Are there ANY instances where PA would be a good option?

nancy sv · Oct 22, 2007

I've read all the warnings and promise you that I will NOT go with PA for any book that I hope to distribute to the public. However, I'm wondering if there are any circumstances under which PA would be a good way to go. I'm thinking maybe a family history or something like that where one only intends to give the book to their family. It seems like, in that case, PA would be great - you would get two free copies and can buy the others at a discount. If you are only considering getting 10 or 15 copies anyway, wouldn't that be an OK plan? No - I don't have a famly history book, but I'm trying to figure out what circumstances PA would be a good choice for.

mscelina · Oct 22, 2007

in a word....no, not really.

okay that was three words but I'm sure you get the point. If you only want 10-15 copies why not self pub and spare yourself the angst?

Siddow · Oct 22, 2007

In that case, just go through Lulu. You can even keep it private so you get your 15 copies and nobody else even has to know.

JerseyGirl1962 · Oct 22, 2007

nancy sv said:
However, I'm wondering if there are any circumstances under which PA would be a good way to go. I'm thinking maybe a family history or something like that where one only intends to give the book to their family. It seems like, in that case, PA would be great - you would get two free copies and can buy the others at a discount. If you are only considering getting 10 or 15 copies anyway, wouldn't that be an OK plan?

You'd be better off with lulu.com. They don't introduce typos, the books don't fall apart (from what I've heard), and you/family/friends aren't pressured into buying any copies.

Your local copy shop can do it cheaper than PA, too, printing it in color and spiral bound, if you want.

So, no, PA isn't even good enough to be a decent printer.

~Nancy

Sheryl Nantus · Oct 22, 2007

maybe if it's a choice between gnawing your own foot off when it's in a bear trap...

nah.

Marian Perera · Oct 22, 2007

Are there ANY instances where PA would be a good option?

If you've got the next sting manuscript, sure.

nancy sv · Oct 22, 2007

Gosh! I guess you guys are pretty convinced eh?? (And no - I don't have anything I want to publish like that, but I was wondering if it might OK in certain circumstances).

brianm · Oct 22, 2007

Queen of Swords said:
If you've got the next sting manuscript, sure.

Diddo.

(Sorry, I've had a desire to use that spelling since it made its appearance in some other threads. It just screams "battery operated."

)

benbradley · Oct 22, 2007

What if your worst enemy says he/she has a manuscript and asks you to suggest a publisher? Hmm, seems like a moral question to me: Are there things you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy? Is PA one of them?

Queen of Swords said:
If you've got the next sting manuscript, sure.

Does PA really care? Well, I do recall that they've sent cartooney-letters to some sting participants - if there were more stings, would it take all their effort chasing down the participants?

LloydBrown · Oct 22, 2007

nancy sv said:
Gosh! I guess you guys are pretty convinced eh??

and

It seems like, in that case, PA would be great - you would get two free copies and can buy the others at a discount.

It's not even so much a question of "convinced" as "having done the math." PA's author discount is based on their overpriced books, making it more expensive than going directly with Lulu.com. Lulu's book price calculator is here. Even counting the two free copies they give you, Lulu is cheaper after only a few copies. What's more, they don't add mistakes, they don't short you royalties, they don't take your publishing rights for 7 years, they don't spam your relatives, and they don't send you tone letters. Also, you have total creative control with Lulu. Want a new edition? Send it up. Don't like your cover? Change it.

PA offers nothing.

BarbJ · Oct 22, 2007

Better value at Lulu and others, and you aren't supporting a scam operation.

JulieB · Oct 22, 2007

When someone orders your book directly from the publisher (as in lulu) you can be pretty darn sure it'll get printed and shipped in a timely manner.

nancy sv · Oct 22, 2007

I am amazed at how quickly you are all responding here! I've heard you mention before that going with Lulu was a better option, but I haven't even looked at anything - PA or Lulu, but I totally believe you. I guess PA might be an OK thing to wish upon my worst enemy... or maybe not.

