What's the basis of the Publish America controversy?

If you can get the answer to that question, please share. I asked PA when I was negotiating a contract, but when I asked several questions, they rescinded the contract so I didn't get an answer to anything. For my sales, it was a death knell to have the button removed. Some buttons came back. Mine did not. By the way, there are some other publishing companies out there with the PA business plan - and they won't carry the baggage.

Good point, DK.

I think it depends on one's personal experience. I didn't have problems with PA but did with Lulu. And my sister-in-law, who works with publishing magazines, did also. We wanted some changes in paper and type, but they said we could not do so, even when the book was not yet printed. PA made a change at the last moment, and also changed the back covers when they were blurry after I received them.

I said before that I thought PA published too many books. I got in trouble here for saying that, but I think that is true. I think some of the books they publish where they get in trouble should not have been published. Some seem to be even dangerous, and they need to be responsible for all they publish.

Marie, I read some of your arbitration and understand it. You are not included in my statement above.

It boggles my mind to think about how a publisher could publish so many books and keep them straight, even in the computer age. I don't think it is possible. I don't know how the numbers compare with Lulu. I also believe PA's website gives an false impression.

Carol

Malcolm wrote:

As a practical matter: are the BUY BUTTONS on or off on Amazon for new PA books?

Malcolm

Malcolm, I tried to order your book published by Vanilla Heart through amazon.co.uk but it isn't listed. Instead, I ordered a copy of Sun Singer. Everyone complains about the buy buttons on Amazon but it is Amazon at fault, not the publishers.

By the way, they didn't remove any of the buy buttons for PA books on amazon.co.uk.

Shelagh, the Jock Stewart book was delayed at the printer and still hasn't been released. It should be available at Ingram by Monday and Amazon U.S. soon thereafter. It will take it a while to show up on Amazon UK.

The Sun Singer is on most of Amazon's international sites.

To some extent, the publisher needs to communicate with Amazon, B&N and Powell's to keep the listings up to date. I see errors in people's listings all the time that apparently nobody is noticing. Author's names spelt wrong, titles backwards, descriptions incomplete.

Thanks for trying to find the books, Shelagh.

Malcolm

Hi Malcolm,

My initial idea was to buy the first Jock Stewart book on Lulu -- so that you would gain a bigger royalty. However, the flat rate for shipping was much more than on amazon.co.uk.

As it is, I'm looking forward to reading The Sun Singer. It should arrive within the next seven days. I'll let you know when it arrives.

I believe the buy buttons are working for new PA books.
I liked some of the people on the AW board. They treated me quite well and I'd like to see a few of them here. My problem with that board is the few wild-eyed fanatics and the restriction to a single topic.
Shelagh hates Lulu. I like Lulu, but I don't think it would be a good choice for fiction. It's great for what I've used it for, stuff that has a limited local market.

Marie, We all love you. You are not a nut.

I have a buy button on AMAZON.
I hope it stays there.

Good. Completely sane people are boring as hell.

Marie and Dick,

You are in good company. No one here is boring.

Carol