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Dear Jill,
Do you have a book just waiting to get on the shelf of a bookstore? Happy House Publishing Company is looking for talented new authors in 2012. Industry leaders predicted what will happen in the publishing world in 2012. We listened! Readers are tired of the same authors writing cliched books and we are too. That’s why we’re looking for fresh authors with untold stories.
We don’t think that you have to have a literary agent in order to sell books. If you have a book, it should be in the hands of happy readers. That’s why Happy House works exclusively with unsigned writers.
For just a small fee, Happy House will:
- Review your book.
- Print your book and turn it into a best seller!
- Sell your book on Amazon.com
Jill, we’re really excited about seeing your new manuscript. If you want to become the next best-selling author, join us at Happy House. Our formula is simple = happy readers + happy house publishing = a rich, happy author.
Wouldn’t you like to be a rich, happy author?
Sincerely,
Happy House
Have you ever gotten an email like that? I have. No author ever thinks they will be the next victim in a scam. But every year, hundreds of authors fall prey to unsavory publishing houses that bilk them out of their creative work and their money. It often starts off with an email that seems too good to be true.
The three “Happy House” fees are classic signs of a publishing scam. Don’t become the next victim.
1. Reading Fees
This is one of the oldest scams. Yet new authors fall for it time and time again. You should never have to pay to get a publisher or an agent to read your work. Never, ever, ever. Get this through your head. Many scammers will try to lure new writers in a “small reading fee.” A reputable agent and publishing house will never ask you to pay for them to read your manuscript.
The bottom line is that a real publishing company does not get paid until your book is published. That’s why they are so interested in selling your book.
2. Publishing Fees
You should never pay to be published. If you are asked to pay a printing fee, you aren’t being published by a legitimate company. If you are asked to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in order to get your book in print, run away! They often lure writers in with the promise of recouping the money once the book begins to sell. These scams are called “co-op” or “joint-venture” because often the company will promise to match the authors monetary contribution.
If you are self-publishing, there will be fees that you will have to pay. That’s to be expected. But if you are going through a legitimate traditional publishing company, you should not pay for your book to be printed.
3. Listing on Amazon.com
Scammers prey on the tech unsavvy. They ask you to pay them to list your book on Amazon. Many authors don’t realize that it only takes a few clicks of the mouse to be able to sell your book on Amazon and a few more to get sell their e-book on Barnes & Noble. Fake publishing companies will make it sound like a complicated process but it isn’t. The majority of authors who have self-published e-books have done it already.
Happy House was wrong about Amazon. Authors don’t have to bow down to Amazon. It’s smart to have your book for sale on Amazon but it’s even smarter to have your own webstore. Ask us how we can help you set up your online store.
Conclusion
Happy House is a fictional scam but there are hundreds of real ones out there. Learn how to spot them so you aren’t the next victim. Fake companies may have websites and social media avenues. Do your research. One simple way to test is to google “(company name) publishing scam” and see what kind of hits you get.
The only people who are happy at places like Happy House are the scammers. They are laughing all the way to the bank. That’s why it’s so important to learn about the publishing process. Read 3 Baby Steps To Get Your Book Published to get started. Then read the 2012 Publishing Predictions. Don’t get scammed.
What are some other signs of a publishing scam? What are some other services you shouldn’t have to pay for?
Share them in the comments below.
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I’m a publication designer, mainly by education. I’ve been trying to find an internship in NYC. Happy House contacted me through CList via anonymous an email address and phone number…so something initially did not seem right needless to say. I had an interview from some woman from a private number, asked her name, she told me she would send me the information that day….days later she wanted to recreate a book cover and giver her tips on how to improve the template that she sent. BEWARE.
Here’s a 6th way to be a good literary citizen. If you are a writer, then please beware of self-publishers. One in particular, Guideposts (Inspiring Voices), hiding behind the veil of their Angels on Earth magazine, a compilation of angel stories supplied to them by the readership. Angels on Earth has a paid distribution of millions. Great place to advertise if your book is of the same genre.
