The tricksters of the publishing world
Shady book marketers are the tricksters of the publishing world offering glittering promises while quietly draining authors’ wallets. Here’s how they operate and what to watch out for:
Common Scams & Red Flags
Vanity presses disguised as traditional publishers They claim to “publish” your book but ask you to pay hefty fees upfront. Legitimate publishers pay you an advance, not the other way around. Exceptions are the publishing service providers that offer editing, book cover art, book formatting etc. for a fixed price.
Some marketers promise to make your book a bestseller often by manipulating rankings or buying fake reviews. These tactics can backfire and damage your reputation.
Junk marketers charge thousands for spots at book fairs or expos, with little to no return on investment. You might end up with a lonely table and zero sales.
They sell “media packages” that include social site posts. There are legit promoters and influencers, however, the scammers' posts rarely lead to real coverage or visibility. Check their profiles to see the views and interactions with readers on their posts.
Some companies use U.S.-sounding names and addresses but operate overseas with no real presence. They often recycle website templates and rebrand frequently to dodge bad reviews. Check their website ranking and read verifiable reviews from customers.
Why They Thrive:
They prey on authors’ dreams and insecurities, especially first-time writers eager for exposure.
Their services often sound legitimate, and they use industry jargon to appear credible.
Many operate in legal gray areas, making them hard to shut down.
How to Protect Yourself:
Research thoroughly.
Check watchdog lists like Writer Beware or the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Ask:
What exactly are you paying for? If it’s vague, walk away.
Trust your gut:
If it feels off, it probably is.
Erika M Szabo
Erika loves to dance to her own tunes and follow her dreams, introducing her story-writing skills and her books that are based on creative imagination with themes such as magical realism, alternate history, urban fantasy, cozy mystery, sweet romance, and supernatural stories. Her children’s stories are informative and educational, and deliver moral values in a non-preachy way.
Owner of Golden Box Books Publishing
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