Scams Schemes And Shams Who Can An Author Trust
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Writing Speaking -> subcategory Writing.
Scams, Schemes, and Shams: Who Can an Author Trust?
Summary
In the pursuit of getting published, authors can easily fall victim to various scams. Here are some tips to help you steer clear of these traps.Online Matching Services and Email Blast Programs
These services often charge a fee to display your query letter, synopsis, and first chapter online for acquisition editors and literary agents to consider. However, consider whether a typical literary agent?"who receives about 1,100 unsolicited queries annually?"really has the time to scour these websites.
Similarly, some services offer databases where you input your book’s genre and receive a list of interested agents or publishers. However, this information might not always be accurate or reliable.
Additionally, services that promise to email blast your query to agents and publishers may not be as effective as they seem. If these agents and publishers already receive an influx of manuscripts, why would they need such services?
Book Doctors?"But Are They Quacks?
Aspiring authors often wonder if their book is ready for the market, or if it needs more work. Hiring an editing service, sometimes known as a book doctor, could be an option. Unlike copy editors who focus on grammar and structure, book doctors assess plot, characters, dialogue, and flow.
However, be cautious. It can be challenging to gauge an editor’s ability to enhance your work. Fees for these services range from several hundred to thousands of dollars, and it seems there are more people offering editing services than authors making a living from writing.
Remember that every manuscript needs editing, and part of a publisher's role is to help authors prepare their manuscripts for publication. Instead of book doctors, you might consider critique services, which are usually less expensive. Though they offer opinions on what works and what doesn’t, they are still just that?"opinions. If the service isn’t a publisher, how can they predict what will sell?
Marketing Services
While many companies offer legitimate marketing and promotion services, remember that not all require fees. If your book lacks industry standard terms, such as being returnable through major wholesalers or offering a 40% retailer discount, even the best marketing efforts might not help. These terms should come from the publisher, unless you are self-publishing and own your ISBN.
Be cautious of marketing companies indifferent to these standard terms. If they don't seem concerned, you should be.
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By keeping these tips in mind, you can better navigate the publishing world and focus on what truly matters?"your writing.
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