| Author |
Message |
    
Erica Adams
Awareness Member
Post Number:
4
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 06:50 pm: |   |
Hi all,
I've only posted a couple of times here. The last post topic was about being kicked off PA's message board. They changed my password on me so I couldn't post. I sent them a few e-mails asking if they had kicked me off. No one has yet to send me an e-mail answering my question. Duh, So I guess so. I have been working so hard at promoting and marketing my book Innocent Heart. I have not had a sigle YES to any bookstore willing to stock my book. They act like I have a damn disease or something. At first, when I talked with the manager at Walden books in Dothan, Al. (my hometown) they said quote "Actually, we would LOVE to order your book and have you do a signing." He called back an hour later and said "I see that your book is pod. We don't stock pods titles." He told me in the first phone call that so many people had come into their bookstore asking about my book. That's why he was talking it up with me until he found out that my book was POD. He told me that he would speak with his home office and that he might call me back. I gave him a week. I called him back and remimded him of our conversation and that he said he MIGHT call me back. I'm just so sick and tired of all the rejection despite the "You can't knock me down " attitude. I know that this is part of it and I'm nowhere ready to give up. I just want to knock the shit out of a few book store managers, that's all.
Tanutoo@aol.com
www.authorsden.com/ericaadams
Innocent Heart |
priceless1
Wandering Member
Post Number:
193
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 07:28 pm: | |
Erica, I'm certainly sorry to hear of your problems regarding your book promotion. I well remember when your book came out (I was still on the boards back then), and you really jumped in with both feet. I hope you find other venues in which to promote. The best thing to do would be to first recognize your buying public and go to those areas where you'll find them. Coffee houses, etc.
Don't come down too hard on the bookstores. They really are between a rock and hard place. Let's say you have a booksigning. They order 35 books for the event and you sell 20, leaving 15 remaining. Perhaps the store will keep 5 for their store. What they then do with the others is to send them back to the publisher. They have a finite amount of shelf space and can't possibly keep them all. Without the return policy, the store is stuck with ten extra copies.
This is why POD publishers get painted with the same brush, because most of them don't have a return policy. That is why it's vital to have a publisher that has a return policy. Stores will welcome you AND even order the books for your event.
Best of luck.
Lynn
Lynn
behlerpublications.com
lynnprice.net
|
Erica Adams
Awareness Member
Post Number:
5
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 11:29 pm: | |
Lynn,
You're right about all of that. I don't know what that's like. (to be welcomed by the bookstores). Please excuse my crappy behavior. I'm just down and out and I haven't really tried to do anything lately in the arena of promotion. I feel like all of the avenues I've taken have lead me down a beaten path. I feel like giving up because I feel like I've done everything I know to do. You suggested coffe shops and etc.. I haven't tried Starbucks yet. I know myself well, I'll get on this pitty potty for a little while, then be back swinging with determination. Thanks to you guys for sharing your experiences and boosting each other when we're down. The only support I have is yall. My family thinks that I have done the most terrible thing in the world by writting a romance novel. The first chapter is definitely my hook and my family can't get past that. I coast off of my own determination and self will. After endless rejection, I seem to slow down. I've just got to come up with some new ideas, that's all. Thanks for your advice Lynn.
Tanutoo
Erica Adams |
Perry Comer
Unity Member
Post Number:
1410
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 01:34 am: | |
Erica - the best therapy is to write another book and find a better publisher. There are plenty around and your second book will be better than your first. You haven't lost the first book, you just have to wait until the time is right to re-claim it. For now, write the second book, find an ONLINE publisher and sell it as an E-book for a year or so.
http://www.pacwriter.netfirms.com/ |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
856
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 05:47 am: | |
Yes, write again and move on. Learn from this and get a publisher with a return policy, not listed as a POD...and the stores will not scream in horror at the sight of you...(mayeb that is just me). However, I fell your pain because with my PA book NOCTURNAL VACATIONS I could only sell it on consignment at used shops. A few places took BULLETPROOF SOUL (via BLACK DEATH BOOKS) but they are still listed as a POD and thus, B&N and otehr spots twitched.
The copies of BS (heh) at BORDERS and B DALTONS have sold, however...
www.stevenshrewsbury.com |
Jennifer Lynn
Unity Member
Post Number:
1284
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 07:02 am: | |
Erica,
As another romance writer, I CAN tell you that there is life after PA. Better life. I had a hell of a hard time trying to get my PA book to sell. I mean really, who wants to pay 17.95 for a teensy 142 page novel?? That novel was pretty much dead in the water right out of the starting gate.
