The New Never-Ending PublishAmerica Thread (NEPAT)

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DeePower

PA releases three more authors

I can't divulge the names since it was sent to me in confidence. Three more authors have received letters from PA releasing them.

Now here's the odd part. Two of the letters don't refer to any paragraphs in the contract. They simply state something to the effect

You asked to be released from your PA contract for the book XXXXXX. We are returning the rights to you effective today.

Go figure.

Dee
 

DaveKuzminski

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DeePower said:
I can't divulge the names since it was sent to me in confidence. Three more authors have received letters from PA releasing them.
Please ask them to email me with the verification that they were released. Their names won't be used, but it will make the PA statistics more accurate if we have all the cases noted.

Something tells me that the results of the second arbitration hearing were just as devastating to PA as Phil's was. At this rate, PA should be back down to 1,000 happy authors in about two weeks' time. :)
 
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Kevin Yarbrough

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One person over at Mindsight was released as well, Dee & Dave.

Makes you wonder if they are fearing more arbitration cases or if there is another reason.
 

Sher2

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Sassenach said:
Because I had nothing better to do, I submitted my query for "My Lil Dog Named Speck" to PA a few days ago. I'm proud to announce that it's been accepted!


I'll bet they were sold by the powerful first graf:

This is all about a dog I got who almost died but I helped save his life even though the docters said he wojld probably die because he was so skinny and sick and stuff.

Or was it my author bio?

Rita lives in Gatlinburg where she has lived for 22 years since she got married to her husband Ray. Her hoobies are writting about dogs and collecting dog statues like the Precious Moments ones.

They want to know more about me, Rita Manque.
Bwhahahahaha! Hoobie-hoobie! :hooray: Lord have mercy. The sad thing is, nobody around here will be a bit surprised that your book is going to get the chance it deserves. It will resonate with skinny puppies across the rotting plains, from sea to polluted sea, and fit every pound in Iceland like a glove. Um, what are you gonna do with your dollar? :roll:
 

Gabriele

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Kevin Yarbrough said:
Hear that sound, Sassenach? That is a cop pounding at your front door claiming deceptive practice while PA claims fraud and wire fraud. Offer the cop a donut and maybe he will go away.

Seriously though, that is what I did and that is what happened to me. A cop showed up at my house. I don't think they are dumb enough to try it again but I just thought I would give you a little FYI, just in case.

Lol, now I'm tempted to try that, too. Should be not so easy for them to send a fake cop to Germany. :tongue
 

akaa1a

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Maybe they found out that a table has become available for three by the 1x2 grated window at Leavenworth mess hall!:e2stooges

Maybe arbitrators have a newsletter that list the cases heard and resolved. Perhaps PA is the slam-dunk they all dream about.:e2Order: "listen up...big news!

Maybe their creditors or vendors are pulling the plug citing questionable business practices.:cry:

Maybe what's happening at PA is shining a spotlight on the workings of the state of Maryland and questions are being asked as to why this has been going on so long. :e2drown:

Maybe there's been a power shift and Jessica is now in charge.:whip:

Maybe it's the seven-year itch, sleep deprivation, or simply an oversight....
but it's beginning to look like the Tetter-Totter of Truth is becoming a little heavier on the author's end!

:e2seesaw: (Authors are the angels by the way!)
 

xhouseboy

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Sassenach said:
Because I had nothing better to do, I submitted my query for "My Lil Dog Named Speck" to PA a few days ago. I'm proud to announce that it's been accepted!


I'll bet they were sold by the powerful first graf:

This is all about a dog I got who almost died but I helped save his life even though the docters said he wojld probably die because he was so skinny and sick and stuff.

Or was it my author bio?

Rita lives in Gatlinburg where she has lived for 22 years since she got married to her husband Ray. Her hoobies are writting about dogs and collecting dog statues like the Precious Moments ones.

They want to know more about me, Rita Manque.


They're obviously banking on the probability that you'll buy squillions of copies in memory of your pooch, and also persuade other family members to do likewise.

BTW, forgot to add - congratulations, way to go, you're the man, and all that.
 
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Martin J Ross

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astonwest said:
Perhaps they're looking for some additional financing in the wake of the arbitration and EB losses and need to dump some potential liability...

One can dream.

Maybe someone has managed to have PA compelled to do everything that they implied to get people to sign.

That would make them want to get rid of as many unhappy customers as possible.

:)
 

Lady of Prose

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Amidst all the fun speculations, can anyone tell me if the releases are going to those who just recently requested them (again)--to both old and new request, or random, or all of the above?

P.S. Congratulations to all those who got their releases.
 
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AnnaWhite

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There's a new story, by Lori, on True Stories about PublishAmerica. It starts from way back in 1999, when PublishAmerica was Erica House. It's the story of a brave and wonderful lady who put in a huge amount of effort, spending a load of money, to promote her book, only to be treated with PA's 'tone' letters.

:e2steer:
 

Sparhawk

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Hmmmm.

I wonder, how many of the newly freed from bondage authors are high profile anti- PA activists. I would venture to guess that all of them, including the newest three have been the loudest anti-Publish America activists.

I don't think that this is the beginning of a mass exodus, just another game being played in order to create false hopes and frustrate those still in bondage.

Consider this: Tracy got the rights back to all her books, Argile Stox was clearly the loudest of the two against Publish America. Why not give Argile his one book back and quiet him down. Releasing Tracy only rubs it in Argiles face and may perhaps cause some friction between them (Thinking like a PA exec.) What better way to further frustrate Argile then by ignoring his impassioned pleas and releasing Tracy.

