Wanda4545…But, hopefully i will end up like sandy z and find someone good, without paying out any money.and hopefully we all will.
Hi Wanda, this is Sandyz; first allow me to welcome you to AW…you have come to the perfect place to get a better understanding of the publishing world…both commercially published and self publishing avenues so you can decide which is best suited for you. I sincerely hope you are able to get your book and rights out of Publish America’s greedy clutches.
I felt completed to explain on this thread as not to mislead anyone…I paid to have my book published.
I never signed a contract with Publish America, I was offered one along with their notorious cliché,’ “we’ll give your book the chance it deserves.” I was directed to this site after I announced to friends and family I was going to be published by PA…being one of the lucky ones that never signed the contract I was able to spend time researching and make the best decision based on my personal desires.
I found a publishing company that offers a low price to publish books. Costs are lower than some vanity presses because
Eric Patterson owner of
Avid Readers Publishing Group can afford to keep costs low by eliminating some of the glitz and glitter that are often times over priced when offered in a package deal by some vanity presses. Many items we can make on our home computers and find information about marketing in libraries or via the internet.
I read several books before making my decision and scanned the boards through this site for possible publishing options. It was not an easy decision nor was it a quick thought…after my near miss with PA I did my home work long before approaching the publisher. I also realized my book was not ready to be published after posting bits of it on “
Share your work.” here at AW. I paid attention to what others were saying and practically re-wrote my manuscript.
My books are low cost, shipping is not grossly over priced (I had 30 books sent for around $12.00 for shipping) and I have all rights to my book. I first bought a couple of books from Eric Patterson’s site and found them to be of sturdy quality, (they looked professional) I had control of my custom design cover…no surprises. I saw the cover before it went to print and two thumbs up, I loved it. (My mother did an oil painting that Eric worked with and came up with a breathtaking cover)
My experience has given me renewed knowledge there are honest, caring, professional, and personable people in the publishing industry. I found them on this site and again my publisher. If I need books they are sent in a few days, all questions are answered ASAP…most important I am treated with respect. The phone number I was given works and e-mails are answered daily. If he and his family plan a trip he sends out an e-mail for everyone that is published through him for a heads up…if he finds a new marketing idea on the net he sends the link.
What I find intriguing is PA states their authors are never asked to open their wallets. How is it I knowingly paid close to $199.00 to publish a professional looking book…bought 20 books in my first batch for less than $100.00 counting shipping…and within 3 months (of buy and sell) I no longer “open my wallet,” unless I buy books for signings. (Same as PA and I self published) I have given away or donated about 20 copies, my books are selling and I am not looking shell shocked wondering what happened to hundreds of dollars I paid to my publisher for books I had to buy when they are suppose to sell books for me…after all isn’t that what legit publishers do????
Is it me or does anyone see there is not much difference between PA and a vanity press? I buy books PA authors buy books. My books are sold through
Amazon and
B& N same for PA, I have a personal web site, same for a PA authors, I set up book signings ditto for PA authors, it only begins to split apart when we look at the price…for books and shipping.
When I buy my own books IF they don’t sell I would be no better off than authors from PA…except…I pay normal shipping costs and a reasonable print cost. I can offer an affordable book. PA??? Humm...not happening.
Real commercial publishers do not sell to their authors…the money flows to the author. Please just think about it.
Once again I am not recommending anyone go the route I took…do your research, decide what your expectations are for your book and know your publisher and price range of books BEFORE signing any contract. Not every one that self publishes can break even or turn a profit. I am still working on that part but I have come this far...nothing will stop me now. I am open to learn.
And always I am extremely grateful for AW and all the information shared on these threads...I was saved by Absolute Write from greedy Publish America. Thank you-thank you, I was one of the lucky ones.
Sandyz