Do Your Research Before You Commit and Pay
Don’t fall for a pay-to-publish scam
Recently a friend asked if I’d ever heard of a particular pay-to-publish company that someone she knew was considering as a publisher for a book.
I hadn’t, but I decided to see what I could find out.
So I Googled two phrases:
- [company name] scam
- [company name] reviews
In addition to the company’s website, I found a long list of Better Business Bureau complaints plus questionable comments about the company on publishing industry blogs.
Not long before that, another friend called me, bursting with excitement because a publisher told him they wanted to publish his book. When I started asking questions like what other authors they published and if they were going to do the deal on a royalty basis or if they were a pay-to-publish company, he had no idea. Turned out it was a pay-to-publish company with a minimal track record.
I am a huge supporter of self-publishing in all of its forms, from doing it all yourself to paying a company to do everything for you to anywhere in between. I’ve been self-publishing my own books and books for my clients for more than a decade, and here’s what I’ve learned:
Though the pay-to-publish industry has some reputable companies that do good work, it has more than its share of dishonest operators who feed on writers’ egos, promise the moon, charge exorbitant fees, and deliver substandard work. Those unethical enterprises prey on naive authors who want to believe that for a few thousand dollars, their book can be in bookstores across the county and on the bestseller list.
That’s not going to happen.
It’s fine to pay a company to publish your book — just be sure you’re not going to get ripped off. So do your homework.
The two most important things to do before making a decision on a pay-to-publish deal are:
1. Do an internet search on the company name plus words like scam, complaints, reviews, and fraud.
2. Talk to at least three different companies to compare prices and services.
If you’re being pressured to make a quick decision, that’s a red flag. Say no and walk away.
There are other things you should know and do before signing a pay-to-publish contract. I discuss them in my book, The Simple Facts About Self-Publishing (yes, that’s a shameless plug).
Don’t let your dreams of publishing your book be crushed by the nightmare of a pay-to-publish scam.
Thanks for reading. This article was originally published on my site at CreateTeachInspire.com. You can reach me there or email me at [email protected].
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