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Message |
    
Deejay (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 24.0.45.234
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 10:23 pm: |   |
Well, I finally annoyed PA enough to be banned from the board. There is a thread discussing the uselessness of traditional publishers and I posted a response pointing out some benefits. Of course, I knew people would get annoyed but I posted anyway - I just really hate the idea that so many of PA's authors think traditional publishers are out to get them. Anyway, I posted using only my registered user name and someone asked me to name my books - I refused because I suspected that I would start getting negative reviews, etc. from people who found my post insulting. Well, a few minutes later someone identifying him or herself as "cb" came on and called me a liar - when I tried to respond, I could no longer use my password. Here is "cb"s comments to me and my response - anyone know who "cb" might be?
Message:
Deejay, why are you fibbing about your "traditional publisher"? Your other publisher is Picasso Publications, according to your own D.J. Brown AD page, and here's what the Canadian Writers Union has to say about them.
"Picasso Publications is a subsidy publisher based in Edmonton, Alberta. The Union is strongly of the view that writers are usually ill-served by any publisher who requires payment from the author."
In other words, you have paid to be published by your "traditional publisher", and there's nothing traditional about that. You have made no honest claim at all. All you have done is lie to us here.
PA is the only traditional publisher who was bold enough to take a chance on you, at no cost to you. Picasso is a scam organization who took your money and ran. Their website is down, and your book is out of stock according to Amazon.
Why would you want us to believe otherwise?
Message:
"cb," I find it interesting that you were so easily able to find out who I am when I posted absolutely nothing to indicate it. Seems to me that only someone with access to passwords would have been able to do that so easily - I wonder what benefit there is for you to call me a liar and attempt to discredit me when I have done nothing to insult the integrity of the board. I've merely pointed out that there are advantages to traditional publishers.
I am not sure where you got your information about Picasso, but it is wrong. I have a signed contract that shows the amount of the advance THEY paid ME, the number of books they sent me (it was well over two), and there are still copies of reviews available if people care to look them up and read them. I believe the one done by Writer's Market is still available in their archives if anyone cares to look it up. I have no reason to lie - there is no benefit in it for me. My opinions differ than some of those expressed here, but I in no way insulted anyone when I posted those opinions. I merely pointed out another side to publishing that I think some people may not be aware of.
Now, to show that I am still being honest, I will tell you that Picasso was sold to another publisher and I've had a horrible time collecting royalties due me - I've heard of this happening to other writers with other small publishers - so there are problems other places too.
Deejay
And I just looked the book up on Amazon and it seems to still be there -
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1552790401/qid=1068094702/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_8/002-1888913-1274425?v=glance&s=books#product-details
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Jennifer Lynn
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
860
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 11:47 pm: | |
I wish I could help you out over there Deejay, but they pulled my posting privileges too... and I haven't a clue why, since I rarely post over there and they've not returned my emails questioning why my password is no longer valid.
Seems to me that person has been around before, and with controversy attached. I don't understand why the animosity is there. There are people extremely happy with their PA experience, and that's great. There are others, such as you and myself, who have moved on to other publishers and that too is great. There doesn't have to be an 'us versus them' mentality. Let's all be happy with our respective publishers and the choices we make.
Jenn
dang, promised myself I wouldn't get too wordy in the public areas here... that damn glass of wine made my fingers loose. |
Deejay (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 24.0.45.234
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 12:00 am: | |
Hi, Jen! Thanks so much for your response. Made me feel much better.
Deejay |
Kevin P. Grover
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
959
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 02:47 am: | |
Heya DeeJay. I know where you're coming from....I know where you're coming from.
www.winterwolfpublishing.com |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
877
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 06:07 am: | |
Hey, Deejay, a friend of mine directed me to that thread (because I had been mentioned by name, at least at 7 AM)...
Rather sad that many jumped on you for "bashing" your own publisher, when you were just stating facts...but not really a surprise...
Actually, when I made my extremely short-lived return to the PA board a while back, cb was the persona who made sure to tell everyone I was an "old author with a new name", and to make sure they all knew who I was...even though I was having a good time generating interest in my book through playing a "guessing game" as to my identity...it is sort of interesting that the same person would have all this info about "anonymous" users...hmmmm...
I have my own guesses about cb, but it's pure speculation on my part...
and I'm trying very hard to steer clear of all things associated with PA,
just wanting to move on to bigger and better things...
Glad to see you around here...hope all is well aside from this...
I haven't been over to MoM since they updated the forums and changed their site...
I think you know where to find me...but just in case...
www.geocities.com/toddmhunter |
Deejay (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 24.0.45.234
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 07:28 am: | |
Thanks, all. I appreciate the support - that's all I needed. Actually, someone else (I've never even spoken to this person before) picked up a copy of my response on another site and posted it to PA - taking a chance on getting banned herself simply to support me. It's not like the banning was unexpected - I do know better than to even appear to be speaking out against PA on their own site, but sometimes you just full that tug and before you know it, you're drawn in. No sense in going on and on here about it (I know you all get enough of that - sorry!).
