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 11, 2021
author scams, copyrights, legal, writing scams

We received the following FAKE copyright infringement accusation this week via email…
Published on June 7, 2021
writing career advice, writing scams

Here are some tricks publishers use to lure good writers to bad publications.
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…
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…
Published on April 7, 2021
author scams, promotional pitfalls, self-publishing, writing scams

Sadly, some authors will fall for this type of scam.
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…”
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 scams, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing scams

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