| From | Message |
Penni Smith
11/23/2004
17:40:55
|
 Subject: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
Just curious to know how everyone is finding Publish America? Did you get the news about the 10,000th person they signed? I think I found them by putting in book publishers in the search engine or my brother sent me a thing about poetry and it was listed that they would publish my book for free and I checked it out. After dealing with greedy subsidy publishers, I found PA to be a haven for unpublished writers. I love it!!!
Penni Weston
www.authorsden.com/pennilynnsmithweston
awriter4theman@yahoo.com
ACCIDENTAL OUTLAW
JUST A LITTLE LOVE (soon to come)
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Elric1
11/23/2004
17:56:25 |  RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
Hi,Penni,nice to meet you!
Well,all I can say is 'good ol' Google'!
I had my first book written out, but was looking frantically for someone to publish it. I tried two
POD publishers,but you had to be rich to use them.
So,out of sheer desperation I typed in Book Publishers and Agents on Google and PA was the first thing on the list!
I admit I was a little leery after what I'd been through with Literary Agents and POD publishers; but,I looked around the Site,asked a few questions and now I have two books approved for publication by PA, one estimated to be published around mid-year 2005.
I would still be holding a non-published manuscript with no hope of becoming a book,had it not been for Google and Publishamerica!
Eric J. Obmann
'October 31st'
http://uhtrp.url.cjb.net
'Corporate Glory'
http://www.freewebs.com/corporateglory
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Niki Mylonas
11/24/2004
04:18:58
|  RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
Hello!
I live in England and found PA completely by accident on the internet.
I did the same as you Penni, I typed 'book publishers' in the tool bar and got a menu. I was attracted to a heading which read: 'We don't want your money, we just want your book!' I clicked on it and hey presto PUBLISH AMERICA opened its doors to me! I loved their welcoming message. Intuition urged me to get in touch. I felt they were worth contacting.
PA was the 1st House I approached. They accepted my 1st book within 3 weeks upon receiving a hard-copy & I haven't looked back since!
They published my essay in the 'Published Author's Guide to Promotion' & are now in the process of editing my 2nd book. I'm definitely going to send them my 3rd!
I feel honoured to be published by PA!
Niki Mylonas
'WIDE EYES'
'THE CONNECTION'
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Saundra Julian
11/24/2004
07:59:57
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
Hello all,
Actually I found PA thru a friend who knew about their site. Looked at it and was also leery because she had told me that they would take "anything". (Kinda tells you what she thought about my writing) However, I found this not to be true, so after months of reading these boards I took the plunge.
My only disappointment so far is there doesn't seen to be as much writing information on the boards as there has been in the past...it's more personal problems and information.
Don't get me wrong I know everyone needs to vent (as I am doing) but I'd like to learn something useful about the art of writing..
Saundra
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4kids2love
11/24/2004
09:49:14
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I went to a good friend's Christmas party and she told me they were publishing her book. (Kathy Wood, "Bargains to Bucks") A couple of months later I had an impulse and looked PA up online. Then I sent it in on a fluke. I had been seeking a publisher in my spare time and was in no hurry as the kids keep me rather busy! I sent a query, received a response, sent the manuscript, and then an offer to publish...all it in a matter of a couple of days. It was all very surreal. The fact it would be only paperback and the price would be a bit over the norm kind of put me off, and then I didn't receive a response to a question I sent and real life rather took over fantasy. Six months later they called and asked if I was still interested, and here I am!
Sharon
"That First Christmas"
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jenrob
11/24/2004
10:56:12
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
After a heart breaking experience with a vanity press who took my money, several thousands, and then went out of business, I found PA who has been just wonderful. It took me awhile to have any trust in any of them, but after finding PA on the internet, and reading about them, I began to feel that maybe I still had a chance and just maybe this one would be honest. So far I have found PA to do what they said they would and it is going very well. Thank you PA.
Jennifer Robins
Ghostly Antiques
What Happened to Anna?
www.ghostly.cjb.net
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jim woods
11/24/2004
12:26:20
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
By word of mouth from one, then quickly another, member of my writing group whose novels had been published by PublishAmerica. Both of them encouraged me to submit my book but I was reluctant because of its subject matter, big-game hunting. I knew the writing was adequate because portions of it had been previously published as articles in national outdoors magazines. I also knew it to be editorily clean, but the subject is considered by some to be "politically incorrect." The upshot is that I did submit it and it was accepted.
