Beware The Scammers
Many wantabe, new writers fall victim to scams.
You’ve finished the book, the short story, the collection of poetry or whatever and you naturally want the world to know you’ve arrived. But be warned the world of publishing is not an easy industry to break into – it can be done but it takes time, patience and perseverance. Beware the scammers
There are unscrupulous agents and publishers out there just ready to take your money be warned and don’t be scammed. Below I’ve listed four of the most common scams news authors come up against.
- Needs Some Editing. You’ve finished your book and sent it of to an agent. Sometime later you receive a reply back it tells you the work is good but not quite up to publication standard and recommends that you send it to a particular individual or firm. Sometimes you’ll receive a follow up letter from the recommended editor. Sometimes a little editing can help but an agent should not make single recommendations. Avoid these agents
- Reading Fees. This is another popular scam. You post your book away and receive a reply by return requesting a sum of money as a ‘reading fee,’ a ‘retainer,’ ‘a contact fee,’ or whatever way they choose to word it but they want money up front. Legitimate agents do not charge fees, they make their money from allowances, and royalties they negotiate on your behalf with publishers. Avoid agents charging these fees.
- Vanity Publishing. I’ve seen many terms used by unscrupulous agents: co-invest, subsidy publishing, joint venture are three of the most popular – anything but vanity publishing. Be warned that becoming involved in any form of vanity publishing will not only cost you money but will harm your future reputation. Vanity publishers the world over suffer from the same weakness:- poor quality control, extravagant promises, inability to deliver on promises. Avoid these publishers
- You Have To Contribute. This scam operates around the world of poetry publications and writing contests. The contest is over and you are contacted by the organizers; they really liked your work though unfortunately it wasn’t quite good enough to earn a prize but they really would like to include it in an anthology they are producing, to cover costs and guarantee submission you have to make a contribution to the cost of the publication. You will of course receive a free copy – you and hundreds of others! This is really another take on Vanity Publication. There is no benefit to you as the author.
Be sensible if an offer seems to good to be true it generally is – Beware The Scammers.
