Tag: #PublishingFoul

Scam Victims: Know the Law & Know Your Rights

Predatory Publisher Month at Indies UnlimitedGuest Post
by S.R. Claridge

Yesterday I talked about my experience with Vanilla Heart Publishing and three of the lessons I learned. Today, I want to share the fourth thing I walked away with: knowing the law.

Like so many scam artists out there, Kimberlee Williams of Vanilla Heart Publishing banked on her cunning ability to manipulate new authors with empty promises, lies, and fear tactics; but in the details of the law, the truth can be found. Publishing contracts typically fall under the heading of Bi-Lateral Agreements, which means both parties (the author and the publisher) are signing that they are in agreement with the terms of the contract. In essence, they are both committing to do what the contract indicates they will do. A Bi-Lateral Agreement is only binding in a court of law IF it is signed by both parties and both parties receive a copy of the agreement, containing both signatures.

Continue reading “Scam Victims: Know the Law & Know Your Rights”

My Expensive But Not-So-Horrible Vanity Press Experience

Predatory Publisher Month at Indies UnlimitedIn contrast to some of the horror stories we’re hearing this month on #PublishingFoul, I thought it might be a good time to tell a somewhat mitigating story about the not-so-bad but still expensive lessons. The truth is, not every publishing horror story is awful. Along any continuum, you’re going to have a range of experiences, some worse, some better.

Back in the 90s, I had already had two books traditionally published, but the climate was rapidly changing. The bigger houses were getting very conservative and they were more and more unwilling to take a chance on an unknown or almost-unknown. If the author was not already a name, they weren’t biting.  Luckily for writers, there were plenty of small presses springing up across the country to take up the slack. Well, luckily for some, not so much for others, as we’ve seen. Continue reading “My Expensive But Not-So-Horrible Vanity Press Experience”

Publishing Scammer: Having A Heart in Your Name Doesn’t Mean You Have A Heart

Predatory Publisher Month at Indies UnlimitedGuest Post
by S.R. Claridge

There are scammers in all industries, but none so much as those in entertainment. The reason is because it is easy to prey upon people with dreams. Whether a musician, an actor, a songwriter, a singer, an artist or a writer, creative people are easy targets for the unethical of the world. They know that there is no financial or emotional limit to the investment we are willing to make in our dreams. They know that we seek acknowledgment for our work. They know that we need recognition. They know how to make us feel as if they believe in our talent and are good at manipulating the innocence of our hopes for success. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing and the damage they do is far more than just financial. Continue reading “Publishing Scammer: Having A Heart in Your Name Doesn’t Mean You Have A Heart”

#PublishingFoul Mid-Month Update

Predatory Publisher Month at Indies UnlimitedIt’s March 16th and we’re halfway into Indies Unlimited’s #PublishingFoul month – a series dedicated to those who have been taken by publishing predators. We’re hoping that by telling their stories, we can spread the word about industry scammers and prevent others from being taken in. Please share these articles far and wide. The more people who know, the better.

At any time during this month, just go ahead and click on the referee in the right-hand sidebar. That will take you to an index of all the #PublishingFoul features.

Here are some other handy links:

How to Spot a Scam

Indies Unlimited Authors’ Legal Resource Page

And don’t forget to take our Publishing Predator survey, even if you have not been scammed! Help us to get a good sampling of what’s going on out there. Please share!

So check those pages out, and make sure to stay tuned for more of #PublishingFoul month. Thanks for being a part of IU.