| Author |
Message |
    
Monique Kenray
Awareness Member
Post Number:
1
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 10:02 am: |   |
I've been lurking on this board for a while. I got my use name and password last week and finally decided to begin a thread.
I'm another unhappy PA author and I’d like some advice. Before posting this question I looked at my contract and thankfully I do not have to send my next manuscript to PA like I’ve heard some of the contracts state. Since I’ve smartened up and will not go back to PA, I need advice as to how to find an honest and good agent or publisher. I write romance, or intriguing stories that contain a lot of romance.
I must say that of all the boards I’ve looked at, this one seems to be one of the “nicest” ones. I know there are a lot of very unhappy PA people and it’s nice to find a board where a PA author can post and not feel like they’ll get jumped on and called names because they were naive and went with PA. It’s also nice to find out where other PAers went.
Monique  |
Perry Comer
Unity Member
Post Number:
1164
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 10:35 am: | |
Welcome Monique
I hope you find friendship and cooperatin at the Mindsight hangout. We are delighted to have you adding to our discussions.
A lot of water under the old PA bridge. Glad to see you haven't lost your dream and are seeking out other writing opportunities.
Maybe this link will be of value
http://www.gsrwa.org/agents_list.htm
http://www.pacwriter.netfirms.com/ |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
853
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 10:55 am: | |
Hi Monique,
Good to see you here. Your problem about finding a good, honest agent, is one that we are all facing or have faced, as a few of our numbers have found agents and even some publishers that seem a comfortable fit.
Jenn would probably be the best one to ask that question for she writes romance herself and also heads up a group of romance writers. At least I think she is still doing that. So, she is the person to get in touch with for those answers.
As to the rest of your note, many of the PA'ers who were/are unhappy come here at least once in a while, some have moved on to other places, in the agent, publsihing world, but still pop in to say hello every once in a while. This board was founded for the purpose of and as a means of PA'ers getting together to talk a bit, without reprisal.
Tell us about your book, please, so that we may know more about you and your writing and perhaps be able to more closely fit an answer to you. There is a huge amount of knowledge on this board, unfortunately, I am not the one to be able to give it all to you. You might try looking at the front page of the Mindsight series board, and go into some of the links for agents and publishers that CE has posted. There are very long lists of every genre and type of publisher. And links. Good hunting, for I am sure that you will be able to immerse yourself there for days at a time. And let us know more about you and your hopes and desires for the future. Stick around and make yourself comfortable and join in where you feel you want to contribute. We are a pretty good bunch of people here, and there is no need to fear any of us. We don't bite too hard.
So, grab some coffee and sit a while and chat.
Claudia
http://notesfromnobody.homestead.com/book.html |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2629
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 11:11 am: | |
Hi Monique. Good to see ya.
You will find a variety of people here - non-writers, writers, publishers, and agents - and not all are PA published authors.
My first book was with PublishAmerica. My second is with another publisher after PA turned it down. (Most readers consider the second book a romance but I call it mainstream.) My third book will be with yet another publisher. I have also self published through 1stBooks in the past. Personally, I like to have different publishing experiences. It all adds to my body of knowledge.
Yes, Jenn is a prolific romance writer. She has much to offer in the way of ideas and experiences.
Laurel Johnson
The Grass Dance
The Alley of Wishes
Color of Laughter, Color of Tears |
Monique Kenray
Awareness Member
Post Number:
2
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 01:09 pm: | |
So how do I find Jenn so I can ask her questions?? And where on the main board, do you think this post would be better suited??? I wasn’t sure where to post, and since this is where I book marked, I posted here.
Let’s see a bit about me and my writing. I really dislike taking about what I do, but since I've been given such a wonderful welcome, I'll try.  If you havne't already figured it out, I love graphics!
I’ve been writing for as long as I can recall, if not written, then verbal. I’d “rewrite” stories for my younger sister. I’d drive my parents crazy because I never told them what I’d done and when they’d read the original story to her, she’d become upset because “it wasn’t right!”
I really really REALLY wanted to write horror. My favorites are Stephen King, John Saul and Dean Koontz. I discovered whenever I tried to write a horror story, I had too much romance. At the age of 22, I read my first romance novel since I was unable to write horror. I didn’t think a horror/romance or a romantic horror would go over very well.