Incidentally, at least seven of my writing group members now have been published by PublishAmerica.
Jim Woods
HONK IF YOU LOVE GEESE, a memoir, PublishAmerica, 2004
THE LION KILLER a novel, PublishAmerica, Spring, 2005
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Penni Smith
11/24/2004
16:32:56
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
Isn't it great to get published? It was my lifelong dream and PA made it come true. I am forever grateful and sooooooo excited about my next book. I can hardly wait. My family and friends are anxiously awaiting book 2. Hope we all can do well with our work.
Penni Weston
awriter4theman@yahoo.com
www.authorsden.com/pennilynnsmithweston
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ncpoet3977
11/24/2004
16:45:24 | RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
Well I discovered PA through a google engine search, I was about to give up on trying to find a traditional publisher who would publish poetry then right before I called it quits, I stumbled onto the website, lucky for me I guess :)
"TUNNEL VISION POETRY"
Author,
G.E. SPANGLER
www.geocities.com/statesville_male/tunnelvisionpoetry.html
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RJKennedy
11/25/2004
06:07:03
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I discovered PA through our large library branch in downtown Chicago. I was searching in the books for some publisher to accept my work (a humerous satire depicting dating & relationships). I saw a page advertising PA., Copied the info. down, made contact with them and the rest is history.
Ronald Johnson Kennedy
How to Select a compatible Mate
www.publishedauthors.net/ronk
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DJ
11/25/2004
07:03:21
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I learned of PA through my daughter. My sister told her about PA. I didn't want to send in my first book, but my daughter took matters into her own hands and helped me see the light. Now I'm on my second book and I'm very happy to have been published. I have sent several people to PA and it is a joy when someone contacts me and tells me they are being published. I told one woman at my first booksigning about PA. She had a MS just sitting there. She emailed me about a month ago and said she had took the leap of faith and sent her MS to PA. She is joining our ranks and I'm very happy for her.
It's a wonderful feeling to know I have helped someone with making their dreams come true.
I want to wish each and everyone of my PA family and the PA staff a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Hugs,
Donna Laird
www.donnalaird.cjb.net
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kas1
11/25/2004
10:56:45 | RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
They found me through a short story titled the Penny Pincher. It appeared in the print magazine Skyline in early 2004.
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jimarh
11/25/2004
11:14:40
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
There was a man who had a published book here, in my hometown. I called him and asked his publisher. He told me PA and gave me information on them.
He was very helpful. His second book just came out a few weeks ago; my second book was released in September and I have a third that will be out early spring, 2005.
I am glad that I took a chance and called him.
Margaret
Hidden Legacy
Dearest of Friends
The Friendship Circle
http://www.margarethodapp.com
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DAArthur
11/25/2004
12:21:08
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
A schoolmate of mine (Blake Petit, Other People's Heroes) had his book featured as Book of the Month, and he told me about PA as soon as I'd told him about my manuscript. He said its premise was intriguing and I should try to get it published.
The rest is history.
D.A. Arthur
"The Maverick Princess"
http://www.daarthur.us
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Lila
11/25/2004
20:10:05
|  RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I was snooping around the internet, looking for publishers, and ran across their name at Writers Marketplace (?)...is that what it's called? Any way, it was heaven-sent, meant to be, and all that.
Lila
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ddysbrt
11/25/2004
21:10:10
|  RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I had a friend who gave me the name and weblink to six different publishers. I went on line and checked each of them out. I decided that PA best fit my needs and I am not disappointed in my decision.
Jacki
Heart Aches & Rainy Days
http://www.freewebs.com/jackijoortiz
http://jackijoortiz.bravehost.com
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Off the wall
11/25/2004
22:21:09 | RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I had tried the a few subsidy publishing companies, and they were too expensive. I looked on the web, and came up with several POD houses, but most of them were just as expensive. I was looking through Writer's Digest, and came across PA, so I looked up their web-page, and liked what I saw. I contacted them, and then sent in my query. I was a bit leary when they contacted me, and asked me to send my completed manuscript. And even more leary when they sent me a letter of approval, and a contract.
After much prayer I signed the contract,sent in the AQ and now just waiting, I feel real positive, about the company, and will be publishing with them again.