Deleted member 42 · Oct 22, 2007

No. There's no good reason.

Seriously, Lulu is a really really good idea, if you've already tried everything you can try in terms of conventional consumer publishing.

nancy sv · Oct 22, 2007

If I ever want to self publish something, I'll be sure to go with Lulu!! Sounds like that's the way to go for sure.

JulieB · Oct 22, 2007

One thing nancy sv pointed out that some works are best self-pubbed, like family histories. Lulu is perfect for that sort of thing - short run, small audience.

Otherwise, yeah. Why self-pub a novel?

DaveKuzminski · Oct 23, 2007

PA books are not only overpriced for reading, but also for kindling and door stops.

nancy sv · Oct 23, 2007

But they would make good kindling, wouldn't they??

jamiehall · Oct 24, 2007

If you want to hurt PA, yes, but only if you do it like this:

-Feed some public domain text into a computerized poetry generator.

-Produce 750 or so pages of this nonsense (bigger is better!).

-Waste as much of PA's time as possible in the pre-contract-signing phase. You are costing them time they could have spent pursuing a genuine victim. But, unlike the post-contract-signing phase, they won't just ignore you.

-Get your two free books from PA, and NEVER purchase a single copy.

-For your friends and family list, give them the names of your enemies, or perhaps politicians you vehemently disagree with, so your real friends and family won't be bothered.

Congratulations! You've just cost PA about $300.

nancy sv · Oct 24, 2007

Someone should try that to see what happens!! I would LOVE to see the reaction of PA after it came to light.

benbradley · Oct 24, 2007

I think before anyone reading this even THINKS of submitting any text to PA, a Magic Ingredient should be added: Steganography. For example, the first (or third, or last, whatever) letter of each word, sentence, and/or paragraph should spell out something pertinent such as "PublishAmerica Sucks." Make it a formula that's not easily discerned - no doubt they're reading these words.

jamiehall said:
If you want to hurt PA, yes, but only if you do it like this:
...
-For your friends and family list, give them the names of your enemies, or perhaps politicians you vehemently disagree with, so your real friends and family won't be bothered.

How about the names of state attorney generals, heads of state business licensing boards and such...

This isn't "disrespecting my fellow writer" is it? Can't think of an actual writer who's being disrespected here...

No writers were harmed in the composition and posting of this message.

allenparker · Oct 25, 2007

In addition

jamiehall said:
If you want to hurt PA, yes, but only if you do it like this:

-Feed some public domain text into a computerized poetry generator.

-Produce 750 or so pages of this nonsense (bigger is better!).

-Waste as much of PA's time as possible in the pre-contract-signing phase. You are costing them time they could have spent pursuing a genuine victim. But, unlike the post-contract-signing phase, they won't just ignore you.

-Get your two free books from PA, and NEVER purchase a single copy.

-For your friends and family list, give them the names of your enemies, or perhaps politicians you vehemently disagree with, so your real friends and family won't be bothered.

Congratulations! You've just cost PA about $300.

Make sure to ask for a $10 advance.

They will go for this. Also ask for them to put in writing the one time 50% discount. It will encourage them to go for the extra costs.

There are some more things you can do. Anyone choosing this option, PM me for the rest.

James D. Macdonald · Oct 25, 2007

When talking about Lulu.com, don't forget to check out Cafepress as well.

Or check with your local print shop (look in the Yellow Pages for one near you). They may be able to beat Lulu or CafePress's price if you know the exact number of copies you want.

nancy sv · Oct 26, 2007

I am seriously considering contacting PA with some kind of bogus manuscript - whaddyathink?? Should I go for it??

Siddow · Oct 26, 2007

nancy sv said:
I am seriously considering contacting PA with some kind of bogus manuscript - whaddyathink?? Should I go for it??

I wouldn't.

I guess the thing to ask yourself is: What's your point? What do you hope to gain? What do you stand to lose?

Are there ANY instances where PA would be a good option?

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