The book PA published, Never Forgotten is an intriguing story with romance. The story chronicles the adventures of Sausha Andrews and the infamous Garth DeAngelo. I tried to create in Garth a loveable mafia member. Sausha and Garth have you laughing, crying and angry as they overcome numerous barriers and obstacles. If you want to find out more, you can check out my website
http://members.fortunecity.com/moniquebkenray
I also write poetry. One of them, I placed into Never Forgotten. I have another web site with poetry if you’re interested in poetry go to http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/9438
Many many thanks to you all.
Monqiue |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2630
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 01:27 pm: | |
Never fear. Jenn will find you next time she visits the board.
We have horror writers too. I think Steven Shrewsbury combines horror and romance effectively.
Ah yes. And we have poets too. |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
854
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 01:33 pm: | |
Monique,
Jenn is Jennifer Lynn on these boards and you can make a thread addressed specifically to her if you would like, and place it on any major thread, but here on the publishing forum is fine. She will respond to anyplace that has her name attached. The lists and links that I was referring to are on the home page of the MindsightSeries at: http://www.MindsightSeries.com page. (If I remember correctly, as I too have the forum pages in my favorites listings and hardly ever go to the home page links unless I am looking for something specific.) But that page is chock full of info, so you might want to look at it and follow some of the links.
If you don't get an immediate reply from Jenn, you can go to the registered users page and look up her email addy, and send her one. Although I am sure that she is checking in every day or so.
You might also want to check out some of Steven Shrewsbury's works. And follow some of his links under the promotioning your work thread. He is well published and also writes horror, with a touch of romance, suspense.
And again, welcome..... take a look around and make yourself compfortable.
Claudia |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
855
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 01:35 pm: | |
Laurel,
You and I must be on the same wavelength....... and by the way, love your new pic.
Claudia |
Jennifer Lynn
Unity Member
Post Number:
1037
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 01:53 pm: | |
(Waves to Monique)Hi! I'm Jenn!!
My first novel was published through PA as well, and since then I've gone on to have two books contracted (one released last year, another set for an April release this year) with a small publisher. Just signed a contract with Echelon Press for a novella as well.
Where to go with your next novel all depends on what your goals are. I opted for the small press/e-pub route to gain some exposure and experience while I built up my resume. I'm not making a whole lot of money, but decidedly more than I did with PA. And I'm gaining a fan base, which is the whole idea.
Jenn
|
Violet Towe
Wandering Member
Post Number:
233
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 02:30 pm: | |
Hello Monique, nice to see you here. I'm Violet Towe and have 2 books published with PA. I'm one of those who had to submit my next book to them to see if they wanted it or not, they did, and that's why I have two books with them. In all fairness, the folks at PA has always been nice to me, but niceness don't sell books, or get our books into the hands of readers.
This coming May I have another myster/suspense with a sub plot of romance coming out with another publisher. I am also at the moment shoping around my 4th manuscript looking for a publisher/agent.
Looking for a good publisher or agent will do one of two things for you. Cause you to learn patience and wait for a good offer, or get you frustrated and cause you to go the quick route and get your manuscript publihsed then regret your decision. I think learning patience is the best route to go. Well, maybe if I say that enough times I won't get upset with rejections.
So, hang around, lots of wonderful people here and yes, Jen is a romance writer and she and I have used two of same publisher. |
Todd Hunter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1143
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 03:12 pm: | |
Welcome, Monique...
One book with PA, and actively working at finishing the sequel, so I can find a new home for Aston and friends...
As many of us learned soon after our ill-fated trips into the void, the best way to pick a honest publisher and/or agent is to do tons and tons of research...pay attention to the track records, and such...
Violet, I hate to tell you this now, but simply because they wanted to publish your second book didn't mean you had to sign the contract...I submitted a second work, as per the contractual obligation (for those of us with old contracts)...they accepted it, but unfortunately, between what I was looking for in a contract, and what they were willing to give, we were unable to reach a compromise...so I declined the contract, thus fulfilling my obligation...
Anyway, off to finish up this month's newsletter... |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
525
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 - 06:02 pm: | |
Welcome in Monique...
Oh, Laurel, go on...
Some romance can be horror...;)
Then again, if there is no love for anything, not even a barbarian will fight for it.
|
Jennifer Lynn
Unity Member
Post Number:
1038
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 12:21 pm: | |
"Some romance can be horror...;)" Tell me about it Steven! You must know my ex husband!!!
