Xulon Press, Zoolon Press Christian Publisher, Devil in the Details Misrepresentations

Xulon Press, Zoolon Press Christian Publisher, Devil in the Details Misrepresentations

Xulon Press, Zoolon Press Christian Publisher, Devil in the Details Misrepresentations to Author of 20 Books http://www.PaulFDavis.com Worldwide Minister has touched 70 Nations! Takes stand against Xulon Press Christian Publisher Selling God misrepresentations!

I received this email comment below from Diana who read one of my articles about “Christian” publisher Xulon Press.

Xulon Press Christian Publisher Conspiracy for Profit Purporting Morality

Xulon Press Christian Publisher Conspiracy for Profit Purporting Morality

Xulon Press Christian Publisher Conspiracy for Profit Purporting Morality

Xulon Press Christian Publisher Conspiracy for Profit Purporting Morality

 

 

 

Diana writes:
Subject: PoDs

Paul, thanks for the article. It makes me feel a LITTLE better. I’ve only published one book through Xulon, and pledge that it will be my last. Having just fought a mini-battle, I swore to my husband that I’m done dealing with companies that claim to be “Christian” in hopes of reeling you in — I now believe that this is only a ploy. Your article is pretty much on the mark. One of my complaints is the language presented when I decided to sign up for the “best seller” package.

They presented the following when I purchased the more expensive package, “We will promote your book at a host of other conferences and conventions, including the annual Book Expo America with Catalogs! You will have the opportunity to spotlight your book at each conference.” (exact quote).

In the column where additional fees are stated, NONE are listed — there was only a checkmark indicating that this service is included. A reasonable person would buy this package believing their book would be represented at the convention… however, UNLESS you are willing to pay an ADDITIONAL $149, this is not true. Your book will only be represented in a catalog (and who knows where that will be, under the table??).

In the end, it didn’t matter, because my concerns were not addressed in a timely enough manner to take advantage of the program — the rep curtly emailed me stating that all the spots “were taken.”

Other issues I encountered included:

1) not having my book posted on their online store until I called to complain about it not being there (over 1 mth after it was completed)

2) press release accompanied by an excel dump (with over 1,000 listings — many out of date, most just simply websites, but no email addresses) requiring that you notify organizations yourself.

3) Spacing format throughout my book was not consistant.

4) High author prices for book purchases…#100 copies of a 200 page book cost me approx 75% more than another very reputable POD.

They did however deliver a good cover and had the book put on several online bookstores — but stated to me that they only guarantee 4 websites: Amazon.com, Borders.com, Amazon.co.uk ( United Kingdom ), and Btol.com. However, I’ve heard a rummor that Amazon might disable the buy button for PODs — if this happens, I’m not certain of the value of the Amazon listing.

Paul F Davis – worldwide minister, author, and book consultant & publicist

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Paul F. Davis is a world-changing leadership & diversity speaker who has touched over 50 countries & 6 continents building bridges cross-culturally and empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!

Paul is the author of 14 books. Paul has appeared on numerous internationally broadcast radio shows from Oprah & Friends to Fox News Radio to talk about conflict resolution, peacemaking, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Playboy Radio host Tiffany Granath calls Paul an “awesome” relational coach and recommends his books on love, dating, and sexuality.

Academically outstanding Davis was trained in transformative mediation & conflict resolution (Hofstra Law School); strategic negotiations (Harvard Business School & U. of Washington); advanced interrogation (Reid & Associates founders of the polygraph); and NLP & Life Coaching (NLP & Coaching Institute of California).

Paul humorously and elegantly transforms individuals and organizations.

Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations.

Paul worked at Ground Zero in NYC during 9/11; helped rebuild a home at the tsunami epicenter; comforted victims of genocide in Rwanda; spoke to leaders in East Timor during the war; inspired students & monks in Myanmar; promoted peace & reconciliation in Pakistan; and has been so deep into the bush of rural Africa where villagers had never before seen a white man.

Paul empowers people to love passionately and live fearlessly.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

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Paul also reconciled with his step-mother who today he affectionately calls “Mom” and has a special relationship with. As for his grandparents, Paul during his adult life cared for them for 2 years before they passed as Paul didn’t want to put them in a nursing home after they were so good to him growing up.

Though Paul after 5 years of marriage suffered a horrible divorce due to his ex-wife’s infidelity and adulterous affair, he forgave her and happily moved on with his life. During his personal ground zero, Paul wrote Breakthrough For a Broken Heart empowering people just like him to overcome their disappointments and blossom into their dreams!

