For book/ebook authors, publishers, & self-publishers

Ignore Negative Comments

I have four published books. The first question is always, "Who is your publisher?" When I tell them PublishAmerica and Jawbone Publishing. There response is, "Oh, you self-published."

My response is, "I used an alternative way to have my book published." Some how these individuals think that your book does not meet the standard of a published author. It is unfortunate that writers cannot support those of us whose goal is to have our books in print. Trust me, a traditional publisher does not guarantee a best seller or that books will sell. It's the author and the effort he/she puts into marketing, promoting, and selling their book.

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Comment by Lorraine Harris on September 7, 2007 at 7:16am: You might be right but PA is not the only publisher that has had badly printed books. I think the problem is that PA is a nontraditional publisher and therefore takes a lot of heat. Everyone has to start some where and PA is still growing and learning.

Comment by Sheryl Nantus on September 5, 2007 at 12:23pm: I believe the problem is more in the way of PR than actual competition. PublishAmerica has been "stung" a few times with manuscripts that shouldn't have seen the light of day and were written specifically to see if it would pass muster.

they were and offered contracts - of course the books never went to print, but it casts a shadow over all books with the PA imprint because it illustrates the low standards that PA editors have. If a blatantly badly-written book gets a contract offer...

and it smears those hard-working authors who have signed with PA and who have talent and drive. Their writing gets caught up with others and are dragged down to the lowest common level.

it's a vicious cycle - if only PA would vet their selections better (to start with) then I think they could reform their reputation. As it is, you really don't know if that PA book on the shelf is a good book or one that got printed because the PA editors had a quota to fill...

Comment by Lorraine Harris on August 30, 2007 at 12:27pm: Thanks Charlotte. I am very persistent and my books are doing well. It takes time and patience. I remind myself that I did not write my books in a day, week or month, therefore I should not expect my books to sale quickly. Thanks for your encouraging words.

Comment by Charlotte McPherson on August 29, 2007 at 10:30am: You are right that a traditional publisher does not guarantee a best seller or that books will sell. However, they do have the network and know how to make it happen. And can. My publisher already worked with Barnes and Noble and Amazon so there was no problem in both of these outlets carrying the book and for me doing a book signing at B&N . But if you are not published in this way, it is so true that the author and the effort he/she puts into marketing, promoting, and selling their book can make it happen, it may just take more effort. Don't get discouraged. It is possible. I own a bookstore and have seen it happen. Keep being persistent. My two self published books I have had to promote myself. I have learned that you have to give a few way free in order to have better results in the long run.