5 Questions Writers Should Ask Before Paying for Publishing Help
Creative people are preyed upon by grifters constantly. These scammers are savvy. They have packaged their con into the perfect webinar, digital toolkit or book coaching program. Big results are promised for a hefty sum. But many novice writers take the bait because… can you really put a price tag on your dreams?
Let me assure you that in fact the answer is “yes.” And that you absolutely should. I am a firm believer in minimizing up-front costs of any side gig or artistic endeavor unless you have disposable income that is not needed for other expenses. However, far fewer people do nowadays, which makes these schemes even more devastating for those who fall victim to them.
My first tip is to beware of pitches that misuse legitimate terms such as “narrative therapy,” “indie press,” and “micro-publishing.” I am not saying that there are no legitimate workshops or publishing opportunities associated with these terms. But take the time to do extensive research before spending any of your hard-earned dollars.
Another scam to avoid is fake literary agencies. I know more than one author who was duped into signing on with an agent who turned out to be fraudulent. In one case, this person had taken on clients simply so she could make a sizable amount of money to attend writing and book-related events. A much worse case scenario is having this kind of con artist convince writers to pay money upfront to secure “representation.” If you are approached with this kind of offer, definitely decline! I assure you that no reputable literary agent would request payment before they manage to secure you a book deal. Also, agent commissions are almost always deducted directly from advance and royalty payments paid by publishers.
Lastly, PR and marketing support are other services that so-called branding experts convince authors to overspend on. Avoid getting swindled by asking these five questions up front:
- What is the primary objective of the marketing tactic I am being asked to buy? (e.g., a digital strategy, new website)
- How many other writers do they currently have (or have had) as clients?
- How frequently will you need to pay for this assistance? (weekly, monthly, or annually)
- Is this an immediate need to advance your writing career or more of a long-term want?
- Do you really want to do this now? (e.g., create an e-newsletter, host an event; add more social media accounts)
Especially in regard to event planning, it is vital to consider what is actually needed to prevent paying for items and services you do not need. Taking your book (or poetry) on tour can certainly be a powerful and memorable experience. Yet the total number of expenses can also add up quickly. Use the following objectives to figure out if (and when) it might be sensible to hire a professional to help you coordinate a book launch, poetry slam or another in-person function to showcase your work.
Potential Pros:
- When you meet your audience in person, you build instant trust that can take months (or years) to develop online.
- Author events and poetry readings usually provide ample opportunity to capture authentic social media content in real time: photos, video clips, and user-generated content (images, quotes, and captions attendees post that you can reshare).
- You could potentially make a modest amount of money if you charge an admission fee and/or directly sell copies of your work at these events (for those who hybrid- or self-publish). Same goes for partnering with other authors or poets to decrease out-of-pocket costs. If you are traditionally published, the publisher will likely cover most (if not all) of your travel expenses, so–depending on the itinerary–it could feel like a mini vacation.
Potential Cons:
- It takes a LOT of planning, especially if the tour is 100% DIY.
- There can be big costs involved: venue(s), refreshments, travel, accommodations, childcare, pet sitters, etc. This also includes potential lost wages if you need to take time off from your day job.
You need to figure out months in advance where to go. Start with cities where you have either lived; personally know local bookstore owners; several (well-established) creative professionals; or open mic organizers. You can also use the analytics features for your social media accounts (if they are set to “business mode”) or poll your e-newsletter readers to ask where they would like you to visit.
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