Did you know about these publishing scams and tricks to win them?

A writer’s dream is to get published and see his/her name on the books. Today there are many avenues that help you publish your manuscripts and fulfil your dream of becoming an author. But with more options there comes chances of being also duped. It’s essential to keep yourself updated about different kinds of publishing scams and tricks to win them.

Vanity publishing scams

When you self publish your book on Amazon or other self-publishing platforms whether an ebook or paperback, you are famous in the eyes of many vanity publishers. They try reaching you to contribute to anthologies and other combined publications. But beware of what you are losing at the price of being published with others. You should definitely check with vanity publishers for these important points:

• Entry fee – why should you give an entry fee for your own work?
• No royalty- you deserve royalty for your work
• on badly edited websites – they do offer editing services but of poor quality. Their own website content is badly written and in between that your work will be lost.
• You will lose your credibility as a writer

Always discuss with your community friends

Whenever a publication offers to publish your book, always get opinions from your friends from the community. Different publications have various reasons to convince you but it is advised to check their social handles. Discuss their work and credibility in FB writing groups if you are a part of them and get to know their working style.

Check other books published by them

Checking other books published by this publication is a major step before you say yes to them. You can browse their books on Amazon or other reading portals. It is important that you check their work and comments from other authors. Their own website must be beautifully designed to convince you but the truth lies in how you research about them on the internet.

They don’t ask you to pay

Traditional publishing works as follows: 

• The publisher buys the rights to print and distributes your book. 
• They will polish, package, and publish your book with the aim to sell as many copies as possible. 
• They will pay you an advance on your future royalties and you should never pay them anything.

Similarly, literary agents don’t ask you to pay anything. They represent you and will only make money once they sell your book to a publisher. There are no reading fees, editing fees, or legal fees to be paid before the book is sold. 

In self-publishing, on the other hand, you do pay editors, designers, marketers, and printers. But they don’t publish your book. They provide specific services that help you do the publishing. 

Be bold to say no

As an author, you must be having a few questions for the publication house. After all, every author dreams of telling stories published by a reputed publishing house. Keep your doubts ready and boldly ask the person you are in contact with from their team. If at any stage, you feel things are not clear then never feel shy to say no.

Today’s market is open to both parties. No one side is high or low. Only you should be confident of your goals and what you expect from your publishing house.

If you have any experience of publishing scams then do share it with everyone how did you know about it?

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