PublishAmerica Encourages Author to Give Away Novel

In an effort to be removed from her seven-year contract with the online-based publishing company, PublishAmerica, LLLP, author Lisa Maliga announced via a certified USPS letter that since she had not signed the Settlement Agreement and Release sent to her in March 2005, she would promote her novel online via eBook format. One of the reasons for not signing the settlement agreement involved a $5,000 non-disparagement clause. More information can be found at: http://www.lisamaliga.com/publishamericasettlement.htm

Grounds for seeking a reversion of her contract are due to the fact that all PublishAmerica books are not edited, not returnable by any bookstore, overpriced, and titles are unable to be reviewed by most magazines, newspapers, and legitimate online book review sites.

The unnamed Author Support Team replied via e-mail: “As we made clear when you signed our contract, we would like you to please use [e-mail address] as your means of contacting us. This way we can respond to your issues much more quickly and efficiently. As for your request, in the spirit of the conditions described in the amendment that you received, we hereby grant you permission to make your book available free of charge as you have requested.”

Lisa Maliga promptly wrote back that she had not signed the agreement, nor did she intend to. She simply wanted her novel’s rights returned to her. On April 14, 2005 another unsigned e-mail from the Author Support Team was received. “Sorry if we weren't clear. Again, as for your request, in the spirit of the conditions described in the amendment that you received, we hereby grant you permission to make your book available free of charge as you have requested.

No need to worry about the amendment. If you don't understand the wording, it doesn't matter really. We have granted you permission, so what you want to do is fine. This is just a courtesy, from your publisher to you. Have a nice day! Author Support Team”

Some of the mysterious employees do have names, such as Jessica Lewis, who signed for Ms. Maliga’s April 7, 2005 letter, Denise Pickett, signing for the February 24, 2005 letter, Janet Morrissey, general partner and signer of the Settlement Agreement Release, and Miranda Prather, Larry Clopper and Willem Meiners, the three publishing executives who run the Frederick, Maryland based company.

PublishAmerica has repeatedly ignored her request for the return of her book’s rights. Unable to be released from her contract, which was signed in July 2003, before much negative press concerning the fraudulent publishing company was available, Lisa Maliga searches for ways in which she can legally regain her novel’s full rights.

To learn more about Lisa Maliga’s situation, please visit Lisa’s Library of Writing at http://www.lisamaliga.com