Protecting Yourself from Publishing Scams: What Authors Should Know by Ann Aubitz

Authors put an incredible amount of time, energy, and heart into writing their books. Unfortunately, scammers know this. They also know how much authors want their books to succeed—and they are increasingly using those hopes to make money.

Recently, I received a call from a former Kirk House Publishers author. She published with our company years before we owned it, but we have had several interactions with her over the past six years. I sent her this blog and asked her if it was okay to post it, she said, "Ann,

please share this. Because other authors like me need to be aware of this scam."

She contacted me because she wanted to republish her book as a second edition. Someone had expressed legitimate interest in having her participate in a book signing at a bookstore, so updating and republishing the book made sense.

I sent her the necessary paperwork and was waiting to prepare her invoice.

A couple of weeks later, I received a message from her that had me concerned.

She told me she had been scammed by another publishing company.

She was also worried that what this company had done might interfere with the work we were preparing to do because they had obtained new ISBNs for her book.

They Promised Her the Moon and the Stars

The company had made some impressive promises, including opportunities to promote her book and even participate in a book fair in Frankfurt, Germany.

She was excited enough about the opportunity that she booked a hotel.

This wasn't a situation where someone simply took her money and disappeared. The company actually did perform work on her book. That can make these situations much more difficult for authors to recognize.

The problem was that mistake after mistake began appearing in the work they were doing.

Eventually, she decided to research the company more thoroughly.

What she found was disturbing.

There were complaints, warnings, and horror stories from other authors describing their experiences with the same company and cautioning others to stay away.

Unfortunately, her story isn't unique.

Authors Are Being Targeted

There seems to be a plethora of individuals and companies targeting authors today.

They may claim to represent:

• Publishing companies

• Marketing companies

• Book clubs

• Literary agents

• Film or television producers

• Book fairs and festivals

• Review services

• Publicity companies

• International publishing opportunities

• Bookstores or book buyers

  
  

Some promise bestseller status. Others promise movie deals, international exposure, guaranteed bookstore placement, thousands of book sales, or access to important industry professionals.

The pitch is usually designed around one thing: an author's dream of seeing their book succeed. That is why authors need to be careful.

Red Flags Authors Should Watch For

1. They contact you out of the blue. Be cautious when someone unexpectedly contacts you with an amazing opportunity for a book that may have been published months or even years ago. Ask how they found you and why they are interested in your particular book.

2. The opportunity sounds too good to be true. Guaranteed sales, guaranteed bestseller status, major movie deals, celebrity endorsements, or promises that your book has been "selected" for an exclusive opportunity should immediately lead to more questions.

3. They pressure you to act quickly. Scammers don't want you to have time to research them. Statements such as "We need payment today" or "This opportunity expires tomorrow" should be a warning.

4. They want a large payment before providing specific details. Ask exactly what you are purchasing. Get the services, costs, deadlines, and deliverables in writing.

5. They won't give you time to research them. A legitimate company should not be afraid of you checking its history, reviews, address, staff, and business information.

6. You can't determine where the company is actually located. Look for a physical business address. Search the address. Does the company really operate there? Is there a legitimate business behind the website and phone number?

7. Their website looks impressive, but you can't verify their claims. A professional-looking website is easy to create. Don't assume an attractive website means you are dealing with an established publishing company.

8. They promise specific sales results. No ethical publisher or marketer can guarantee that your book will become a bestseller or sell a certain number of copies.

9. They want control of your manuscript, ISBNs, publishing accounts, or other book assets without clearly explaining why. Before giving anyone your files or account information, understand exactly what they will be doing and who will own or control the finished product.

10. You haven't checked what other authors are saying. Before paying, search the company's name along with words such as "reviews," "complaints," "scam," and "author experiences." Don't rely only on testimonials displayed on the company's own website.

Do Your Research Before You Pay

One of the saddest parts of this particular situation is that my former client did eventually research the company—but only after she had paid them and turned over her manuscript.

Had she searched the company beforehand, the warnings from other authors might have prevented the entire situation.

That is one of the most important lessons we can share:

Research first. Pay second.

And if someone offers you an extraordinary publishing or marketing opportunity, talk to people you trust before signing anything.

A legitimate opportunity will still be legitimate after you take a day or two to investigate it.

Know Who You Are Working With

Before agreeing to work with any publisher, marketer, or book promotion company, take the time to find out exactly who they are. Look beyond a professional website and impressive promises. Research how long they have been in business, read reviews from other authors, verify their contact information, and make sure you understand exactly what services they are providing.

Publishing a book is exciting, but there are no magic formulas. No legitimate publisher or marketer can promise that every book will become a bestseller, attract a movie producer, receive national media attention, or sell thousands of copies.

There are, however, legitimate publishing professionals who can help authors produce quality books, understand the publishing process, and find realistic ways to promote their work.

Protect Yourself and Your Book

Your manuscript may have taken months or years to write. Treat it like the valuable asset it is.

Before signing a contract, sending your manuscript, paying an invoice, or giving someone control over your ISBN or publishing accounts, stop and investigate the company.

Ask questions. Look them up. Read reviews from multiple sources. Verify their physical location. Ask exactly what you are receiving for your money. Read the contract.

And never allow someone to rush you into spending money because they are dangling your publishing dreams in front of you.

There are many wonderful people in the publishing industry who genuinely want to help authors succeed. Unfortunately, there are also people who see an author's dream as an opportunity to make a quick buck.

Be excited about opportunities—but be careful, informed, and willing to ask questions before you say yes.

Kirk House Publishers and FuzionPress are established brick-and-mortar publishing companies located in Burnsville, Minnesota.