writing scams

When a Vanity Publisher…Pretends To Be Traditional

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

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?

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…

Is This Guy About to Scam Me?!

Is This Guy About to Scam Me?!

A guy wants me to write an article daily. He’ll take full rights and he sells articles to other sites. And, he says he’ll pay me in a week. I requested a retainer but he declined. He hasn’t asked to see any of my work …

A Writer’s Revenge: A Dish Best Served Cold By David Wilkening

As an underpaid adjunct English-Journalism professor, I always looked desperately for concrete examples to enlighten my students why good grammar was not just a theory in principle but actually paid off. Little did I know then that I would need to heed my own advice. Not only did my own suggestions help me avoid cheats but I also got some revenge (a mild dish served sort of like a cold turkey sandwich)…