racing and I wanted to start jumping up and down and screaming and yelling about PA, but I just very intentionally came over here and directed her to this forum. She read a little bit of it and then came to the decision on her own that the others were a better bet.

So - thank you to all. You just saved another author.

Chris P · Jun 8, 2011

Cool! I'm glad to hear we helped someone make the best decision they could.

merrihiatt · Jun 8, 2011

So nice to hear that our words of caution are being heard.

James D. Macdonald · Jun 9, 2011

Chris P said:
Cool! I'm glad to hear we helped someone make the best decision they could.

Not 100% sure it's the best decision overall, but of those three choices, certainly the best of those.

stormie · Jun 9, 2011

LexiCan · Jun 9, 2011

One saved, hundreds to go!

Bartholomew · Jun 9, 2011

The mere fact that an organization has a forum dedicated to warning people about a specific company should be more than enough of a tip that something isn't right about that company. Even if we were all complete loons, that company obviously did something uncool to get so very many crazy people riled up.

First post from my new phone!

Little1 · Jun 9, 2011

Bart, I nearly fell for PA. But fortunitly I came here and saw this form and thought like you. If they have an ENTIRE section dedicated to them... there must be an issue.. or there just THAT good.

I can't thank you all enugh for helping me and others avoid PA or help those that are with them move on.

LexiCan · Jun 9, 2011

Little1 said:
Bart, I nearly fell for PA. But fortunitly I came here and saw this form and thought like you. If they have an ENTIRE section dedicated to them... there must be an issue.. or there just THAT good. I can't thank you all enugh for helping me and others avoid PA or help those that are with them move on.

I, unfortunately, was a little too late. But I am grateful for the support one finds here, as well as the opportunity to help others.

Bartholomew · Jun 9, 2011

Ahh- I wasn't trying to belittle people who've signed with them. I have no room to talk. I found AW because my father and I were inches away from signing with the New York Literary Agency.

I didn't believe anything I was reading, either, but as a litmus test, I went to some of the Literary agents that AW and the other resources said were legit--and the difference in professionalism finally convinced me. (If memory serves. It's been forever.)

Chris P · Jun 9, 2011

It was too late for me too. I found AW about 3 months after signing my contract, and when I saw how much my book cost and wanted to see if other people were surprised too.

I lived in denial too, thinking that PA was surely doing more to sell my book than people here were saying. After all, wasn't my book listed on Amazon and B&N, as well as German, UK, Indian, and French bookseller sites? (I since learned why that is, and it's not because PA struck a deal with them with my book in mind).

nancy sv · Jun 10, 2011

It's sad to read here from people who did go with PA, but at least a few have been saved - my friend among them.

allenparker · Jun 13, 2011

nancy sv said:
It's sad to read here from people who did go with PA, but at least a few have been saved - my friend among them.

But there are success stories behind PA (not at PA) Not all people ended up on skid row. Gravity has done well. Lynn Price owns a publishing house. Several PA authors have gone on to write for other houses.

It is sad if they give up writing because of PA, and that certainly has happened. The great successes of AW, in my opinion, are the the PA authors who are picked up, dusted off and sent back to the writing chair.

And if I have helped on any of this, maybe I have have paid back a little of what I have received from here.

nancy sv · Jun 13, 2011

That's very true Allenparker - I so admire the people who have been able to move on beyond PA and keep writing.

jamiehall · Jun 14, 2011

nancy sv said:
I just wanted to pop on here and say thank you to you all for your efforts here.

If this forum didn't exist, prospective victims would say the information against PA is all outdated. It's happened before.

Thank you for this forum!

nancy sv

30 months on a bicycle...

Chris P

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

merrihiatt

Writing! Writing! Writing!

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

stormie

storm central

LexiCan

practical experience, FTW

Bartholomew

Comic guy

Little1

Hakuna Matata

LexiCan

practical experience, FTW

Bartholomew

Comic guy

Chris P

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

nancy sv

30 months on a bicycle...

allenparker

Naked Futon Guy

nancy sv

30 months on a bicycle...

jamiehall

Bereaved Snarkling