I do have one drawback, I wish they could be contacted by phone. I had questions that needed answers in real-time, but had to wait for an emailed answer. Other then that I'm satisfied with the company.
Happy Thanksgiving Day to everyone
even though some have more to be thankful for,(book in hand)...:) we all can thank God we found a place that will publish, our work, and not rip us off.
O-T-W
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justjerry
11/26/2004
01:56:39
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I had read all of the POD sites and also decided that I wasn't rich enough. I tried to find the major publishers and found them very stingy with info. One site said that I should in no way, no how, never even consider trying to publish without a literary agent. In frustration I went to Ask Jeeves and typed in "How in the world can I get my book published?" PA was the first thing that popped up.
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Bonnie Gibson
11/26/2004
08:30:12
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
Good ole Google!
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Penni Smith
11/26/2004
13:11:29
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I think it's terrible what subsidy publishers want. The first one I dealt with wanted nearly $14,000!!!! Man, my used car didn't cost a third of that. There was no way I was going to pay them that for my own book. I agree that in Writer's Digest they do list all the publisers there are, but....they all seem so picky-picky about what they want, how to submit it, do you have an agent? Don't you dare send something unsolicited...I think PA is a God-send to many folks. I love it.
Penni Weston
awriter4theman@yahoo.com
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Ronald Salter
11/26/2004
19:30:15
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I discovered PA by accident. I had written several poems at the time, and I had people hounding me daily about getting published. I didn't believe for a minute that any of these people knew what a publisher would want before investing their money in an unknown author. While having a slow period at work one day, I went to a search engine on the internet and looked for a publisher.
I'd heard all the horror stories about rejection letters, vanity publishers as well as publishers who would run off with your best stuff and publish it under another cover, I guess you can say I was paranoid to say the least. When I ran across the PA ad I was instantly attracted, so I emailed them, they got back to me quickly and asked for my manuscript. I was still skeptical so I sent some of my collection of poems fully expecting them to be "hijacked" and never to hear from them again. They sent an acceptance letter about four weeks later, I still thought it was a ruse, then they sent the contract etc. It was finally real when I got the author copies without a big bill charging me for their services. They've been good!
Ronald Salter
The Face On The Clock Has A Smile
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Georgia
11/27/2004
07:11:53
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
After writing and copyright of my novel, I didn't know what to do. I prayed and I was looking on the web to see what publishers were letting you send a Q. Letter and I saw the PA that if they thought your book was good enough they will print it thats when I jumped for joy. At least a chance, somebody will read it. So that's how I found PA and Thank God that I did. My friend went thru a self-print. He charged her and let me tell you, the book was no where as nice as the ones coming out of PA, the book covers at PA are awesome. Thanks Georgia/Kathy
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kas1
11/27/2004
08:32:31 | RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
P.A. is the easy route to a book. It takes a lot of effort and work to get into the biggest publishers. They use agents to screen work for worthiness. If the agent thinks it's marketable then they'll take it to the publisher. The Query letter is what sells a look at a book. These people are trying to make money in a business.
They are not trying to help unknowns get their work published. P.A. does help unknowns, which is great. Where the unknown author goes from there is up to them.
An M.S. that is clean and free of errors, and written well,has a chance. Sloppy work doesn't have a chance. An m.s. should be ready to print when it reaches the agent, and or publisher.
That is why most of the well known authors have editors, agents and publisist.
It cost money to make money.
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Penni Smith
11/27/2004
17:48:46
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
Are any of you guys worried about the large number of authors being signed up? That is competition, you know. I kind of worry that my work will be lost in the shuffle, and maybe ignored a little bit. I'm just a worry wart, though. I am trying to patiently wait for book 2 to be done, but I'm so anxious, I can hardly stand it. I don't know how large a staff that PA has, but since they signed up their 10,000th author recently, I hope they have enough people to go around!!!! Good luck one and all.
Penni Weston
ACCIDENTAL OUTLAW
JUST A LITTLE LOVE (coming soon I hope)
awriter4theman@yahoo.com
www.authorsden.com/pennilynnsmithweston
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Elric1
11/27/2004
20:38:29 |  RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
Penni,
Worry not. Don't panic.
