How to safeguard your work: tips for recognizing and avoiding publishing industry scams

In the expansive realm of publishing, there exists a sobering reality: the presence of scams that can exploit the hopes and dreams of authors. Navigating these pitfalls requires vigilance and understanding of the red flags.

Types of scams

Vanity press: One of the most prevalent scams authors encounter is the "vanity press" that presents itself as a traditional publisher. These entities often promise authors wide distribution and literary success in exchange for hefty upfront fees but rarely deliver on their promises. Some vanity presses may sound generic (e.g., Austin MacAuley), while others may mimic legitimate traditional publishers in the style of their logo or their name (e.g., Penguin Book Writers). Both make it difficult for authors to know what they're dealing with right away.

Predatory literary agents/agencies: Another common deception targets authors through predatory literary agents or agencies. Reputable literary agents operate on a commission basis, earning a percentage of an author's earnings from book sales. They do not charge fees for reading manuscripts or offering representation. Authors should be cautious of agents who request payment upfront or make promises of guaranteed publication success without a solid track record of sales and client satisfaction.

Many of these scams are located overseas and may be impersonating real entities within the US. It may seem impossible to tell the difference between a legitimate traditional publisher and a vanity press, but thankfully, there are warning signs that authors can look for.

Red flags

1. They contact you first: If you take nothing else away from this blog post, take this: no legitimate publisher or agent is going to reach out to you about publishing your book. First, they don't have time to do so, especially for an unknown and unpublished author. Second, they have processes for manuscript submissions and generally do not deviate from those processes. Publishers or agents who are contacting you out of the blue are using a cold-calling marketing tactic to lure in new business.
   

2. They require upfront fees for publishing: Anyone asking you to pay to publish your book is either a vanity press, a hybrid publisher, or a self-publishing service company. The difference between them resides in your rights as the author and owner of your work (see 3). Legitimate hybrid publishers and self-publishing service companies will be upfront and clear about what services they will provide for authors and how much those services cost. A true self-publishing service company will not require the author to give over any part of their ownership of the book. Hybrid publishing can ride the line between vanity press and legitimate publishing path, and tipping the scale one way or the other really depends on the fine details. (That's another post!) In general, though, real hybrid publishers deliver on their promises and will have a track record to prove it. Genuine traditional publishers do not require authors to pay for basic publishing services such as editing, cover design, or distribution. Legitimate publishers invest in manuscripts they believe in, covering these costs themselves and earning revenue through book sales rather than charging authors.
   

3. They lack transparency: If you haven't been unconvinced by a publisher's marketing tactics or pricing, then the final red flag may come in the terms and conditions. Authors who make it this far in the process should scrutinize any contracts or agreements carefully. Look for clauses that overly restrict rights or impose unexpected fees. A legitimate publisher or agent will provide a clear, transparent contract that outlines royalties, rights, responsibilities, and any additional costs upfront.
   

Above all, authors should trust their instincts. If an opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. Thankfully, there are several resources within the industry to help authors do their due diligence when investigating publishers or agents.

Steps to safeguard your work

If you're contacted by a publisher (red flag 1) but think there might be something legitimate about them, investigate by taking the following steps:

1. Search for complaints or warnings: My go-to resource for this is Writer Beware. Their blog comprehensively lists ongoing scams and is updated regularly. It takes no time at all to go to their site and search for a publisher's name. At the bottom of this blog, I've included similar resources for searching for complaints and warnings against scam publishers or agents.
   

2. Review client reviews and testimonials: If you can't find the publisher or agent on a database list, search the publisher or agent's name and "reviews," "Is [publisher name] a scam?" or the publisher's name and BBB. If you're part of an author or writing online community or forum, ask fellow authors for their insight and recommendations. You might even search the group for the publisher's name before posting. If the group is large enough, then it's likely that other authors have posted about predatory publishers or agents before. These companies are hounds when it comes to contacting authors and searching for new folks to scam!
   

3. Check their credentials: Legitimate publishers and agents will have a clear track record of the authors they've worked with and the books they've published. If the publisher books they've published, do a quick search and see what turns up. I've heard of many instances where a fake publisher will list books that they didn't actually publish! The same goes for checking on some of the publisher's promises. Have they said you'll be a best-selling author if you publish with them? Check on some of the books they've published—Were they ever best-sellers? If they were, double-check the book's publisher (this is always listed wherever the book is being sold, as well as on/inside the book itself). You might be surprised to find this is an instance where the vanity publisher didn't actually publish the book at all! And if they did, you have no reason to believe that you'll achieve the same results. These are, once again, marketing ploys.
   

What to do instead

Be ready for the long-haul. Authors are scammed for a variety of reasons, but scam publishers and agents are successful because they prey on a desire that runs through every author: to have their book published (preferably, as soon as possible).

This is simply not how publishing works. There are, for better or worse, many hoops that authors will have to jump through no matter which publishing path they take. Knowing this, and accepting it, can be a pivotal moment for authors, allowing them to create publishing goals that are realistic and truly reflective of what they want to accomplish.

So instead of waiting for publishers to find you (inevitably they will, but now we know that those people are likely scammers), be proactive. Research the process for querying or submitting your manuscript to small/independent presses and agents who can represent you to large traditional publishers. Make a list of legitimate presses and publishers that allow for open submissions. Consider alternative forms of publishing, such as in literary magazines or contests. In general, understand that the writing world is a crowded place and getting published is not something that can be done overnight (unless you're self-publishing, but that's a different post entirely!).

By staying informed, cautious, and proactive, authors can navigate the publishing industry with greater confidence and protect their creative work from exploitation. Ultimately, vigilance and knowledge are authors' best allies in ensuring their literary journeys lead to legitimate and fulfilling publishing experiences.

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More resources:

Writer Beware - Vanity, Subsidy, & Hybrid Publishers Alliance of Independent Authors Watchdog Desk The Author's Guild - Resource Library