Staying Fit
Self-publishing is big business, but there’s more to putting out a book than just printing it. When you’re working alone, without a literary agent or traditional publisher, you must be vigilant about scams. We asked Andrew Chapman, self-publishing expert and author of The 53 Biggest Self-Publishing Mistakes and How To Avoid Them (a free e-book), and Arielle Eckstut, veteran literary agent and coauthor of Putting Your Passion Into Print: Get Your Book Published Successfully!, to reveal the five top things to be wary of when working with self-publishing companies.
Next: Five Self-Publishing Scams To Watch For
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1. Excessive flattery
Unscrupulous publishers will play on your emotional heartstrings. Consider sweet talk — “You deserve to be published” or “You have worked so hard, and we intend to share your voice with the world” — a red flag. Reliable publishers don’t butter you up to gain your business.
2. Promises of grandeur
When a self-publisher says, “We’ll get your book into every bookstore,” you might imagine your novel gracing the shelves of every Barnes & Noble and Borders in America. But in reality, this means your book will be merely listed in every bookstore’s computer database, available for order if a customer requests it.
