Dear Sir or Madam:
My former publisher, PublishAmerica P.O. Box 151 Frederick, MD 21705 continues to sell and profit from its former authors' creative works after the contracts have been terminated.
My specific dispute with the publisher involves the publisher agreeing to terminate my contract based on the company breaching the contract; then later turning around and refusing to relinquish my requisition papers in a timely manner because I refused to sign its Non-Disparage Clause.
However, I am in possession of the email, stating that my request to terminate the contract was approved in June, and all of my book rights reverted back to me at that time. I also have in my possession the release document in which the publisher sent me via certified mail, and I have a few derogatory emails the publisher's representatives sent me stating that they will send me my requisition papers at their convenience. This has really created a hardship for me because it has inhibited me from submitting my book to another publisher.
I first learned about PublishAmerica through an unsolicited email, stating that the book publisher is a Traditional Publisher. It even listed the benefits I would receive by having the book re-published by a traditional publisher oppose to a vanity press.in hindsight, I surmise someone from PublishAmerica's marketing department must have had knowledge that my ebook publisher was closing its electronic doors because the publisher offered to publish my ebook in print format without charging me any upfront fees. Naturally, I thought the offer was a terrific opportunity to have my ebook done in print format, but a light bulb should have come on in my head because as a former police officer I know when something sounds too good to be true, it normally is a scam.
However, after signing the deceptive contract, I learned the publisher's books are way overpriced and there is a No Return Policy that protects the publisher's interest, but actually hinders the authors' efforts in getting their books placed on bookstore shelves. As a result, PublishAmerica's books are basically sold on the online bookstores and they are not placed in brick and mortar bookstores as traditional publishers operate.
In addition, the publisher failed to mention in its contract that its strategic marketing plan is to have its authors purchase large quantities of their own books, peddle their books to family members and friends, and to attend elaborate conventions at their own expense.
Although PublishAmerica does not charge upfront fees, I believe its business model is to publish America and place everyone on a seven-year balloon installment plan. I was surprised to learn that the publisher actually has a marketing department designed to recruit new authors, but it does nothing to help them market their books and place the books on bookstore shelves. On the average, PublishAmerica's authors' royalty checks are under $20.00 and the checks are sent out every six months. This factor alone would lead one to question why PublishAmerica would refuse to terminate a contract if the book is not selling?
In conclusion, I requested the publisher to terminate my contract because the publisher failed to edit my book, failed to send out complimentary review copies of my book, and its marketing department did nothing to assist me in getting the book placed on bookstore shelves. The toxic business relationship I had with PublishAmerica created a hardship for me and caused my blood pressure to skyrocket, but I'm not the only one regretting the day I signed the publisher's contract. I know at least seventy five authors who would be willing to participate in a Class Action Lawsuit for similar reasons. Thank you for listening.
Respectfully,
Thank you in advance for your taking the time to visit
sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome!
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