Beware, Authors. Check out the section in this post about hybrids for some tips on what to look out for. Hi wanted to know what you think of new book authors. My first effort was with Westbow Press. He then proceeded to tell me that I didnt have any goals for my book. Authors' brand perceptions are shaped by every interactiononline and offlinethat they have with readers and fellow publishing industry professionals. ), what their contracts look like, and how strong a sales team they have to actually get your book into book stores. Are they reputable? Im working with Professional Ghostwriters Im starting to question if this company is a scam. My question is: do they sound legit to you and if so, which other similar publishing companies would you recommend that have open reading periods earlier than in December 2018 since the author of the book doesn't want to wait for so long? Some of them don't accept unsolicitied materials, some of them do. It was a mess. Storyline is good..but it's just hard to read and follow. 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meetthem. Supposedly they already have large publishing firms very interested in my book. I didn't agreed to anything and had several red flags in our phone conversations. If so, what was your experience? I thought they were reputable but now I'm not very sure:(. As a seasoned travel writer, I craft engaging content to enhance brand awareness and convert leads into sales, covering everything from luxury hotels to RV accessories. She has passion for excellence.Dreams big. Thanks for this additional info. I have received an offer from Belle Isle publishing, the co-op branch of Brandylane Publishing. I initially bought a package with them a while ago. Can't see any reviews, but it looks like they're the "hybrid" wing of CrossLink Publishing. They only take 5% per sale and although they ask for a fee over a period of time, mathematically it seems a better deal than Amazon taking 30%. He even tried to give me a good deal by lowering the price to $3,000. Anyone who calls that often despite telling them to stop clearly is trying to sell sell sell! And you can usually sniff them out by the fact that their prizes are not really prizes. There are, however, competitions that are little more than money-spinning enterprises. GREAT information. Does anyone have any information on Mascot Books, I believe we've mentioned Mascot in reply to another question in the comments here. I feel if your book get accepted by a publisher, the company should pay you or get paid by royalties. They seem to not make authors pay anything upfront and seem to offer a small advance. It's not a scam, but it certainly is an *expensive* course If you want to go the course route, I'd rather recommend Mark Dawson's "Self-Publishing 101" course (it only opens once a year, but you can get on the waitlist). Did you go forward with them? How's Covenant Books Thanks. They also made predatory rights grabssometimes tying up an author's copyright for a nearly a decade. If they contact you directly, they're almost certainly a vanity press. What is one to do? Balboa Press was set up in 2013 by Hay House, as its "self-publishing arm". Her sixth novel, FRACTURED, is published by Lake Union Publishing and is available now. I wish my friend had read this. I have received an "invitation" from EC Publishing to represent the book at the Frankfort Book Fair in Oct. Is this a real site or exactly what? Specialties: Looking to better reach your audience with relevant marketing, better email campaigns, and smart design and branding? So, I'd be very careful. After viewing the results, we are happy to announce that the pilot was a resounding success! New Reader is a scam. And if that wasnt enough, he decided to send me an email and call me names. For more control over what you subscribe to, head on over to our subscription page. Does anyone know where I could find a reputable (preferably Christian) publisher that has a lot of experience in comic books/graphic novels? Realizing my topic my delightfully eccentric mother was a limited interest in terms of the commercial market, I just wanted a beautifully produced book. They're a "boutique" house (everything outside the Big Five is, really) and I enjoyed a lot of support and personal attention from the EIC and the Publisher. This is a multi-location business. - they have a paid "beta reading" service, when beta readers are generally free; You can read more about why here (the comments are particularly illuminating): http://www.victoriastrauss.com/2013/08/30/more-warnings-spectacular-productions-balboa-pressauthor-solutions/. Everything you read above about scammers is true with this group. I wouldn't be able to recommend similar publishers to you as we don't keep a list on Reedsy, however I'd suggest you take a look at Poets & Writers and Authors Publish as resources. It's much more reasonably priced and I can personally vouch for Mark Every year, the publishing world flock to a handful of book fairs where the rights to publish new titles are snapped up. Do you have any info on Folio Avenue Publishing Services LLC 2031 Union St. #6 San Fransisco CA 94123 ? Is it a vanity publisher, or traditional? Looks like a scam to me. Learn their tricks and avoid these unscrupulous bandits. What is Writer.com? They are con merchants of the worst kind. Do you know who the cheif executive is? Does anybody know anything about them? Just got an email from them. Building out the listing 1. I went through them and they were AWFUL! 