The Quantum Leap Scam—um, Program

Quantum Leap logoFrom our mailbag: a reader forwarded an email she got from a man named Steve Harrison promoting the Quantum Leap Program. Never heard of it? You’re probably lucky. The email acknowledges the many choices an author may face: going the traditional route, choosing a hybrid publisher, or self-publishing, and offers to help you navigate the options. Here are some of the offers he makes: Continue reading “The Quantum Leap Scam—um, Program”

The “Make My Book into a Movie!” Scam

movie making scamsRecently I got an email from a friend who was all abuzz about a prospect to turn his book into a movie. He had taken my class on self-publishing a while back, and had dutifully completed all the steps and published his first book. The book was a memoir, and although he wasn’t interested in continuing writing as a career, who doesn’t like hearing that his/her book is fascinating enough to become a movie?

The email was as follows: Continue reading “The “Make My Book into a Movie!” Scam”

The Late, Not-So-Great PublishAmerica

#PublishingFoul Logo Indies UnlimitedHere we thought the vanity press industry was on the ropes – what with PublishAmerica being sued out of existence and Author Solutions (and its eleventy billion imprints) having to resort to recruiting new authors overseas because aspiring authors in the US were on to them. Every now and then, though, one of them turns up again, like a bad penny. And so it is with PublishAmerica. Continue reading “The Late, Not-So-Great PublishAmerica”

Can Matchstick Literary Pass the Predator Test?

#PublishingFoul Logo Indies UnlimitedA week ago I received an email from Matchstick Literary.  (We’d give you the link but we don’t want to send you there.)

Let my observations serve to guide you through the initial things that serve as red flags when searching for a company to publish or market your books.

Here’s how it began: Continue reading “Can Matchstick Literary Pass the Predator Test?”