Today is IWSG Day because it’s the first Wednesday in May. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can follow other IWSG members here or on Twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page. The purpose of IWSG is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds, everywhere!
I want to ask you … why won’t writers research the reputations of publishers and agents and markets before they submit to them? Why won’t they protect themselves against phony contests and scams? Why is it that they can read one hundred warnings about a publisher, but they believe they will be treated differently? I don’t get it. Are we so desperate to get our words in print by a “traditional publisher” that we’ll pay anyone?
Today I learned about a woman who is having a book signing here in my area. I checked out her publisher. My heart breaks for her because, yes, she signed a contract with one of those. At some point, this lady will realize she’s made a mistake but it will be too late. I’m very familiar with her publisher because I’ve been reading complaints (and warning people) about them for years. Many, many, many years! How on earth can they remain in business?
You should know there are websites and organizations that expose publishers that have “problems.” One is called Preditors and Editors. You can research publishers as well as literary agents. There’s massive info on this site. Explore it, sign up for their newsletter. Always check their site before you submit anywhere.
Another website is Consumer Affairs. Here’s a link that lists 121 complaints against a publisher. And yes, there are a few positive comments but those writers are living in fantasy land, flying high with a published book. Read the complaints and weep.
Writer Beware is another excellent, very user-friendly site that will educate you on literary scams of all kinds. There are so many things for you to read and investigate on this site. Please, please… take the time to do so.
There’s no good reason to be conned by thieves pretending to be agents or publishers. We have the world at our fingertips when it comes to resources. We can Google and research anyone and anything at any time.
If YOU are paying a publisher to print your books, they’re making their money from YOU. Why would they want to promote you? That’s real work!
Take your writing seriously. If you don’t, no one will. Don’t throw your talent away.
Mary Aalgaard says
May 4, 2016 at 9:16 amGood advice. We are desperate to see our dreams come true. That’s what brings these predators their success. Sad. Mean. Horrible.
Mary at Play off the Page
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 10:36 amYou’re right, Mary. And I’m just as desperate as the next guy. Maybe I was blessed with a sense of paranoia because I’ve always researched things to make certain they were on the up and up. Thanks!
Stephanie Scott says
May 4, 2016 at 9:19 amKeep doing the good work of spreading the word! Personally, I don’t there is an excuse at all in the age of the internet when you can google anything. I know many writers don’t know where to start, but if you’re going into business with ANYTHING that involves your money and contracts, it’s foolish to not do homework. I believe this is what separates those who succeed in writing–they are able to step back from the emotional connection to their book to see the business side of publishing. Not to say it’s easy. But you have to.
Thanks for a great post!
Here’s my May IWSG post: It’s (not a) Shame about Rey
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 10:34 amStephanie, I’m always stunned at the number of new writers that don’t know where to start. We start by reading the trade magazines, blogs, hanging with other writings, listening and studying! You’re so right–foolish not to do our homework!
Anna says
May 4, 2016 at 9:30 amI only know about me. I do my best to stay safe, but I won’t stop trying on the off chance someone is out to rip me off. I know the signs, but I don’t know everything. In the end I trust my instincts, my heart and the people in my writing group to guide me.
Anna from elements of emaginette
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 10:32 amNever hesitate to ask questions. That’s how we learn and stay safe! Thanks, Anna!
Susan Gourley says
May 4, 2016 at 9:52 amI cringe when I see writers using those publishers. I should say when I see those ‘publishers’ using those writers. There will always be sharks circling to feed on people’s dreams.
Susan Says
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 10:31 amYou’re absolutely right, Susan. Sharks feeding on people’s dreams. 🙁
Pat Garcia says
May 4, 2016 at 11:14 amThere is nothing more that I can say except Amen to all you have said. P & E and Writer’s Beware are two places one should research before even considering signing a contract with someone. As writers our hearts are in our manuscripts and we should treat them as the precious diamonds that they are.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Patricia @ http://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/2016/05/the-second-milestone-iwsg-article-may-4.html
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 4:09 pmYou’re right, Patricia! Thanks for stopping by.
Random Musings says
May 4, 2016 at 11:28 amThis is a great post. I remember considering submitting to a small publisher who accepted submission from unagented writers. They were charging a fee to get your book published. At the time, I remember thinking it was time to bet on myself – if I wasn’t willing to put money into my book, why should anyone else? Luckily for me, my manuscript wasn’t quite finished and before I got around to submitting, I read several blog posts talking about these small publishers, and saying they are basically vanity presses that will print your book but then the onus is on you for all the marketing. So basically, I would have been paying someone for something that is essentially the same as self publishing, which I am quite capable of doing myself!
