PublishAmerica

[amicus]

I have just had a book of short stories, including some published on Literotica accepted by Publishamerica http://www.publishamerica.com/facts/index.htm

I am interested to know if any authors here have had experience with this company, and what your opinions might be.

I smell a scam of sorts...although the writer/author is not required to pony up any up front monies....but I do not comprehend their marketing or distribution methods...

thank you....amicus....

 

[Weird Harold]

I smell a scam of sorts...although the writer/author is not required to pony up any up front monies....but I do not comprehend their marketing or distribution methods...

I don't know anything about the company or their marketing and distribution, but since I just happened to have the local library system's catalog search open in another window, I checked -- I got one hit a book published by PublishAmerica:

Record # : 1
Title : Suicide string / Burt Keimach.

Author : Keimach, Burt.

They have six copies and six more on order.

It would appear that they're at least reputable enough that our library system deals with them, but that doesn't say anything about how fairly they treat their authors.

 

[amicus]

publish america

thank you...I too am searching for positive feedback as I have just signed a 7 year contract...regards...amicus...

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Seven years seems like an awfully long time. What kind of contract was it?

---dr.M.

 

[snooper]

Seven years seems like an awfully long time. What kind of contract was it?

---dr.M.

Yes, it does. Mine is on a per book basis, everytime I offer a book I have to give them first refusal on its sequel/prequel etc.

 

[amicus]

publishamerica

Dr. M....ah...a Coleridge fan....yes, I was surprised at the 7 year time period...however, I remain optimistic in view of the quick and courteous replies to my submission and further questions, in opposition to major publishing houses... that are not what one might call 'user friendly' appreciate your input...thank you

 

[dr_mabeuse]

What I mean is, most contracts are on a per book basis, as Snooper said. Do you mean that they have rights to your book for 7 years? That's an awfully long time. Personally, I wouldn't sign anything like that. I think 2-3 years is more like it.

---dr.M.

 

[thenry]

This interview was interesting.

Publish America

What kind of advance are you getting?

 

[dr_mabeuse]

From what I gather, PublishAmerica is legitimate and not a scam. Where they are unconventional is that their books are all "POD"--Print On Demand. That means that they don't commit to an actual print run. They don't print your book until someone wants to buy it, and then they print single copies as the orders come in, so there's no advance and all earnings are strictly commission.

This means they don't do much marketing beyond putting your title on their site and sending out some email. They leave the marketing pretty much up to the author. I can see how this would be advantageous to the publisher, since they don't have to commit any money to your books beyond editing and cover art. I have no idea of how well this works for the author.

Most of the books I looked at have a price of $16.95, which seems kind of steep to me, especially for buying a book you know little about. Their online bookstore has plot summaries and glowing (and suspicious) reviews of their books but no excerpts, so it's hard to get a feel for how good they are: whether PA does pick and choose what they publish or just accepts everything.

---dr.M.

 

[thenry]

I agree. It would seem the "catch" of publishing over a thousand new books a year is that they invest nothing in the marketing of any individual book beyond an information how-to packet for the author. I saw a mention of "book parties," which I imagine are like tuppaware and sex toy varieties.

The economics of their sort of POD are interesting. While everyone agrees it is the wave of the future, and eventually every book store will have its own digital reproduction printer, at the moment they are rarely used. The economies of scale are driven by the total number of books printed and not the total number of each kind of book printed, it's just that people are only buying the popular new books printed the old fashion way. The driving force for change is expected to be out-of-print books by popular authors including those in the public domain.

So, how much of the price of the book goes to the author? If they are supporting a suite of editors and graphics designers with little final sales, I would expect little. Unless they are doing something interesting where the editors and designers are investing their time in the novels they think will succeed in return for an average share of the profits. With such a high throughput this kind of incentive system would insure quality as well as ensure other people involved in grassroots marketing.

 

[amicus]

publishamerica

dr. mabeuse thenry....thank you both for your research and comments...your conclusion was about the same as mine, they pretty much leave it up to the author to find ways of selling the book, through friends and acquaintences...and the book fairs and parties...

I cannot answer how many submissions they accept, although they state they do not accept everything sent in....

there is an advance, but it is minimal

the royalty rates are about 2 points above what the traditional pubishers pay, but they pay only twice yearly..in stead of quarterly as most do

they seem a step above those such as 1stbooks and several others that have fees of around a grand but offer the same promotional and distributing plans...

I sense that you to, have been through the Literary agent, and publishers route...I am still pursuing a contract with a traditional house, but the three to six month wait for even an answer to a query letter is infuriating....there must be a better way...

appreciate your comments...thank you... amicus