tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post7496898382003832694..comments2023-06-12T17:08:36.320+01:00Comments on How Publishing <i>Really</i> Works: PublishAmerica Twitters!Jane Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-51172992195154480812009-11-13T11:14:33.922+00:002009-11-13T11:14:33.922+00:00Anon, you write that "nearly everyone who has...Anon, you write that "nearly everyone who has posted on this site, whether an author for or against publishing with Publish America or for or against self-publishing, has errors in his or her postings on this site", and yet you make a major error when you imply that publishing with PublishAmerica is self-publishing. It isn't: it's vanity publishing. There is no question about it.<br /><br />You then comment, "Nevertheless, as many writing centers and instructors always recommend – and as a professional writer and editor I will recommend – that you seek and pay a professional editor to edit your work before you ever submit it to a publisher for consideration." Actually, a lot of publishers and agents recomment that you DON'T hire a professional editor to work on your book before you start submitting: you're going to have to learn to edit your own work eventually, so why not do so right from the start? And it's your work, not that of a pro editor, that publishers and agents want to see: without your paid-for editor you might not be able to repeat your success, which isn't what they want at all.<br /><br />I can't help feeling that your comment was intended to drive potential customers towards your services. Well, I wouldn't even consider using your services and can't recommend you to my readers: I don't know who you are, I have no idea of your expertise or ability: all I know is that you don't understand the differences between vanity- and self-publication, and you imply that it's necessary for writers to pay for editing before they have a hope of publication. Which is, as I've said, completely wrong.Jane Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-43725115116038676892009-11-06T16:15:47.364+00:002009-11-06T16:15:47.364+00:00Hire a Professional Editor Before You Submit Work ...Hire a Professional Editor Before You Submit Work to a Publisher - <br />I have previously talked to staff at Publish America; I have read the Washington Post article; I have read several of the comments posted on this site about Publish America; and I have discussed the topic of self-publishing with other professional editors and writers. <br /><br />I make no further comments about Publish America. However, nearly everyone who has posted on this site, whether an author for or against publishing with Publish America or for or against self-publishing, has errors in his or her postings on this site. <br /><br />Self-publishing companies vary in their services, quality, procedures, contracts, and distribution, if that is included in the contract. It is important to make comparisons of what self-publishing companies offer before signing their contracts, which you should also read carefully before you sign them. <br /><br />Nevertheless, as many writing centers and instructors always recommend – and as a professional writer and editor I will recommend – that you seek and pay a professional editor to edit your work before you ever submit it to a publisher for consideration. This way, you are assured of having 1) a second set of eyes to be sure your work is a good copy without typographical, spelling, or grammatical errors; 2) a professional read-through to give you feedback on your plot, characters, or layout, etc.; 3) perhaps assistance with styles and graphics layout; 4) possibly a recommendation or comparison of what various self-publishing houses can offer an author so he or she can make an informed decision before signing a contract; and 5) for first-time authors with less experience, honest, constructive, and supportive feedback – without “put-down” – that might enable you to interest a publishing house willing to pay your for your book. You would have to go out and buy Writer's Market and do the footwork!<br /><br />Now, I am not an agent for any publisher; however, I am a professional writer and editor who can help you do exactly what I have suggested. Moreover, there are hundreds of editors across the country who are ready and waiting to help you make your book a success. <br /><br />I strongly suggest that you go to your local bookstore and purchase the first ever National Directory of Editors and Writers, collected by Elizabeth Lyon and published by M. Evans of New York in March 2005. Ms. Lyon has listed over 600 editors in all parts of the U.S. I'm sure you will find one near to you or you can work with him or her remotely from another part of the country. In late 2005, M. Evans was purchased by Roman & Littlefield, but the books can still be ordered through any bookstore. <br /><br />I too am in the directory and would be pleased to assist authors in editing their creative works. You may contact me at poeteire@yahoo.com to discuss your particulars and so that I can give you my rates, procedures, expertise, and limitations. <br /><br />Success to all authors!