Anyone understand this?
www.publishamerica.com/cg.../10576.htm
HARRYANGUS
8/11/2004
10:48:39
Subject: PR Web Article
Message:
Hi All,
I found the following article on PR Web. I don't know if anybody has posted this article here, but I would like to know what other PA authors have actually done to circumvent the problems that we face trying to market our books. I am looking for pragmatic answers is there is any.
Thanks
Harry Angus
[email protected]
The price new authors must pay to be published!
PublishAmerica authors paying the ultimate price for pursuing their dreams.
(PRWEB) August 11, 2004 -- PublishAmerica Inc. is a publisher that seems to be a double-blade sword for those authors that seek out its services. The company provides an opportunity for aspiring authors publication for their works. The fulfillment of those dreams is the treasure at the end of a rainbow for some. But converting that dream into reality comes at a price that some should never have to pay.
As with most dreams, there are different levels in which to categorize them. Some of those aspiring authors are nothing short of happy to have their book published and physically in their hands. Their dreams have been converted into reality and they can ask nothing more to make their world perfect. In short, they have become a published author of their manuscript and their career as a writer has come full-circle. They do not aspire to publish any more books and are proud to be the talk of family and friends in their own world.
Others pursue the road of marketing their book, only to become discouraged by the constant door being closed on them when they mention that PublishAmerica is their publisher. This treatment comes from the fact that PublishAmerica books are priced above market value and are printed on a non-returnable basis. That breaks down to mean that once a bookstore has placed an order, the only way to assure recuperation of the money invested is to have a demand that will meet the supply. The books cannot be returned to PublishAmerica for refund and many bookstores do not feel that it is worth the risk to invest in such conditions. Because of this policy, the author becomes frustrated and decides to abandon their dreams after discovering that the burden of marketing is far more discouraging than their dream of being a successful author. These authors give up on future writing endeavors and return to their own reality.
But what about those authors that are struggling to gain recognition in the publishing world? Many authors have found a vicious cycle of the traditional publisher refusing new authors, yet not giving new authors an opportunity to be discovered. Also, many of the mainstream traditional publishers almost insist on an agent to consider reviewing a manuscript. That, in itself, presents another aspect of the publishing world that can create further discouragement from promising authors. The result, more talent is left by the wayside to never pursue their dreams.
Enter PublishAmerica, Inc. Here is a publisher that lays claim to being a traditional advance and royalty paying book publisher that promises to launch authors in the best tradition of old-fashion quality publishing. Unlike vanity publishers that charge a fee for publishing, or self-publishing, which creates a sense of control for authors but also is accompanied by the burden of placing the book in bookstores and on such Internet stores like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, PublishAmerica Inc. does not ask for any fees from the author. The bases of this politics is that the founders in 1999 had decided that a well-written book should be worthy of publication if the author can convince a publishing company that an actual market exist to sell the book. Based on that and the talent that a new author may promise to hold, they move forward and publish the author’s book within a year of a signed contract.
Given this opportunity to have the first stepping-stone in a promising writing career, it is no wonder that they have laid claim to over 8,000 authors in their fold. However, having a book published by PublishAmerica seems to carry more burden than weight for the serious writer seeking to form a fan base in which to build on. There exist an ever increasing number of ex-PublishAmerica authors that have embarked on a mission to destroy the publisher’s reputation and all that is associated with them because of differences of opinions on what is considered a “traditional publisher”, “marketing services”, “editing services” and “royalties issues”. Rather than leave their differences in the hands of legal experts, they deem it their calling in life to warn everyone to stay away from the publisher at all cost.
While each has the given right to determine if their complaints hold any legal weight, some have taken it amongst themselves to publicly destroy the company through a smear campaign. Such tactics include posting multiple negative reviews on retailers’ boards such as Amazon for any successfully selling PublishAmerica book, send less than flattering information to PublishAmerica authors about the company and other measures that they feel will accomplish their mission. Unfortunately, the company seems unscathed by such tactics and the individuals that bear the burden of this negative publicity are the very authors that have placed their faith and dreams in the hands of the publisher. Concern authors that attempt to contact the company have communications with the publisher go unanswered. This lack of communication with the authors only enhances the claims of some and weakens the foundation of trust that the author has placed with the publisher.
In the end, the very authors that have sought the services of PublishAmerica to commence what could be a promising writing career, have found that the very mention of having a book published by the publisher has become a cross they must bear as they continue to traverse from small publisher into the mainstream publishing world. Sadly, those ex-PublishAmerica authors that have instigated their negative campaign against the publisher have ended up damaging the dreams of their fellow authors more than impairing the future of the publisher. When all is said and done, the dream of becoming an author has converted into a nightmare for more than one author. I know from experience.
I am an author that has written this article out of experience. However, unlike most, I refuse to be denied my future in writing because of the behavior of some. My career is budding and I owe that, in part, to my fan base being established with my association with PublishAmerica. If an author is able to weather the storm, there is a rainbow waiting for them.
Frederick A. Babb
www.frederickbabb.com
