"Sparkle" Smarter: How to Avoid Publishing Scams

a yellow "scam alert" sign sits on a writer's keyboard

As the leaves begin to change and we settle into the cozy days of autumn, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our writing journeys and prepare for the exciting opportunities ahead. Here at "A State of Sparkle," I’m all about helping your creativity shine through, no matter the season. But as you work toward your publishing dreams, it’s crucial to stay sharp and protect yourself from pitfalls that can dull your sparkle. In this edition, we’re diving into how to avoid publishing scams, so your career continues to sparkle with success!

Scams on the Rise: How to Avoid Publishing Scams

Lately, I've noticed a disturbing rise in scams targeting authors. Whether through unsolicited calls, emails, or private messages, these scammers are getting bolder. In the author groups I belong to, the stories are piling up—authors are being bombarded with shady offers to “re-publish” their books or pitch them to streaming platforms. Ever received a suspicious DM from someone who claims they can help you after a quick chat in an author group? You’re not alone!

While I’d prefer to focus on marketing and branding, it’s vital to raise awareness about these scams. They range from fake profiles on social media sending unsolicited messages to elaborate hoaxes where so-called publishing companies promise fame and fortune. These tactics not only clutter our inboxes but also erode trust in legitimate service providers like myself, adding even more to an author’s already overflowing plate.

But here’s the good news: you’re not alone in this fight! There are plenty of people (like me!) and organizations in the publishing industry working to protect authors by spreading awareness. Let’s go over some common scams to keep on your radar:

Common Scams to Watch Out For:

1. Shady Social Media Profiles: People claiming to offer services but have no phone number, email, or website. Their profiles are often new, with no reviews.

2. Fee-Charging “Literary Agents”: Legitimate agents don’t ask for fees upfront. They only get paid when they secure you a deal.

3. Calls from “Publishers” Offering Rebranding or Republishing Deals: Genuine publishers won’t cold-call you with offers like these.

4. Film Rights Scams: Claims from so-called film agents offering to pitch your book for adaptation—be cautious.

5. Fake Service Providers: Some scammers pose as marketers, editors, or designers on social media but have fake photos and no digital footprint.

How to Protect Yourself from Publishing Scams

A woman writer author holds a detective spyglass as she uncovers publishing scams — As writers and authors, we must become our own detectives!

Research! Always research anyone you consider working with. Check if they have a website, reviews, or a professional presence. Look at the quality of their work and ask for referrals. Legitimate service providers will gladly share their portfolio. If a publishing company's "About Us" page doesn't mention the owners' names and/or staff, it's a big RED FLAG for me.

Be Cautious of Vague Offers: If someone responds to a question in an author group with “DM me, I can help you,” that’s a red flag. Check their profile—no website or email? That’s a problem.

Fake Profiles: Many scammers create fake profiles on social media. Look at their activity—do they have friends, a real profile photo, and a digital history? You can even do a reverse image search on their photo to verify if it’s stolen (I've found soo many of these accounts in my author/writing groups on FB). Never hire someone from FB who has a younger profile, a "too perfect" cover pic, and no contact info including email, phone number, or a website.

Verify Publishing Companies: If a company contacts you out of the blue, check if they’re real. Legitimate publishers won’t solicit you, and literary agents won’t ask for upfront payments. Research the authors published by the company you're looking into. Are their covers professional? Do they have a lot of positive reviews? How professional does their Amazon Sales Page look? I also recommend speaking with authors who have been published by them and ask them what their experience has been like. If you've decided you'd like to work with the publisher, take your time going over their contract. Several clauses are especially important to pay attention to. What are your copyright rights? What does the termination clause say? If you're a member of the Author's Guild (link below) for 2 years, you can request one of their lawyers to look over the contract for any possible red flags or concerns. You can also hire a publishing contract lawyer to be extra safe around what your rights are within the contract.

To wrap-up, I hope you're having a sublime start to the fall season! Thank you again for joining me on this State of Sparkle Journey!

The final takeaway for this month is: the onus is on you to vet everyone—from publishers to service providers. While many of us operate with integrity, an increasing number of scammers are out there trying to take advantage of authors.

Take your power back by staying vigilant, thoroughly vetting everyone you work with, and staying connected to your author community for both recommendations and warnings.

Lastly, I would love to know if you've run into scams like this. If you enjoyed this blog, please "heart" it below and feel free to share your thoughts or stories if you've been the unfortunate victim of a publishing scam. Your story may just help a fellow writer/author avoid one themself. 🩷

With Blessings,

Rachel Sarah

Sparkle ON! 💫