Publish America suing Preditors and Editors

[delph_ambi]

Regarding editorial input from PA into my book - there was none, because I asked for there to be none. All they did was typeset it and sort out the cover, ISBN, getting it onto all the online bookstores, etc. It has a few typos, naturally, because I'm the only person who proofread it, but the only downside from my point of view has been the 'tarred with the same brush' aspect. The book itself is very nicely produced. Good paper, good binding, etc. Royalties paid on time every six months. Never any problems.

Would I go with PA again? Yes, if it was for a small-scale niche book which I wanted to get published for some reason but which I knew would be hard if not impossible to 'sell' to another publisher. Doesn't cost anything, unlike the semi-DIY options with lulu etc. Much less hassle and work than doing it entirely yourself. Would I give them another mainstream novel? No. I'd try harder to get a publisher without all the crap that PA drags along in its wake. I only went with PA in the first place because I was tired of the novel sitting around doing nothing. Now I'm more patient. Novel two has been sitting on a more respectable editor's desk for over a year now, but my occasional emails bring responses that they haven't rejected it yet, and can I give them a few more months to decide, so I just shrug my shoulders and get on with other projects.

[Ed]

Good to see things from another viewpoint, Delph - thanks for sharing your thoughts. I hope you finally get that acceptance letter sometime soon for your second novel

[delph_ambi]

Thanks Ed. The main reason I didn't want PA to edit the book was that one of the characters says 'fuck' an awful lot, and I thought they might want me to change it to 'gosh!' or something... 

[Geoff_N]

I've given your book a plug in my blog today, DA
and Robert Blevins Newsvine article.

One of the main problems for your book, DA is the high price - I've worked out that for the number of pages it is about twice the price readers would pay for the average small press paperback. There are other options to you now - some established printers in the UK, for example, have turned their technology and marketing over to POD, offering ISBN, etc. Even if you had a small poetry collection, it would be worth shopping around.

Geoff

[Sallyq]

Believe me, Cathy, after the book I read, I can assure you that PA would not have a problem with the word 'fuck'. Have you considered publising via lulu? I've been very happy with my experience. I haven't sold loads, but neither am I out of pocket. You only pay for however many books you want to buy and if that's just one, they don't mind at all.

[delph_ambi]

Many thanks for the blogplug, Geoff. I'll take a look in a minute. I agree that one of the problems with PA is the high price. That and the low royalties make them a bit of a bugger, but I'm still not sorry that I went with them originally for 'Sand in the Painting'. I made reasonable sales and three years on am still receiving royalties cheques (one arrived this morning) so somebody is still buying it.

I'm far too lazy to use lulu, and regarding poetry collections, I've just had a fairly substantial one ('wormwood, earth and honey') published in the completely traditional way by Circaidy Gregory Press, a small and friendly UK press based in Hastings, so I'm not currently looking for alternative, pod or self-publishing routes. Official launch date for 'wormwood' is 30th April, btw, so I'll be boring you all silly with news about that nearer the time.

[Ed]

Just spotted this, if anybody's interested:

HELP FIGHT AGAINST PUBLISH AMERICA:


Charity Anthology:


Calling all authors:


In February, it was learned that the business practice known as Publish America is now suing P&E (Predators and Editors)




Predators and Editors is a valuable resource for aspiring writers and publishers on who are who and what is what in the Publishing industry.


I am fully engaged in helping the fight against Publish America.


David Kuzminski who runs P&E needs your help: His group has been receiving donations for the legal case.


I, Eric Enck and David Kuzminski am asking all writers of any genre to give us some stories. They can be fantasy, horror, SF, bizzaro, romance...reprints it doesn't matter. We want good stories to put together an anthology for purchase.


Every cent will go to Predators and Editors for the legal case.


Please send submissions in double space 12pt font (Times New Roman preferred) to


screwpa@hotmail.com


The cover is being illustrated by renown artist, Danielle Serra.


Deadlines for stories is April 5th 2008:

[Geoff_N]

I've seen Eric's messages over the years and he's an oddball but decent enough at heart. Apparently the antho will be published at Lulu (how ironic if it were submitted to PA and they accepted!).

Dave Kuzminski is personally OK with the antho and had this to say today on Absolute Write

"Here's the info about the anthology. "The word length is pretty open. I would stop at 10,000 words. Guidelines are Times New Roman font, 12 pt double spaceand any genre, from SF, HORROR, ROMANCE, FANTASY etc...but we want good stories for selling purposes. No Non-fiction unless it's about something really captivating. ( It will be a hard acceptence.)"

In answer to the question about whether it's the lawyer or PA, it's the lawyer because it's filed under his name. Keep in mind, though, that he works directly for PA to the best of my knowledge. I find it very difficult to believe that PA isn't involved in this since that would be contrary to their past behavior. They're mentioned in the suit, but they'd be foolish to file on their own since that would give open access to all of their accounting and policy records in an open court they couldn't control."

Again from Dave K: "If you do get a story accepted for that antho you'll be in good company
Daniele Serra is illustrating the cover. The book will be edited by Chris Phillips from Blu Phier Publishing. It will be available on LuLu.

So far for the anthology ( and you are more than welcome to share this information) we have tales by:

Gary Braunbeck ( President of the HWA)
Timothy Deal ( Editor of Shroud Magazine)
Sheryl Nantus ( various publications, Alien Skin Magazine)
Garry Charles ( GoreZone Magazine)
Steve Dean ( Hadesgate Publishing)
Sara Creasy ( past Editor for Aurealis)
"
Geoff

[Ed]

Thanks for the update, Geoff - looks like it could be a good book

[rsmccoy]

 

This steams me.

They are making an anthology called "Hope", and I donated a story to them. I hope they kick some PA butt!!

[SamLeeFreak]

Hmmm, one day huh? I think I might have something that will fit. Unless I submitted it and forgot. Better go check duotrope! 

[rsmccoy]

Hmmm, one day huh? I think I might have something that will fit. Unless I submitted it and forgot. Better go check duotrope! 

A friend of mine claims creative people don't use spreadsheets, but they save my butt. I keep a sheet and track when I submitted and where and when I can probably expect a reply. It hangs on my wall with a big clip that also holds all my rejections.

[SamLeeFreak]

Keeping track of that kind of stuff is way to much like math. I don't have the head for it (I tried) so I was so friggin' happy when I found out that duotrope would take care of it for me. Some creative people might not need spreadsheets, but I would wager that plenty are like me and can barely keep track of a grocery list 

[Ed]

I've got the memory span of a fruit fly, so I absolutely have to write stuff down and keep track of submissions properly

[SamLeeFreak]

I'm in!    And now, if you will excuse me, I have to toss out all my coffee. The way I feel right now, I'm never going to need it again