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-67398794964827079222009-10-24T18:08:08.038+01:002009-10-24T18:08:08.038+01:00Please feel free to direct people to my site, &quo...Please feel free to direct people to my site, "Meet the Real PublishAmerica" at http://www.freewebs.com/meet_real_pa . (I get no money from this site. I just want to spread the word.) <br />What I think makes my site so different is that it just contains correspondence between myself and PA. No rhetoric whatsoever. I just reproduce, word-for-word, my correspondences with PA, in which I am excruciatingly polite (except for the last one, after they cancel my contract). I give them the rope very sweetly, and they very obligingly hang themselves with it. It's a beautiful thing...Betsy Markmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13600148899348868100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-21476716832156554142009-09-14T07:59:46.696+01:002009-09-14T07:59:46.696+01:00Anne, you did a brilliant job with your tweets whi...Anne, you did a brilliant job with your tweets while you were still in there; I had a good laugh about a few of them.<br /><br />Sandra, I'm not sure there's much you can do. Perhaps steer her towards Absolute Write? Or point her in my direction at Twitter, and let me help her out? What ever you do she's likely to blame you rather than thank you, so brace yourself.Jane Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-15737247337961609622009-09-14T01:37:31.071+01:002009-09-14T01:37:31.071+01:00I have a PublishAmerica author following me. What ...I have a PublishAmerica author following me. What should I tell her without scaring her? I'm hesitant to be the bearer of bad news.Sandra Cormierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00231342310371529022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-60725223898299908482009-09-14T01:12:10.611+01:002009-09-14T01:12:10.611+01:00Thanks for a great post about PA! I got blocked, t...Thanks for a great post about PA! I got blocked, too. I was AEMFS on there, "stormie" on AW. The more people who tell the truth about PA, the better. Good work, Jane!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-48395295643222917812009-09-12T08:51:31.091+01:002009-09-12T08:51:31.091+01:00I've added some more tweets to the list, which...I've added some more tweets to the list, which you can use as you like--no need to attribute them to anyone, just get them out there.<br /><br />PublishAmerica has now blocked me, and most of the other people who were tweeting these messages; and yesterday it set its tweets to "private", so only its followers could read them. This means that anyone who isn't following PA but who searches Twitter for its name will now see only "our" tweets, and the few which have been made by its followers. So it's had the effect of concentrating "our" messages very nicely.<br /><br />Incidentally, if you have been blocked from following PA on Twitter, do remember that it's possible to sign up for more than one Twitter account.Jane Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-50660473867663256812009-09-11T23:57:52.808+01:002009-09-11T23:57:52.808+01:00Congrats, Jane! And let's keep spreading the w...Congrats, Jane! And let's keep spreading the word about PA. The busier they are on Twitter, the less time they have to bully and browbeat their own authors.Marian Pererahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15700524210146863718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-11428558162771078682009-09-11T12:28:07.763+01:002009-09-11T12:28:07.763+01:00I cannot believe PA actually tweeted an admission ...I cannot believe PA actually tweeted an admission that they are a vanity press!<br /><br />'insiders say avg vanity pub author pays $1400 in fees. with almost 40,000 authors pub'd for free, PA has saved its writers over $50 million!'nonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00415222406280230021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-90710093231638104342009-09-10T21:48:06.107+01:002009-09-10T21:48:06.107+01:00Jane ... yes, please put this as a sidebar link. M...Jane ... yes, please put this as a sidebar link. Makes it easier for us to harass the hell out of the PA bloodsuckers. <br /><br />And, WELL DONE on making the best-dressed list in publishing. Now get out of those scruffy jeans and put on your sequins ... and that feather boa that's hanging on the back of your bedroom door; that is, if the sheep haven't eaten it by now.<br /><br />Nicola? Can you please loan her some shoes. Those grubby pink slippers she insists on just won't do.Maggie Danahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397320196343147825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-64399784249815158402009-09-10T03:16:42.440+01:002009-09-10T03:16:42.440+01:00I think their market consists entirely of people w...I think their market consists entirely of people who can't be bothered to Google them.Derekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07161696211557610509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-14842112270415540232009-09-09T22:11:36.451+01:002009-09-09T22:11:36.451+01:00Yes! Fight the good fight! We salute you!Yes! Fight the good fight! We salute you!sarah mccarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06092116746268072592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-60003605366341217192009-09-09T13:15:51.147+01:002009-09-09T13:15:51.147+01:00Jane, maybe put a link to this post in the sidebar...Jane, maybe put a link to this post in the sidebar? PA aren't going away any time soon, and this post is very useful :).nonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00415222406280230021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-69234169371353316642009-09-09T09:24:28.570+01:002009-09-09T09:24:28.570+01:00If I twittered I would twitter on this! Well done ...If I twittered I would twitter on this! Well done Jane! Come on Nicola!catdownunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06959328192182156574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-34486876187486123252009-09-08T20:39:04.428+01:002009-09-08T20:39:04.428+01:00Really? REALLY?