Also, I have nothing but the highest respect and esteem for both Argile and Tracy, I just use them for an example to point out a possibility. Dissension and envy are plausible weapons.

Also those that have been freed have come here sharing thier happiness with those of us still imprisoned, thereby increasing the hope and anticipation that there'll be a package in the mailbox for everyone of PA's disgruntled unhappy authors.

Again, I am delighted for anyone who gets released and has their book back. Do I want the same for myslef? Of course. Am I going to cry sour grapes? F No!! I'm glad as hek for them. But a scheming mind at a certain publishing company may see things a bit different. A scheming mind may see this all as a simple way to create a hubbub and build expectation only to simply refrain from releasing others no matter how loudly one protests. Look at how were actively anticipating more releases, trying to understand the motives behind PA for this action. Maybe this is just what they want, maybe their reading this forum over at Fortress Frederick and sharing a good laugh about it.

Who knows? Just a thought to consider. We've said that Publish America never does anything that isn't to thier benefit. I wonder what they're really up to.

I'd like to beleive that they've decided to release several unhappy people, I'd like to beleive that the defeats in arbitration have them rattled. I just look at the whole picture and don't see it fitting the Publish America paradigm. When you have an opponent cut and bleeding, they come out swinging harder and faster. I still beleive PA has a few cards yet to play. They've been teflon for awhile and aren't going to let a few defeats sour the milk from their cash cow.

Hey, I could be totally wrong, maybe I'm just too suspicious/paranoid. But everything is done for a reason and I'd like to know what the real reason behind these releases are.
 

roach

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Another possibility occurs to me. Could PA be releasing some people so that Infocenter can cow any upset posters with, "Those bashers were disgruntled ex-authors. We released them because they were negative energy that we don't need around here. Is that what you want? We can cut you loose just as easily and then you'll lose your precious status of 'published author'."
 

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OR....

Maybe PA just want to dump the authors and continue selling their books without having to pay one cent of royalties. Congrats, folks, but I for one am not buying into their little game. I shall continue to shout from the housetops whether they release me or not. Love your post, Sassenach!

postshy/Roberta
 

Nexusman

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roach said:
"Is that what you want? We can cut you loose just as easily and then you'll lose your precious status of 'published author'."

I don't think PA has any more authority to grant the title of "Published Author" any more than I have the authority to grant the title of "Licensed Doctor." And I assure you -- I know very little about medicine.

-Nick
 

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Thanks to everyone

James D. Macdonald said:
Welcome to the NEPAT, Part II.

This thread is for discussing the business practices of PublishAmerica, a so-called "traditional" publisher located in Frederick, Maryland.

Please keep the comments on-topic, truthful, and helpful.

I want to thank everyone here and the other 1 million + individuals for posting warnings about PA. After completing my second book (the first one was self published) I awaited a response from PA. The victory was not sweet, as I had already been alerted by the time they offered me a contract.

I have spent the past 10 days in an amusing (and insulting) ping pong game of email between myself and aquisitions/ editor-Bonnie, who must think I am a moron. I pressed her for answers about price of my book to PA's buy back policy. Her responses are 'non answers'. I have hit the question into her court - each time, a little more forcefully. Each response is more insulting than the last. I really think she is of the opinion that if she ignores the questions long enough, I'll just give in and sign the contract.

This has worked on others???? amazing! anyway - I just wanted to say thanks - you all helped me dodge the PA bullet.
 

roach

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Nexusman said:
I don't think PA has any more authority to grant the title of "Published Author" any more than I have the authority to grant the title of "Licensed Doctor." And I assure you -- I know very little about medicine.

You and I both know that, but thousands of PA authors don't. It's apparent every time a poster at the PAMB prefaces questions with "Not that I'm bashing PA, and I'm thankful that they gave me a chance to realize my dream of being a published author, but..." that there's some serious fear going on over there. This could just be yet another way they use to control the masses.
 

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PVish said:
Just when you thought you'd seen all the promo ideas, an author comes up with another. (Well, a publishamerica.com bumper sticker would identify who needs our help)

http://bb.publishamerica.com/viewtopic.php?t=11427

Note to this author: If PublishAmerica isn't going to promote its own books, what good does it do for the authors to try to promote them?
Oh my. This guy has it all so wrong it makes my eyes bleed.
 

Saundra Julian

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Didn't I hear the on-line book sellers (Amazon, B&N, etc., etc.) were going to raise their rates for the books displayed on their sites?

Maybe this is why PA is dumping books and authors...
After all, that is part of the contract... (to promote PA books on-line)

Just wondering...
 

crosseyed reader

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DaveKuzminski said:
Some folks may disagree with me vehemently, but when individuals try to promote PA by mentioning their background as if that lends legitimacy to their support for PA, I think it is reasonable to write to that institution to let them know what someone is doing to their reputation.

For my own part, I have written to OSU asking if he is one of their instructors.

Why? What's your goal? He didn't commit any crime. He mentions his background to legitimize his work, not his printer. How is contacting their workplace reasonable? To me, this smacks of stalking, and if I were OSU, I'd look at you as a wingnut. You don't like his printer but you're going after him on a personal level. Forgive me if I'm wrong here, but isn't it this printer who is in the crosshairs on this forum and not the authors?
 

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Saundra Julian said:
Didn't I hear the on-line book sellers (Amazon, B&N, etc., etc.) were going to raise their rates for the books displayed on their sites?

Maybe this is why PA is dumping books and authors...
After all, that is part of the contract... (to promote PA books on-line)

Just wondering...

Bingo...go directly to the front of the class.
 
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