14h • General discussion
Avoiding publishing scams
New writers are targets. Eager, hopeful, and unsure who to trust is exactly the profile a bad actor looks for. This checklist from the Critters Workshop site is worth keeping handy:
1 - Yog's Law: Money flows to the author. Legitimate publishers pay you, not the other way around.
2 - Verify track records: Check an outfit's authors, sales rankings, and reputation.
3 - Price shop: Identical services can vary wildly in cost.
4 - If there's a lot of money on the line, try to start small and have milestones.
5 - Get it in writing.
6 - Beware "hybrid" publishers: If the author pays, the publisher has less reason to sell the book.
7 - Remember there are scammers out there, hoping to part fools from their money.
Why #2 and #6 deserve the most attention
The whole article is worthwhile (and a quick read), but of the seven, #2 and #6 come up most in the writing forums and Facebook groups I visit. They're the easiest to skip when you're excited and have an email or direct message from what you think is a legitimate publisher. A friendly phone call, a warm email, and a promise of "we'll take care of everything" feel like enough. They aren't.
Before you pay anyone for editing, cover design, marketing, or publishing, get a concrete, signed, written agreement. It should spell out:
- What each side will deliver
- When it will be delivered
- What you'll pay, and when
- How either side can end the deal, and what happens to refunds
All of that should come only after you've done a good job digging around and asking whether that particular publisher is a valid one.
The article's author adds a useful test: watch how the other party reacts when you ask for specifics. A reputable provider will gladly put it on paper. If they dodge, get vague, or push you to "just trust us," treat that as a red flag. Clear terms protect them too, so honest businesses have no reason to resist.
Full article: Critters Workshop publishing tips
Discussion: Have you ever been asked to pay for a writing service? What made you hesitate, or what would you ask for in writing next time?
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Avoiding publishing scams
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