Research Before Submission: How to Avoid Publishing Scams

Most all writers start out write just for fun, but later they decide to write for fun and profit. Writers want to see their words and name in print, and being paid to see their words and name in print is part of the fun and profit. However, there's one thing writers hate the most -- something most all writers will face when they decide to write for profit... being scammed by publishers, agents or contests. I have been down this path a few times, but like they say, "Live and learn." Since I have been a victim of a publishing scam, and a contest scam, I have "learned" a few things along the way. With this article, I want to share some advice with you. Advice on how to avoid publishing scams. I can't guarantee you won't end up a victim of a publishing scam by following my tips, but hopefully my tips will keep you from making the wrong choice.

Too often writers become victims of publishing scams because they're excited about the project they've just finished, so they get in a hurry to submit it in order to see their name in print. You deserve to be excited about the project you've just completed, but don't get so excited that you don't take the time to research before hitting the send button in your e-mail program. The information that follows should help you research those companies to avoid publishing scams.

1. Begin with you favorite search engine (Google is mine). Enter the name of the company you plan to send your submission, proposal or query letter to. When entering the company's name, place quotation marks around their name (this searches the exact phrase). For example, if you search for "National Library of Poetry" on Google, you'll discover over 30,000 results. As you follow some of the links given, you will find that the National Library of Poetry (poetry.com) is just one of those many publishing scams!

2. Contact the company and ask them for references. Some may tell you their privacy policy prevents them from giving out their clients' information. However, at this point, you can ask the company to have some of their clients contact you instead. If their clients do contact you, make sure the client isn't an employee of the company. To do this, perform a quick search on their name to verify who they really are. If, after your research, you discover the company did give you the name of an employee that should be a big warning sign.

3. It may be a publishing scam if the publisher requires you to invest in a certain number of books, before they enter into a contract with you. Additional signs of a publishing scam with publishers is if they charge extra for editing, reading and/or etc, or they may also offer referrals to third parties who charge for these services.

4. It may be a publishing scam if the company requests up-front fees (other than print-on-demand or vanity publishers), or offers publication only after reading a few chapters, synopsis or query. A legitimate publisher, or even an agent, will ask for the complete manuscript before making a decision to enter into a publishing contract with you.

5. If a literary agent asks for any up-front fees such as reading fees or etc., run, it's a sure sign of a publishing scam! A legitimate agent will ONLY ask for a percentage of your book sales, and they should work with you to help you publish and market your book.

6. Always take the contract you're offered from an agent or publisher to a lawyer for him or her to look over and explain to you. It shouldn't cost too much for this service. Besides, it will be money well spent for peace of mind.

7. Not all contests that charge a fee are publishing scams, but some of them are, and you should be leery of any fee-charging contest. Also, NEVER pay a contest to have your poetry or any other writing published. Moreover, if the contest asks or requires you to purchase a copy of the anthology your work appears in, it could very possibly be a publishing scam.

8. Never pay a fee for more information on a writing job, and never pay for a writing job. If the job is legitimate they will hire and pay you, you should never have to pay them! "Money flows toward the writer not away from the writer."

9. Make sure the company's Web site lists their phone number, complete address and other contact information. Another way to check them out is to give them a call to make sure the phone number is valid and answered in a professional manner -- have a few questions ready when you call.

10. Join organizations, groups, message boards and forums for writers. Use your membership with these resources to find out if anyone in the organization, group, board or forum has heard of or used the services of the company you're researching. You can also ask them if they know of any publishing scams.

11. Explore the publisher's Web site to see how many books they've published. Once you reach their electronic bookstore, write down the names of some of the authors they've published. Then, Google that author's name to see if you can find their Web site or contact information somewhere. Next, contact him or her to ask about their experience with the publisher. Are they happy thus far? Does the publisher do anything to help them with the marketing (most print-on-demand and vanity publishers won't, but some will)?

12. Check Web sites for writers that list publishing scams. Some include The National Writers Union, Preditors & Editors™, Absolute Write's Beware Board,Literary Contest Caution, Writer Beware and Writers Weekly: Whispers and Warnings.

Those are just a few tips you can use to avoid publishing scams in your search for an agent, publisher or etc. No matter what, always keep in mind and remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is!