Jenn |
LaurieAnne
Unity Member
Post Number:
1217
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 06:32 pm: | |
Jenn,
That is the BEST response I have ever seen. LOL
LA
www.authorsinkbooks.com
LaurieAnne
|
Fred Dungan
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
563
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 09:50 pm: | |
Welcome aboard, Monique. My name is Fred Dungan and my biggest fear is of being packaged into a single suffocating genre and marketed accordingly. I do everything from technical writing to pulp fiction and all points in between with the exception of romance and/or pornography. My second book, Bushwhacked was published by Publish America after Superior Books backed out of a contract due to a change in the political climate following 9/11. I, too, despise the way that Publish America does business and I am extremely vocal about it. Publish America is a hazard to navigation. The more novice writers that I can warn away from Publish America, the better. Maybe someday the Coast Guard or some other government agency will get around to sinking it. Until then, the best option is to steer clear.
My first book, The Gospel According to Condo Don, was published by Domhan Books. The owner/publisher, Siobahn McNalley, is a compassionate person who bends over backwards to assist her writers. In short, she is everything that W. Meiners is not. Unfortunately, Domhan gravitated toward romance during the interim between my first and second books and, seeing as how romance makes me retch, I had no choice but to seek a new berth.
The last time I heard, Domhan was signing new talent. They publish all types of romance but their specialty is historical romance. You can find them on the web at http://www.domhanbooks.com.
Vigilantes - read it as I write it: http://www.fdungan.com/publish.htm |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
531
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 05:28 am: | |
Heh, you guys shoulda met the gal who ripped out my heart and showed it to me in 1989.
Sybil? HAH!
Not many guys get screwed over in favor of a five foot tall guy with one arm.
I wish I was making that up...
|
priceless1 (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 68.96.86.244
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 01, 2004 - 07:18 pm: | |
Monique! Hey, nice to see you. I've posted a few times to this board and you will find a group of very kind, caring people here. Not having that return policy or marketing is tough on us, I know. You and I have already talked and I have your book by my bed and am reading it slowly, as I promised. Hang in there!
Lynn
www.behlerpublications.com |
Mary Gibbs
Hunger Member
Post Number:
96
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 02, 2004 - 07:21 am: | |
With all these "new" upset authors from PA, I'm feeling like one of the ancient ones! My novel came out in 2000, under the AmErica House logo. Won't get into the specifics, but thanks to loose lipping it on another message board, they dropped me in 2001. I've never been so happy to be "fired" in my life! I took a break from the business of writing (still doing the "fun" writing) to enjoy myself for a while. I'm just about a full fledged member of our stage combat troupe, hoping to get cast in a show or two this year. That should make for some interesting experiences to write about! Heck, maybe someday I can write a show myself.
Hey Dennis! Come to the MI Ren Fest this year to see me! |
D.R.
Awareness Member
Post Number:
33
Registered: 05-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 09:00 pm: | |
PA just emailed me with a different email address than the one they emailed me with originally. First, it was jenn@publishamerica.com, second: Erica@publishamerica.com, third: yep...another girl's name. Is their whole freaking company ran by little girls or what?
I have not seen such an unprofessional way of scamming writers in my life!
Anyway...You're a laugh Steven. I'd love to sit down and have a beer with you someday (that is, if you drink beer) and chat about the horror genre. I've had my share of heartbreak, and the horror genre is a great way to "get even" without really hurting anyone.
Hello to Brian and my other buddies. Welcome Monique! It's nice to have a fresh new person here for a change. We all welcome you with open arms. Shoot away at PA. We've all been shot by their invisible arrows...or are they?
http://www.drbennett.2ya.com |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
562
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 05:30 am: | |
Do I drink beer?
Heh.
Um, not as much as I used to.
Todd Hunter suggested I run a seminar at the MS gathering, but I am better at shooting the crap than teaching how it is created, um, bad analogy...
Make up your own jokes |
D (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 172.192.196.18
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 02:48 pm: | |
Sometimes I easily offend people when I ask stupid questions.
Oh well, we all play the fool at some time or another, especially with PA.
They make it so easy at first...so inviting. Then, POW! Your caught by the mouth-- hook, line and sinker.
I'm actually trying to get in touch with more horror writers, and Steven, you're the only one I've seen on this site (in the horror genre, that is) who actively markets your work.
I'm sure their are others trying to make it, just as I am. It is so ironic that I have represented writers in the past, but I ignored much of my own work to help others.
Now, I am concentrating on doing some shameless self-promotion.
Take a look at my site if you like. Maybe we can swap links or something.
I am an artist, writer, musician, poet, shaman...well, you get the picture.
Check it out at http://www.drbennett.2ya.com
Oh, and don't forget your thinking cap and a Door's tune (lol)
- D - |
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