25% of employees would recommend working at Writer's Relief to a friend and 16% have a positive outlook for the business. Thanks. Well Jacqueline you dont have to shout at me, because your nothing. Now, there are "assisted self-publishing companies" out there very different from vanity publishers who're great: they do take care of everything, but they let *you* self-publish the book. I have experienced cold calls. About The Program. If you belong to the 99% of authors whove yet to achieve major success, the only way to get an agent to represent you and your book is to send them a query letter. I don't plan to click on the link because I never do that if I'm not certain of where it will take me. What do you know about HayHouse publishers and Balboa Press? They cold-called me numerous times about marketing my book SAVING ME, and want $2500 up front. Would only print 100-150 books (hard cover), with the option of ordering more, if needed. It LOOKS good, but how am I to know? Ty so much! Before We pay for their services. Has anyone had experience with Author Publishing house or Empire Publishing? I had received an email and phone call I've been contacted by Pen It! My writing partner and I came across them but they were requesting between $1500-$4000 dollars in installments to publish. Minnie Elkins. Are you suspicious of a certain company? Scroll down and check it out :). Thanks- and not a hire hand to assist with design and formatting. I have been contacted by many so called promoters but do not follow up with them. Hi, do you have any experience with Advantage Books? I decided NOT to go with them because I could not partner with an entity that does not exist. I haven't heard of them but they seem like an outright scam. I just received a solicit from them. Is Trilogy publishing Reparable? Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision! Company Contacts LYN GOOT Agent 451 Cornell Ave Pemberton, NJ 08068 ADDITIONAL LINKS Post Question For This Company Contact Us Regarding Your Company Profile Writers.work claims that you can sign up and start earning right away. Except for . I just realized that I had been taken by cindyhill@bookthoughtspublishing. However, if they do everything they say they will do, the fee is not that bad. my work at anytime and that I barely have a say so with the book cover I do not like it. They offer bundled packages with a lot of stuff you could get elsewhere for free plus they don't really offer anything editorially apart from "Content Evaluation". My book is selfpublished with x-libris but it's not 100% royalty. I sent my information for them to send information on finding publishers. Companies who send unsolicited emails about their services (especially review services) and who don't have a website are most probably scams, yes. Also, is Submittable reputable? Is Parchment Global Publishing a vetted and reliable company please? Thanks. Chelsea kuhel? They said investors are paying for my interview with AL Cole and I have to pay for the air time. There are whole books written about it. Yes, Does anyone have any info on Go To Publish, a marketing company out of London and Atlanta, Georgia, Gotopublish.com I have been approached re: their services for marketing of one of my books. Some contests will publish winning entries in a magazine or an anthology which is great. Has anyone heard of Sydney Dewitt of House of Literary in Palmville, California? My personal experience. They do do good job for their authors, and if you know nothing about book marketing they could be the right option for you. HURRAH! They say they can send my story on to the Hollywood Data Base to possibly become a screenplay. My husband is excited about being contacted by them, they say he only has to pay 30% which is about $2500, and they will cover the other 70%. If an agent contacts you out of the blue (and you aren't already a bestselling author), they're probably not 100% legit. Says he interviews authors on his radio show. Don't fall for his nonsense. I would use them again. Then they ask the receiver to click on a link that supposedly will "provide us PayPal information to receive royalty payments." I have stupidly deposited USD $1600 in one of those self publishing on line courses (I won't name) only to find out it is not what I signed up for. Again, thank you for your attention. HI all, I was approached by Octa publishing company, to publish on Amazon my daughter poetry book? I was contacted by a consultant from happy media consulting. It's that attitude that we decided to part ways with you. There is no specific language regarding refunds, but they have sent him a flurry of emails promising to work on the manuscript or to pay him back in installments. When a writer gets scammed, it's going to fall under one of the following three scams nine times out of ten: The writer is scammed into willingly doing unpaid work for nothing of value in return. Thanks for weighing in Reedsy. Have any of you worked with them from this side of the aisle? They had told me that ALL publishing houses require authors to purchase copies of their own books. The big ones are in London and Frankfurt (and Bologna for childrens books), and almost anyone can book a table at these events. That is what you need to do with them because they strictly adhere to the contract. Because of this, we have decided to launch a full program with OverDrive and other library eBook platforms to sell all of the current SELF-e Select collections and other curated titles under our Indie Author Project (IAP) brand. I lost a