Beware the Publishing Scams ...

 "Write a book in 14 days!

"Get published in 6 weeks!

"Become an Amazon best seller and rake in the publishing deals!"

" We’ll publish your book and get you in all the book store chains."

Perhaps you’ve seen these and other promises made to people whose dream has always been to write and publish a book, and even, perhaps, get on the bestseller list.

Promises like these make me angry. I hate it when people prey on other people’s dreams, just to make a buck.

I admit, I too have fallen for one or two of the scams. A few years back, I bought a program that promised to teach me "How to Write a Book On Anything in 14 Days or Less … GUARANTEED!"

It was pricey then—around $300, I think—and now it’s even more. Perhaps twice that.

All I can say is, the guy was a better copywriter than he was an honest man. He did not make good on any of the promises he made. and try as I did to use his system, it still took me my usual 9 months to actually write my latest book, MotherStyles: Using Personality Type to Discover Your Parenting Strengths, with Janet Penley. (It actually took us about two years, all told. Never believe it takes less time to write a book with someone else!)

I will not say more about this product here, but if you have any questions, email me.

Now, I’m a copywriter myself, and there’s nothing wrong with showing your product or service in its best light, highlight all the benefits.

But they must be true benefits, and you must be prepared to make good on all your promises.

So … if some product sounds "too good to be true," no doubt it is. Before putting down your good money on any product, put aside your emotions for a moment and do a little research.

Google the person selling the product. In this case, the creator purported to be a "famous master writer" and “best-selling author of hundreds of books and articles." A Google search did not turn up his name anywhere!

If you can, check around to find out if anyone you know has used this product/service. For instance, I recently discovered someone who published with a well-known vanity publisher. She thought her book was on amazon.com and in Borders. Well, it was listed on amazon … but with no description or reviews or information on the publisher. I’m sure her book was made available to Borders—meaning it’s on a long list that buyers can buy from—but I’m sure it’s not actually in one Borders bookstore.

Another client of mine almost signed on with a "publisher" who promised to get his book into the bookstores—for an extra $500. I read the wording of the contract carefully, and knew that all it meant was that the publisher would include his book on a list that is made available to the distributors from whom the bookstores buy. However, no publisher’s rep would be calling on the book buyers, and I assured him his book would never end up on any bookstore shelf.

I love saving people money! (In this case, $500.) However, it angers me that so many unscrupulous people take advantage of people who simply want to get a book published.

Bottom line: Before you order any product, or sign on with a publisher, do your homework!

Note:  I am putting together a Special Report that will contain well-researched, factual reviews of products and services that appeal to authors and would-be authors. I'll talk to people who have direct experiences with the products.

On the list will be publishers,products, programs, and such. I'll give you the good, the bad, and the ugly about products as accurately as I can.

Because this is rather a confidential Report, I will not be publishing it broadly. To be put on a notification list for when this Special Report will be ready (along with any updates), please sign up below.