Well, here’s the deal, to advertise with Angels on Earth, you must re-PUBLISH with Inspiring Voices (Guideposts), and that’s a cost of several thousand dollars. Still, with such a high distribution to a captive audience, it still should work out if your book is good.
But you find later, after you are re-published with Inspiring Voices, and that your royalty checks are barely chicken feed, that you have no account to verify, no account exists in the company to tell you how many of your books were actually sold, at least not for your eyes.
This is despicable and should be investigated. It begs for a class action law suit.
If you are a writer, then please beware of self-publishers. One in particular, Guideposts (Inspiring Voices), hiding behind the veil of their Angels on Earth magazine, a compilation of angel stories supplied to them by the readership. Angels on Earth has a paid distribution of millions. Great place to advertise if your book is of the same genre.
Well, here’s the deal, to advertise with Angels on Earth, you must re-PUBLISH with Inspiring Voices (Guideposts), and that’s a cost of several thousand dollars. Still, with such a high distribution to a captive audience, it still should work out if your book is good.
But you find later, after you are re-published with Inspiring Voices, and that your royalty checks are barely chicken feed, that you have no account to verify, no account exists in the company to tell you how many of your books were actually sold, at least not for your eyes.
This is despicable and should be investigated. It begs for a class action law suit.
Great article – thank you. May I link to my blog on 30th December?
I am writing about novice authors getting scammed.
Thanks
Mandy
I have a question about Trilogy Publishing Co. They are a 3 year company under TBN.
I already have self published this book on Amazon but they are offering to publish it. Sent a contract etc.
Did you ever publish with Trilogy? I am curious because they have offered this to me and I cannot find any reviews on them anywhere. Thank you in advance!
I just published w/ Trilogy invested thousands of dollars then read this & was uneasy but I gave to God to handle bc it’s was too stressful for me.
My book was published by Patrigdge publishing Company. I received an email from crest media.Tbey have offered to republish my book for free.Wamt to authenticate it.Can you please help?
Laredo Publishing is contacting me for publishing a book. Are they a legitimate business? Thx
Great post. How true! I did an expose on a loser that ripped off a bunch of schoolkids. Then i helped them publish legitimately.
http://watchdognation.com/scammers-dont-mess-with-kids/
We’ve had inquiries from writers about several companies (Lulu, Strategic Book Publishing & Right Agency, LLC, et al) to see if what they’re offering is worth the investment. We can’t comment on the quality or legitimacy of their work, but we do encourage writers to ask them how all their recommended activity (blog posts, press releases, expedited reviews) translates to SALES. Lots of PR is nice, but it’s a big investment for an unknown author.
Our focus is on marketing, not PR. There’s a huge difference, and it behooves writers to know what it is.
HI:
Does anyone know anything about Kellan Publishing? Are they legit?
Can’t seem to find out their payment schedule
Thanks.
Thank you for “heads-up” on Insp Voices! I am 87 y/o K-veteran just finished my first book & must use Christian Pub. Just began w/IV last week, waiting for a response, not sure what kind of offer they will make. I need advice in every area! Plan to contact 2-3 other pub for comparison. I will be appreciative of any response from you! Only have one check per month so not a person with money. Book is totally clean for family and is a very different book from the norm. Thank you!
I self published my book in London, where I live. Now I being contacted by Crest Media which for a substantial fee wants to republish and advertised my book. I am feeling very very uneasy about it, can someone please help, thanks
Bottom line, legit publishers don’t ask you for money. They pay you, in the form of advances and royalties. If they’re asking for money they’re frauds.
Urlink print and media are a scam as well. They continously called me until I gave in and made a payment for marketing. Afterwards they told me I would need new illustrations and I cancelled the agreement. They promised me a refund and two months later after refusing to answer my calls, they emailed me a letter saying that I was not going to get a refund as the time frame had expired.
Who knows any info on Shield Crest Publishing. I am aware they are self publishers, but I would appreciate some feed back about them.
I wouldn’t say they are frauds or scams unless they fail to deliver the agreed contract. It is what it is, there are many roads to get to the mountain some don’t have it as easy as others!