But I moved on, and since then have published two others with a small publisher, and I have a novella coming out next month AND I just finished another and am waiting on my publisher's word on it.
Trust me, there is nothing wrong with writing romance, you just need to get into the right circles to promote it. It's relatively easy, and pretty cheap to start promoting online, and once you've got that under your belt, you can go on from there. I know its discouraging, but hang in there.
Jenn
Jennifer Lynn
www.jenniferlynn.ca |
Bill Nelson
Wandering Member
Post Number:
209
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 07:14 am: | |
Erica,
I pretty much agree with all that is stated above.
I have two books published with PA and I simply gave up trying to promote them.
I don't know if they would sell or not because no one will even look at them. They say POD, no return, no thanks.
Chalk it up as a learning process and move on.
Best of luck to you.
Bill |
Rebecca Easton
Awareness Member
Post Number:
6
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 12:04 pm: | |
Erica;
My advice is to tell your story to the Attorney General's office in Maryland who is investigating issues just like yours and many, many others on these boards. I urge you to put a stop to Publish America's deception tactics.
They should have told us that they were considered a Publish on Demand Company by booksellers and in a letter the Attorney General's office lied and said that they supplied us with such letter.
When we all complained at the same time, they released us WITH NO GAG ORDER or having to purchase additional books. Then they continue to sell our product with no legal right to do so.
These people are beyond deceptive and without trying to sound angry and in sighting riots on these boards, I strongly urge you to not become PA's doormat! There is hope, someone is looking into this and like Lynn said, the more the better who complain and someone WILL eventually throw the book at them!
State Of Maryland
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division - Mr. Larry E Munson
138 East Antietam Street, Suite 210
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740-5684
Good luck, get released and sell your work to someone who will publish it and you can promote it accordingly.
Becca
http://RebeccaEaston.com
|
Harry Simenon
Wandering Member
Post Number:
182
Registered: 10-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 01:06 pm: | |
PA will accept any book you will throw at them.  |
Mary Erickson
Awareness Member
Post Number:
21
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 06:36 pm: | |
Erica, don't feel like the lone ranger. I wasn't exactly banned from the PA board. My post just kept disappearing. So, what does that mean? I haven't posted there in a long time, but my post was successful both times; then--zip, it was gone. All I did was ask someone to Email me. I don't know what their criteria is for banning someone; posting here? being published by Behler? To be honest, I'm not real upset. I think it's kind of amusing.
 Mary |
tracy sutterer
Awareness Member
Post Number:
35
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 07:22 pm: | |
Mary... you found me.... you've got mail.
love ya' babe
Tracy |
Erica Adams
Awareness Member
Post Number:
6
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 07:19 pm: | |
Mary,
I had a couple of posts that went missing too.
Rebecca,
Thanks for that advice.
Bill, Stephen, Perry,
You guys make me feel alot better. I guess I'll take every oppurnity I can on my last book but focus more on the other 2 that I'm writting. I'm so worried that I won't find a "Real" publisher for my next two and spend eternity trying to find one. I know that if I stay on top of everything, it shouldn't be as hard I guess. I know what to expect because of having one already published.
Jennifer,
What publisher are you using for your other 2 novels?
Erica |
John Laurence Robinson
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
595
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 08:43 pm: | |
Erica...all I can say is, don't give up. My first book is with PA, and is as dead as Julius Ceasar. But my second was picked up by a large traditional house, and is out now. PA may seem like the kiss of death, but it isn't.
John |
Jennifer Lynn
Unity Member
Post Number:
1287
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 10:32 pm: | |
Erica,
I went with Wings ePress for my next two. They're small and mostly focus on the electronic format although they do have the POD option. My latest is a novella coming out from Echelon Press on July 24 (yes folks, I've got an official release date!) and I just submitted another to them and am optimistic that my editor will buy it as well.
It's been really nice to work with a professional team, as compared to the staff at PA. Not knocking them, they are probably doing the best they can with the little training they had. But I did get top notch editing and I learned a whole bunch from the folks at Wings.
Anywhos, there is life for a romance author after PA. Don't ever let anyone tell you differently.
Jenn
Jennifer Lynn
www.jenniferlynn.ca |
Stacy Anderson
Hunger Member
Post Number:
53
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 07:59 pm: | |
Hi Erica,
Haven't been in your situation but as a writer have felt the pains of rejection during the " sending the manuscript phase " and rejection is rejection. My bottom line is this...If a publisher can't provide authors with a return policy, support, reviews, fair contracts and decent promotion ( things that go with published authors and respect in the industry ) they have no business calling themselves a publishing company. As someone said about POD companies before, they should be called printers. Plain and simple. Hang in there, Erica. You deserved better treatment and I hope you find it with your next book.