Today Paul is again happily married to the love of his life Karla, a gorgeous Canadian who is all he ever dreamed of in a wife. The two are traveling throughout the globe revolutionizing their world, making an amazing difference in the lives of people everywhere they go!

Make no mistake about it. When you need an “Overcoming Adversity” Keynote Speaker, Paul F. Davis is undoubtedly your go to guy to captivate and empower any audience.

Paul is an unforgettable person and purpose coach able to transform any individual and organization.

Please contact Paul for your next special event or seminar.

RevivingNations@gmail.com

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

(407) 284-1705

Paul’s compassion for people has taken him to over 50 countries & 6 continents empowering people to live their dreams!

Paul captivates an audience, transcends limitations, and brings transformation!

For an entertaining, educational, and empowering keynote speech on topics pertinent to your organization, call Paul F. Davis.

Paul passionately loves and lifts the peoples of the world.

A prolific author Paul can tailor make a program to fit your unique needs & exceed your expectations.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

Paul F. Davis is a world-changing leadership & diversity speaker who has touched over 50 countries & 6 continents building bridges cross-culturally and empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!

Paul is the author of 14 books. Paul has appeared on numerous internationally broadcast radio shows from Oprah & Friends to Fox News Radio to talk about conflict resolution, peacemaking, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Playboy Radio host Tiffany Granath calls Paul an “awesome” relational coach and recommends his books on love, dating, and sexuality.

Academically outstanding Davis was trained in transformative mediation & conflict resolution (Hofstra Law School); strategic negotiations (Harvard Business School & U. of Washington); advanced interrogation (Reid & Associates founders of the polygraph); and NLP & Life Coaching (NLP & Coaching Institute of California).

Paul humorously and elegantly transforms individuals and organizations.

Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations.

Paul worked at Ground Zero in NYC during 9/11; helped rebuild a home at the tsunami epicenter; comforted victims of genocide in Rwanda; spoke to leaders in East Timor during the war; inspired students & monks in Myanmar; promoted peace & reconciliation in Pakistan; and has been so deep into the bush of rural Africa where villagers had never before seen a white man.

Paul empowers people to love passionately and live fearlessly.

 

 

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

 

Zoolon, Zulon, or Xulon Press – Spell it However You Want, Pay More, and Get Less

Publishing Confessions from a Xulon Press Author Who Encountered Conservative Hypocrisy

The ancient Greek word Xulon (zoo’ lon) is talking about revelation and I’ve got some profound revelations about Salem Communications publisher Xulon Press for you. Hear ye, hear ye all you authors because this is for you!

Writing a book is one thing, getting it published and enduring the many money-making schemes of publishers is another. I found publishing to be a very expensive and daunting task.

Xulon Press is a “Christian” publisher that published 4 books of my books. I had some major discrepancies in regard to promises unfulfilled in regard to their press releases. I published four books with Xulon Press within a year and encountered some problems, many related to their purported publicity packages – which essentially make or break a book’s success.

I recently received an email blast advert from Xulon Press and Townhall Press (“where your opinion counts”) promoting political candidate Fred Thompson’s new book Government at the Brink.

Xulon Press e-blasts are rare and apparently only given to very influential and powerful people who can sell more books and increase profit margins. I don’t recall getting any other promos for books besides Thompson’s, which of course reveals what a conservative owned publisher is capable of when it really wants to properly promote its authors books.

When I spoke to Xulon’s director of acquisitions and operations about receiving the same kind of E-blast for the 4 books I published and purchased publicity for with Xulon, I was told Fred Thompson’s book was a “special case”. In other words, though I published 4 books with Xulon, I wasn’t important and politics and profits are prioritized over fair treatment of all authors. Thompson, a political candidate with more visibility, is more financially promising and conservatively leaning. Hence Fred, unlike other Xulon authors, got the extra publicity push.

Founded by Christian author and publisher Tom Freiling, Xulon is now a part of Salem Communications Corporation. Salem claims to be the country’s leading Christian communications company with interests in radio, Internet, and magazine publishing. This does not mean you as an author with Xulon or Town Hall can rest, because my experience is Xulon’s connections and publicity never gives you as an author its best. If you’re not a big name or a conservative cash cow like Thompson, expect far less.

Tom Freiling founded Xulon Press and Town Hall Press with a group of Conservative entrepreneurs (perhaps that explains why the little author doesn’t get a fair chance).

