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Q: If I decide to have APH publish my book, why can’t you give me any more specifics right now about how much money it could cost me?
A: Depending upon your manuscript’s size and length, your initial investment could be as much as $ 300. Until we receive your complete manuscript (and/or floppy diskette), and are able to review it, we can’t give you an accurate estimate of what your future investment amounts might be.
Q: You don’t seem to have a previous publishing track record. Why should I trust you with my writing products or manuscripts?
A: We’re not satisfied with how authors and writers have been treated by the publishing world after we finish our manuscripts. We’re trying to do something about it. We have some ideas of how to approach the problem. We want your support to make it better for all us that write. By the way, we have over twenty books in print at this time.
Q: If I give you my manuscript for APH Readers to read, how do I know that someone won’t steal my story and publish it under their name as an original work?
A: All APH readers and editors are under contract to us. In particular, they sign a Confidentiality agreement with us that prevents the situation you asked about. Additionally, when you finish your manuscript, you own the text.
Q: You’ve used the word “investment” in your earlier comments. It sounds like a cost to me. In other words, I have to give you money. Isn’t that what you really mean?
A: Yes. Please think about investing in the stock or bond markets, or in an IRA, 401(K), or in Mutual Funds. You are doing so with the intent of increasing the value of that investment over time. Right? Most people think of such related dollar amounts as an “initial or regular investment.”
We want to know early in our association that you have more than one book in you that needs to be written. If so, then over time, you’re going to reap the benefits of your writing through an increase in the value of your investment.
Q: What makes Authors’ Publishing House different than some
other publishers I’ve heard about, like vanity presses, or Print On Demand (POD), or Print On Order (POO) companies or self-publishers?
A: When we accept your manuscript to be read by APH readers, we want to be sure that you have a “good” book, namely, one that other people are likely to buy. If our Marketing Readers don’t think your current manuscript will make a good book, we’ll tell you. We then present you with the option of deciding whether or not to continue your particular writing project with us, before you invest significant dollar amounts in to something that’s not likely to be successful.
With a vanity press, self-publisher or stand-alone printer, you decide how many books you want printed. You order and pay for them. A few weeks later, several boxes of books show up on your doorstep. Despite being “published” on the Internet, selling them is your responsibility. Please remember that with a vanity press, POD or similar arrangement, and without an ISBN, that your books will be not be printed by other traditional publishers, regardless of whether anyone else thinks it’s a good book or not.
With Authors’ Publishing House, you decide how many books you want to place in our various points of sale. Once the books arrive at our offices, we send them through our distributors to the points of sale we deal with, based on your wishes. Your books are in front of the buying public within a few days after being printed.
Q: If I decide to have APH publish my book through APH’s Step 4, I receive one book, right? Am I required to have all my other books (same title) printed through APH, or can I have them printed at some other place? What are my obligations to APH at that time?
A: Yes, through APH’s Step 4, you will receive one book.
You may have any additional books (with the same title and cover) printed through a printer of your choice.
Unless you choose to move to Step 5 in the APH process, namely, order a quantity of books through us and have them delivered to our points of sale, your obligations to APH have been completed. As long as you understand and abide by the appropriate provisions of the Authors’ Publishing House contract, you have no further contractual obligations with us.
Q: If I decide to have APH publish my book, does that mean that APH is my “agent”?
A: No, even though APH may publish your book and offer to place it in various points of sale, that does NOT mean that APH is your “agent.” We don’t offer such a service. We know that your book will only sell if it is available for the public to see. That’s what we do. We distribute your book to points of sale where potential buyers can buy your book.
Q: You mentioned something about some agreements and a contract I need to sign in order to have APH handle my book? Can you describe those again?
A: Yes. First, after receiving the Marketing Readers’ Committee endorsement of your book or manuscript, you’ll sign a Book Worksheet and Fee Agreement.
Shortly thereafter, you’ll sign an Author’s Contract. Among other provisions, if some of your books do not sell, they may be returned to us. This protects the individual point-of-sale location from losing any money on the book.
Q: Can you predict how many of my books might sell?
A: No, only your current writing skills (and the current market) can determine that.
Q: How soon after my books are printed can I expect to receive any payments for books that have been sold?
A: Lengthy returns on book sales are common. If your book sales are higher than originally expected, then time estimates might be shortened.
Q: Can I attempt to sell my own books, or I am required to use APH’s distributors and points-of-sale exclusively?
A: You may attempt to sell your own books to whomever you wish. We encourage and welcome such activities, so long as your attempts don’t violate any provisions of your Author’s Contract and/or Confidentiality Agreement with the Authors’ Publishing House. Please review your individual APH Contract document to resolve this issue.
Q: If I want to terminate my APH arrangement, what do I have to do?
A: Generally a 30-day (Certified) written notice is all that’s required. However, be sure to review your particular Author’s contract.
Q: If I sign the various contracts/agreements with APH for my current book/manuscript, am I committed contractually to have APH publish any future books?
Q: Earlier, you said that if I want to be a full-time writer, or something other than a “one-trick pony,” that I need to have more than the story I’ve already written. What do you mean by that?
A: As a publishing/marketing firm, ultimately we’re looking for more than just a single story. We want written sagas that continue for a few books, an inspirational series of novels or creative non-fiction books, continuing character developments over time, mystery novel sequences, who-dun-its, sci-fi epics, etc. We challenge you to stretch the limits of your creative juices and see what might develop.
Q: I already have some books published. I’m selling some of them, but not as many as I would like. Do you have any ways of helping me get my books out to other points-of-sale?
A: Yes, we do. We need to see the book(s) you have in mind. We’ll try and find a market that can adequately handle your particular book(s).
Q: What if I don’t want a book published? Maybe I want to create an audio book or training video or some other form of printed or video media. Do you offer any other services?
A: APH offers several optional services: namely, Re-Writing, Ghost Writing, Additional Proofreading, Training Videos/Audios, Unique Books Sales, as well as Specialty Audios, Videos (and hardcopies, if requested). You will need to speak with us about your particular needs, before we can present you with appropriate financial alternatives.
Q: Do you list clients’ books on this website?
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