Q&A: “This vanity publisher says they’re going to DISTRIBUTE my book to 5,000 organizations!!” UM, NO, THEY’RE NOT!
Don’t fall for this very common (phony!) marketing blurbage!!!
author scams
Letters and Comments for 08/24/17
Letters and Comments from our readers
Arrrghhh!!! When a so-called “literary agent” is really a fee-based publisher…
When a “literary agent” offers to “publish” your book … run for the hills! Here’s why…
A Book “Marketing” Firm Charged me $1180. Guess How Many Copies They Sold? by Donald Abrams
Find out why online marketing firms aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
POD SECRETS REVEALED: “Free Publishing Guides” Are Used To Harvest Your Email Address, Phone Number, And More!
When I see the words “free publishing guide,” I think somebody is going to send me a free ebook that is an actual, factual, non-biased guide about the publishing industry, and/or the publishing process. I don’t think, “Wow, I’m just going to get a big, boring advertisement in exchange for all my contact information!”
COOKING THE BOOKS? How Your Publisher Can EASILY Rip You Off! By Anonymous
My book is being sold by an online bookstore, which also offers a publishing service. So, they are not only my online bookstore, but my publisher as well. There’s certainly more efficiency in having the online bookstore create the books it sells. However, there’s also the potential for fraud.
Just Published? Great! Now, Get Ready for an Onslaught of Scammers! By Angela Hoy
Scammers and spammers don’t need to pay for your contact info. They can very easily find you online, with just a few clicks, and often within just a minute or two.
Beware Of “Book Marketing” Telemarketers!
I just received a call from a company called (name removed) and they say they want to promote my book. What do you know about this company?
Authors Who Have Been Scammed by Publishers By Anonymous
The number of scammed victims is the best kept secret in self-publishing. In writing groups, large and small, fellow authors sit with dark secrets and, like the elderly woman down the street who hasn’t told anyone she sent all her savings to a fake online preacher, you won’t know who they are. Protecting their fear of being labeled gullible, and subjected to pitying glances, they help unscrupulous self-publishing companies to flourish…
Is This a Bookstore Scam? Maybe.
A bookstore emailed me to see if I wanted them to carry my POD book.
First, I had to send a copy to see if it was “appropriate.” Now they say it is, but they want me to send books to them. They do not want to order them from my publisher. Also, I have to sign a 50/50 contract, meaning I’ll lose money on each sale. I’ll even have to pay postage to ship the books. Wouldn’t I be stupid to do this?