Freiling’s political ideology is rather obvious in the books he has written: George W. Bush on God and Country, and Reagan’s God and Country. Incidentally last time I checked God never said he was a Republican or an American. Perhaps that explains the hypocrisy of American democracy and our present failed foreign policy.

Mr. Freiling claims to have published dozens of best-selling Conservative books, selling more than 2 million copies worldwide, and proudly mentions his appearances on CNN, C-Span, and many other television and radio programs. Being connected to Salem Communications has its benefits.

Why than can’t Mr. Freiling and Xulon Press produce the same publicity for me its author of 4 books? Possible reasons could be:

– I’m not conservative enough. Certainly my new book United States of Arrogance attests to that, though I am a registered Republican.

– It’s more fun to adequately publicize your own books when you run a publishing company than the authors paying for publicity.

– Getting paid for books published and publicity promised is more fun than actually producing the finished product.

– Maybe Xulon Press prefers selling the illusion to its authors of getting on Oprah and Larry King even though they have no intention of providing national publicity with PR Web the company it uses to do press releases.

Xulon purchased for my books the cheapest of the four tiers offered for press releases from PR Web (which does not offer nationwide exposure), but made me to believe I was getting a shot at national publicity to be discovered. It takes years to write a book. The 4 books I wrote and published with Xulon (those they lied about adequately publicizing) certainly left me feeling quite betrayed by the Christian and conservative publisher. I do believe punitive damages for the years of my life lost are in order. Before proceeding with that I think it is proper however to give Xulon a taste of what good publicity can accomplish so they never lie to future aspiring authors again. Unfortunately I continue to get emails from disgruntled Xulon authors who agree with me and have issue with various items pertinent to the publishing of their books.

Mr. Freiling claims Writer’s Digest magazine featured him as one of the world’s leading experts on self-publishing. What’s the problem than in generating adequate publicity for his authors?

Interestingly though Xulon Press has an Author Audio Blog page, I have never been asked to be interviewed by Mr. Freiling for any of my 4 books. Xulon Press and Town Hall Press like to sell the illusion of “strength in numbers” belonging to conservative and Christian groups. I have found however none of this really matters once you publish with Xulon because after they collect the cash from you, my experience has been the author is basically forgetten about and provided very poor publicity.

Perhaps the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) should evaluate the publicity packages Xulon Press sells and reconsider how reputable the company really is or is not.

Paul F. Davis – worldwide minister who has touched 50 countries and author of 14 books

Xulon Press published 4 books Davis wrote: “Supernatural Fire”; “Poems That Propel The Planet”; “Are You Ready For True Love?”; and “Adultery 101”

The fiery minister says of Xulon, “I guess some people don’t see the light until they first feel the heat. Indeed they will feel the fire of the Holy Spirit in me as I have many bones to pick with Tom Freiling and Xulon Press. I shall be heard and will not be silent!”

http://www.PaulFDavis.com
RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Interestingly, I found two complaints about Xulon Press here below:

http://www.topix.com/com/salm/2007/11/zoolon-zulon-or-xulon-press-spell-it-however-you-want-pay-up-and-get-less

Apr 18, 2008

I have recently used Xulon and I’m overall disappointed. I found the language of services offered for the bestseller’s package was very misleading (bordering on dishonest). For instance, they presented the following when I purchased the more expensive package (a little over $1900 several months back), “We will promote your book at a host of other conferences and conventions, including the annual Book Expo America with Catalogs! You will have the opportunity to spotlight your book at each conference.” (exact quote). In the column where additional fees are stated, NONE are listed — there was only a checkmark indicating that this service is included. A reasonable person would buy this package believing their book would be represented at the convention… however, UNLESS you are willing to pay an ADDITIONAL $149, this is not true. Your book will only be represented in a catalog (and who knows where that will be, under the table??). In the end, it didn’t matter, because my concerns were not addressed in a timely enough manner to take advantage of the program — the rep curtly emailed me stating that all the spots “were taken.”

Other issues I encountered included: 1) not having my book posted on their online store until I called to complain about it not being there (over 1 mth after it was completed) 2) press release accompanied by an excel dump (with over 1,000 listings — many out of date, most just simply websites, but no email addresses) requiring that you notify organizations yourself. 3) Spacing format throughout my book was not consistant. 4) High author prices for book purchases…#100 copies of a 200 page book cost me approx 75% more than another very reputable POD.

