Re: Some things worth mentioning/ A Rant from a PA author
I wish to begin by cordially greeting everyone who has ever posted to this thread. Over the course of three months, I have read every post. As stated in my subject line, I am a PA author. My upcoming novel, "Shame the Devil" is my debut.
I have taken all the warnings to heart--after the fact. Yet, I do not wish that I'd discovered them sooner. I look at life as a learning experience. When we stop learning, we stop living. I don't believe any dog is too old to learn new tricks. But enough with the philosophical crap.
When I completed my ms, over two years ago, I made it my duty to learn all I could about the publishing industry. I researched on the internet, at my local public library and purchased $200 worth of books about publishing; all of which I read from cover to cover--with highlighter in hand. I even looked into starting an independent small press, which is not a financially viable option for me at this time. With the firm belief that I had a good grasp on how the publishing industry worked, I paid a pretty penny to have my ms edited. Edited ms in hand, I made numerous copies and sent one off to have my copyright registered.
I then sent out 50 query letters to various literary agencies representing writers of my genre, which for my debut novel would fall into the Urban/Hip-Hop Literature category. Of those 50, I received 3 replies after waiting four months. All professional replies. All wishing me success in my writing career and all informing me that they are not presently taking on any new clients.
I was struck with genius. I decided to cut out the middle man (meaning literary agents) and contact publishing houses directly. I contacted 50, for some reason I like that number, of all the names we know and love. I waited four months. Replies: 0.
I now looked into POD's. What bothered me about them is, after paying a POD to publish your book, the company continues to reap a profit on every book sold while you wait around for them to pay you royalties on a book that you paid them to publish. WOW!
I now entered contests. If my mss were ever received, someone forgot to inform me; although I always included the requested SASE in order to be informed as such. But I take it from my cancelled checks, which covered the entry fees, that my mss were indeed received. Whether or not they were read....
I revisited contacting publishing houses directly; knowing there are more than 50. Via an on-line search of "publishers accepting un-agented submissions", after by-passing all POD's, along came Publish America. Not knowing of their notorious reputation, I clicked on their website. I was sold on their slogan: "We treat our authors the old-fashioned way--we pay them." I was also sold on not having to pay them to publish my book. According to my extensive readings and research, that was a mark of a legitimate publishing house.
I clicked on "acquisitions". A blank email screen popped up. In a short email, I told them a little about myself and my book then attached my ms. About a month later, I received the email that every PA author received upon being "accepted". You know, the one about giving us the chance we deserve. I downloaded and read the sample contract. Seven years did seem rather lengthy but, I was just days shy of my 33rd birthday. What's seven years when you're 33? I emailed PA and agreed to the terms of the contract. A week later, my contract arrived in the mail. I signed and returned it. A couple of weeks later, I filled out their emailed author's questionnaire (AQ) and re-attached my ms as requested. That was in April of this year.
As of today, I have not heard a single word nor received a single email about the status of my ms or which phase of production it's in. All I know is, and this is according to my contract, that my novel will be published within a year of signing the contract. Given the volume of PA authors and their still having a seven month window, it is very possible that they haven't even gotten around to my ms yet. This is what I tell myself to avoid taking a trip to Maryland. I live in NY and MD's only a 6-hour drive away. On their website, PA does invite their authors to visit their headquarters if they happen to be in their neck of the woods. I wonder how many PA authors have actually taken them up on their invite. Maybe I'm being picky but I think as a professional practice, publishers ought to communicate with their authors. Besides that little quirk of mine, in all fairness, I must say that I PERSONALLY have no PA horror stories to share. But, I suspect that will change. If it doesn't, given this thread, I'll be rather disappointed.
I look forward to having my first novel published. I've wanted to be a writer since I was 8. So, this is a dream come true for me. Everyone knows that dreams are symbolic. Just like the $1.00 advance PA sends its authors. I know the odds are greatly stacked against me. I know most will not even recognize me as a legitimate author once I tell them that PA published my book. I know my book will not sell many copies. Sure, I sent PA a list of 40 family members and friends. But I'm better off relying on the kindness of strangers for book sales as my family and friends all want free, autographed copies.
It's all been a wonderful learning experience, however. I've even added it to my memoirs. Maybe PA will give me another one of those deserved chances when it comes time to publish them. Maybe they'll read this and will actually communicate with me by way of an email canceling my contract. Maybe the publishing industry in its entirety will be reformed to include less scams and become more author-friendly. Come what may, I'm presently selecting another 50 publishers to shop my second novel to. Maybe I'll find one that's ethical. Maybe I'll find one that believes I'm a talented writer and won't hold who I published my first novel with against me. Maybe I'll find one that's fed up with all the red-tape, rip-offs and other grief that new authors face. Maybe I'll find a few private investors to back me and I'll start my independent small press. I couldn't do any further damage to the publishing industry if I tried. But that's another rant entirely.
~Gigi
