Hi there again,

Okay, it's been a while since you've gotten a newsletter and you think...gee, "what's happened to
Rita?" Right?
Well, because I'm a writer I had to take some time to finish a manuscript. So....Runaway Bride was just contracted by Writer's Exchange.
So, big deal, huh?
Okay, Strictly Business has been contracted for print with Publish America. My second print book with them.
Still shrugging your shoulders, are you?
Okay, I'm trying to finish "Along Came Love". It's a tough one for me.
I want to share something with you, some of you will recognize this, some won't. But I'm having trouble with the last Travers Brothers book! Why? I don't know. Maybe I don't want to let go of him. Maybe I've got writers block. And maybe...just maybe, this is simply a tough book to write. Either way, I'm slowing on this one.

Enough of my whinning. Now, I want to talk to you all about publishing companies. I've tried in previous letters to ease your fears of buying on line with a publisher. I've tried to help inform you of different ways to pay, different things to make buying on line easier. But today, well, I want to talk to you about why I chose my publishers.

I've been with Writers for roughly nearly six years. I've known Sandy Cummins even longer through e-mails of course. When I refer you to her, I do so with confidence that your buying experience will be pleasant and easy. Sandy is in the middle of making it even easier for you by updating the Writers site for customers. I hope you will visit soon and check it out.
But now, I want to get a little more personal with you about publishers. You see, I've been through several. Some closed, some quit, some I decided I would move along.
I chose Writers as my e-publisher because even though things go slower there, they keep on going. Sandy
is a Christian lady who I have found honest and easy to work with. We can talk frankly between us and no one ends up mad or messed up. This isn't the norm with some publishers. I won't bad mouth any of my previous publishers but I want to assure you that if you have any problems, Sandy is simply an e-mail away.
I chose Publish America, against a lot of advise to do the contrary. Not from my e-publisher, but from fellow writers. Okay, Publish America offers to publish your book, without any money exchanging hands. In other words whend they publish you, that's exactly what they do.
Contrary to a lot of gossip from disgruntled authors, I have to speak up for them at this point. The reason is simple, they have done everything they said they would do. They have gotten my book to distributors. They are in the midst of creating a return for bookstores for every book they publish. This simply means that when a bookstore buys our books, they can return the unsold books. In turn, that means the store might buy more.
Here are the points that are argued: The list the author must submit to PA upon acceptance, (family, friends and anyone you know that might be interested in your book). Some authors see this as the only sales list they have. I see it as a way of pre-advertising the book to people who might want a copy at the discounted rate of pre-order. My list size grows with each book and I see no reason why my family, friends and interested parties shouldn't get the chance to buy the book at a discount.
Some authors argue that that is the only place they sell the book. Untrue! The book is visible on the net everywhere. I know because I've checked it out.
Nick's Baby is at electronic distributors all over the net, in print form. I've even found it at "Forbes Book Club".
Others argue film rights. Well, if it was up to me to get a movie made of Nick's Baby, I'd have no contacts in that department. If PA can make a contact, great, and I'll willing split my royalties with them for it. Unless my sedate life changes, I won't be making any big contacts in that direction. So great, let them help me.
Few author copies, can't deny this one. High price of the book. Yes, it is high, and I tried arguing that point. But, it won't be long before other companies will have to charge the same or more.
The big reason I go with them is: They publish my book, and don't charge ME for it. There are no set up fees. They edit what I want edited. They distribute, they advertise to some extent. All for no money out of my pocket. They are in fact....a publisher!
So yes, my electronic publisher is slow to release my work, not quite a vocal as some others, and not in the limelight as much, but she is honest and
that's the bottom line. My print publisher, PA, is doing exactly what they promised they would do. So as a whole, I'm very happy and content. And I've just listed some of the reasons for it.