How to Escape Publishing Predators

Lots of roads you can go to show your book

Self-publishing endeavours now exceed New York’s traditional publishing and offers far more titles – which attracts lots of sharks… Unfortunately, writers respond to these lures by the thousands…

Author Judith Briles wrote a great article Beware of Sharks in Publisher’s Clothing full of valuable tips for authors how to escape the predators of “self-publishing” and “subsidy-publishing” companies.  They call themselves “publishers” – without being real publishers. Unfortunately this business term is not regulated by law. So, everyone can hang out his shingle as “publisher”. “Self-publishing” companies and experts are nothing more that sharks behind slick logos, free webinars etc. Yes, and still many writers get suckered in because:

• they “don’t know what a real publisher is” … or:
• they want to see their books in stores – no matter what.
• Or they don’t know that many so called “self-publisher” companies don’t deliver to bookstores and libraries automatically. Only when a customer orders the book, the store might get it for the patron.
• Another reason is that many newbies don’t know a thing about the process of a truly professional designer, layout, editor, etc. does and how to deal with them. Unfortunately, they are ignorant in how to deal with professional – or don’t want to learn it. However some also don’t want to get help from professional publishing consultants.
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The actual reason that Judith Briles once more wrote about these sharks, was the call of a writer who was dubbed by the now defunct Tate Publishing firm, which closed on January 24. Paying $2,000 for publishing and not getting the book to market is devastating.
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“There are millions of dollars in lawsuits including one from Lightning Source (that’s Ingram) for over $1.8 million. In February, a default judgment was entered against Tate when its owners did a no-show in court. I can’t even imagine the number of authors and books who have been damaged.”

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Her First Advice: Get Your Money Back!
“I want you to contact the credit card company you used to pay for Tate … and tell them you’ve been scammed. If you want me to be on the phone when you do, I’ll text over things to say. I gave her key words/phrases to use” said Judith Briles to the devastated writer, who called her credit card company and received $2,000 back.

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Do Your Homework – Start a Google Search!
Check out the company that wants to publish your book – or your money in general (not matter for what) and “google” their name + the word complain, scam, problem, lawsuit, rip-off etc. Invest thirty or fifty minutes in your future.  I am preaching this for years and you will find it in Judith Briles’ article as well.  She adds: “Don’t stop on the first page of your search like 90% of most Google visitors do … dig down and deeply. Scammers and cons know how to bury bad news–page four may have the info you are looking for. If you are in business with one, terminate it, don’t be seduced to stay—you may need legal advice to exit. Cancel the credit card it has on file and contact the credit card (or PayPal if you used it). Always pay with a credit card, not a check. And please, forewarn others.”

Read the whole article at Joel Friedlander’s website:
https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2017/03/beware-of-sharks-in-publishers-clothing/

 

 

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