Writing Scams

From Guidevines, a user-editable wiki for writers

From Guidevines

The most important ideas to keep in mind are (a) Money Flows to the Writer and (b) There's No Magic Bullet. The following red flags may help authors avoid common writing scams.

1 Publisher Red Flags
2 Agent Red Flags
3 Other Red Flags
4 Related Resources
5 External Links

[edit] Publisher Red Flags

Publisher requires up-front fees from author to help with publishing costs, copyright, or copyediting (note: in some media, such as screenwriting and poetry, modest reading fees are more common, and even implemented by some of the most reputable publishers and contests; your mileage may vary).

Publisher refers author to third-party services (such as copyeditor) requiring payment from author. Publisher may or may not receive a referral fee from third party.

Publisher requires the author to purchase or guarantee a number of sales prior to or as part of contract.

Publisher accepts and includes all or almost all submitted work into a large anthology, marketed primarily or exclusively back to submitters.

Vanity publisher or subsidy publisher hides, disguises, or distorts its fees.

Publisher offers publication before reading substantial amount of author's work.

[edit] Agent Red Flags

Agent requires any up-front fee. You want your agent to make money from commission on the sales of your books, not from reading fees.

Agent claims client list is confidential.

Agent insists on commissions in excess of 15% for domestic sales.

Agent cannot or will not give track record of book sales. Even newer agents should disclose relevant background in publishing or representation.

Agent offers representation before reading substantial amount of author's work.

Agent is also a publisher or editor.

Agent solicits author. While it's not unheard of for a reputable agent to contact the author rather then vice versa, it is very unlikely. Be wary, especially if any other red flags turn up.