Write Right

Last year, I was published through Publish America (my first published work) and I was thrilled. Since then, I've had second thoughts about it. I kinda feel as if I've cheated because Publish America seems like a self publishing site instead of a "real" publishing house. It didn't cost me a thing and they paid me $1.00 - which at the time seemed okay. I mean, I am an unknown author and how else can I get my work published?

So I'd like to know what you think about Publish America.

Also, I am seeking an agent for a Western I've just finished and wonder if you know someone I can approach. Your opinions and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
EPF

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Why, oh, why, must I be a writer?

Stating an opinion is one thing. But, can you think for yourself? That is what separates an educated person from an illiterate!

strangedaze

I didn't think people still sent work to PublishAmerica. Not to be a wise-ass, but did you ever google 'writing scams'? Better yet, 'Publish America scam'? What's done is done, so no going back now. However, by simply using a search engine before posting this you could've found all you need to know. Since I already opened this thread and spent some time on a response, read this:

P&E: Book Publisher Listings

The entry on PA is massive. They are a vanity press. They are a scam.

As for agents, find a writer's market or use the site I provided. Always research publishers and agents before sending out your work. And if I were you, I would conveniently forget that you published something with PA, especially if you harbour hope of becoming a legit published author.

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His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.

Sam Winchester

Self-publishing is not the holy-grail so many people assume it to be. If it was, well, every Tom, Dick and Harry would be getting published (it's getting close to that). Strangedaze is right - Publish America is a scam, but not all self-publishers are. Just make sure you read their websites thoroughly before handing over one cent of your money.

Sam.

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strangedaze

To be clear, PA is not self-publishing. It's a vanity press. And there are contracts. Scary scary contracts.

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His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.

Write Right

Yeah, I kinda thought that they weren't completely on the up and up. But when one is an amateur, still learning, and yearning to be published - well, hence is my sad excuse. That is why I must go the traditional route this time. Thanks, Strange, for your referral. I will connect and see what happens.

Wish me luck, will ya??

__________________
Why, oh, why, must I be a writer?

Stating an opinion is one thing. But, can you think for yourself? That is what separates an educated person from an illiterate!

strangedaze

Will do, my man. I got suckered into the whole poetry.com thing when I first started. You'll notice I don't write poetry anymore, so you're one step ahead of me lol

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His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.

Mike C

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lin

I don't think there's a whole lot of controversy about PA being an evil scam.

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Mike C

PA victims fall into two camps. Those that get their fingers burned, and come away a little wiser, like the OP, and those that hate to admit they've been scammed and defend PA vociferously in the face of overwhelming evidence.

PA isn't a scam, insofar as they do nothing illegal, but they are from a moral/ethical standpoint because they know damned well that the only people who're going to buy the cruddy books are the friends and family of the author who feel duty bound to buy, and the dozen or so author copies the author buys in the hope they can sell them on. PA are happy with their business model; there's more money in having a million authors shifting an average of 30 copies each than trying to find 30 authors that will shift a million copies each.

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archer88iv

My thoughts on Publish America.

Short version: Meh.

Long version:

I could key the greatest passages of writing known to man into my own PC, print them out, and they wouldn't really be any the worse for wear. They may print some REALLY great stuff.

On the other hand, you could take some really crappy writing and send it to a traditional publisher. If it gets onto store shelves, it's got a FAR greater chance of being picked up and read. That is, it's going to reach a wider audience.

Simply by virtue of accessibility, traditional publishers have a significant advantage as far as audience is concerned. The other thing is price point. On-demand publishing comes with a pretty heavy premium, even these days. A 200 page novel from Publish America will run the reader nearly 20 bucks. The same novel from a traditional publishing house? Closer to six.

That's *really* going to hamstring your velocity and cut your chances of hitting the bestseller list. Especially considering that the last quote I heard for the percentage of book sales that take place online was like 5%. There's a reason that BN.com gets by with brick and mortar stores and mostly books online whereas Amazon has to sell books and everything else, too.

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-J

lin

Oh, it's a scam. It's just not a crime.

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Mike C

Yup, like taxes.

__________________
My writing
My Photo Blog
Web design for Writers
The Oddville Press