I wasn't being modest, I jus...Really? REALLY?<br /><br />I wasn't being modest, I just didn't know: but I had an email shortly after Dan commented here. I shall go and check, and might well come back all smug and insufferable. Make the most of Humble Me, because I might well shortly be back as the new, unimproved, Show-Off Me form.Jane Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-71504445994161179142009-09-08T19:26:53.937+01:002009-09-08T19:26:53.937+01:00I'm sure you all know, and I'm sure Jane i...I'm sure you all know, and I'm sure Jane is too polite/modest to say, but HPRW HAS MADE THE EDITORUNLEASHED BEST BOOK BLOG SHORTLIST WOOT WOOT!<br /><br />Erm, yes, Publish America. Personally I wouldn't use any outfit that sounded like it was the geeky love child of a comic book superhero.Dan Hollowayhttp://www.danholloway.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-20477546804767086252009-09-08T17:17:41.561+01:002009-09-08T17:17:41.561+01:00I've heard so many frustrating stories about P...I've heard so many frustrating stories about PublishAmerica and I am happy people are trying to get the word out about them.Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-7089838798644089122009-09-08T15:00:11.605+01:002009-09-08T15:00:11.605+01:00Thank you, Buffy: it was that "please retweet...Thank you, Buffy: it was that "please retweet" that scuppered it! I've fixed it now, and tidied up a bit. <br /><br />The twittering's going well: just search for "publishamerica" there, and you'll be amazed by how many times those tweets have been repeated.Jane Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03411253302725735470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-16170846963041471112009-09-08T14:30:13.404+01:002009-09-08T14:30:13.404+01:00I can't think of any organisation I'd rath...I can't think of any organisation I'd rather be blocked by... an honour indeed.Philip Singtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10395386990829014579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-46993037709127593512009-09-08T13:35:02.946+01:002009-09-08T13:35:02.946+01:00I think you got carried away! This one:
Atlanta N...I think you got carried away! This one:<br /><br />Atlanta Nights by Travis Tea: deliberately terrible but #PublishAmerica still offered to publish it despite claims to select only the best. Please retweet!<br /><br />is 15 characters too long for Twitter :). Bless.nonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00415222406280230021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-85226453166532983302009-09-08T13:00:07.484+01:002009-09-08T13:00:07.484+01:00Yes, be careful folks. PA are quite litigious and ...Yes, be careful folks. PA are quite litigious and even threatened to take Preditors and editors to court. I'm not sure how that panned out.<br /><br />I've read novels published by PA, and whilst I don't want to be unkind to the authors, PA did them no favours whatsoever. My proudest moment was in directing those same authors to lulu.com, where self-publishing is much cheaper.Quillershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00148636009202550512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-13671741401015362722009-09-08T12:46:19.723+01:002009-09-08T12:46:19.723+01:00Excellent idea! They can't silence the twitte...Excellent idea! They can't silence the twitterverse :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10255083486196598825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5519912440753252776.post-29017560864127456902009-09-08T12:08:23.043+01:002009-09-08T12:08:23.043+01:00Fascinating post! Must tweet before going for lunc...Fascinating post! Must tweet before going for lunch. So they blocked you, Jane - they must be scared.Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.com