Todd - thanks for asking. Things are mostly good here (great sentence, huh?). The girls are all fine, the divorce is almost final (I think), the job is good. I'm good. How about you? I've popped in at MoM a few times since they changed the forums, but have to admit I liked the old ones better. I don't understand what half the headings mean now!
Deejay |
Deejay (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 24.0.45.234
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 07:30 am: | |
Oops - feel that tug, not full it.
Have a great, great day all!
Deejay |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
881
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 04:01 pm: | |
Actually, DJ, it doesn't even take the appearance of speaking out against PA (I saw the thread, and stating facts can hardly appear such a way...at least most folks are seeing it for what it is now)...
My latest was because it appeared I was "promoting" a site that speaks out against PA...by asking folks to check out my website, which had a link to said site...heh...
Oh well...such is life...bigger and better things, eh?
Glad to hear things are going "mostly good"... :-)
I'm doing okay...a few lithrotripsies here and there, a few other surgeries (one would think I was an old man by now ;-P )...but other than that, things are about the same...
Still waiting to hear back on that adaptation I mentioned (on MoM)...
I prefered the old forums at MoM, but then I rarely got a chance to visit...spreading myself too thin as it is...
Hope to see you around... |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2402
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 04:58 pm: | |
Hi D.J.
I'm sorry to hear about your troubles and hope things settle down for you soon.
Troubles or no, it's always good to hear from you. |
Fred Dungan
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
407
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 08:38 pm: | |
Every time they ban me, I wait a few months and then register again. Since one hand doesn't know what the other is doing at PA, I imagine this can go on indefinitely. Actually, I'm beginning to enjoy their little games. The more I play with them, the better I get at it.
http://www.fdungan.com/bushwhacked.htm |
Deejay (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 24.0.45.234
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 09:50 pm: | |
Laurel, Todd, all, thanks so much for your welcomes (again). I keep thinking I need to participate here more because you all are always so great to chat with, but I just can't seem to find the time. When I come back, it takes me forever to read through messages to catch up with everyone, but I always enjoy my stays here!
What are everyone's plans for Thanksgiving? If anyone wants to travel all the way to Texas (I live between Dallas and Fort Worth) drop me an email and I'll tell you how to find me! Seriously - I'd love to have the company.
Deejay |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
884
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 05:12 am: | |
Going around to visit family...
unfortunately, being married, there's obviously the battle to see which side you go see, and when...irk. |
LaurieAnne
Unity Member
Post Number:
1073
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 08:47 am: | |
Deejay,
Long time, no hear, girl. I've obviously been WAY out of the loop....I'm sorry to hear about the divorce.
If I could afford to travel right now, I know I would LOVE to head to Texas for Thanksgiving (anything to get away from this blasted cold weather). But, hell, I haven't had a single day off of work since I got back from my only vacation in 5 years in June of 2002, and it doesn't look like I'll get one any day soon.
Enjoy some of that warm weather for me, k?
Take care, girl.
LA
LaurieAnne
http://www.authorsinkbooks.com |
Aston West
Awareness Member
Post Number:
6
Registered: 10-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 11:25 am: | |
DJ, long time no see...
Sorry to hear about all the stuff going on...
hope your holiday season is able to boost your spirits...
On a separate note (since I don't want to bother posting over on another board where less seemly characters post), I definitely know you'll make your own decisions... ;-)
It's a hard thing for folks to realize...if you don't give respect, you won't receive it...oh well...
Take care, DJ...off into parts unknown...thought I'd drop by and say hi on my way out the door... |
Deejay (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 24.0.45.234
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 06:38 pm: | |
LaurieAnne - nice to hear from you too! Ah well, the divorce has been in progress for almost a year now so I'm used to it and all is well. If you change your mind about Texas drop me an email and I'll send you directions!
Aston - you suddenly seem to be popping up in the oddest places. You aren't following me around the Internet, are you? (smile). Thanks for the well wishes, but my spirits are actually fine - I'm a hard person to keep down for long!
Deejay |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
890
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 08:20 pm: | |
Aston has been making himself a nuisance ever since I told him all about these online writing discussion groups...I tried to get him to avoid them, but he doesn't listen to me anymore...
You have to be careful around guys that drink as much as he does... ;-)
I'm pretty sure he wasn't following you, though...
he's a pretty straight arrow...just has a wicked sense of humor not everyone apparently appreciates...oh well... |
HBMarcus (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 24.54.101.115
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 05:37 am: | |
NO! CB is not HB. I just wanted to state that...not that anyone made that conclusion. I do have a knack for finding out who people are. I'm no computer genius, but I do have a friend I refer to as 'Yoda' who does what I can't.
