“Can a magazine force freelancers to attend regular, on-site meetings?”
Is this editor violating federal law?
writing scams
“Should I pay for a $300 book review that ‘guarantees sales?'” NO!!!
A company found my book for sale online and contacted me, offering $300 to review my book, “guaranteed sales,” and submission of my book to contests across the country…
What?! New Authors Are Being Solicited by “Free” Publishers? How to Avoid This Common Scam…
“I received two phone calls from a publisher offering to republish my book. A quick Internet search revealed the firm’s reputation is not too good (to put it mildly!)…”
Bottom Feeders Scouring Author Obituaries?! A New Low in the Industry!!!
A stranger demanded to know “who was profiting” from the sale of a deceased author’s book!
Letters and Comments for 10/26/17
Comments about Publisher Ponzi Schemes and yet another complaint about Balboa Press!
“Did you sell my phone number to a scammer?!” No, but your phone company probably did!
Scammers can EASILY find authors’ names and phone numbers on the Internet! Hang up on them!!
When a Vanity Publisher…Pretends To Be Traditional
I have been offered a contract by a regular publisher but, because I am not a known author, they want me to commit to purchasing copies up front for a total of $4200. I realize that they want to get all of their costs back up front but that seems kind of high to me. What do you think?
Work for Hire…or Indentured Servitude? By Angela Hoy
Picture this. You see an ad from a large publishing house. They’re seeking an author for a new book and the ad looks like it was written just for you! You have a good feelin’ about this one! You respond to the ad and are thrilled to hear from the project’s editor just a few days later. However, before they can discuss the project further, they want you to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Well, you think, okay…
A Newspaper Stole My Last Idea and Assigned It to Someone Else! What Can I Do?
Recently I submitted a 1,400-word interview to a local newspaper after confirming that the editor would like to see it. I did not hear back from them for six weeks, and sent a polite e-mail last week asking if he still wanted to use the story. I received no reply. Today, a story ran about the same person, written by someone else…
Busted! I Caught a Writer Trying to Sell a Stolen Article!! By Angela Hoy
Not often does a scammer try to bamboozle me but it does happen on occasion. Luckily, after so many years, I can usually easily spot the scum.