czahar
Ok, first of all, I admit that this was pure stupidity on my part. I was a new author, and I was so excited that someone was actually willing to publish my work that I didn't bother taking any precautions.
Anyway, please bear with this rather long winded anecdote and give me your advice. Back in January of 2006 PublishAmerica accepted my book for publication (surprise surprise). Being so elated with the possibility that I might be the next Hemingway or Baudelaire, I signed the contract and sent it in.
Over the next week, however, I began to do some research on this scam company and realized my mistake. Not wanting to get caught up with this company anymore than I already was, I never sent my finalized manuscript in for them to put into book form. Having already given them a phone number that I had since canceled, it was simply a matter of filtering out all of their emails to get them out of my hair permanently - or at least I had thought.
Just today, however, my mother received a letter from them (they sent it to my old address) threatening me with "breach of contract" over not having received my manuscript yet.
Anyway, here are my question. From what is known about PublishAmerica and contract law in the United States, can they, and/or will they do anything about this besides continue to harass me? Can they take me to court and, if so, what types of punishments could I be prosecuted for if found guilty?
I am particularly looking for the advice of people who have had direct contact with this scam corporation.
Thank you in advance to all who respond to this.
Anyway, please bear with this rather long winded anecdote and give me your advice. Back in January of 2006 PublishAmerica accepted my book for publication (surprise surprise). Being so elated with the possibility that I might be the next Hemingway or Baudelaire, I signed the contract and sent it in.
Over the next week, however, I began to do some research on this scam company and realized my mistake. Not wanting to get caught up with this company anymore than I already was, I never sent my finalized manuscript in for them to put into book form. Having already given them a phone number that I had since canceled, it was simply a matter of filtering out all of their emails to get them out of my hair permanently - or at least I had thought.
Just today, however, my mother received a letter from them (they sent it to my old address) threatening me with "breach of contract" over not having received my manuscript yet.
Anyway, here are my question. From what is known about PublishAmerica and contract law in the United States, can they, and/or will they do anything about this besides continue to harass me? Can they take me to court and, if so, what types of punishments could I be prosecuted for if found guilty?
I am particularly looking for the advice of people who have had direct contact with this scam corporation.
Thank you in advance to all who respond to this.