Eclectic Authors Showcase

[shaldna]

Not often I'm first with the news, but:


Hello Everyone. The Blog Talk Radio show is making changes to it's format. Beginning January 22, 2012, we will now have an open mic format. What this means is that anyone can call into the show to talk about their book(s), publishing, writing, etc. Also, if someone has a complaint you can call in anonymously to discuss what is bothering you.

We also will offer callers a chance to read an excerpt of the book live on the air. A great way to get interest in your book. Callers wishing to read an excerpt will be on a first come first served basis as this is only a 30 minute show.

The website for the show is: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/eclectic-authors-showcase

The call in number for the show is: (661) 554-9207. You can call in using SKYPE, your cell phone or your land line.

The shows are aired every Sunday at 2:30 Eastern Standard Time. Gordon Osmond is the show Host. Please call in, let us here from you, what is going on with your book(s) and what it's like to be a published author. If you have any questions you can contact me, J.B. Reed through the website.

J.B. Reed


http://www.publishamericaauthors.com/

[Gillhoughly]

Also, if someone has a complaint you can call in anonymously to discuss what is bothering you.

I think my head would explode if that really happened.

I expect calls will be screened. PA is too paranoid to risk anyone bitching about the high prices and no bookstore placement.

[amergina]

This isn't a PA endeavor, but one run by authors of PA.

ETA: And they're far from happy authors, at that, if you read the newer posts on the forums of the website.

[shaldna]

It's going around via email, so if it's a PA author then I'd like to know how they are getting email addresses, also, the email was sent to people who had already opted out of all email mailings from PA.

[amergina]

No Idea how the author got the addresses, unless she asked PA to send it out. Or just scraped the addresses from email from PA, if PA is dumb enough to let other people see those...

She is a PA author, though. Quite a cheerleader for a while, too.

Interestingly enough, she's thinking about self-publishing her second book, according to her author Facebook page.

[jaksen]

This isn't a PA endeavor, but one run by authors of PA.

ETA: And they're far from happy authors, at that, if you read the newer posts on the forums of the website.

But there are blurbs on the right-hand side where authors are extolling the virtues of PA.

I sent them an email asking if they are supported by PA, and if not, if theirs is a site where one can be open and honest.

Mebbe they'll answer .....

[amergina]

It started out as a happy PA support site. And then reality set in for some of them, judging from the forums...

[jaksen]

From their 'About Us' page...



We are a community of intelligent, talented writers who have been or will soon be published. Our books are as varied as the authors themselves. We have created this site to showcase our work and with the hope that you may see something the peaks your interest. Please feel free to browse this site and leave us a comment.



I do not wish to be a spelling Nazi, but, isn't it 'that piques your interest?' And if they are intelligent and talented writers ...


Edit add: I got an answer to an email I sent and the site owner was tres polite about it - and honest - and seems to know the score. I also told her about her spelling/word choice error.

[AC Crispin]

I've exchanged emails with these folks and they've been polite to me, and frank about their unhappiness with PA. I am considering doing a blog radio interview with them, but I have to examine all the possible legal ramifications before I would agree to do it.

-Ann C. Crispin

[JBReed]

Hello everyone, my name is J.B. Reed and I am the administrator of the Eclectic Author Showcase. I wanted to clarify a few things. First and most importantly, I want it understood that my website is NOT affiliated with P.A. While it is true that I myself and most of the authors on the site have been published by P.A., our website is not funded or endorsed by P.A. As a matter of fact, I was sent a very snippy message from P.A. "warning" me to cease saying negative things about them. I speak only the truth. It is my opinion, and I cannot speak for the other authors on the website, that P.A. is a scam. They have taken advantage of most if not all of their authors. They have cheated us out of our royalty checks, have not fulfilled their contracts with us, taken money for services and then told authors they were not eligible for the service....however they failed to return the author's money. I created the Eclectic Authors Showcase as a way for other P.A. authors to network and promote their work. It was obvious P.A. had failed to do so as they had promised. They have even gone so far as to have had staff members join the website just to monitor what we are saying and/or doing. When one is found out and deleted, they send another one in. We do now have author members who are self published or published by other traditional publishing houses. I opened the membership so that the other members could hear what other authors have to say about publishing and give them options other than P.A. The internet radio show on BlogTalk does in fact invite people to call in with their complaints. We are open to listen to anyone's opinion, good or bad. We recently changed the format to open mic so callers can call in and discuss their book(s) or air complaints. I created the show and hosted for a few months. I now have a very talented author/friend/website member hosting the show and it's picking up a lot of listeners. I just wanted to clarify those things and let everyone know that even though our url is www.publishamericaauthors.com (http://www.publishamericaauthors.com) we are not part of P.A. I am changing the url in April when this url expires. The new url will be www.eclecticauthorsshowcase.com (http://www.eclecticauthorsshowcase.com). Thank you for giving me space to clarify.