Even though PA is a large company,a publishing company needs authors, poets and the like to keep it running and be ready to print out many books from those authors. They will keep the supply of authors up as long as other so-called 'big name' publishers keep turning really good manuscripts down. If they don't have enough staff,they'll find some,I'm sure.
As for competition,well,I used to be worried about that when I first sent in my work. But then, I realized something:What the heck am I worried about?
Every author in here has his/her own unique style,method of writing and each has his/her own story/poem to tell! You are competing against no one! You are in the wonderful company of scribes of the written word. If we can offer advice, marketing tips,reviews,ect.,we will,no kidding!
Why?
Because if something we know seems to help us,why not share that information with those who could really use it!
I have developed friendships,know people who give me sound advice,ideas and different ways to help market my book and have fun and share in their excitement over what they achieve.I found all this just because I'm a soon-to-be-published author at a publishing firm that decided to take a chance on me! WOW!
Just like I could find a way to help a fellow author named Penni Weston and to tell her;enjoy the feeling,worry not and have fun being an author!
I hope this helps.
Eric J. Obmann
'October 31st'
http://uhtrp.url.cjb.net
'Corporate Glory'
www.freewebs.com/corporateglory
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SDSchaffer1
11/28/2004
08:16:12
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
A friend of mine had printed out the PA website's main page, suggesting I give it a shot. I did, and my book is now published. Cool, huh?
Sean D. Schaffer
'Wyverinia Chronicles'
ISBN: 1-4137-2354-3
http://www.freewebs.com/sdschaffer/
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Penni Smith
11/28/2004
16:03:20
|  RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
Thanks for the advice and kind words, Eric. I just worry a little bit. I am having a great time being the published author I always wanted to be. It's great. I do hope each and every writer with PA has incredible success with all their work. There's a lot of talent out there and it should be shared. Cheers!!!
Penni Weston
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AngelAssurance
11/30/2004
22:50:21 | RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
well I was also looking around the internet, looking for publishers, I had my first book DREAMS AND VISIONS OF ASSURANCE
with another publisher, I wanted to try another publishing company that can give me a Hard cover, and PA looked good, I looked at hundreds of publishers but it all came back to PA and I submitted, they accepted and here I am, hope it was the right discussion
MARGARET_M_MEYERS@YAHOO.COM
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=241186&ck=
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Carol Troestler
11/30/2004
23:41:26
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I had read and did some editing for a PA author. She
told someone else that was a PA author and he asked if
I would consider editing his second book, that his first
book was published by PA. So I went to the PA website
to see what his book was about and then checked on
the information for authors, gave the information they
asked for and a synopsis of my book, and left the
website thinking I probably wouldn't hear from them.
But I did! Hooray! (The man never had me edit his book,
but I sure am grateful to him for considering it.)
Carol
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GJF
12/03/2004
14:02:32
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I discovered PA last year in a edition of Writer's Digest. I've had two books published with PA, and I will always be grateful for them starting off my career!
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Pratchett_fan
12/12/2004
11:09:46 | RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
Again, like so many of you, I discovered PA by pure accident. I ploughed through agents, publishing houses etc...and there it was. I had heard of them before, on a couple of writer`s sites, but I didn`t get too excited as I was in the middle of submitting my ms to every known man, woman, beast on planet earth.
All I can say, is that fate was definitely smiling on me when I eventually did visit the PublishBritannica site. I haven`t looked back since.
One thing on my mind, though - where have those pesky proofs & my dollar got to?
Cheers,
Peter R. Harris
Dragon Blaze: A Sweet Adventure.
www.freewebs.com/harrisfantasybooks
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tim186
12/12/2004
11:51:29
Memories Die Last
| RE: How Did You Discover PA?
Message:
I read about PA in an article a literary columnist wrote in the Dayton Daily News about internet publishing. Like many of you, I was trying to get my ms. placed, with no luck, but PA gave me the chance of a lifetime.
Now for the "catch 22" - when I contacted this same columnist after my first book was out to say thanks and elicit a review, I was greeted with a very curt "It's our paper's policy NOT to review works by local authors," CLICK! Two-plus years and a second book later, and I still can't get a write-up in my hometown paper. Go figure.
Tim Smith
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Lamb
12/12/2004
14:16:23
| Question to Donna Laird
Message:
Donna Laird,
can you explain how I can get colored backgrounds and a picture of my book on publishedauthors.com
I have tried everything I can think of.
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