Re-published?

cswayden · Apr 5, 2009

I'm new so please take it easy.

I signed with PA a long time ago. It never did anything, blah, blah, all of you know the rest of the story. I found this AW, realized my error, asked to have my contract terminated and after only one email - amazed - I got my rights back, contract with them over and done.

My question is can I edit my story, apply what I've learned now and try to get it published by a legit publisher? I've been writing ever since, have grown in the craft and are working on books now but I really like my first book. Is this an option or am I just spinning my wheels since my story as already been tainted by PA?

Thanks for any help you can give.

DaveKuzminski · Apr 5, 2009

Get one of your newer books published with a reputable publisher first. Then ask them about the remake. It'll stand a much better chance then.

cswayden · Apr 5, 2009

Thanks, but it can be done? I'm not stepping on anyone's toes, breaking laws, going away to jail for the rest of my life?

BenPanced · Apr 5, 2009

If you have your rights back, you're free to do with the manuscript as you will. There's nothing PA can do about it.

Gillhoughly · Apr 5, 2009

Technically, your book is considered to be a ~~second printing~~ reprint, and it is very difficult to sell those.

When one of my book series went out of print my agent had a terrible time trying to resell it. She managed to do it, but only because the publisher knew I was an established writer already. If you don't have any professional sales on your writing resume things will be that much harder for you.

Many writers never sell their first books (these are sometimes called "trunk novels" since that's where they end up), but might haul them out later after they get established.

What Dave said. Write something new and shop it around instead.

merrihiatt · Apr 5, 2009

Welcome to AW! :welcome:

Wise advice from everyone who has already responded. Once the rights are returned to you, you can shop it around again, but your time is better spent on your next book. Once it's accepted by a publisher, as noted above, then bring out the other book. Best of luck to you!

James D. Macdonald · Apr 5, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
Technically, your book is considered to be a second printing, and it is very difficult to sell those.

Not a second printing, but a reprint.

Still, those are very tough to sell.

Wait until one of your other books is a best-seller, then you can get this one back into print with a legit place.

cswayden · Apr 5, 2009

James D. Macdonald said:
Not a second printing, but a reprint.

Still, those are very tough to sell.

Wait until one of your other books is a best-seller, then you can get this one back into print with a legit place.

Thanks guys for all the advice. I appreciate it. Best-seller...ah I like the sound of that!

Kaji · Apr 5, 2009

Wow, What did you say to them to so easily end your contract? I am about to begin the process, and I um... I'm kinda nervous. I am a huge push-over. lol

DaveKuzminski · Apr 6, 2009

Kaji, if you don't have a personal web page, get one. Then post all of your correspondence with PA on it. After that, politely ask PA to terminate your contract.

Sparhawk · Apr 6, 2009

See the book on the left? Used to belong to PA... now it's LBF's. They're happy and I'm happy. The sequel comes out shortly.. also from LBF. It can be done.

Gillhoughly · Apr 6, 2009

Reprint.

THAT'S what I meant.

This is why I have an agent to remember this stuff for me.

:Headbang:

cswayden · Apr 6, 2009

Kaji, sorry it took a while to get back to you...It didn't take long to end my contract because I signed it in 2000. Ten years have passed with lots of writing in between. Of course when I asked to be released, PA sent me a form email for me to buy 50 of my books at a discount before they could think of releasing me. I took the advice of a lot of ex-PA authors, was professional, no emotion, stated that my book wasn't selling, it's priced too high, I'm not doing anything with it and they sent me a certified letter terminating my contract.

Be professional, be patient and don't give in to their wanting you to buy your book to get released. Be strong!

Re-published?

cswayden

DaveKuzminski

Preditors & Editors

cswayden

BenPanced

THE BLUEBERRY QUEEN OF HADES (he/him)

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

merrihiatt

Writing! Writing! Writing!

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

cswayden

Kaji

Former "Happy-Dammit" Author

DaveKuzminski

Preditors & Editors

Sparhawk

Jenna's Cabana Boy

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

cswayden