Tag: publishing scams

My Publishing Nightmare with Publish America

Predatory Publisher Month at Indies UnlimitedGuest Post
by Brenda Perlin

After I finished my first book, I submitted it for publication everywhere I could. As the rejection letters came pouring in, so did a quick reply from a company called Publish America. I should have run as fast as I could but instead I got caught up with the idea of being a published author. At the time, that seemed as farfetched as taking a ride to Mars. For one thing, I had no writing background, and this was a story based on my life. Who was going to want to read it? Still, I wished upon a star and saw my book on the shelves of bookstores. I so badly wanted this pipe dream that I bought into it: hook, line, and sinker.

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Scam Victims: Know the Law & Know Your Rights

Predatory Publisher Month at Indies UnlimitedGuest Post
by S.R. Claridge

Yesterday I talked about my experience with Vanilla Heart Publishing and three of the lessons I learned. Today, I want to share the fourth thing I walked away with: knowing the law.

Like so many scam artists out there, Kimberlee Williams of Vanilla Heart Publishing banked on her cunning ability to manipulate new authors with empty promises, lies, and fear tactics; but in the details of the law, the truth can be found. Publishing contracts typically fall under the heading of Bi-Lateral Agreements, which means both parties (the author and the publisher) are signing that they are in agreement with the terms of the contract. In essence, they are both committing to do what the contract indicates they will do. A Bi-Lateral Agreement is only binding in a court of law IF it is signed by both parties and both parties receive a copy of the agreement, containing both signatures.

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Publishing Scammer: Having A Heart in Your Name Doesn’t Mean You Have A Heart

Predatory Publisher Month at Indies UnlimitedGuest Post
by S.R. Claridge

There are scammers in all industries, but none so much as those in entertainment. The reason is because it is easy to prey upon people with dreams. Whether a musician, an actor, a songwriter, a singer, an artist or a writer, creative people are easy targets for the unethical of the world. They know that there is no financial or emotional limit to the investment we are willing to make in our dreams. They know that we seek acknowledgment for our work. They know that we need recognition. They know how to make us feel as if they believe in our talent and are good at manipulating the innocence of our hopes for success. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing and the damage they do is far more than just financial. Continue reading “Publishing Scammer: Having A Heart in Your Name Doesn’t Mean You Have A Heart”

My Experience with PublishAmerica

Predatory Publisher Month at Indies UnlimitedGuest Post
by Daniel Peyton

I have always enjoyed writing. I started at an early age: the fourth grade. Jump ahead to 2006, when I was encouraged by my mother to try writing a fantasy novel of my own. I had always written fiction set in the Star Trek universe, so I was scared about trying something new. Finally, I wrote The Jalan Chronicles, and was so pleased with myself I submitted it to DAW Books (a division of Penguin) right out of the gate. They turned it down flat. I sent out submissions here and there and continued to be rejected. Then I found a publisher that seemed promising. I submitted and was accepted quickly. Continue reading “My Experience with PublishAmerica”