Publishers

[Zana DiBartolomeo]

As there is a lot of publishers out there, and there are a lot of us writers, I was just wondering who all you got published through... I am getting published through PublishAmerica and lets just say my next book I'll be looking for a new publisher. I hope you all can give me some feed back and where to go with my next book. Thank you for your time.

[Peter N. Jones]

Sorry to hear about PublishAmerica. Yes, there are lots of great (and bad) publishers out there. It depends on what you are writing - some publishers specialize in only certain genres, others cover the whole board. I would turn the question around: What are you looking for in a publisher? Some one to just print your book? Do you want to be in brick-and-mortar stores? Do you care if is available in the UK, Canada, etc. or just in the US? Are you wanting it to be published in hardback as well as paper? All of these questions will lead you to certain publishers. Some only publish in paperback, others only have distribution in the US, etc.

What is your vision of your work in print?

Cheers,

Peter

___________________________________________
Director and Editor: Bauu Institute and Press
Publisher: New Great Books
Editor: Indigenous Issues Today

[Zana DiBartolomeo]

I want a publisher that is actually going to take in to count what I want for my book. I dont care if its paper back or hard. I just want a publisher that is going to actually give my book the chance it deserves instead of like PublishAmerica they just slapped it all to together, and didnt give me much of a choice of anything. I want it to be avaliale all over not just in the US. Do you have a good idea of where would be a good start to look for a new publisher?

[Peter N. Jones]

What is your book about? What genre? One place to begin exploring is the AbsoluteWrite forums... tons of good information and there is a thread on publishers to beware of. If you are looking for a major publisher, they only go through agents... so you need to find an agent first. If you are interested in working one-on-one with your publisher in the overall design and appearance of your book, then I suggest a small press. Of course, small presses don't have as big of a distribution network as the larger publishing houses.

___________________________________________
Director and Editor: Bauu Institute and Press
Publisher: New Great Books
Editor: Indigenous Issues Today

[George Wilder Jr.]

I think if is financial, I think what you might need is a good agent. No matter who publishes your work, for the money side of it you will need an agent. There are good publishers out there, most will not accept you without representation. Publish America gets such a bad rap, that most readers and buyers will think PAs books are of lesser quality than others. Some call it POD. I'm with publish america, too. However, I don't solely blame them. Some authors are just glad to be published even with Publish America.

[Zana DiBartolomeo]

I agree with you that its not all PA's fault, us as authors before signing a contract we should research the publisher, but as for me I got to caught up in the moment and than once it was to late I started to do some researching. But from know on I have learned my lesson. And I hope that I can help other authors out there to not fall under the same spell!!!!

[George Wilder Jr.]

We all got caught up in the moment. It's only natural when knowing someone is going to publish our book. I didn't like PA's contract, however, I wanted so badly to be published that I only glossed over the contract. We all do. It happens and the publisher knows that this happens all the time with authors. Some of them make money if your book sells only one copy. I would say, hang in there, keep getting publish, and with any luck a major publisher will see your work you take you on. I'm expecting that, also. Stay away from those who don't believe in your work.

[Helen Wisocki]

My book, "Innocence Betrayed - A Dad's Story of Clergy Misconduct" was published by Publish America, and I've found them to come through with everything as promised in the contract, which I had an attorney look at for me. I went into the contract with my eyes open knowing exactly what I was getting and not getting from PA and was pleased with my decision.

The PA staff has always been professional, courteous and helpful. And the designer that did my cover is a superb talent! Editing may be an issue, and I think that many authors that need help in that area should choose the editing option where they have PA edit their manuscript so that errors don't run rampant throughout. All along the way, PA gives choices and it's up to the author to make the right choices.

From what I've heard, it can take years to get a book in front of other publishers, and the chances of being accepted are slim. Publish America gives first-time authors a chance to get their manuscript into print with no cost to the author. Vanity presses can charge thousands of dollars for this same privilege.

PA books are available all over the world, so I'm confused by your comment.

Just thought you might like to hear a different side to this discussion.

Helen

[Zana DiBartolomeo]

They didnt give me an option at all for my editing! They only gave me option number one! And I even asked to see if someone could go over my book for editing, and they told me that I didnt need any editing!!!! Well once I got my final proofs and my book moved into cover design, my mom was reading through it and found more mistakes! But it was to late for me to change anything......

[George Wilder Jr.]

That's a surprise, because they always give me options. I always edit my stuff and then I let them look over it. Sorry about that. Never let anyone tell you don't need editing, especially when you know that you might. Even after editing I still had mistakes, I told them about it and they corrected it. They only correct what you tell them too. I had a book filled with mistakes so I know how you feel, It's embarrassing. But most are somewhat satisfied with PA. I'm really sorry. I do understand.

[Helen Wisocki]

Zana, I'd be upset too if I was only given option one, but there were three options--Let it go as is, edit it yourself or have them edit it. And then after I got my proofs, I still was able to edit it again. It's too bad that your book somehow slipped through the cracks in the editing process.

Helen

[George Wilder Jr.]

Helen, I'm in no way putting PA down, they have published me three times. I was just replying to a comment. If I glossed over a contract, that is my fault not PAs. The book covers are always awesome. However, if you research the web, you will find others saying not so flattering things about PA. I think they have been great with me.

[Helen Wisocki]

George, Congratulations on having three books published! What an awesome task. I've read the not so flattering things on the web about PA, too. But I've had good luck and glad you have all three times. You must be doing it right!