Published on June 24, 2021
complaints, Complaints about specific publishers, lulu, Print on demand, self-publishing, writing career advice

A small snippet of what’s to follow:
“Do yourself a solid and don’t use Lulu publishing.”
“I’ve spent in the thousands and can’t get ANY help!”
“I would never buy from Lulu.com again.”
“Customer Service is a nightmare.”
“Do not use Lulu publishing.”
“Worst experience ever.”
Published on June 21, 2021
author scams, complaints, Complaints about specific publishers, pod complaints, Print on demand, self-publishing

After you get past the shock and anger of your book sales instantly vanishing into thin air, what can you do to get that book back on the market ASAP?
Published on June 18, 2021
author scams, pod complaints, Print on demand, promotional pitfalls, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing scams

Being told you have to buy insurance to close a book distribution deal? Sounds fishy because it is.
Published on June 18, 2021
author scams, complaints, Complaints about specific publishers, pod complaints, Print on demand, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing scams

Offering something for nothing is a really dumb business model. While working with a “free” company may seem tempting to some authors, these firms typically go belly-up pretty quickly. And, some end up ripping their former authors off for years after the firm’s demise…while holding those authors’ books hostage.
Published on June 3, 2021
amazon, author scams, book marketing, Print on demand, self-publishing, traditional publishing

I haven’t been paid a dime, but there are used copies of my book on Amazon. Well no, those aren’t really used copies.
Published on April 14, 2021
copyrights, legal, Print on demand, self-publishing

A friend wants to include photos of baseball cards in his book. Is this legal?
Published on March 7, 2021
author, author scams, book marketing, pod complaints, Print on demand, self-publishing, writing career advice, writing scams

Author Andy was so excited! His new book was finished and he’d just approved his print galley. It was time to start selling books! His publishing company put his book up for sale on their website and sent him the URL where he could send people who wanted to purchase his book.
Andy didn’t have his own website or blog, but he didn’t think that would be a problem. Unfortunately, it was, on several fronts. And, while Andy and the other authors below are fictitious, the scenarios are based on real complaints we’ve received from authors over the years. In every case, had the author had their own website or blog, he or she would have lost few, if any, sales.
Published on February 19, 2021
author, book marketing, book signing advice, bookstores, diversify your writing income, Networking, Print on demand, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing career advice

With lockdowns dashing plans for my book rollout, I had to come up with new marketing strategies. Creativity can overcome adversity in difficult times.
Published on February 13, 2021
Print on demand, self-publishing, traditional publishing

I was always a weird (um, naughty) kid. I never aligned myself with social norms. I recognized when something was ridiculous, even if “everyone else” was doing it. I would do things differently, despite the fact that…
Published on January 29, 2021
author, editing, Print on demand, self-publishing, writing career advice, writing tips

If I had a nickel for all of the authors who have told me they didn’t think readers would mind a few typos.