considerable amount of money and prior to severing my association with them realized just under $40.00 in royalties. To make matters worse , I was referred by the Editor in Chief of Prodigy Gold Books as an Evil Witch because I demanded to know what was going on . All they care about is upselling you as much as possible. You just saved me from making a horrible decision. What's your opinion on WebNovel? <br>Gains fluency quickly in terms of new things. Do you have a view on UNITED PC Publishing company, a subsidiary of NOVA? I am an author myself and will not help anyone who scams authors. That is free but they want 1400 for advertising. Only in business a year. Denver, Colorado, United States. They appear to cover all services; however, I'm uncertain of their legitimacy. Sincerely, Getting it on the shelves is up to you. Chandler Bolt's Self-Publishing School is one of the many "self-publishing courses" out there that basically teach you how to self-publish a book. Some of them have open reading period just for a limited period of time when some others are available to read your poetry for all year-round. Actor-writer Inder Shahu talks about his new films and reveals the names of two films on the verge of release; Raj and DK reveal details about Samantha's role in Citadel with Varun Dhawan They weren't best sellers, definitely dated so they may be "period pieces." The writer's work is taken and used without providing promised payment. I Googled the name but got no red flag reviews. She did a fine job following up when needed. To find contests that have been vetted, you can look through this directory of the best writing competitions. I received an email from Gold Touch Press offering services to republish my book. Enter your email or get started with a social account: 1. Debalina is a quick, continuous & lifelong learner. I'm taking the case to the attorney general. If youre willing to work, this is an astounding resource. writers branding complaints. Stay away from them. Let me know how you do. Hi. It looks like Writer Beware has identified in their post as one to avoid (see the section above about The Filipino Publishing Scam Network). The book came out great but it was made only in paperback and I couldn't set my own price and I don't have 100% royalty. Thank you! I've had a look at their site, and they look fairly legit as hybrid publishers go. Is Dream books Distribution in Hollywood a scam? I haven't found them on one of the links you provided, but will keep digging for more info. They even claim that you can start earning up to $60 per hour which sounds very unrealistic. can be in the millions of dollars, enhancing the value of the tradpub company by that much. 2 reviews. [ Fade Resistant & Reliable ] The thermal labels are made of upgrade material that prints crystal clear images and easy-to-read barcodes. Scam companies will sell you on the idea that the New York Times, Good Morning America, and Newsweek can pick up on your story but the chances of that actually happening are very slim. Secondly, your agent should never ask you to pay for anything. Or is the company more of a vanity press? Capcom has announced a brand new showcase event where it will share updates on new games. Hi, I just found your article, thank you for the info. I just got a solicitation from New Reader Magazine is this a scam company? Thanks. My father, David Duncan (not to be confused with Dave Duncan from Canada) wrote 13 novels, mysteries and science fiction books, as well as a couple of science fiction screen plays and lots of screen plays for television. Thank you, Does anybody know or has anyone heard of "Author's House" (@Authors_tweets) I got an e-mail from them promising reviews for my book with three various packages from $100, $200 and $400 (30 reviews) to go on goodreads, Amazon and YouTube. Even if they help you polish your manuscript before submitting it to publishers, it should not come with a charge. You can self-publish through Amazon and it won't cost you a dime. If you want to confirm your suspicions, just look up the books they've published on Amazon or any online retailer. I have always believed . I have bought a self publishing package with Balboa press. - they don't solicit you in the first place Id be grateful for a comment. - a lot of their "marketing" services, though not crazy expensive, seem quite useless. They do offer a self-publishing track, where they provide all the usual publishing services for a fee instead of buying the book, but they're a legit publisher. can you tell me if new reader magazine is legit? However, if you dont have your guard up, it is easy to fall for predators who simply want to overcharge for their services many of which are tasks you could accomplish on your own. "Gold Touch Press provides premium publishing services at a good value. Global Marketing leads for all products and services for Unified Infotech, a saas company. Having your book displayed in a random stand there is not going to sell a single copy, because readers don't go to book fairs. On the second call I tried asking how they got my number and they avoided answering that questioon. I was contacted by email. From that I'd say they're definitely legit, but as always make sure that you reach contracts very carefully (if you get to that stage) and consult with an experienced IP lawyer. Others have asked about them in the comments as well. You are the customer and they don't care if you sell one copy. Are the books priced competitively It looks like they do some level of editing.