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A problem that we as writers face has disturbed me for some time. I read posts in forums and items in ports about how some of us have been taken by scams, and my blood boils. I started reading, studying, and listening to speakers on the topic of so-called agents and publishers who use a person's desire to be published to cheat and feed their own greed.
If you get nothing else from this editorial, I hope you remember: You do NOT pay someone to represent you.
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Avoiding Writing Scams
Many scams exist to trap writers. We have to be careful and examine everything. A cliche but true: If anything sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Agents and publishers will make money if an author’s writing is successful. Publisher’s will get their money either after sales or up-front (not advisable to go with such "publishers" either). Agents get their cut after the royalties come in on the author’s sold book. If they do a good job, both deserve and earn what they make. The problem is with the publishers and/or agents who are not ethical, the "scammers."
Let’s start with “publishers.” Independent publishers who ask for up-front money might be legitimate, if they provide certain services such as professional and thorough editing, promotion, and production of a quality product. Those services should be included in the price paid for the books the author agrees to buy, and the price should be competitive - meaning the cost isn't so prohibitive the author can't sell them. However, if the “editing” provided is at best a spell check, then beware. A publisher will provide at least one professional editor who will work with the author to improve, tighten, and error-proof the book. That editing should be part of the package deal, not provided only if extra is paid.
A regular or traditional publisher will be not be paid either up front but after books are printed and sold. The scam comes if what the publisher is paid is too much for too little.
With a traditional publisher the author does not pay for any services that are a part of the publishing process unless the author's errors results in delays, re-dos after a proof is accepted, or other problems or changes which cost the publisher money. But those charges are not up-front, and the conditions covering what and when an author pays are included in the contract.
Any “publisher” who does not do a thorough editing is, however, nothing but a vanity publisher, one who will provide a few books for a price (usually high price) for people who simply want to see their words in a book, flaws and all. Don’t confuse print-on-demand businesses with publishers, though. A POD doesn’t claim to be anything except a printer. A publishing scam promises that the company is a real publisher.
A true publisher does not request material from a writer for an anthology and then expect the author to buy a book. A real publisher rewards the writer, not expects the writer to reward the publisher: Now this means book publishers rather than magazine publishers, who often “pay” in issues of the publication.
Anytime a person or organization claims to be an agent or agency but asks for money up front - run. An agent receives payment as a percentage of the author’s royalties. Other than a few expenses such as mailing your manuscript to a publisher, with documentation of actual postage cost, and possibly for photocopying your manuscript, the agent charges the author nothing. However, some agents may ask you to send several copies rather than billing you for copying. Any billing is for actual expenses, not for inflated amounts.
Another point about expenses charged to the client: The author and agent agree to which expenses will be billed before they are incurred. If the writer never agreed to any expense and the expense was not included in a contract, then the agent who bills such expenses is at least unethical, if not criminal. Allowable expenses should be clearly included in any contract, and agents should not make any profit from such expenses.
Jenna Glatzer, in Writer’s Digest June 2006, states, “Don’t ever pay anyone to represent you.”
An agent is supposed to get a percentage of the client’s earning from publishers and producers, not from the client. That means agents first do their job - selling the author’s work - and then receive their pay. Ethical agents do not ask for representation fees, retainers, set-up fees, evaluation fees, marketing fees, or editing fees. They also do not suggest an author “hire” an editor that they recommend. (Authors hiring editors on their own is another subject.)
Getting a compatible, aggressive, and knowledgeable agent is wise for anyone wanting to have a book published. However, according to Daniel Lazar of Writers House, a bad agent is worse than no agent. One way to check an agent is to find AAR, the ethical organization for agents, on line, or go to literary agents.org.
Just don’t get scammed by unethical “publishers” or “agents” who turn your writing into a feast for their greed.
James Chartrand, in "12 Ways to Protect Yourself against Writing Scams" 2008, says that we can protect ourselves against writing scams: use common sense, approach with caution, beware of the proverbial carrot (There's a lot more work ...), a rush job (a sense of urgency), comparing rates (someone charges less than you or offers more than you), make them show the money or payoff, and win a prize but make sure it's real (not buy a book or sell books) are a few of his hints to protecting ourselves against writing scams. For the full article go to http://tinyurl.com/6mrdv8.
Sources:
1. Andrew Zack, The Writer, October 2005
2. Brian A. Klems, Writer’s Digest,January 2006
3. Jenna Glatzer, with Daniel Steven, Writer’s Digest, June 2006
4. Various speakers at OWFI Conference, May 2006 and May 2007
5. Writing Scams, http://www.eliteskills.com/writing_scams/ |
Highlighted items from W.Com
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Comments and Feedback
DRSmith 
Another HIT, Viv... & to add a little "umph" to your Dr. P's input, allow me to share a touching moment.
I just had a book come out: (www.beachesofbelmont.com), an anthology w/ a sprinkle of poetry for spice. I got an email from a woman who said her husband in surgery for a kidney transplant, her daughter the donor. Two under the knife, she was distressed, but had my book in hospital; the poetry at the right attention length and soothing read got her through the ordeal. It don't get any better for writers hearing such news.
That is the type of praise that means more than any formal review. Congratulations.
spidey  
A great newsletter! I definitely feel Poetry is vital to life. 
I do agree. Poetry is my therapy.
monty31802
It doesn't matter what your Newsletters are on, you always do a great job, you are appreciated.
Thank you very much.
Oldwarrior 
This is my first newsletter as I am a real newbie but I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next one.
oldwarrior
Welcome to W.Com. I hope you continue to enjoy the newsletters.
Maria Mize 
Thank you for a wonderful newsletter. It is always nice to see "poetry" (one of my passions) highlighted. I like the way you delve into our varied needs for it as well.
I found your white roses with contrasting green, script signature quite breath-taking. I found it quietly soft, lovely, peaceful...
Thank you, Vivian.
Poetry is one of my passions, too. The white roses signature image was a gift from undocked22 and is a favorite of mine.
Zeke
A large amount of the poetry I've read leads me to the conclusion that poetry is a way of painting an emotional picture with words. I've often wondered though; is there a technical definition of exactly what poetry is?
Zeke
Check one of the items in my Writing Poetry File (item:662087}; maybe that will help answer your question.
Thanks for joining me again. I hope what I wrote will help authors avoid being scammed.
Happy Thanksgiving to all those in the United States.
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For Authors: November 26, 2008 Issue [#2732]
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