Scams and Gullible Writers by Debra H. Goldstein
Scams and Gullible Writers by Debra H. Goldstein
How many times a week do
you answer a phone call or read a news story or friend’s post and immediately
know someone has been scammed? How many times do you ask yourself how can
anyone be so stupid to fall for the “your computer is reporting a problem,”
“You’ve been left a million dollars, but it will take you $5000 in handling
fees to receive it,” or “I’ve been stranded in Timbuctoo, would you please send
me $1000 to get home?” Most of these seem blatant – things we would never
believe, but this weekend I realized the vulnerability associated with being
scammed.
you answer a phone call or read a news story or friend’s post and immediately
know someone has been scammed? How many times do you ask yourself how can
anyone be so stupid to fall for the “your computer is reporting a problem,”
“You’ve been left a million dollars, but it will take you $5000 in handling
fees to receive it,” or “I’ve been stranded in Timbuctoo, would you please send
me $1000 to get home?” Most of these seem blatant – things we would never
believe, but this weekend I realized the vulnerability associated with being
scammed.
I had the privilege of
moderating a “Being Published” workshop panel hosted by the Atlanta Sisters in
Crime chapter. Our panel, composed of writers published by small and Big 5
traditionally published authors, was quite lively. Besides the technical
aspects of writing the best book possible, revising it until it really is the
best book possible, pitching and querying, agents, contracts, obligations to a
publisher and marketing, we stressed avoiding scams and noted traditional
publishers handle things without a financial investment by the author. After
the panel, an audience member approached me and related how she wrote a book which
was rejected by every agent and publisher she submitted it to except one house
that loved it just as it was.
moderating a “Being Published” workshop panel hosted by the Atlanta Sisters in
Crime chapter. Our panel, composed of writers published by small and Big 5
traditionally published authors, was quite lively. Besides the technical
aspects of writing the best book possible, revising it until it really is the
best book possible, pitching and querying, agents, contracts, obligations to a
publisher and marketing, we stressed avoiding scams and noted traditional
publishers handle things without a financial investment by the author. After
the panel, an audience member approached me and related how she wrote a book which
was rejected by every agent and publisher she submitted it to except one house
that loved it just as it was.
According to this author,
the publisher promised, for a flat fee, to copyread it, give it a cover and
ISBN, give her a certain number of hardcover and paperback copies, place it
online as an e-book, and make it available for purchase from Amazon and other
online distribution sources as well as their own catalog. She went with this
publisher, but other than the copies purchased by friends and family, the book
isn’t setting the world on fire, so she decided to bring more attention to her
book by writing some short stories. She entered a few contests without success,
but then found some other sources for short stories. Most asked for a hefty
fee, but she was fine with that until she paid two fees but never received the
promised links to upload her stories. That’s when she realized she might not be
dealing with a legit publication.
the publisher promised, for a flat fee, to copyread it, give it a cover and
ISBN, give her a certain number of hardcover and paperback copies, place it
online as an e-book, and make it available for purchase from Amazon and other
online distribution sources as well as their own catalog. She went with this
publisher, but other than the copies purchased by friends and family, the book
isn’t setting the world on fire, so she decided to bring more attention to her
book by writing some short stories. She entered a few contests without success,
but then found some other sources for short stories. Most asked for a hefty
fee, but she was fine with that until she paid two fees but never received the
promised links to upload her stories. That’s when she realized she might not be
dealing with a legit publication.
My comment – “Don’t do
those anymore! You’ve been scammed.”
those anymore! You’ve been scammed.”
I went on to explain that
there may be a legitimate contest fee that is more like an administrative fee,
but for regular publications – literary or mystery, there are many places to
submit without paying a fee. Most reputable magazines and journals don’t charge.
They also specify whether they don’t pay for stories published, pay in copies,
or pay only x per word. These legit outlets can be found by networking with
your friends to see where they are being published, joining groups that
specialize in short stories in the genre you are writing, repeatedly checking
free blogs that announce publication calls (My Little Corner – http://sandraseamans.blogspot.com/
comes to mind), or subscribing to a reliable service like Duotrope.
there may be a legitimate contest fee that is more like an administrative fee,
but for regular publications – literary or mystery, there are many places to
submit without paying a fee. Most reputable magazines and journals don’t charge.
They also specify whether they don’t pay for stories published, pay in copies,
or pay only x per word. These legit outlets can be found by networking with
your friends to see where they are being published, joining groups that
specialize in short stories in the genre you are writing, repeatedly checking
free blogs that announce publication calls (My Little Corner – http://sandraseamans.blogspot.com/
comes to mind), or subscribing to a reliable service like Duotrope.
A few minutes later,
another audience member shared his story with me. I was stunned. Both people
were educated and intelligent, so how did they fall for very similar scams?
Desperation. It is very easy when everyone says “No,” to take the easy way out.
Writers want to see their work in print. To feel they have accomplished
something. Consequently, many cave in a moment of weakness. In the end, being
scammed can hurt in so many ways – financially, a record of poor sales, never
being able to claim a first book again, or having a book or story published
before it is ready giving you a cloud on your name. We all want success, but
getting there means not being gullible. As writers, we are obligated to write
the best book or story we can, but we also are obligated to wear a business hat
to protect ourselves and our work products.
another audience member shared his story with me. I was stunned. Both people
were educated and intelligent, so how did they fall for very similar scams?
Desperation. It is very easy when everyone says “No,” to take the easy way out.
Writers want to see their work in print. To feel they have accomplished
something. Consequently, many cave in a moment of weakness. In the end, being
scammed can hurt in so many ways – financially, a record of poor sales, never
being able to claim a first book again, or having a book or story published
before it is ready giving you a cloud on your name. We all want success, but
getting there means not being gullible. As writers, we are obligated to write
the best book or story we can, but we also are obligated to wear a business hat
to protect ourselves and our work products.
Debra, this is such a good, needed post! I, too, hear from folks who've been scammed, and I've been able to warn off more than a few friends from the same. A resource I always recommend each writer learn to use is Writer Beware at http://accrispin.blogspot.com/. Sponsored by SFWA and MWA, for decades it's investigated shady agents/publishers and made a list of the worst. There are so many people out there who want to separate writers from their hard-earned money that we need to be on our guard and take reasonable precautions.
Amen
When I started querying agents about 10 years ago one offered to take my work but she needed a FEE of $175. to defray office expenses. PS–she had no email , website or phone number at which she could be reached. FRAUDSTER!!!