PublishAmerica, PublishBrittanica, PublishIcelandica ripoff authors by misrepresenting services on their web site Frederick Maryland

I submitted my book to PublishAmerica based on the information on their web site. This information is a misrepresentation of what their company actually is and does for their authors.

Their web site indicates they are a traditional publisher. This is not true, they are a POD (Publish on Demand) and the publishing industry concurs. I contacted RWA, Writer's Guild and Author's Guild and was told neither of my books would be credited as "published works" as PA is a POD publisher and, as such, any books published by them are considered "self published". I wrote my books to get credit in the publishing world, not to be discredited.

They do not charge a fee upfront, however, in order for the author to make any real sales, they are required to buy their own books and try to get them placed in bookstores themselves. This can cost an author thousands of dollars. I am disabled and live on a fixed income, I do not have the ability to do this.

Their web site indicates they do line-by-line editing. Not only was my book not edited, but when the proofs were returned to me, there were actually errors added into the work that were not there before.

The web site indicates that authors are reviewed by major newspapers and magazine on a daily basis. The author is led to believe that PA makes this happen, when in fact, if a PA book is mentioned in any newspaper it is because of the authors continued efforts to convince them to do so. Although I contacted many newspapers, I could not get them to review my book because of the "quality, or lack thereof, of PA's books."

PA's web site is also deceptive in that it makes the author believe they will be doing a portion of the marketing - when all they actually do is send an order form to a list of people the author supplies. I am disabled and am unable to do a great deal of publicity. Publicity is essential if you are to get people to buy a book from on-line bookstores.

The web site indicates they reject 80% of all books submitted, however, they are now boasting a "stable of 8,000 authors." They say they have strick guidelines regarding acquisitions, and yet I have read several PA books that were teeming with typos, misspelled words and a gross lack of knowledge of the English language.

The web site also indicates that the author's books can be found in "brick and mortar bookstores across the country." PublishAmerica does not have a return policy so the only way an author can get their books placed in a "brick and mortar bookstore" is to buy their books and then guarantee the bookstore that they will buy back any copies that do not sell. Again, I live on a fixed income and cannot afford to do this.

In July PublishAmerica sent an email to all of their authors telling them that the New York Times had "approached them about a partnership". When the email was forwarded to the NYT they responded that their legal department would be looking into the matter as they know of no partnership with PublishAmerica. They also indicated that they do not review "POD" books. Speculation is that the email was sent from PublishAmerica to entice their authors into buying their own books so that PA could meet royalties that are coming due.

I would like nothing more than to be included in a class action suit against PublishAmerica, however, I simply cannot afford to pay an attorney a $3,000.00 retainer. Please be so kind as to investigate this company and bring justice to the many authors whose careers have been harmed by their actions.

Thank you

Linda
Fulton, Kansas
U.S.A.