Publishing predators stalk authors: How to spot them

If you want to publish a book, there’s a Publishing Predator around the next corner.

They call themselves publishers, but they’re anything but.

They’re better known as the “vanity press” and the fist sign that they’re about to fleece you is when they tell you that YOU have to pay THEM to publish your book.

But that’s just the beginning.

Once they know you’re interested, they’ll keep calling and emailing and pestering you relentlessly. Some authors just give in and say yes to stop the phone calls.

After you sign a contract, they keep trying to upsell you to more expensive things like marketing and publicity—services that a legitimate publishing house should be providing.

They’re wolves in sheep’s clothing. And book experts Judith Briles, Amy Collins, Georgia McCabe, Penny Sansevieri and I usually get phone calls from authors after they’ve already signed contracts and have been taken for thousands of dollars with little to show for it except piles of books that fall apart. 

Judith Briles has written extensively about these publishing rip-offs at her blog, and many authors have added to her complaints in Judith’s Author U group on LinkedIn.  

Learn About the Publishing Predators Oct. 10

I’m hosting a free webinar with the four other women I mentioned above at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Oct. 10. Register for Authors Beware: What You Must Know to Avoid Being Fleeced by the Publishing Predators.  

We’ll tell you how to spot the companies that have a far greater interest in your checkbook and credit card than in developing you as an author and helping you create a book you can be proud of, market and sell.

You will learn:

• The key phrases and marketing gimmicks that should set off your B.S. Detector
• Key questions you should ask any book consultant.
• Why you must avoid any publicist who promises you coverage in top-tier media.
• What you can expect to pay for reasonably priced publishing services…and when to know if you’re about to be fleeced. 
• What to do if you’ve been swindled…lots of unsuspecting authors come to us after it’s too late

Don’t miss this deep dive 60-minute webinar with us.

You Can Win a Free Cruise

We’ll also let you know about the cruise we’re hosting for authors Jan. 18-23 to the Caribbean. It’s a working vacation where you can learn all about book publishing during more than 12 presentations and workshops. One lucky author will get to cruise free.

Note: Come to the webinar with your questions! We’ll answer them all at the end of the program. If you’re listening in by phone only, you need to email questions to Judith@Briles.com or JStewart@PublicityHound.com during the live webinar.

Hope to see you on the call!