Advice Against Scammers in Publishing

 Advice Against Scammers in Publishing

Some of you may have read my blogpost concerning my experience with a fake literary agent. This blogpost is to give further advice to avoid being scammed. I will repeat some of what was said previously because every little bit helps.

1. No reputable agent charges you money. An agent is paid when you are paid.

2. There is no such thing as freelance literary agent.

3. Beware of agents providing services other than representing your books. The exception is if they are an editorial agent which is an agent who helps polish your book for submission. This isn't the same as what I experienced with Beatrice Sampson. Beatrice provided marketing and promoting services. She didn't utilize the resources I purchased from her properly and thus lied about their effectiveness.  

4. Whoever you work with in publishing should be flexible and accommodating enough to do a Zoom call. I had an editor make an excuse about privacy in regards to this. The editor is running a business which means they should be willing communicate in whatever way a writer is comfortable.

5. No one running a business should be using a friend or family member's PayPal account. It's completely unprofessional.

6. Authors are expected to have a social media presence these days. If you are working with an editor, agent, promoter, or publicist they should be easy to Google. Matching a face to the name is very important. The person you work with should have an ease to find website.

7. I understand protecting yourself is important, but working with someone who doesn't use their real name is bad. I was always told if you have to sneak or lie, then you're doing something wrong.

8. Chances are whatever you click on from a scammer will hack everything you have. Once you end the relationship with scammer have your phone examined. Go to your bank and credit card company and close old accounts. Open new accounts. Get yourself a new debit and credit card. Change all your online passwords. These measures if done quickly and efficiently will save you a headache.

I hope all of this helps. Good Luck!