Debbie
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 4:17 pmI think you said a mouthful, Debbie and something that’s key. That if we aren’t willing to put money into ourselves no one else is going to. That goes right along with believing in ourselves. It all plays a part. We need to exercise patience and keep writing. 🙂
Ula says
May 4, 2016 at 11:53 amI always do a Google search at the very least. Thanks for all those links. I’d only known of Preditors & Editors. I think sometimes when we really want something, we will believe almost anything to get what we want. That’s why we have to be extra careful.
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 4:18 pmI agree, Ula. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Madeline Mora-Summonte says
May 4, 2016 at 12:02 pmBack in the day, before the Internet (gah, how old am I?!) it was a lot harder to check on reputations and scams, etc. It’s so much easier now. Thanks for the reminder to do it!
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 4:21 pmI agree, Madeline. I remember mailing out those envelops with SASEs inside. 🙂 No real way to check out publishers or agents. I remember some scams I read about after the fact! I’m with you–how old am I? 🙂
Michelle Athy says
May 4, 2016 at 1:48 pmI queried a story in 2014 and before I did it, I was checking the AbsoluteWrite’s subforum on agents and agencies. I was looking at Publisher’s Marketplace. The story wasn’t really at a level where it would even have a smidgen of a chance at getting an agent, but still–better to be aware and careful.
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 4:24 pmAbsolutely, Michelle! Hopefully, you’re still researching legit markets. Now it’s 2016. I venture to say, you’re either published or have an agent! Right?
Charles Gramlich says
May 4, 2016 at 1:48 pmPart of it is likely desperation. Part is our wish to write rather than market.
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 4:26 pmI know, Charles. Finding the right markets takes time. Sometimes I with I had a virtual assistant to do all that busy work! But, actually I like doing it… just not all the time. 🙂
Stephanie Faris says
May 4, 2016 at 2:59 pmIt’s amazing how easy it is to research agents and editors now…yet fraudsters can still get around it somehow. Always new ones on the prowl, I guess. I always checked Preditors and Editors when I was looking. It’s a very handy resource!
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 4:29 pmThanks for stopping by, Stephanie.
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says
May 4, 2016 at 3:48 pmIt’s just horrifying and heartbreaking to think about how many people are scammed. To put so much effort into writing a book and then have someone take advantage of you is just awful. Definitely worth doing your research ahead of time.
Cheers – Ellen
Jessica Ferguson says
May 4, 2016 at 4:31 pmIt makes me so angry, Ellen. I wish I could do something about it but writers really have to take care of themselves and be wise and aware.
Marie Andreas says
May 5, 2016 at 8:42 amI agree- people need to be wary! I’ve gone down the Indie path now, but back in the day when I was looking for agents and publishers, I always checked them out. Even now I cringe when I see folks posting, “So, is $3000 okay to pay a publisher?” After the cringing, I give them a “what are you paying for?!” pitch, then I send them to Preditors and editors. People want their dreams to become real so badly, they miss the cliff they are about to run off of :(.
Great post!
Jessica Ferguson says
May 5, 2016 at 1:25 pmI’m so glad you’re speaking out, Marie. Some people don’t. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Michelle Wallace says
May 5, 2016 at 11:29 amIt’s shocking and sad and scary how people are still caught in this day and age.
I suppose scamsters exist in every industry. We just have to be on our guard and make informed decisions.
Jessica Ferguson says
May 5, 2016 at 1:24 pmExactly–Informed decisions!
Christina says
May 6, 2016 at 11:58 am*Please disregard my previous comment. I messed it up 😛
It’s the sign at the dead end street. Robert Fulghum told a story once about living on a dead end street and people would stop and read the sign at the intersection and then they’d proceed to the end of the street anyhow. He took it as a sort of naive optimism.
I think these folks are optimistic but their optimism is liberally laced with mental laziness. They want it to be true and it’s easier to just believe than it is to investigate the source and possibly ending up disappointed. It’s the same reason why people still believe their poetry is “chosen” to be published in an anthology and all they have to do is buy the book. You can’t convince them it’s a scam. They don’t want it to be.
Money should always flow toward the writer.
Heather Duff says
May 14, 2016 at 4:18 pmI don’t google publishers or agents to learn about them. I Jess them.
That’s right. You are now a verb.
Jessica Ferguson says
May 14, 2016 at 4:27 pmYou are hilarious!