Everyone has a book in them waiting to get out.
For some, it’s just a dream. For most, it’s an itch they can’t scratch in the back of the head. For people like me, it was only a matter of time. I was crafting stories for as long as I can remember and its all I ever wanted to do.
I spent the better half of my life dreaming and absorbing everything book publishing.
In truth, I was just too afraid to get out there.
I made excuses to not send my work out. I was afraid it wasn’t good enough or that I wasn’t good enough. I didn’t have enough experience or I didn’t know enough about the field. Let this be a lesson to you – you are good enough and even if you aren’t – you have to jump in anyway to learn – and if you really want to write you will be great enough. Everyone succeeds if they keep trying – but it may not happen the first second or even third time.
Truth be told – blogs like this (and thousand others) exist because no one can know everything about the writing field. It is such a convoluted network that people just find their niche and stick with it.
I spent over a decade writing and rewriting my book Twylite Epiphany Experiment, and in between sessions of complete writing madness – I would research and expose myself to the field.
Essentially, there are endless people in the writing world that are looking to handle your book. Some of them are sincere, and some are charging $100 an hour to answer questions. Writing is a lucrative gig and it’s hard to tell who helps and who hinders the creative mind process.
To avoid hurt and annoyance here are 5 important tips to avoid being scammed – it can happen to you too. Most people don’t realize that about half (or more) people you interact with in the publishing/writing market are just looking to get money. (Unfortunate spoiler: most writers have to have other jobs to live because writing doesn’t pay as much as people want you to think).
…Just pay me 19.95 and I’ll tell you how… Just kidding, don’t do that for anyone – read some tips below to make sure you don’t get scammed.
1.) Just because they’re a publishing business doesn’t mean they are legit. Unfortunately, there are a lot of unscrupulous publishers out there. For example; my recent experience with a fraudulent company called Timeless Words Publishing. They scammed me and countless others. I didn’t see it coming – although I should have, and now I’m going through the terrible process of suing them (luckily my lawyer is happy).
There are countless scandalous companies – yes, legal companies – that operate strictly on scamming people. A lot are just two-bit charlatans like my former publisher – others have ‘hidden’ fees which are mis-advertised. Some just ask for money to get information and it is often hard to get through the bad to the good. Truth is, there are good people out there but you are going to experience the bad. They will hire sales people to chase you.
General rule of thumb to avoid this: DO NOT give anyone money until you are 123% certain of the result and get it in writing. Keep in mind, a good publisher should not be charging you for every little service
2.) Writers are a huge target for scams:
Your information is super valuable to predatory publishers and marketers.
Emerging writers often don’t understand the nuances of the market and learn the hard way. Too many publishing companies take advantage of the fact that a lot of writers don’t know what they’re getting into. Research until your fingers fall off and then learn more. It can happen to anyone; with a simple search you could be signed up for a lifetime of emails.
I was accidentally signed up for a vanity publisher’s marketing list and one woman called me asking if I was interested in sending her my manuscript so they could “Make sure it was worthy” of publishing. At the time, I thought I had a publisher and told her so. Her response actually astounded me. “Yeah, sure you do.” She says and I could actually hear her eyes rolling, “That never works out. Call us back after that goes bad.”
It would be easy to fall for that; author’s are afraid and unsure about the future. This fear tactic works and it’s a shame. Keep your money, don’t let someone con you out of it. Act like you have only a penny to your name and you’ll probably get farther.
Finally, the hugest scam of all – marketing. There is an overwhelming amount of businesses making thousands of vlogs, videos and more trying to get authors to pay because they offer “best seller status”. Best seller status is not what everyone thinks it is.
Authors can be a unique bunch who are afraid to network and people take advantage of that. I can’t scroll through facebook, or instagram without the targeted ads trying to show me how great it will be to hire them and “go from 0 to hero” overnight. This millionaire status is either a fluke because the book was good or it was caused by hard work – there is no in between. Those marketers will just take your money
3.) Vanity publishers are only worth it if you have no other options – vanity is not indie.
A vanity publisher is only like an indie or self publishing outfit in that you will pay for publication. However, a vanity publisher will charge thousands more. They often don’t provide the services they claim, and generally cost triple the cost of self-publishing – with none of the added benefits. There will be fees for everything from “reading fees” to “admin fees”.
The rule is: never use a publisher – or agent -that charges ‘reading fees’.
In self publishing or traditional publishing it is always a good idea to hire an editor. My previous post: Editing and editors explains that as well. That is an important expense for every writer and it should be done prior to submission. It is different than “Review fee” or “check if your book is good enough fee”.
Self-publishing gives you freedom but it also gives you all the responsibility. You own all rights, keep all royalties and have to work your marketing skills to get your book noticed. Vanity publishers are the same except they try to take some of the royalties, and you pay WAY more money.
Most Vanity publishers are pretty much a scam at this point. However, certain businesses stick out more as leaders in scamming. There is a list of ones you should absolutely avoid: Author’s solutions AuthorHouse, AuthorHouse UK, AuthorHive, iUniverse, Palibrio, Partridge Publishing, Trafford Publishing and Xlibris are vanity sites you should ALWAYS stay away from
4.) Authentic Publishers generally DO NOT: respond quickly, have a customer service team, chase you, buy google ads, charge for information, or have salesmen.
Important to remember: submitting work and not wanting to get rejected is like being a boxer who doesn’t want to get punched. Rejection IS important – however, that doesn’t mean it won’t hurt. You may get rejected because you caught an editor on a bad day. You may get rejected because your work needs work. Writing is a craft, which means you work at it daily.
The best quote that also rings true is: “Life is pain princess, anyone who tells you different is trying to sell you something” Westly (Cary Elwes) – Princess Bride 1987.
No good author “made it” overnight. Everyone will tell you how they worked and slaved – even obsessed over writing – to discover their writing sucked. Then they tried again. Most emerging authors I have dealt with believe their work is the greatest and have the illusion they will strike it rich as soon as they get that one publisher. I feel for authors – I have been there – and these publishing companies know this too because they prey on them.
No work is perfect.
No single book will make an author rich and no good author became rich overnight. Publishers who tell you differently are trying to sell you something.
Keep in mind also, if they have time to chase you – they aren’t taking care of the customer (author).
5.) Contracts make a world of difference!
So, you decided you are going to pay someone. Maybe you are overwhelmed by rejection or mixed signals. Maybe you just want more control. Whatever the case – get it in writing. We are writers, it should be laid out in writing – especially because that is our element. Contracts can save you later if something comes up.
In my case, the failed publisher wrote a contract and that is how my lawyer will get the judgement against him. They were not good scammers, but it is still effort I did not want to make.
Often it is not that easy. Most people sign contracts that diminish their ability to make money. Long complicated contracts read like the terms and policies of apple – people don’t read it – but it is important to read it with your book.
In the end there are still good people out there. A few people who offer the greatest advice are: Jane Friedman – https://www.janefriedman.com/ she has been invaluable to me and thousands of others. Writer’s beware has infinite information about scams and how to protect yourself. I recommend them highly https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/about/
There is a lot of information out there and here are some links to help learn more:
8 Signs Your Publisher is a Scam
Just remember, as long as you don’t give up – you will get published and if you keep going – you can “make it”. It isn’t the publisher that makes you – it is you and your craft.
As always we are here to help with whatever you need. Don’t be afraid to contact us at admin@daeedreamz.com or Doreen.Lucky@daeedreamz.com
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