They did however deliver a good cover and had the book put on several online bookstores — but stated to me that they only guarantee 4 websites: Amazon.com , Borders.com , Amazon.co.uk ( United Kingdom ), and Btol.com . I’m not certain how they will handle it if Amazon does disable the “BUY” button for POD’s in the future.

Tina – Houston, TX

Thursday Apr 24

My experience was nearly identical to Tina’s in many respects, additionally, it’s been nine months and the book still hasn’t been listed at either Spring Harbor or Ingram’s for retailers to have access. Has anyone considered a class action against Xulon? Their’s is not a Christian way to do business.

Diane – Sitka, AK

Paul F. Davis is a world-changing leadership & diversity speaker who has touched over 50 countries & 6 continents building bridges cross-culturally and empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!

Paul is the author of 14 books. Paul has appeared on numerous internationally broadcast radio shows from Oprah & Friends to Fox News Radio to talk about conflict resolution, peacemaking, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Playboy Radio host Tiffany Granath calls Paul an “awesome” relational coach and recommends his books on love, dating, and sexuality.

Academically outstanding Davis was trained in transformative mediation & conflict resolution (Hofstra Law School); strategic negotiations (Harvard Business School & U. of Washington); advanced interrogation (Reid & Associates founders of the polygraph); and NLP & Life Coaching (NLP & Coaching Institute of California).

Paul humorously and elegantly transforms individuals and organizations.

Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations.

Paul worked at Ground Zero in NYC during 9/11; helped rebuild a home at the tsunami epicenter; comforted victims of genocide in Rwanda; spoke to leaders in East Timor during the war; inspired students & monks in Myanmar; promoted peace & reconciliation in Pakistan; and has been so deep into the bush of rural Africa where villagers had never before seen a white man.

Paul empowers people to love passionately and live fearlessly.

http://www.PaulFDavis.com

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

Xulon Press & Townhall Press – Beware & Do Your Homework with Publicity & Press Releases

Writing a book is one thing, getting it published and enduring the many money-making schemes of publishers is another. I found publishing to be a very expensive and daunting task.

Xulon Press is a Christian publisher that published 4 books of my books. I had some major discrepancies in regard to promises unfulfilled in regard to their press releases. I published four books with Xulon Press within a year and encountered some problems.

Upon making some inquiries, I learned that Xulon Press uses PRWeb to do its press releases. PR Web offers four press release packages:

– Standard – $80

– Social Media – $120

– SEO – $200

– Media Visibility (includes all of the above) – $360

Xulon Press only did a press release for one of my three books they completed, while engaged in publishing my fourth. Upon thoroughly researching why Xulon’s press releases and publicity I paid for weren’t producing any press for me, I made a shocking discovery.

It seems two of my three books done with Xulon never received a press release done for them at all. Upon doing my homework, I learned that the one press release Xulon did for my book on Adultery 101 was under the “standard” package.

My fourth upcoming book with Xulon, Poems that Propel the Planet, I asked them not to do the press release as I feel Xulon publicity and press releases are weak and leave much to be desired. Any PR obtained by their authors as they advertise “Christian Book News Alert” does not necessarily mean it came as a result of Xulon’s efforts. Popular, famous, and noteworthy authors who diligently market their books can generate press without Xulon’s help.

The purpose for this article is to warn authors of what they are buying, or thinking they are buying when they pay for press and publicity at Xulon Press or any other publisher for that matter. Do your homework and ask several questions before assuming what you are getting. Many selling publicity packages and press releases are essentially merely selling an illusion.

Upon asking the publisher’s representatives, I learned Xulon always uses the PRweb’s standard package, though they don’t tell their authors that on the front end. On the Xulon Press website for the “best-seller’s package” costing around $2,000 – authors are told that Xulon’s “media publicity” press release could get them on Oprah or Larry King.

This is very unlikely considering the press releases at the “standard package” are not released nationally, preventing national exposure to be seen by such high level talk show hosts and producers as Larry King and Oprah. I know because i’ve been on Oprah & Friends Radio three times, plus Fox News Radio, Playboy Radio and several other top media outlets.

When a publisher like Xulon promises the possibility of national media attention as a result of buying their publicity package, but fail to mention no national press release will be given; it’s a bit misleading and unethical.

Xulon Press however only saw fit to refund me $287 as they claim it takes time to write a press release and allege their press release will put authors in front of national media. It’s interesting I never got a single inquiry from the Xulon Press release.

