PublishAmerica.com

I had never heard of PublishAmerica.com before today. Someone posted on a facebook group for writers asking if anyone had experienced any difficulty with them. I looked around and found three sites regarding this right off. Not a good sign. Interesting to note, also that the first seven results on the Google page were for (and undoubtedly paid for by) PublishAmerica.com. In my book never a good sign.

• From Publish America is a scam (.com) - It takes some pissed off people to create a web site titled something like "I hate you".com
• True Stories from people who dealt with PublishAmerica.com
• From Here are the reasons we don't recommend PublishAmerica.com

I don't know but I would suggest staying away from them. Here is the first paragraph from that last URL by poster JennaGlatzer:

"Here's an analysis of some of the reasons I don't recommend PA. Below, other writers will tell you more...
QUOTATIONS FROM PUBLISHAMERICA'S WEBSITE:
--"The majority of our books that are sold retail are sold in physical brick and mortar bookstores."
I dare you to walk into any brick and mortar store and find even one copy of one PublishAmerica book. Authors have gone crazy trying to get their books shelved, but they can't (unless they find a sympathetic local manager) because the books are unedited, print-on-demand, overpriced, and nonreturnable. None of this is explained on PublishAmerica's site, of course. Authors are repeatedly led to believe that their books will be "available in bookstores nationwide," that they'll be invited for book signings, etc. Meanwhile, Barnes & Noble has sent letters to PublishAmerica authors to say that they WILL NOT stock PublishAmerica books."

Someone else there, Patricia, said this:

"Press release, if sent at all, rejected by most major and small town newspapers."

Short version:

Your book won't be on the shelves in any stores unless you go in person and beg. And not even that is guaranteed.

James D. Macdonald said:
"Here's why your local bookstores will be hesitant to stock your books:

• High cover prices
• Short discounts
• Non-returnable books
• Poor editing/poor production values

Here's why the stores you don't visit won't stock your book:
All of the above plus:

• No salesforce
• No catalog
• No trade advertising
• No major reviews"

I know the urge to become a published author, but stay away from these kinds of people. Find small press publishers, check book stores for their books. Research before you leap, is the key thought here. If it sounds too good, it is too good, is another prime contender. I know many authors are desperate to become published. I fully understand that feeling. But tis better to never become published than to be scammed. 


Before you ever do or sign anything, look them up on Google, or elsewhere, read what other people say, check with the Better Business Bureau, Writer's Guild of America, East OR West.

Always remember, think, research, look around before you Leap.