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Aug. 14, 2005 The emails concerning my last article "Unhappy PublishAmerica Authors" have been rolling in like rocks during a landslide. I have exchanged no less than thirty emails with individuals who wanted to know why PublishAmerica Authors are so unhappy? Their comments range from "Why look a gift horse in the mouth?" to "Why won’t PublishAmerica release you from the contract?" It has gotten to the point that I have to copy and paste my past responses like a form letter. However, I do add some interesting fresh information when an individual asks certain questions that were not covered in previous correspondence. It is wonderful that U-K is read all over the world, and individuals do email authors with their opinions. PublishAmerica is a Vanity Publisher in reverse. When first-time authors have papered their walls with rejection letters from mainstream publishers and they are determined to have their tome published, they will shop around for publishers who will gladly publish their manuscript for a huge chunk of money. The individual who decides to go that route fully understands the risk of such a monetary expenditure. They are cognizant of the fact that booksellers across the nation and the world may not shelve their book, due to the plain fact that a Print-On-Demand (POD) produced it and/or a regular Vanity offset publishing company printed the book. The authors are fully aware that advertising, marketing, etc is their responsibility and that bookstores may not carry their book. The secrets that PublishAmerica holds close to their vest, is that once the book is printed – the author must pay inflated prices for their book when they order it; even when the book is ordered in mass quantity. The contract reads the same as Vanity publishers. However, it does not mention that the book will not be shelved nationwide due to its POD stigma. PublishAmerica still insists that it is not a "POD" publishing company – which is a damnable, bold face lie. In addition, the company is not a "traditional, royalty paying publishing company." The royalty statements are very vague and contain very little information. Here is a case in point: One author began communicating with PublishAmerica via email (the company insists on that form of correspondence), and began to question a few details of the company’s business practices. The author’s comments were business orientated and civil. PublishAmerica’s responses soon became adversarial. After many back and forth emails – PublishAmerica filed harassment charges for just asking questions contained in emails! Can you believe it folks, harassment charges? The charges were later dropped after the authorities reviewed the emails and the contract. Folks, what business in their right mind would file harassment charges against one of its own contracted authors that ask questions in emails? It is a sad state of affairs when an author receives an email that starts out "Do not take that tone with us…" I do not understand the current public relations mentality of PublishAmerica. If an author decides that the performance of the publishing company and the sales of their book become an issue, the author and the publishing company part ways amicably – no fuss, no problem. However, PublishAmerica holds its authors chained to a current seven-year contract and will not let go. Dear Reader, I can understand why you could careless about a group of unhappy authors who are not treated fairly by their publishing company. After all, you have more pressing problems in your life that leads to irrepressible migraines. However, authors write books to inform, educate and amuse the public. They succumbed to an irresistible urge to write a book – for you! Think about all of the books that are in PublishAmerica’s inventory that you can not hold in your hand, with an option to buy. In addition, the books are so outrageously over-priced, that even if it had been shelved in bookstores – you would not even consider purchasing it (unless it was in the "reduced for sale bin"). Their own publisher negates PublishAmerica authors efforts, and you – the reader are unaware that the book even exists! Contrary to current thinking, Americans do shop their local bookstores and buy books to read. How many of you relax on a Saturday / Sunday and read books during personal time or during the workweek, read a book on the subway / bus / plane/ taxi ride? Think about the author’s whose voices you are unaware of. There are over thirteen thousand of them in PublishAmerica’s inventory. They need to be discovered, and read. However, due to PublishAmerica’s over pricing, no return policy and booksellers not shelving the books – you will be unable to experience the joy of reading the fresh voices of these authors. I urge you to re-read my last article. Take some action on behalf of these authors – and demand that PublishAmerica bulldoze the walls / iron curtain which negates the book buying public from accessing the their efforts. Demand that PublishAmerica reduce the price of their books, and that their trade paperbacks be placed on bookstore shelves in the United States of America, and the World. Again, on behalf of all PublishAmerica authors – I thank you for your concern and positive actions. ------------ Email Argile Stox: argilestox@gmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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