Stacy-Deanne
www.stacy-deanne.net |
Erica Adams
Awareness Member
Post Number:
7
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 09:22 pm: | |
Thanks so much for your advice guys. You've made me feel like there really is life after PA. Guess I'll hold my head up and quit stirring the dirt beneath my feet.
Erica |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
861
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 06:59 pm: | |
You will survive. Move forward and write more.
I have so much going on, I just had to decline an offer from a small pub to do an eBook & POD of a collection of my weird tales. I had to say with all honesty that I have too much going on to possibly do another title justice.
Never thought I would have to close a door like that in my life. But, I had to weigh the pros and cons of the market, quality of the books, and the association with various folks of that stripe.
www.stevenshrewsbury.com |
Todd Hunter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1618
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 04:16 am: | |
I never thought I'd see the day when Steve would say he had "too much going on"...
:-)
Erica, the advice given here is the best...moving on to the next book is key, because (speaking from experience) worrying about the last one gets a person nowhere... |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
863
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 05:50 am: | |
Well, kinda 
With GODFORSAKEN from Behler in the works, STRONGER THAN DEATH in limbo (or awaiting, dunno) at BLACK DEATH, Peter Welmerink and I finishing and getting ready to shop BEDLAM UNLEASHED (and plotting the BEDLAM RULES novel), various antho works (ENTER THE REALM, GHOSTBREAKERS, KINGS OF THE NIGHT, BLACKEST DEATH II, HISTORICAL HARDBOILED...etc...) plus magazine stuff (ADVENTEROUS, OBSIDIAN...) and now the new collab with (can't say the award winner's name) in the works.....PLUS working on a few novels of my own...I just couldn't devote the time to another title.
www.stevenshrewsbury.com |
Api (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 12.42.246.9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 08:30 am: | |
Erica, get in touch with the Att'y General of Maryland.
Don't try to let go of your anger. It won't work. You'll wind up turning it in on yourself as depression. Hold on to it and direct it at PublishAmerica, which is where it belongs. |
Jennifer Lynn
Unity Member
Post Number:
1378
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 06:32 pm: | |
Not true Api. You CAN let go of anger without it turning to depression. Hanging on just for the sake of hanging onto it isn't healthy.
Jennifer Lynn
www.jenniferlynn.ca |
Frederick A. Babb
Hunger Member
Post Number:
68
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 01:50 am: | |
Anger only consumes the one that feels it.
Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much. - Oscar Wilde
Frederick A. Babb
Preview books: http://frederickbabb.bravehost.com |
Api (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 12.42.246.9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2004 - 07:41 am: | |
Two platitudes, neither particularly apposite, only one of them yours. |
Banned (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: host-66-81-166-55.rev.o1.com
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 06:30 pm: | |
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I had my right knee replaced at the Veterans Hospital. Three more operations on my feet and I should be as good as new. I want to thank everyone for supporting veterans.
http://www.fdungan.com |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1555
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 06:39 pm: | |
hope all gets healed the best way possible, Fred. DOn't do anything that they tell you not to until your knee and feet are ready for wahtever you might want to do. Knees and feet are integeral to getting around with and doing things you most likely want to do all the time. Be careful.......
AND WELCOME BACK........
Claudia |
Banned (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: host-66-81-166-55.rev.o1.com
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 06:52 pm: | |
Thanks, it's good to be back even if I have to hack in to get on the forum. Maybe someday the ban will get lifted. Never give up hope.
http://www.fdungan.com/vigilantes.htm |
Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1772
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 07:49 pm: | |
Welcome back, Fred...
Hope to see you around more often...
Mindsight Moderator
Check out Who Needs a Hero?
|
Bill Nelson
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
395
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 07:52 pm: | |
Hey, Fred,
Glad you're over the hump. Now the re-hab. What fun.
I guess there is no use in asking if you
want to play racquetball this week-end, huh?
bn |
Joy Lee Rutter
Wandering Member
Post Number:
166
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 08:11 pm: | |
"Thanks, it's good to be back even if I have to hack in to get on the forum. Maybe someday the ban will get lifted. Never give up hope."
C.E.? 
Welcome back Fred, and I hope your recovery period is a short one. 
