writing scams

“Online/Virtual Book Fair?” Don’t Bother….

Published on October 1, 2021 book marketing, book signing advice, promoting your writing, promotional pitfalls, self-publishing, writing scams

I was spammed this week by an organization that hosts book fairs. Of course, it’s all online again this year. No in-person meetings. No people walking around viewing books laid out on tables. Nobody shaking hands with literary agents. You know. It’s really…nothing of value to authors AT ALL.

Beware of “Bait and Switch” Tactics From Your Writing Clients By Jennifer Brown Banks

Published on September 17, 2021 author scams, diversify your writing income, editing, ghostwriting, writing scams

I’ve been duped a time or two – in various ways and means. And, I’ve mastered a few valuable lessons along the way.

Email From “Major Movie Studio” Didn’t Fool THIS Author!

Published on August 26, 2021 author scams, book marketing, movie rights scams, Print on demand, promotional pitfalls, self-publishing, writing scams

How many authors can they trick into paying thousand of dollars for their completely garbage service?

NEVER, EVER Buy THESE Book Promotion Products/Services. PERIOD.

Published on August 12, 2021 amazon, author scams, book marketing, Book Reviews, book signing advice, bookstores, complaints, Complaints about specific publishers, Networking, Print on demand, promoting your writing, promotional pitfalls, self-publishing, social media, traditional publishing, writing career advice, writing scams

Don’t even WORK with a publisher who upsells authors on these kinds of (bleep)…

Large Overseas Book Order? Don’t Get Excited…

Published on July 1, 2021 author scams, writing career advice, writing scams

Sometimes excitement about an order can cloud common sense.

“Is my book being trolled on Amazon by someone I know?”

Published on June 24, 2021 amazon, author scams, book marketing, Book Reviews, Censorship, promoting your writing, promotional pitfalls, self-publishing, social media, traditional publishing, writing scams

If an author has any enemies (or suspected enemies), I recommend he or she remove those people from their social media friends’ lists, as well as their email lists long before marketing of a new book begins…

“Should I pay my publisher almost $3,000 to make my book returnable?”

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.

Why “Free” Publishing Services Can Quickly Go Belly Up, and How They Can Keep Screwing Authors Years Later

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.