Tag Archive | WritersWeekly.com

When Market Listings Don’t Match Writer’s Guidelines And Other Tricks Of The Bottom-Feeder Publishing Trade…By Angela Hoy

Published on June 7, 2021 writing career advice, writing scams

Here are some tricks publishers use to lure good writers to bad publications.

“What are the benefits of going with a hybrid publisher?”

Published on May 13, 2021 author, author scams, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing career advice, writing scams

Ah, “hybrid.” Such a cool sounding word, right? But…

Is Your Client Feigning Ignorance? Don’t Be a Dummy!!

Published on May 5, 2021 Networking, writing career advice, writing scams

Something that really gets my goat is when people pretend to be stupid in order to take advantage of me in some way. After being in business for 23 years, I’ve seen my share of Faux Ignoramuses…

Are Authors REALLY This Desperate for Eyeballs?!

Published on April 7, 2021 author scams, promotional pitfalls, self-publishing, writing scams

Sadly, some authors will fall for this type of scam.

“A literary agency wants to represent my 12-year-old self-published book. Legit or not?”

Published on March 25, 2021 author scams, promoting your writing, writing scams

“Because I hear so many horror stories about companies like this agency scamming authors (and yes, they approached me first!), I’m…”

Promote Your OWN Website, Not Your Publisher’s

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.

A publisher wants $4,000 to market my book to OTHER publishers?!

Published on February 19, 2021 author scams, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing scams

They are simply luring in authors, and then upselling them on worthless services.

A VERY Expensive Anthology Scam Targeting Writers

Published on February 5, 2021 author, author scams, writing career advice, writing scams

Authors must pay more than $1,000 to be included. It costs even more if the author wants his or her name on the cover…

Can You REALLY Trust Your Secretary, Webmaster, or Publishing Consultant to “Sign” Your Publishing Agreement? – by Angela Hoy

Published on January 13, 2021 promotional pitfalls, self-publishing, writing scams

An author recently asked his webmaster to complete a publishing contract on his behalf (which was, of course, not legally binding). What the author learned later, however, was quite disturbing…

Do NOT Pay Someone to Showcase Your Book at a “Virtual Book Fair!”

Published on December 31, 2020 author scams, book marketing, book signing advice, bookstores, promotional pitfalls, self-publishing, writing scams

I received an unsolicited phone call from a senior marketing consultant at a company that displays books at book fairs. She said her company was only taking 10 books to a book fair in Europe and they chose mine…