Many writers dream of becoming published. It can be the motivation that drives us to plot and edit late into the night. And despite traditional publication getting harder to achieve, the rapidly expanding world of self-publishing offers many new pathways to low (or no) cost publication.
Even so, barriers to self-publishing exist: hiring an affordable editer, understanding formatting requirements, deciphering various sales platforms and distribution channels, buying ISBN’s, and so many more.
Aghhhhhh.
With so much hope on the line, many writers look to hiring professional services to remove those barriers. And, while there are reputable freelancers and companies, too often writers fall victim to scammers, losing thousands of dollars along the way.
Keep yourself safe from scammers by educating yourself about the risks and where to get reliable recommendations with the following tips:
No unsolicited contact goes unpunished!
Too often, I see posts on social media platforms from writers excited by an unsolicited email or phone call from an agent or publisher. Invariably, the writer’s talent is praised and representation is offered. Sometimes, these posts include a copy of the proposed contract. Usually, warnings from other writers fill the comments, with stories of personal heartbreak and finanacial losses suffered with these scammers.
How to protect yourself from scammers
Unsolicited offers
No matter how tempting the offer is, beware of unsolicited contacts and offers. Sure, there’s been a recent trend of writers contacted by reputable agents and large publishing houses with offers out of the blue. But those have almost exclusively been directed toward well-selling authors with widely popular social media accounts (think BookTok celebrity status). In other words, they’ve already hit it big…and are getting the attention of the industry. For the rest of us, this is not the case. Agents and acquisition editors are NOT going to email or call you, with a few exceptions:
You queried the agent/publisher:
If you sent a query you may be contacted, but probably via the query submission platform or an email (if the query was in email form). If they are interested in further discussion, they will tell you how to contact them.
You met the agent at a conference:
If you get the attention of an agent at a conference, they will likely give you their contact information, such as an email, with explicit directions on how to avoid getting lost in their overflowing inbox. Generally, the follow-up falls back to you.
Avoiding the temptation
I understand how tempting these offers are. Recently, scammers not only got ahold of my email at The Grim Reader, but also my home phone number. They left multiple “we’ve been trying to contact you” messages, with promises of “how good your book will fit with our company.” I even got a “we’re worried we have the wrong number…” follow-up plea.
And for a few seconds… I hoped it was true, then reality hit and I blocked the calls and emails. Funny enough, the scammers referred generically to “your genre” instead of highlighting The Grim Reader as a craft book for writers. At least that might have made me pause a little longer.
If they only knew the market for helping create well-written drug scenes and the deal they missed! Oh, well…
Socia media platform scammers
We’ve all been pushed into social media, whether via an author website or through Instagram/tweet/thread/bluesky-ing, to build an audience and our community. Some agents and publishers have unfortunately put emphasis on a writer’s social media power as part of the acquisition decision. But even if you’re planning to self-publish, social media platforms have become one avenue to advertise and increase potential sales. (For insight on what writers really need to focus on, check out this article by Jane Friedman.)
But with social media presence comes exposure to a wide variety of a scammers.
Specialty writing communities online
Specialty writing social media groups bring together an eclectic group of writerly folks to share wisdom and offer support and knowledge. But don’t confuse these groups with safe havens from scammers. The groups are often too large to vette every member. Even ‘closed groups,’ that require a request to join, aren’t immune to scammers.
Here are some safety tips:
Requests for help
Be careful when asking for editing or publishing help within these groups (or anywhere on the web, really!). It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask, but be extremely cautious toward responders. As in any industry, follow-up research is key.
Private direct message requests (DMs):
Typically, these requests generate a flood of “I can help you! DM me!” responses. THIS is a major red flag. Private message discussions are hidden from group members who might otherwise warn you away. ANY offer for services should always occur within the group posts, in the full view of all the members.
Research ANY responder :
Anyone offering help should be reseached thoroughly. Red flags include:
Recently created profiles
Few, if any, interactions or posts. (Or only re-posts of other people’s content)
Posts consisting solely of a profile picture (or repeated profile picture posts)
Verify past project history:
Ask through the social media group if anyone has used that person’s services.
Request proof of past client satisfaction
Ask to see samples of their work
Request for beta readers:
Beta readers can really help a writer find rough spots in a manuscript. A good beta reader will let you know what they liked, what they didn’t like, where the characters fall flat, where the plot fizzles out, and so much more. But good beta readers are hard to find. If you’ve spent time developing a writing support network (see here), then you may already have readers willing to help you out. But many writer’s have to look elsewhere. As a result, a huge market of beta readers for hire has developed. And where there’s money, there are –unfortunately–scammers. The tamest versions are fake readers that take your money and never send a critique. On the other end of the spectrum are those that publish your manuscript themselves or lock you out of your own KDP account.
Contact by a ‘famous’ author:
Have you received private messages or emails from a famous author admiring your work and wanting to help you get connected? Has “Stephen King” followed your Instagram account, then sent you a private message? Or maybe it was a message from an author “wanting to connect” and asking “would you like to get contacted by my agent?”
Beware! These are popular scams. A little online research would reveal concerns: from no web presence to shady connections. This review by Writers Beware shows actual messages received by writers and how they are lured into the scam.
What’s a Writer to Do?
Never fear! There are many places to get honest help. The following resources are great places to begin:
This blog highlights literary scams and pitfalls, along with important industry news. This is a go-to place (but not the only one) before signing any contract! This blog is sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.
Listen to Way-Word Writers interview with Victoria Strauss of Writers Beware
Resource with Links
This link will take you to my information pamphlet, with links to a wide variety of resources, from editors to legal assistance for contract reading.
Writers Digest:
Authorsguild.org: Publishers to Avoid
Writings in the Storm Blog: Write your manuscript like an endurance athlete trains. One of the best way to avoid scams is to develop relationships in the writing community. This article gives practical tips for writers to grow their community.
Speaking of community, this post today is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group discussion on unethical practices in the writing industry. Check out these other bloggers (below) for more examples of what to avoid (and grow your community at the same time!)
Have you been scammed?
Leave a comment and help others in our community protect themselves.
Today’s host for the blog share on unethical practices in the writing industry include: Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim! Plus check out all these other writerly folks:
The post Writers, Beware of Scammers: How to Protect Yourself! first appeared on Miffie Seideman.