The way I see it, my refund for the press releases needs to be in the amount of $1,440. Each full publicity press release costs $360 with PRWeb. (4 x 360 = 1,440)

Considering I chose Xulon primarily based on the publicity pacakage they offered, the opportunity cost lost of publishing with them is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars considering my expectation was getting on Oprah & Larry King where an author can sells millions of copies of books. Yet at $2,000 per book, I should at least be able to recooperate $8,000 for the four books published.

My argument against the “Christian Publisher” is very solid both morally and legally.

1. Xulon Press states their press releases provide media exposure to TV and radio. This however is not accessible with the “standard” $80 package you use at PRWeb. Such media publicity comes with the $360 package at PRWeb labeled “media publicity.”

2. PRWeb archives all press releases. Neither the Supernatural Fire book, nor the Are You Ready for True Love? press releases were archived. Hence the power of the ongoing press release accessible by the worldwide web is non-existent.

3. The Supernatural Fire attachment Xulon Press initially sent me claiming a press release (which can’t be found at PRWeb) was poorly written. “Catch the only seasonal bug worth keeping” adorns the headline which has nothing to do with the book, neither is desirable to read.

4. Opportunity costs lost for me as an author by reason of press releases not sent (though promised) far exceed the cost of the releases themselves. My life consists of time which Xulon Press has greatly robbed me of personally and professionally.

5. Selling an illusion of being on Oprah or Larry King when you are merely doing “standard” press releases that cannot reach such people is unethical, immoral, and by no means Christlike for a Christian publisher.

Xulon Press advertises their “Press Release Service” saying:
“Let our professionals craft an effective press release for your book. It’s not easy to grab the attention of the media, but we’ll separate your book from its competitors with copy that sizzles. Our one-page press release gives the media all the information they need to contact you for news stories, columns, articles – even for TV and radio interviews. You never know, you might end up on Oprah or Larry King Live!”

Xulon Press says, “You never know…” Well, as an author of 4 books with Xulon Press, I do know! Don’t buy the lie.

Incidentally, I have only received a check for $64 for royalties – again indicative of their poor publicity. When I inquired about my royalties, I was told the checks would be sent out two months late this year. I suppose they don’t cncern themselves with authors living off of those royalty checks. I guess their press release doesn’t generate much PR, nor sales anyhow.

My last book done with Xulon was another nightmare as they nickled and dimed me trying to charge me $75 to change the back cover which I as the author never got to see before it went to print. How does that work when a paying author can’t even see his own back cover before it goes to print. Thankfully they waived the $75 fee for changing the back picture, but not before some unpleasant exchanges by email.

That being said it is awfully difficult to figure out what picture to use on the back cover when the publisher won’t even show or tell you the color combination their are going to use. If you later see your first 10 books in a box at your house and don’t like the back cover, Xulon charges its author’s $75 to correct it. If you want to change your picture on the back cover and text summarizing your book thereon the cost is $150.

Such practices don’t make for a great publisher, nor a pleasant experience for an author. Therefore before dealing with any publisher, be sure to ask crucial questions about the above mentioned.

Writing a book is one thing, publishing it can be a daunting task.

Though Xulon Press is not great, they certainly are good and a viable option if you’re willing to pay a bit more. The staff rarely spoke with or dealt with me over the phone, mostly through email only. If you can endure that during the creative process, than perhaps Xulon would work well for a first-time author.

My passion is writing and speaking internationally. Sometimes I consider a prospective author for serving his or her publicity needs, providing they pay well for my valuable time. Otherwise you’ll just have to kiss some frogs and figure things out the hard way over some years because I don’t give free advice, nor let people “pick my brain” without compensating me for my intellectual property.

I’m still hunting for more a special publisher myself for my 200 page Christian alternative to Oprah & Eckhart Tolle’s “New Earth”. I’ve used a total of four publishers thus far to publish the 14 books I’ve written. All have their pros and cons. Publishing is meaningless however without adequate publicity, that’s my passion without which a book will go undiscovered.

The business of publishing is a painful process and certainly not for the faint in heart.

Paul F. Davis is a highly sought after worldwide professional speaker, purpose coach, and change master transforming organizations and empowering individuals to live their dreams.

Paul is the author of several books including United States of Arrogance; Poems that Propel the Planet; Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat; Are You Ready for True Love; Stop Lusting & Start Living; Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; God vs. Religion; and many more!

Paul’s compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & endeavors to reconcile nations.

Contact Paul to speak at your event or for book consulting:

RevivingNations@yahoo.com

http://www.PaulFDavis.com