Deejay, I came here in hopes of finding you. I saw the post at PA and went: "Bye-bye! C-Ya!" What were you thinking? How could that benefit PA having you defend traditional publishers. PA lets a lot of battles go on. But no publisher (or any company) with a message board would go: "Gosh, it sure would be good for business if I let somebody post something today that was against my own company." That's like going: "I'm beginning to see the benefits of blowing my own foot off."
I realize there was a 'tug' and you were 'drawn in'. How many threads have you seen vanish with my name on them? I just go: "Whoops! Sorry about that. I got carried away again." That's not a big deal. Email them and explain that you understand their position. There are some common sense things that I would complain about to PA (and have) when people belittle me as an author. That's the way each person should take it. If someone says: "Oh this isn't a real publisher because it's not one of the big five." That makes my books look less than legit. That's nonsense! That's like telling people they can't get on the internet because they own a Dell computer.
PA is a young publishing company that is growing by leaps and bounds. You got in on the ground floor and it's getting harder to get in all the time. You really need to get back in there so you can enjoy the thoughts and experiences of other authors there. Yeah sure, I'm a big cheerleader for PA. Why shouldn't I be? I'm on the inside looking out and the door is closing as PA grows. It's a great company to be associated with and I'm happy with the products, the price, and the options, as well as the discounts they post from time to time. This is a different way to do things and that means it makes more sense than traditional publishers for any new author.
Vanity press is no option unless you have unlimited funds and you have the right book at the right time. Traditional publishers offer you a fleeting chance to have the right book at the right time, or else you go into out of print special order land. That means you get yanked from the shelves in a couple months if you didn't spread like wild fire. That's how the traditional publishers deal with bad advertisement. They don't boot you off a message board, they shut your book down so it doesn't look like they backed a losing horse.
So in my opinion you have more to gain than not returning to the message board. Email them or call them. It's to your benefit. Just look at how they protected my interests when they pulled your post. |
Deejay (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 24.0.45.234
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 11:50 am: | |
HB - I didn't think you were the mysterious "cb." And, yes, I understand that one can find out who anonymous posters are, but it was done so quickly that I must assume "cb" has access to info. that others do not - I think it's a safe assumption.
As far as I know, the posts were not pulled - the thread is still there, but I no longer have access to my password. I'm not surprised that PA pulled my password - I said something they didn't like and that is their usual reaction. I did not like that my access was denied immediately after "cb' called me a liar, which meant I was not allowed to respond or defend myself if I chose to. My lack of response implies that "cb"'s assessment of me was true and that I was too ashamed to respond. Someone was kind enough to post my response and I was surprised to see that it stood.
I am not sure if you are implying that I have published with a vanity press or not. I have not. Yes, I am the first to admit that Picasso had some problems, but if you look at my posted response above (or on the PA board), you see that I explain they are not (at least were not when I published with them) a vanity press. I got paid a small advance (much more than a dollar though), I got more than two copies of the book that I did not pay for (35 copies and I have paperwork that shows this), the publisher sent the book out to reviewers in advance, it was available in brick and mortar stores (still is in some stores because I have seen it), they set up book signings (way too many in my opinion, but that's because I don't like doing them), arranged radio interviews, and on and on - I paid for absolutely nothing. Which, in my opinion, makes them a traditional publisher. I even admitted that I have had a difficult time collecting royalties - the publisher has now closed their doors, but that still doesn't make them a vanity press.
I can still read the PA boards so I see no advantage for me to write or call PA and apologize for what I said. There was nothing slanderous in my posting and I in no way insulted anyone. Those who want to believe in PA still believe in them. Those who beieve they are duty bound to protect and defend their publisher still do so. It is my opinion that authors should not have to protect their publisher, nor should they have to beg for review copies, or set up book signings, or buy copies of their own books in order to generate royalties (especially this one), or any of the other things PA requires of it's authors. I also think it is beneficial to both the publisher and the author to have real editors in place - I know there are some good PA books, but most of them are poorly written and poorly presented - real editing would help.
HB - I appreciate you seeking me out to offer me advice, but I'm fine the way I am. I mean that most sincerely.
Deejay |
victoria (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 24.60.187.36
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 01:13 pm: | |
>>Traditional publishers offer you a fleeting chance to have the right book at the right time, or else you go into out of print special order land. That means you get yanked from the shelves in a couple months if you didn't spread like wild fire.<<
This just really is not true.
- Victoria
Writer Beware
http://www.writerbeware.com/ |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
894
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 01:58 pm: | |
Actually, I have my own guesses as to the identity of 'cb'...honestly, the thought it might have been HB never really entered my mind...
It seems, though, that many PA authors seemed to think that taking DJ's head off for posting simple facts on the PA board (even though it may not have been pleasant for PA's business case) was in fact, unwarranted...pretty amazing how many folks saw it for what it was, and that it was not, as you mention, HB, trying to state things "against my own company"...
Of course, it's not the first time such things have happened, and it won't be the last...oh well...
Say, while you're here, HB...have a question for you...
do you happen to know who received the $500 royalty advance PA offered a few months back (for most books sold during April)? I never did hear who got the nod... |
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