Joy Lee Rutter
|
Jennifer Lynn
Unity Member
Post Number:
1405
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 08:46 pm: | |
Good to see you're doing well Fred, or as well as can be expected. Before you know it, you'll be the bionic man and ready to jump tall buildings in a single.. Wait, that's a different super hero!
Glad you're back, hope you're good as new soon.
Jenn
Jennifer Lynn
www.jenniferlynn.ca |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1556
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 09:08 pm: | |
Fred,
did you try your old name and password? I know that CE was reinstating you, but maybe he got too busy at the time to finish it, he was changing servers when he put you back in, I think. He did announce that you were back. Try dropping him an email, he'll answer you as soon as he sees it.
Claudia |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3283
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 21, 2004 - 06:05 am: | |
I am also happy to see Fred. Sorry to hear you will have more surgery and recuperation time though.
My understanding is that CE emailed Fred quite some time ago - before the new server was installed - to invite him back. My password changed with the new server too.
Fred, you were reinstated a long time ago. Hope you get your username and password stuff lined out. |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
938
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 21, 2004 - 09:51 am: | |
Sorry to hear about that Fred and BEST OF LUCK.
www.stevenshrewsbury.com |
Jan Fields
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
698
Registered: 09-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 21, 2004 - 10:01 am: | |
Yeah, I bet you got lost in the software shuffle. You wait until CE comes back from the gathering and sobers up (no, I didn't say that, nope nope). I'm sure he'll fix it for you. We'll be hearing feisty comments from you soon, I'm counting on it. I hope you're feeling up and at 'em soon.
jan |
C. E. Winterland
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1676
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 06:45 am: | |
Heya, Fred.
I did reinstate your old username...
I will send you an e-mail right now confirming the information.
Sorry to hear about your surgery, recently had one myself, but nothing like what you've described - yikes!
CEW
Mindsight Moderator |
Dennis Collins
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1052
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 07:11 am: | |
Hey!!!
Fred, you have no idea how much I've missed your dry wit. It's a pleasure to see you again.
Actually, your surgery is good news because you've completed a major step to full recovery. |
BANNED (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: host-66-81-175-227.rev.o1.com
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 11:12 pm: | |
Fred,
I received your e-mail. I can't say I am impressed with the tone of your message in "Consider yourself contacted".
Your user account is being reinstated with access to the public topics of the Mindsight Forum, with conditions.
1) You will maintain an attitude that is not aggressive, combative, or offensive to any Mindsight Forum user (either currently registered or any potential user).
2) You will not make comments that may be construed as personal attacks toward any forum participant.
3) You will not make derogatory comments or comments of the nature described in points 1 or 2 anywhere on the web, inclusive of other writers boards, web forums or any other public venue.
4) You will conduct yourself on and regarding the Mindsight Forum in a RESPECTFUL manner, such that no one calls to question the motive of your statement.
You are required to Agree with the above before your limited access will be reinstated. If you choose to disagree, your account status will remain banned.
You will be granted this access until/unless you break any of the above prescriptions. If you break any part of them, you will be banned without further comment.
C. E. Winterland
I SENT NO SUCH EMAIL. CHECK THE HEADER TO SEE WHO HAS BEEN IMPERSONATING ME.
I am out of the wheelchair and playing the role of stumblebum. Most people need to get drunk in order to walk like this. I, being a superhero, can do it sober.
Whenever I attempt to access this forum, I get an "IP BANNED" message. Hopefully, it's a simple glitch which our gracious host can fix pronto. I admit to having baited CEW in the past and did so out of concern for someone else having been banned. I should have gone about it in a more civilized manner.
http://www.fdungan.com/vigilantes.htm |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3298
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 06:02 am: | |
Glad you are improving, Fred. Continue recuperating swiftly.
Just about everyone on this board has been reprimanded by our glorious leader, Fred. I myself have been on a number of occasions, both publicly and privately. He has often managed what beleaguered headshrinkers could not... force me to control my wayward thought processes and not put them into words without thinking first. |
C. E. Winterland
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1680
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 07:47 am: | |
Fred,
I just sent you the information you requested.
Are you not able to get to the "Accept" button and click it?
Please advise.
CEW
Mindsight Moderator |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
949
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 10:02 am: | |
Do those rules for Fred apply to everyone?
www.stevenshrewsbury.com |
Harry Simenon
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
343
Registered: 10-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 12:46 pm: | |
Welcome Fred,
Where are your Australian friends?
By the way, I thought there were a few other posts underneath Steven's, or was that on another thread?
Anyway, get well soon. Out of sympathy I will drink a lot and stumblebum a bit with you. |
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